Ebay vs Amazon

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Ebay vs Amazon.. In the words of Harry Hill.. "Which one is better?.....FIIIGHT!"

Every day, buyers and sellers log on to the world wide web in the hopes of finding a treasure or earning some big bucks. With the internet being as large as it is, there are plenty of auction sites to consider. In that spirit, this article attempts to compare two of the largest, most well-known auction sites in existence. They are both popular, offer excellent features for both buyers and sellers and are in constant competition with one another. Amazon and eBay are the auction sites of topic and while, in many ways they are alike, there are an equal number of ways in which they differ.

Beginning with similarities, both eBay and Amazon charge their sellers a listing and final value fee. The listing fee, from both auction sites, is non-refundable even if the item does not sell. However, an unsold item may be relisted for free at both Amazon and eBay auction sites. Amazon Auctions charge their sellers a $.10 listing fee with the possibility of having all listing fees waived if the seller signed up for a Pro Merchant Subscription. Where listing fees are concerned with eBay, the minimum fee is $0.25 for a starting bid of $.01 to $0.99. If an eBay seller opens an eBay Store, listing fees may be as low as $.05 each.

An unfortunate aspect of internet auction commerce, but a presence nonetheless, is an uncompleted transaction. This usually occurs when a buyer fails to send payment. In this instance, both eBay and Amazon auctions will refund the final value fee for that particular auction, which is based on the final bid amount. Both auction sites also provide seller tips and a bulk loader program, which allows the seller to upload a number of auctions all at once.

One of the greatest differences that stand out amongst these internet auction powerhouses is their policy on poor seller performance. According to Amazon's website, the company reserves the right to charge sellers a fee for poor seller performance. The amount of this fee is not mentioned and, therefore, sellers have no way to know how much this fee may be. According to Amazon Auctions, reasons for this fee may include excessive refunds, high rates of A-Z Guaranteed claims filed against the seller and/or credit card chargebacks related to Amazon Auction payments. According to Amazon Auctions, they will communicate any charges to the seller prior to assessing them. On the other hand, eBay auctions has an entirely different approach to seller performance. Their 'Item Not Received' complaint process was recently changed to a 'Fraud Alert' system, which allows buyers to file a complaint with eBay if they do not receive their merchandise or if it is not as advertised. Much like the non paying bidder complaint process, the seller has an opportunity to respond to any complaint and communicate with the buyer in order to resolve the dispute. If an amicable resolution cannot be reached, the buyer may close the complaint and request a refund under eBay's Buyer Protection plan. In order for an item to qualify, it must be priced at a minimum of $25.00 (excluding shipping & handling).

In recognition of it's most well-performing sellers, eBay offers it's PowerSeller program. This membership is restricted to sellers who earn a minimum of $1,000.00 in sales each month and maintain a 98% or greater feedback rating. The PowerSeller program is exclusive to eBay and it's members. Few other auction sites can come close to the number of buyers, sellers and merchandise that is offered on eBay every day. Regardless, entrepreneurs are grateful for the competition of other auction sites. It is this competition that inspires greatness, which promotes more customer incentives and lower listing fees for sellers.

Ebid Emerging As Serious Competitor To Ebay + No FEES EVER!!

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Okay hands up who has had enough of ebay monopolising the online auction market? Wow! that's quite a few hands! The truth is ebay in the last few months has really started to show it's nasty side. Most sellers now are really struggling to make a profit with their fees having recently just gone up - again. Many small business relied on ebay to sell their wares to a mass market, but now ebay & paypal have stuck the knife in & the fees are just too high to sustain a business let alone a profit! Ebid however has noted all the changes at ebay & have changed their terms accordingly. With so many sellers now leaving ebay in search of newer pastures, Ebid has seen a huge surge in new registered customers & rightly so. For starters they have zero listing fees & zero final value fees. This is where ebay has failed is customers by steadily incresing these fees over the years. Now it has got to a point where the sheer size of the combined fees of listing, final value & paypal fees overshadow any profit. Payment processors that ebid use are: Google Checkout (highly recommended) PPPay, & Paypal (let's not go there -right?!) If you want to start making a profit agian & have no fees ever - FOR LIFE! - I would ditch ebay today for good & switch to the rapidly growing fee-free world of Ebid.

I was so impressed with this auction site that I have even enrolled myself & paid for the seller+ option (lifetime membership with NO FEES EVER!) My username on Ebid is edsthreads.

Ebid News Update 2nd june 2008:

"After the announcement of Bidville closing down it's operations, Ebid is glad to offer their users a new home in our great value auction environment.

As part of our offer Bidville users can transfer their feedback AND obtain a free Seller+ lifetime membership with Ebid, saving themselves $49.99. A Seller+ membership gives you auctions with Zero Listing Fees and Zero final value fees for life. Just email to support@ebid.net your Bidville username, a screen shot of your feedback WITHIN the My Bidville area and let us know your new eBid username. Your account will be upgraded to Seller+ and your feedback added to your account.

This is a limited time offer and will not include any other current offers related to Seller+ Lifetime memberships."

Wow! things are just getting better & better at Ebid! - let's hope they can one-day challenge Ebay & stop the monoploization of the online auction indutsry & it's associated payment processor.