Comments on: Your biggest ever competitor is coming to eBay UK http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html eBay & ecommerce made easy Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:59:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Cambridge_Blue http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52779 Cambridge_Blue Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:57:21 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52779 An interesting observation indeed from Jimbo! There is an aggressive move that Buy could make that would be to effectively takeover eBay so they could compete head to head with Amazon but effectively own their own route to market in the US and overseas. Would require a significant amount of leveraged money and a lot of cohonies but the play (no pun intended) is there to be made by an ego driven player at Buy. The timing is problematic at present and perhaps not right now but in the future this could make a very attractive proposition with money to be made by all concerned - apart from the sellers and buyers of course. The Hoe being a true believer bainite has no emotional attachment to or investment in eBay as a business at all - if the numbers on offer from the banks and hedge funds stack up he will take the money and run. Just like most of us really :oops: You did remember to get your own website up and running didn't you.... pip pip An interesting observation indeed from Jimbo!
There is an aggressive move that Buy could make that would be to effectively takeover eBay so they could compete head to head with Amazon but effectively own their own route to market in the US and overseas.
Would require a significant amount of leveraged money and a lot of cohonies but the play (no pun intended) is there to be made by an ego driven player at Buy.
The timing is problematic at present and perhaps not right now but in the future this could make a very attractive proposition with money to be made by all concerned – apart from the sellers and buyers of course.
The Hoe being a true believer bainite has no emotional attachment to or investment in eBay as a business at all – if the numbers on offer from the banks and hedge funds stack up he will take the money and run.
Just like most of us really :oops:
You did remember to get your own website up and running didn’t you….
pip pip

]]> By: Jimbo http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52777 Jimbo Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:28:00 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52777 Is "Buy" the Cuckoo in eBay's nest? Is “Buy” the Cuckoo in eBay’s nest?

]]> By: Richard http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52771 Richard Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:49:10 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52771 On the USA site yes it is. On the USA site yes it is.

]]> By: Richard http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52770 Richard Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:46:54 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52770 http://tamebay.com/links About half way down. :smile: http://tamebay.com/links

About half way down. :smile:

]]> By: James Kite http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52769 James Kite Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:45:29 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52769 Buys ebay name is BUY if I recall correctly Buys ebay name is BUY if I recall correctly

]]> By: buriedbybooks http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52768 buriedbybooks Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:24:18 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52768 My problem with Buy.com (aside from the whole free listings issue) is that they violate eBay's anti-spam policy. They're in it for customer acquisition, not sales. They entice buyers to purchase from them, then spam buyers with email directing them to their main site. And, of course, multiple reports about this practice are ignored. My problem with Buy.com (aside from the whole free listings issue) is that they violate eBay’s anti-spam policy.

They’re in it for customer acquisition, not sales. They entice buyers to purchase from them, then spam buyers with email directing them to their main site.

And, of course, multiple reports about this practice are ignored.

]]> By: Randy Smythe http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52767 Randy Smythe Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:53:53 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52767 LOL! Sorry, have I been away so long? I'm a former eBay seller (Glacier Bay DVD) turned blogger (MyBlogUtopia.com) turned Buy.com Merchant Evangelist. I started at Buy.com in January of this year to help grow the 3P Marketplace business. LOL! Sorry, have I been away so long?

I’m a former eBay seller (Glacier Bay DVD) turned blogger (MyBlogUtopia.com) turned Buy.com Merchant Evangelist.

I started at Buy.com in January of this year to help grow the 3P Marketplace business.

]]> By: Lino http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52766 Lino Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:36:52 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52766 Hi Randy, 1st question, who are you? Hi Randy, 1st question, who are you?

]]> By: Randy Smythe http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52765 Randy Smythe Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:13:38 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52765 @Leo At present, we only have the 3P marketplace available in the US and that is only open to US based merchants. We will announce when we launch marketplace through our International sites. I would be happy to answer any questions about the Buy.com marketplace. @Leo

At present, we only have the 3P marketplace available in the US and that is only open to US based merchants.

We will announce when we launch marketplace through our International sites.

I would be happy to answer any questions about the Buy.com marketplace.

]]> By: Richard http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52753 Richard Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:01:16 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52753 Sue, probably like the rest of the monster sellers on Amazon, it's a list uploaded blindly, probably they'll buy from someone else who happens to have it listed, hence the rediculous price. Take a look on Amazon and you'll find several monster sellers that list stuff for stupid prices they don't actually have. I've seen it happen with specific CDs where I know for a fact I've had the entire stock left directly from a label. As soon as I stopped listing it on Amazon there's automaticaly finish. The trick is to take it off, wait for their systems to remove there's and add it right back in. Sue, probably like the rest of the monster sellers on Amazon, it’s a list uploaded blindly, probably they’ll buy from someone else who happens to have it listed, hence the rediculous price. Take a look on Amazon and you’ll find several monster sellers that list stuff for stupid prices they don’t actually have.

I’ve seen it happen with specific CDs where I know for a fact I’ve had the entire stock left directly from a label. As soon as I stopped listing it on Amazon there’s automaticaly finish. The trick is to take it off, wait for their systems to remove there’s and add it right back in.

]]> By: Sue Bailey http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52751 Sue Bailey Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:51:25 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52751 I have found a couple of the most obscure books I've ever looked for amongst their stock - stuff that I might expect to see on e.g. Alibris if I'm really lucky, but there it is on eBay. Sadly their prices were crazily through the roof on those items. I have found a couple of the most obscure books I’ve ever looked for amongst their stock – stuff that I might expect to see on e.g. Alibris if I’m really lucky, but there it is on eBay. Sadly their prices were crazily through the roof on those items.

]]> By: Leo http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52748 Leo Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:57:57 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52748 Does anyone here sell on Buy.com? Is it a good alternative channel. If you can't beat them you might as well join Does anyone here sell on Buy.com? Is it a good alternative channel. If you can’t beat them you might as well join

]]> By: Richard http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52744 Richard Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:13:01 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52744 Looking at some of their stock it's at the end of the longest tail I've ever seen, some really is pure junk. Looking at some of their stock it’s at the end of the longest tail I’ve ever seen, some really is pure junk.

]]> By: Richard http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52743 Richard Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:09:14 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52743 No idea about eBay.com, different rules perhaps. But on eBay.co.uk you can have one BIN and a further 14 Auctions or auctions with BINs of the same product. More than one BIN only of any item isn't allowed. That's not to say though that some sellers don't and even get away with it, personally I have better things to do with my time then police ebay. :-) No idea about eBay.com, different rules perhaps. But on eBay.co.uk you can have one BIN and a further 14 Auctions or auctions with BINs of the same product. More than one BIN only of any item isn’t allowed. That’s not to say though that some sellers don’t and even get away with it, personally I have better things to do with my time then police ebay. :-)

]]> By: Chris Dawson http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52742 Chris Dawson Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:54:03 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52742 Mind you.... a sell through rate of 17% also means an unsuccessful rate of 83% or in other words Buy.com have around three quarters of a million crap listings which no one is ever going to buy! Wonder if it's product that's not of interest, pricing issues, or simply long tail stock? Mind you…. a sell through rate of 17% also means an unsuccessful rate of 83% or in other words Buy.com have around three quarters of a million crap listings which no one is ever going to buy!

Wonder if it’s product that’s not of interest, pricing issues, or simply long tail stock?

]]> By: terry http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52741 terry Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:45:07 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52741 Well, You can put the boot in then and report tjose itesm and watch them been took off its not allowed belive me, we had 1 listing took off by ebay a while back and then they also dropped our policy complience down to low for it too. Well,

You can put the boot in then and report tjose itesm and watch them been took off its not allowed belive me, we had 1 listing took off by ebay a while back and then they also dropped our policy complience down to low for it too.

]]> By: Chris Dawson http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52740 Chris Dawson Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:43:30 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52740 Ok... to save further number confusion here are the full stats. Buy.com at this moment in time have 897,497 listings live on eBay. Stats via Terapeak (for period August 02, 2009 - October 30, 2009) Total Sales £7,094,334 Total Listings 534,175 Successful Listings 92,626 Total Bids 318,346 Items Offered 40,094,663 Items Sold 318,346 Sell-Through 17.34% All of the items are Buy It Now so a bid equals a sale. Sell through rate is based on 92k/534k or in other words successful listings regardless of quantity sold. I was only aiming to give a flavour in the original post and didn't expect a conspiracy theory to analyse them in detail ;-) Also the numbers have naturally changed a little in the last few days so please don't tell me they're not the same as in the original article!!! Ok… to save further number confusion here are the full stats.

Buy.com at this moment in time have 897,497 listings live on eBay.

Stats via Terapeak (for period August 02, 2009 – October 30, 2009)
Total Sales £7,094,334
Total Listings 534,175
Successful Listings 92,626
Total Bids 318,346
Items Offered 40,094,663
Items Sold 318,346
Sell-Through 17.34%

All of the items are Buy It Now so a bid equals a sale. Sell through rate is based on 92k/534k or in other words successful listings regardless of quantity sold.

I was only aiming to give a flavour in the original post and didn’t expect a conspiracy theory to analyse them in detail ;-)

Also the numbers have naturally changed a little in the last few days so please don’t tell me they’re not the same as in the original article!!!

]]> By: Emily http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52739 Emily Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:29:38 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52739 As far as I am aware - you CAN still have multiple BIN listings of exactly the same product. One of my competitors does this (as far as I can tell the listings are identical) As far as I am aware – you CAN still have multiple BIN listings of exactly the same product. One of my competitors does this (as far as I can tell the listings are identical)

]]> By: Dave http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52738 Dave Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:15:39 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52738 Still a tad puzzled by the maths here - "they have listed 39,664,311 items in the last 90 days and sold 312,581," - seems to imply "items" in both cases, or are we carelessly mixing "items" and "listings"? If we are, and as Chris says, they are running about 1,000,000 listings and have sold 312,581 - that implies a sell through of 31.2% - not the 17% stated. Also I was puzzled by Chris saying "39,664,311 items, not listings. They’re running around 1 million consecutive listings but many are multi-quantity." That implies listings of 40 or more items per listing. Do these numbers make any sense at all? Still a tad puzzled by the maths here – “they have listed 39,664,311 items in the last 90 days and sold 312,581,” – seems to imply “items” in both cases, or are we carelessly mixing “items” and “listings”? If we are, and as Chris says, they are running about 1,000,000 listings and have sold 312,581 – that implies a sell through of 31.2% – not the 17% stated. Also I was puzzled by Chris saying “39,664,311 items, not listings. They’re running around 1 million consecutive listings but many are multi-quantity.” That implies listings of 40 or more items per listing. Do these numbers make any sense at all?

]]> By: ebuyerfb http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52722 ebuyerfb Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:45:22 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52722 Last I checked you didn't sell anything remotely like what buy.com sells. I can understand why you aren't worried. Last I checked you didn’t sell anything remotely like what buy.com sells. I can understand why you aren’t worried.

]]> By: john http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52714 john Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:35:30 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52714 buy.com attempted too burst into the uk market before. Then sold the uk branch off too john lewis. Correct me if i am wrong?? Anyone remember the voucher scheme they had?? i made good use of that ....multiple times.....Hope they fail again... buy.com attempted too burst into the uk market before. Then sold the uk branch off too john lewis.

Correct me if i am wrong??

Anyone remember the voucher scheme they had??
i made good use of that ….multiple times…..Hope they fail again…

]]> By: Richard http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52713 Richard Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:28:04 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52713 buycom has 3 feedback and was NARU'd years ago. But check out ID: buyuk , Member since: 19-Sep-09 in United States. Could this be it? buycom has 3 feedback and was NARU’d years ago. But check out ID: buyuk , Member since: 19-Sep-09 in United States. Could this be it?

]]> By: Jimbo http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52710 Jimbo Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:14:54 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52710 Didn't "Buy" already fail in the UK once? Didn’t “Buy” already fail in the UK once?

]]> By: Debs http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52709 Debs Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:05:23 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52709 Ahh...sorry! My bad, lol! Ahh…sorry! My bad, lol!

]]> By: Chris Dawson http://tamebay.com/2009/11/your-biggest-ever-competitor-is-coming-to-ebay-uk.html#comment-52708 Chris Dawson Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:02:54 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=9199#comment-52708 39,664,311 items, not listings. They're running around 1 million consecutive listings but many are multi-quantity. 39,664,311 items, not listings. They’re running around 1 million consecutive listings but many are multi-quantity.

]]>