Category Archives: craigslist

eBay Scams Via Craigslist, A Cunning Combination

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Wow, Scam Alert

I just wrote that I would not write about eBay anymore and here I am, compelled to do so...

Fortunately, this is really not a story that will be seen as bashing eBay because it is just not something that the giant of over regulation and useless rules has any control over.

It seems con artists, inspired by eBay's (Good?) name have adopted a new tactic to scam people of hard earned money.

and here is the kicker....

Scammers are advertising on Craigslist and claiming to be connected with eBay!

Amazing as it sounds, it is true, the story goes something like this...

You (i.e. the aforementioned earner of difficult to gain money) see an auto for sale on Craigslist, posted in an advertisement in your local area.  The car is the model you want, the price is unbelievable and you contact the seller to be first on the deal. - Normal life of a Craigslist buyer (I can attest to this as I am an active Craigslist buyer and seller).

Continue reading “eBay Scams Via Craigslist, A Cunning Combination” »

Bonanza – Bodacious eBay Competitor Gives Birth to Fresh Merchandising Format

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(This is NOT a paid review or advertisement) - Please Note: Since the publication of this article "Bonanzle" has changed their moniker to "Bonanza", the facts remain the same...

Bonanzle (pronounced Bon-an-zle), a start up out of Kirkland Washington, is positioning itself as a viable option to eBay and Craigslist. Bonanzle launched on June 1st, 2008 and is actively recruiting sellers and buyers with grass roots efforts and social media marketing. In less than a month of operations Bonanzle claims an item count of 72,000 and over 2000 registered users (September 16th, 2008).

Bonanzle is a newly launched online marketplace that aims to take what's best about Craigslist and eBay, and build on those to create something that startles and delights its users.
www.bonanzle.com

One new user posted the following comment on powersellersunite.com

I am so happy this was the easiest site that I have ever listed on. I set up & posted 4 items in record time & will be adding more over the next few days. Spectacular & fun....just what many of us have been looking for. Same user ID. Imported feedback, a class act with immediate views all while I am multi-tasking. Thanks !!!!!

Bonanzle promotes itself as the "alternative to lookalike eBay alternatives" (personally I would recommend a better copywriting effort on that tagline). I think they have a point however, what the Bonanzle team have created is a fast and easy to use venue for both buyers and sellers with a fresh inviting new look and attitude.

It is more than an alternative to alternatives, Bonanzle is a new animal entirely.

Bonanzle has taken some of the basic concepts of Craigslist (clean design, fast browsing and minimalistic appearance) and the basic concepts of the original eBay marketplace (a socially built marketplace for online commerce, easy to sell and buy, with a graphically pleasing look) and they have trumped both major venues with features that improve the entire concept of selling and buying at an online Bazaar. Continue reading “Bonanza – Bodacious eBay Competitor Gives Birth to Fresh Merchandising Format” »

Auction Format Dead on eBay – Long Live The Auction

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Today a landmark change in listing fees for fixed price format "Buy it Now" items on the original auction Internet site eBay was announced. 

Starting September 17th eBay will charge 35 cents to list any number of the same types of fixed-price items each fixed price item listing will now run for 30 days just as store listings and continue to be included in core search. 

UPDATE: eBay special web page explaining changes here: eBay

Is this move an indicator of the death of auctions on eBay?

Lorrie Norrington, eBay's president of global marketplaces says no, but .... Continue reading “Auction Format Dead on eBay – Long Live The Auction” »

Contribute to an Article about eBay Competition, Amazon, Etsy, OnlineAuction or eCommerce Website?

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WritingI am very honored to have been commissioned to research and write an article for a major publication.

This article will focus upon the general interest and the genuine need of eBay centric online merchants to learn about options available to them beyond eBay.

We all know and have discussed the evolution of the eBay system into a new and as yet undefined platform. Much of the old eBay that many merchants relied upon and understood has changed or will change in the near future.

eBay remains a powerhouse of eCommerce traffic and will remain so for some time.  Yet, it has become apparent  to most merchants in the eBay community that relying completely on a single venue may not be the best business plan.  eBay merchants are hungry for information pertaining to diversification of risk and secondary channels.

The question remains, and it seems to be an often asked question... Where do I go, outside of eBay?  What platforms should merchants look to for merchandising inventory online? Continue reading “Contribute to an Article about eBay Competition, Amazon, Etsy, OnlineAuction or eCommerce Website?” »

eBay vs Craigslist – Who is the Biggest Loser?

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eBay vs Craigslist - Who is the Biggest Loser?

Recently numerous media outlets and blogs have detailed the legal developments between these two very popular and highly ranked marketplaces. 

While each marketplace has its loyal followers and vehement detractors, neither one will ultimately be monetarily damaged by the law suit recently sensationalized in the press.  

Damages to reputation are another matter altogether... Continue reading “eBay vs Craigslist – Who is the Biggest Loser?” »