With both Google and Microsoft poised to offer eBay some much-needed competition, I see much lower fees on the horizon.
Full Version: The eBay Pending Competition thread
Microsoft Testing Its Own 'Google Base'
With both Google and Microsoft poised to offer eBay some much-needed competition, I see much lower fees on the horizon.
With both Google and Microsoft poised to offer eBay some much-needed competition, I see much lower fees on the horizon.
I've never thought of eBay's fees as being outrageous...I think ppl are just used to getting something for nothing. Ever price a 5 line want ad in your local paper? Compare that value to the coverage and value you get at ebay for a fraction of the cost.
dude... ebay is way over priced... come on.. posting fee... then closing fee... then paypal fees?? thats three time I am paying for listing an item.
i do agree that ebay is an awesome service. but i also believe they could be less greedy.
google base is more of a competition for craigslist than ebay in my opinion. well.. only time will tell.
i do agree that ebay is an awesome service. but i also believe they could be less greedy.
google base is more of a competition for craigslist than ebay in my opinion. well.. only time will tell.
I really look forward to this! If nothing else, it's yet another venue to sell products!
QUOTE(sullise @ 11-30-05, 12:02pm)
I've never thought of eBay's fees as being outrageous...I think ppl are just used to getting something for nothing. Ever price a 5 line want ad in your local paper? Compare that value to the coverage and value you get at ebay for a fraction of the cost.
I agree that ebay is a much better bargain compared to the classifieds. But they've been making very good money the entire time, and now they're trying to "maximize" their profits by raising various fees. They can get away with this, because even as they raise their fees, they know that ebay is still a much better alternative that classified ads, advertisements, Amazon zShops, Pricegrabber, etc.
However, that market just won't support a monopoly forever. It's too easy for a Microsoft or a Google to enter that market, and the profits make it very tempting for them to enter it (at least, so I hope). eBay can lower their fees substantially and still make a nice profit, and a little competition will cause them to do so.
Like Linux has forced M$ to lower the price of Windows, right?
But Google and Microsoft are both uh, monopolizers themselves. This is interesting.
As for the classified prices in newspapers, there you have it. Print media obviously presents barriers to distribution. Even a city the size of Detroit, the News and Free Press pretty much combine their classifieds, I think. Of course there's your local paper, and then other special publications, like the MetroTimes, which is a free citywide mag that focuses on arts, entertainment, nightlife...they're cheaper and if your ad targets that audience, it's a better place to post it. Stuff like cars and broader-reaching items that need quick turnover end up in the main paper.
Of course Ebay reaches one of the broadest audiences of all. The reach of the Internet is a good start, but it still takes effort to ingrain in the public consciousness, where to find you. The fact is, "Ebaying" has become a verb, the only verb associated with the action of selling goods online. Google has established their brand as well, since "googling" has also become a common phrase. (pre y2k, everyone I knew just "web searched") However, they have already established themselves as a source of free information. I don't think "google" is going to be a phrase that extends directly to refer to a marketplace. They may find a niche of dedicated users, maybe certain types of product will succeed here. Actually, I think Google's service would lend itself more to advertising things such as local services. (google does a good job with the "local" search things, with their maps and such). I think Google has the power to make inroads on things like Craigslist and maybe even local classifieds. I still think Ebay will have a stronghold on the worldwide market, though.
The idea of Microsoft entering this arena, strange. Whatever. Hopefully some competition will at least bring fees down in the short term.
As for the classified prices in newspapers, there you have it. Print media obviously presents barriers to distribution. Even a city the size of Detroit, the News and Free Press pretty much combine their classifieds, I think. Of course there's your local paper, and then other special publications, like the MetroTimes, which is a free citywide mag that focuses on arts, entertainment, nightlife...they're cheaper and if your ad targets that audience, it's a better place to post it. Stuff like cars and broader-reaching items that need quick turnover end up in the main paper.
Of course Ebay reaches one of the broadest audiences of all. The reach of the Internet is a good start, but it still takes effort to ingrain in the public consciousness, where to find you. The fact is, "Ebaying" has become a verb, the only verb associated with the action of selling goods online. Google has established their brand as well, since "googling" has also become a common phrase. (pre y2k, everyone I knew just "web searched") However, they have already established themselves as a source of free information. I don't think "google" is going to be a phrase that extends directly to refer to a marketplace. They may find a niche of dedicated users, maybe certain types of product will succeed here. Actually, I think Google's service would lend itself more to advertising things such as local services. (google does a good job with the "local" search things, with their maps and such). I think Google has the power to make inroads on things like Craigslist and maybe even local classifieds. I still think Ebay will have a stronghold on the worldwide market, though.
The idea of Microsoft entering this arena, strange. Whatever. Hopefully some competition will at least bring fees down in the short term.
QUOTE(sullise @ 12-1-05, 12:41am)
Like Linux has forced M$ to lower the price of Windows, right?
Unix (and Linux) have never been much competition in the desktop space. I love Linux, but even I continue to use Windows on my desktop machines. I think Google and Microsoft can actually pull off creating a decent competitor to eBay. Whether or not they can execute remains to be seen.
(aside: has anyone here actually paid for Windows?
)
QUOTE(garsh @ 12-3-05, 4:45am)
(aside: has anyone here actually paid for Windows? )
)Indirectly, hell yeah.
Is there a way to stop Dell from not charging me for windows when i buy their systems?
no, because that's how Windows wants it, I guess. Probably figure it's easier to profit by policing system resellers and get the software on every machine sold, than to curb piracy of millions of individuals.
QUOTE(alphynewman @ 12-3-05, 8:01pm)
Indirectly, hell yeah.
Is there a way to stop Dell from not charging me for windows when i buy their systems?
Is there a way to stop Dell from not charging me for windows when i buy their systems?
They do sell systems with no OS installed... just not at low prices.
Dell n-Series
Supposedly the next MS OS will come out in various versions for users. I label them bloat, more bloat, and Bill Gates' ego.
QUOTE(JCS @ 12-5-05, 10:17am)
Oh, how stupid. That's actually a higher cost than the regular E510. You may as well just format the hard drive yourself, and sell the MCE with an old mouse or something (so you meet the OEM requirements)
QUOTE(garsh @ 12-3-05, 8:45am)
Unix (and Linux) have never been much competition in the desktop space. I love Linux, but even I continue to use Windows on my desktop machines.
I think Google and Microsoft can actually pull off creating a decent competitor to eBay. Whether or not they can execute remains to be seen.
(aside: has anyone here actually paid for Windows? )
I think Google and Microsoft can actually pull off creating a decent competitor to eBay. Whether or not they can execute remains to be seen.
(aside: has anyone here actually paid for Windows?
)I have two legal copies. One I bought directly from M$ (deal that popped up where I got it for $50...pro version no less) a while back. Other copy is a Pro version that came with my Dell.
And while I like Linux too for Server software, I really do not care for it as a desktop replacement..not fully anyway. It lacks in many areas in terms of ease and functionality, as well as total integration of the desktop.
It's come a long way, but it's still got a long way to go and I doubt it will ever be a serious threat to M$ in that regard because it lacks what M$ has, the motive of profit, which is a strong driver.
Hey look! eBay actually has some decent competition in China, and look what they end up doing:
Slashdot: eBay Scraps Transaction Fees in China
Slashdot: eBay Scraps Transaction Fees in China
QUOTE
The US online auction service eBay scrapped all sellers' transaction fees in China, in an effort to compete with local competitors offering free services, including Yahoo-invested Alibaba.com. The online auctioneer announced the changes on its China auction website, saying transaction fees would be waived, but small fees would continue to be charged for listing products on the site's webspace and for "feature" products. eBay's China unit, Eachnet, would also require all sellers to provide authorized online payment mechanisms to improve its credit environment, including PayPal and other escrow services, the announcement said. The move means that sellers won't get paid until the buyers receive and are satisfied with the products, it said.
QUOTE
The move means that sellers won't get paid until the buyers receive and are satisfied with the products, it said.
Ebay giveth, then taketh away. Who in their right mind ships before receiving payment?
PayPal Prepares For a Challenge From Google
QUOTE
While Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt confirmed in press accounts that the company was building a payment service, Mr. Schmidt also denied it would directly compete with PayPal. Mr. Schmidt said Google didn't intend to offer a "person-to-person, stored-value payments system," which many people consider a description of PayPal's service.
Mr. Jordan says he and his team immediately "dissected the wording" of Google's statements. He says he doesn't believe Mr. Schmidt.
Mr. Jordan says he and his team immediately "dissected the wording" of Google's statements. He says he doesn't believe Mr. Schmidt.
QUOTE(garsh @ 2-6-06, 8:26am)
And how will they react - by increasing fees? Look what they just did on the Money Market fees. They would respond until something materializes and takes away some of their business.
QUOTE(wurlybird9 @ 12-5-05, 1:29pm)
Oh, how stupid. That's actually a higher cost than the regular E510. You may as well just format the hard drive yourself, and sell the MCE with an old mouse or something (so you meet the OEM requirements)
I know this is off-topic, but FWIW it is not legal to transfer an OEM license from one PC to another (even if the original PC is no longer using the software).
QUOTE(BlueTDimly @ 2-7-06, 8:25am)
I know this is off-topic, but FWIW it is not legal to transfer an OEM license from one PC to another (even if the original PC is no longer using the software).
That is correct. I attended a Microsoft seminar where licensing was discussed. They also said that legally you're not even supposed to use the media that came with PC1 and use it on PC2, regardless if PC2 has a valid license. The Microsoft representatives said if you want to legally transfer a license from one PC to another then purchase the full retail version.
It normally bothers me a little to see Micro$oft overwhelm businesses that started with great enterprizing ideas, and made it work starting from nothing, by simply spending them into the ground and giving away the product, but in eBay's case, I don't think I'd mind too much.
Official Google Base Blog: Buying on Google Base
QUOTE
Buying on Google Base
2/24/2006 12:04:00 PM
By Chetan Patel, Engineering Manager & Stephen Stukenborg, Product Manager
While Google Base provides data structure and distribution for a wide range of content and information, a subset of items are for sale. To help users more easily purchase and sell Google Base items, we're planning to enable people to buy items on Google Base using their Google Accounts.
Many of you are probably already familiar with the Google Account. You use it to sign in and pay for a number of Google services, like Google Video and Google Earth. We're now introducting similar functionality on Google Base.
For buyers, this feature will provide a convenient and secure way to purchase Google Base items by credit card. For sellers, this feature integrates transaction processing with Google Base item management.
We're starting with a very small number of sellers and we expect to include more over the next several months. If you're a seller and you're interested in getting an announcement when this feature is generally available, let us know. And if you want to know how this functionality relates to Google's broader work in payments, read this update. We hope this feature will make it even easier for people to use Google Base to post and distribute a wide range of content, whether information for sharing or goods for sale.
2/24/2006 12:04:00 PM
By Chetan Patel, Engineering Manager & Stephen Stukenborg, Product Manager
While Google Base provides data structure and distribution for a wide range of content and information, a subset of items are for sale. To help users more easily purchase and sell Google Base items, we're planning to enable people to buy items on Google Base using their Google Accounts.
Many of you are probably already familiar with the Google Account. You use it to sign in and pay for a number of Google services, like Google Video and Google Earth. We're now introducting similar functionality on Google Base.
For buyers, this feature will provide a convenient and secure way to purchase Google Base items by credit card. For sellers, this feature integrates transaction processing with Google Base item management.
We're starting with a very small number of sellers and we expect to include more over the next several months. If you're a seller and you're interested in getting an announcement when this feature is generally available, let us know. And if you want to know how this functionality relates to Google's broader work in payments, read this update. We hope this feature will make it even easier for people to use Google Base to post and distribute a wide range of content, whether information for sharing or goods for sale.
i'm glad google and msft have billions to throw around this way. Even if they slowly chip away at ebay's market share, that should make a substantial difference in the way ebay does business. There's tons of people ready to jump. Especially if given a reasonable alternative.
http://google-blog.dirson.com/post.new/0382/
QUOTE
MORE ON 'GOOGLE PURCHASES'
[Feb 26, 2006] The new 'Google Purchases' service (purchases.google.com) will be launched in a few days, and is to allow users to make micropayments within 'Google Base' (buy and sell all kinds of items), to acquire licences of 'Google Earth', non-free videos from 'Google Video', and to pay products of the Google Store.
Users only need their 'Google Account' (it's free and your Gmail account is your pass), and they have to add their credit or debit card information (only Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover are allowed). For security reasons, it's not allowed to use the same credit card for more than one Google Account.
Credit card information is housed in a single location on Google secure servers, and data are encrypted during transmission with SSL technology.
With this payment information, each time users want to buy an article, they must click 'Buy' button (view image) and Google knows which card to charge (with no extra fees) and which address to deliver items (view image). In addition, users are to receive a confirmation email reporting the buy and the amount charged.
At any time users can review their order's status (view image), along with a link to cancel or have refunded (if sellers's refund or cancellation policies allow it).
UPDATED with TechCrunch.com screenshots.
[Feb 26, 2006] The new 'Google Purchases' service (purchases.google.com) will be launched in a few days, and is to allow users to make micropayments within 'Google Base' (buy and sell all kinds of items), to acquire licences of 'Google Earth', non-free videos from 'Google Video', and to pay products of the Google Store.
Users only need their 'Google Account' (it's free and your Gmail account is your pass), and they have to add their credit or debit card information (only Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover are allowed). For security reasons, it's not allowed to use the same credit card for more than one Google Account.
Credit card information is housed in a single location on Google secure servers, and data are encrypted during transmission with SSL technology.
With this payment information, each time users want to buy an article, they must click 'Buy' button (view image) and Google knows which card to charge (with no extra fees) and which address to deliver items (view image). In addition, users are to receive a confirmation email reporting the buy and the amount charged.
At any time users can review their order's status (view image), along with a link to cancel or have refunded (if sellers's refund or cancellation policies allow it).
UPDATED with TechCrunch.com screenshots.
Exclusive look at Google Payments... lots of screenshots available on the page...
http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/02/27/exclu...oogle-payments/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/02/27/exclu...oogle-payments/
QUOTE
Exclusive Look At Google Payments
Posted by Nik Cubrilovic
google base logo
Google announced last week on their blog that they will begin to facilitate payments on Google Base in the near future. The blog post from Google pointed out that Google are already accepting payments on their video service as well as when users purchase software such as Google Earth and that this will be extended further in the near future. The latest updates to Google Base, which we have been able to take a good look at, is to compete directly with eBay by not only allowing sellers to post items to base, but also by facilitating the transaction through Google Payments (see this blog post on purchasing via Base from the Google Base team).
To see some items on Google Base that are accepting payments via Google go to base.google.com and search for either ‘xyzzy‘ for a list of items with payments enabled, or ‘magic unicorn beanie‘ for a particular item. The first thing you see is that a price has been set and you can see that the payment method that is accepted is ‘payment through google’. While ordinary users now won’t get an option to purchase these items, we managed to get some screenshots of how the process will look and work. The next set of screens show the items that had a big ‘buy’ button on them so that the user can purchase them:
The payments site currently redirects to your Google account details but upon public launch, and available on very few select accounts at the moment, the user will have the option to specify or update their credit card details as well as their delivery address details. This means that as a user of Google Payments you won’t need to re-enter this information when making a purchase on Base, or any of the other services from Google that will be taking advantage of the new system. In addition on your account page you will see a history of items that you have purchased and you will be able to check the delivery status of items being delivered, as well as information about the seller of items you have purchased.
Our understanding is that Google is currently testing this service further internally and are in talks to potential sellers on using Google Base and their new payment system to sell items. From the users point of view, it makes purchasing items on any Google property extremely simple. The checkout process is extremely quick and much faster than Paypal’s (page loading times are Google fast) – it also has a much nicer interface making it easier for a user to navigate their way through a checkout and purchase. Overall with Google Base and payments the experience for a user is much nicer than what it is on eBay, a very nice interface and many search features while maintaining the very minimal yet functional interface as expected from Google. I can see that they will be able to maintain this nice interface even as the inventory of items for sale gets much much bigger – their choice of using tags for items as opposed to categories makes it much easier to find items and to fine-tune search results.
What Google does lack at the moment, and something they are working on, is a reputation system so that you can authenticate who the seller is and how trustworthy they are. Building a good reputation system is a very big problem, one that eBay has yet to completely solve so it will be interesting to see what Google will do about this. I don’t know if launching without a reputation system is a good idea, their short-term solution may be to restrict sellers using their payment system to more trusted sources.
What we are seeing here from Google is a direct shot at eBay’s market, as well as other services such as Craigslist - though they have some way to get there. The new payments system means we should see many more services and offerings from Google in the future that cost money, it has made Google Base a lot more interesting and also started up a much needed additional source of revenue.
Posted by Nik Cubrilovic
google base logo
Google announced last week on their blog that they will begin to facilitate payments on Google Base in the near future. The blog post from Google pointed out that Google are already accepting payments on their video service as well as when users purchase software such as Google Earth and that this will be extended further in the near future. The latest updates to Google Base, which we have been able to take a good look at, is to compete directly with eBay by not only allowing sellers to post items to base, but also by facilitating the transaction through Google Payments (see this blog post on purchasing via Base from the Google Base team).
To see some items on Google Base that are accepting payments via Google go to base.google.com and search for either ‘xyzzy‘ for a list of items with payments enabled, or ‘magic unicorn beanie‘ for a particular item. The first thing you see is that a price has been set and you can see that the payment method that is accepted is ‘payment through google’. While ordinary users now won’t get an option to purchase these items, we managed to get some screenshots of how the process will look and work. The next set of screens show the items that had a big ‘buy’ button on them so that the user can purchase them:
The payments site currently redirects to your Google account details but upon public launch, and available on very few select accounts at the moment, the user will have the option to specify or update their credit card details as well as their delivery address details. This means that as a user of Google Payments you won’t need to re-enter this information when making a purchase on Base, or any of the other services from Google that will be taking advantage of the new system. In addition on your account page you will see a history of items that you have purchased and you will be able to check the delivery status of items being delivered, as well as information about the seller of items you have purchased.
Our understanding is that Google is currently testing this service further internally and are in talks to potential sellers on using Google Base and their new payment system to sell items. From the users point of view, it makes purchasing items on any Google property extremely simple. The checkout process is extremely quick and much faster than Paypal’s (page loading times are Google fast) – it also has a much nicer interface making it easier for a user to navigate their way through a checkout and purchase. Overall with Google Base and payments the experience for a user is much nicer than what it is on eBay, a very nice interface and many search features while maintaining the very minimal yet functional interface as expected from Google. I can see that they will be able to maintain this nice interface even as the inventory of items for sale gets much much bigger – their choice of using tags for items as opposed to categories makes it much easier to find items and to fine-tune search results.
What Google does lack at the moment, and something they are working on, is a reputation system so that you can authenticate who the seller is and how trustworthy they are. Building a good reputation system is a very big problem, one that eBay has yet to completely solve so it will be interesting to see what Google will do about this. I don’t know if launching without a reputation system is a good idea, their short-term solution may be to restrict sellers using their payment system to more trusted sources.
What we are seeing here from Google is a direct shot at eBay’s market, as well as other services such as Craigslist - though they have some way to get there. The new payments system means we should see many more services and offerings from Google in the future that cost money, it has made Google Base a lot more interesting and also started up a much needed additional source of revenue.
Microsoft Live Expo:
http://expo.live.com/
MS website similar to Craigslist.
http://expo.live.com/
MS website similar to Craigslist.
QUOTE
Expo is a dynamic social listing service that allows members to find and sell items, discover information, and meet other parties in their area – all for free!
With Expo, you can browse and post listings to those you trust, like your buddies, co-workers, and fellow students, or, to all Expo visitors.
In addition, you can map listings easily using MSN Virtual Earth, post a free listing in less than a minute with our easy-to-follow steps, and use instant messages to communicate quickly with other members.
With Expo, you can browse and post listings to those you trust, like your buddies, co-workers, and fellow students, or, to all Expo visitors.
In addition, you can map listings easily using MSN Virtual Earth, post a free listing in less than a minute with our easy-to-follow steps, and use instant messages to communicate quickly with other members.
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