e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

[Kevin Robb]

eBay is a great resource and it's success can be measured by the number of copycat type sites that have come on the scene in recent times.

Out of curiosity what is it that attracts you to eBay?

Is it their layout, ease of use etc?

What do you think eBay could improve on or alternatively if you use another auction site, why do you prefer it over eBay?

Let's hear your comments.

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[kellylowe]

The other sites don't market the way that eBay does....it's pretty much as simple as that.

In fact, there are other auction sites that don't charge the fees that eBay charges - but the majority of people use eBay regardless of this fact simply because that is where everyone is doing their buying and selling.

If those other sites had the advertising budget that eBay has, sellers might be more tempted to use them.

As a buyer, I search eBay because that's where the seller's are.

It's what we call a 'catch 22.'

Just my thoughts.....

[crassus]

I like ebay because I can acquire things there for less than in the stores. The annoying thing, though, is their search method. It is so sensitive that the number of products that come up in a search can be determined by whether or not there is an S added to the end. Of late, they have done some work to improve the search method so that it is not so sensitive, but it could still use some improvement.

[destiny]

I prefer eBay because it is the proven "known" option. The others may be totally reputable, too, but eBay feels safer and I'm a cautious kind of person. If there'd be a problem, for example, I'd trust eBay to fix it more than I'd trust an unknown auction that may just be starting up.

- Des

[telegraph.hill]

eBay is good because of:

* ease of use

* traffic

I have tried one alternative, eBash, and found it to be more problematic to use, and far less traffic.

[Thumperfive]

eBay is, for me, just more user-friendly - both for buyers and sellers - if you appeal to the general public and keep it simple, you get more attention and thus more business!

[telegraph.hill]

Yes - I find it very easy to sell stuff on eBay. Because of the traffic it's easy to get more than one person after your item, and they get into a bidding war that pushes the price up no end.

This works well for me because I sell items that are fairly unique, or just not easy to get hold of, such as sections of Japanese obi belt, rarish books, and so on.

[Thumperfive]

and that's what keeps people coming back to Ebay - ease of use for both buyers and sellers.

if I have to learn an entire new programming language to put up an auction, then I'm going elsewhere!

[tizzle]

Among everything else, I use e-bay because it has so many users. I love that so many people can see a post for anything that I am selling.

On top of that, I can find so many things that I am looking for. Even very obscure items can be found on e-bay.

Also, as some people have noted already, e-bay really advertises a lot more than any other e-auction site out there. They have really cornered the market, and they are always the first place I look for items.

[Thumperfive]

eBay also has a HUGE consumer base around the world... and you just cant' beat that type of exposure!

[Keith Winton]

Considering Kevin's initial post, does anyone use any other auction site?

I am aware that there are many others aside from eBay.

What is your experience?

Cheers

Keith Winton

[cesc]

Nah I only use eBay...there are probably thousands more but eBay has the biggest marketplace so it is the likeliest place for me to find cheap prices.