Auction Information

The Effects of eBay on American Merchandising


With one brilliantly simple idea, eBay was born just a few short years ago.

From its humble beginnings in the Collectibles business, it went on to achieve the lofty heights it enjoys today.

As eBay has continued to grow to over 30 million registered users, it has transformed the ability of individuals (as well as Corporations) to move product of all kinds.

eBay is now a place where virtually any item imaginable is available, for the right price.

With a few clicks of your mouse, the doors to the world marketplace are opened for you.

Similarly, with a few clicks of your mouse, the entire world can be viewing your merchandise for sale.

It is this awesome power that eBay gives to you, for a small fee.

Is it any wonder that large institutional sellers, such as the U.S. Postal Service, J.C. Penneys, various Police Departments and all types of Corporations have discovered the power and efficiencies of selling on eBay?

The drawback for the smaller seller is that, as more and more individual and institutional sellers sign on to sell on eBay, the supply of similar items will increase.

This increase in supply results in a decrease in demand, and with that decreased demand, lower ending bid amounts and lower profits for all sellers.

This has already begun to happen in some categories as ending bids continue their slow trend downward.

As sellers begin to see profits eroding due to too many sellers "playing the game", the question of the day seems to be, "What is the best thing to sell on eBay?"

The simple (and somewhat facetious-sounding) answer is, "Whatever people are interested in that is not currently selling on eBay in mass quantities".

More often than not, success on eBay results from a seller taking on a niche that they are familiar with and enjoy. Many of the top eBay sellers have built their entire business around a niche that they enjoy, such as a certain type of collectible, or a certain hobby, interest or sport.

If you take this approach, not only will you be happier doing that which you enjoy, but listing items will not become a "chore", it will be an enjoyable experience.

As eBay continues it's trend-line of massive growth, sellers must be increasingly aware of three things that will ensure opportunities for growth and success:

  • Opportunities for new products to sell

  • Alternative venues in which to sell their products

  • Advanced marketing techniques that can leverage their time and money

    Ultimately, it is this extra awareness that will determine who the winners are in the game of Online Auction sales.

    About The Author

    David Espino is the Author of Beyond eBay and Life In The Dot Com Lane.

    To receive a free excerpt from the book - Beyond eBay, visit www.HomeBasedBusinessowner.com

    Email: dave@HomeBasedBusinessowner.com


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Bogus bidder: I've got the lease money
    Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 4 hours ago
    Should the agency tighten up its auctions by requiring proof of ability to pay? To Jones, an industry insider for 35 years, the answers are no, no and no. ...


    Los Angeles Times

    Treasurys down after $30B auction
    CNNMoney.com - Jan 7, 2009
    By Julianne Pepitone, CNNMoney.com contributing writer NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Treasury prices fell Wednesday - after a record $30 billion auction of ...
    Weak Jobs Report Lifts Treasurys Wall Street Journal
    US bonds rise ahead of dreaded December jobs data Reuters
    P&G Fights for Cash Amid $2 Trillion US Borrowings Bloomberg
    MoneyWeek - CNNMoney.com
    all 188 news articles


    5 Pc. Mappin and Webb sterling silver tea service
    Auction Central News, NY - 3 hours ago
    By bidding at an auction, whether in person or by agent, absentee bid, Internet or other means, the purchaser or bidder agrees to be bound by these Terms ...
    5 1/4" x 6 3/8" Jar decorated bottom some rim damage St. Francis ... Auction Central News
    OOP Painting Nude Study c1880 French Gold Frame Auction Central News
    all 637 news articles


    New Orleans To Hold Abandoned Vehicle Auction
    WDSU, LA - 1 hour ago
    NEW ORLEANS -- The city of New Orleans Department of Public Works will hold a second auction for abandoned vehicles. The auction will be held Thursday, Jan. ...


    PAINTING OF PARIS STREET SCENES, SIGNED EJ CYGNE
    Auction Central News, NY - 48 minutes ago
    This means the buyer must contact a company (eg UPS, Craters and Freighters) to pick up the item(s) from Lewis & Maese Auction Co., pack the item(s), ...


    New technology will help auction off 79 downtown lofts simultaneously
    89.3 KPCC, CA - 1 hour ago
    A developer in Downtown LA plans to auction them next month... all at the same time. The only way to do that is with new technology that's more eBay than ...
    With Slow Sales, Developer of Rowan Lofts Takes a New Direction LA Downtown News Online
    all 2 news articles


    Auctions: This sale is a Woody Guthrie sale
    Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 20 hours ago
    Other performing-arts autograph material in the auction includes a signed Marilyn Monroe photograph ($800 to $1200); a brochure prepared by the local ...


    GM to send 200 historic vehicles to national auction block
    Shelby Township Source Newspapers, MI - 9 hours ago
    By ROSS RAYBIN The 2003 Buick Blackhawk is anticipated to be the hottest car on the auction block this week at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in ...
    GM auctions automotive gems Windsor Star
    GM auctions collection iAfrica.com
    all 6 news articles


    The Market Oracle

    US Treasuries Decline Before Record $30 Billion Debt Auction
    Bloomberg - Jan 7, 2009
    7 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury three-year notes fell before a record $30 billion auction of the securities. Treasuries of all maturities also declined on concern ...
    TREASURIES-Longer bonds fall on auctions, issuance fears Reuters
    Treasurys Slide; Long Bond Drops Wall Street Journal
    BOND REPORT: Treasurys Down Ahead Of Auctions, Fed Minutes EasyBourse.com
    Bloomberg - Reuters
    all 283 news articles


    Boston Globe

    Japan’s 10-Year Bonds Fall; Surge in Sales Cools Auction Demand
    Bloomberg - Jan 8, 2009
    The sale drew bids worth 2.33 times the amount offered, compared with a so-called bid-to-cover ratio of 2.9 times at the previous auction last month. ...
    Japanese 30-Year Bonds Decline as Dealers Prepare for Auction Bloomberg
    Japan 10-Year Bonds Fall as Stock Gains Reduce Demand for Debt Bloomberg
    Japan Bond Futures Fall as Stock Gains Reduce Demand for Debt Bloomberg
    Bloomberg
    all 613 news articles

    Auctions - Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2008