Greg Pidgeon

“It’s the ultimate global marketplace, raking in billions of dollars and attracting thousands of new users everyday”. “So why are we so addicted to bidding for second-hand goods?”

After researching and presenting on the ‘Boom Of EBay’ this is what I have found….

EBay is the most popular and well-known auction site on the net. Pulling in trade from a vast array of people, many who wouldn’t normally engage in e-trading. This in my opinion is its greatest advantage, its accessibility.

Anyone with an Internet connection and a credit card has access to eBay auctions, this is particularly good in relation to users that may have difficulties reaching mainstream high street shops. Disabled people perhaps, people living a large distance from the shopping centre, all these people and more who don’t have access to the high street have the ability to shop the vast range of products on eBay. But of course this is true of all online shops of which most high street stores are now involved in, so what makes eBay different.

One reason the eBay experience differs from buying from just an online shop is the excitement. Bidding on goods, refreshing the page like a madman in the final seconds of an auction gives the user a rush, a sense of achievement when an auction is won. Spawning eBay addicts that find themselves regularly buying stuff they don’t need, or even want.

The usability of eBay is also attractive to its users. A simple to use interface and many help documents detailing almost every aspect of the eBay experience are all easily found on the site. Even stretching to selling techniques and ways to spot a not so kosher seller. EBay have even stretched to creating their own online account service called PayPal that makes payment transactions much safer and easier.

Another distinct advantage of eBay is the product range. If you can’t find something anywhere else I can guarantee that there’s a large likelihood that you’ll find it on eBay. Discontinued items, rare or collectable, new, used, it’s all there and with the incredible amount of users from all around the world (although there is a separate site for UK and worldwide) the chance of finding that specific item is largely increased. Even with new items you can often find items at a reduced price due to zero overheads of the sellers.

This brings me onto my next point, eBay traders. This is rife throughout all areas of eBay. People who’s sole purpose is to turn a profit from the goods they sell. This can be a part time operation, like myself, which I’ll come onto later, or a full time job. Many traders have literally made millions through niche markets on eBay. Many private businesses will offer their products on eBay due to its large user base. Especially I’ve noticed online stores running auctions of their products along side their site. This works out well for all parties involved. Due to eBay advertising these stores get free advertising, a large amount of shoppers and eBay even allow direct advertising of their sites. To the casual trader, that may have come into a large quantity of one product, who can set up multiple auctions to turn a profit on the items. Drop shipping has also become a popular revenue raiser; this is where you subscribe to a company for an administration fee, you then have access to their range of products at a reduced price. They will then send products to your customers, this means you can advertise on sites like eBay for more than the drop shipping company charge and turn a profit.

Of course there are disadvantages to eBay, I found two are particularly noticeable. Firstly is the initial complexity of trading on eBay. I know I seem to be contradicting myself as I have highlighted the usability as an advantage, but what I think is a disadvantage is despite the easy to use interface & help files when you’ve never used eBay it seems to be a daunting task. You have to sign up to eBay itself and then to PayPal and read through information explaining how to use the site and this can be all too much effort for some people, myself included. A much easier option is to stick with what you know and buy/sell through the classifieds and high street stores.

Another distinct disadvantage is that as a buyer you have little security on the products. Basically relying on the calibre of the seller, which can only be assumed on the basis of their previous track record until you’ve actually bought from them. EBay has a ratings system whereby after each transaction you are encouraged to leave the other party feedback. Now this can be from a sale of an item or a buy. This is then translated to a rating in a percentage format. For instance a regular trader may have 300 sales under his belt all with positive feedback giving him/her a rating of 100%. This can be quite an accurate indication of whether the seller is trustworthy but is certainly not concrete. Unfortunately as a buyer you are taking a risk, but this may be part of the appeal in some cases. It is also relatively easy to set up a new account if your rating has fallen so there are no guarantees. EBay acts as the referee of the sale if you like, adjudicating the transaction but is not directly involved. Also as I suppose with any buy users of eBay can fall victim to false advertising and misleading product descriptions. A nearly new toaster could be an antique blowtorch, and although sellers make an effort to keep their customers happy for good feedback this is not always the case.

As I have always considered trading on eBay but have never got round to it I thought it would be a nice idea to give it a go for the purpose of this assignment. Dave and myself agreed to purchase £10 worth of products on eBay (including postage) and to sell £10 of products brought from the high street.

My Products…

Bought From eBay

Bananaman Key ring



Description: 3.5cm x 2.4cm key ring, double sided.

Final price = £1.70
Postage = £0.25
Total = £1.95


Franz Ferdinand Keying



Description: Acrylic, approximate size is 3.5cm x 3.5cm with metal ring attached with double side photo inserted as shown above.

Final price = £0.99
Postage = £0.65
Total = £1.64


Pokemon Poster



Description: Pokemon poster and another one, excellent condition.

Final price = £1.00
Postage = £1.00
Total = £2.00


500+ Vintage Nude Playing Cards



Description: This is a collection of over 500 colour images of vintage nude ladies that were produced in the 1950`s & 60`s on playing cards.

Many full sets can be produced from the pictures on this CD as I have also included scans of the backs of cards as well as jokers.

Final price = £2.20
Postage = £1.00
Total = £3.20


1000s OF JOKES ON ONE CD,ANIMATIONS,PICTURES,JOKES,ETC



Description: This auction is for 1000s of jokes, animations, pictures, all on one cd.........

Included on this disc are humorous video clips, which will have your sides splitting!!!!!

There are loads of things to keep you and your friends laughing, send your friend an email, attach a joke to it, and have your friends in stitches....

I'd like to point out, that quite a lot of this, is adult orientated only, and may be unsuitable for minors!!!!!

Final price = £0.99
Postage = £1.00
Total = £1.99

Total Price for all items bought = £10.78 (whoops a little over)


Items To Sell
(all set on a 5-day auction)


Thomas Harris - Red Dragon/Silence Of The Lambs Double

(insert pic)

Description: "Thomas Harris is quite simply the best suspense novelist working today" - The Washington Post.

# Two best selling Hannibal Lector books in 1 volume

# Hardback Edition

# As new condition from the popular Cresset Editions series

# An unmissable read from this award winning author.

Published by Cresset Editions 2001 Dimensions H=45mm x L=210mm x W=140mm

Price bought = £2.49
Price advertised = £3.00
Bids after 4 days = 0


Men In Black 2 Mugs x 2, very collectable

(insert pic)

Description: Get these Men In Black Sequel collectors edition mugs now, don't miss out.

Price bought = £1.00
Price advertised = £1.99
Bids after 4 days = 0


Framed Elvis print mirror - Extremely collectable

(insert pic)

Description: Get your hands on this fantastic collectors edition Elvis print mirror now. Posterized print of The King himself in its original frame. An aged and slightly discoloured appearance adds to its authentic feel, a true classic.

Dimensions H=14mm x L=315mm x W=237mm

Price bought = £4.00
Price advertised = £5.00
Bids after 4 days = 0


CINDY CRAWFORD'S BASIC FACE - A MAKEUP WORKBOOK.

(insert pic)

Description: The contents of this book discuss every aspect of makeup, from application, choosing the right colour, tools, what to keep & what to bin.

It includes introductions from the woman herself Cindy Crawford & is written with Cindy’s friend & makeup artist Sonia Kashuk. Cindy says that after 10 years of modelling she can still remember what it feels like to be intimidated by makeup & that’s why she wanted to do this book. She feels that makeup should add to your confidence and not be one more thing to be insecure about. She thinks that women out there would benefit from a user-friendly, essential guide to makeup. Which is what this book is. Cindy shares simple tips that she has picked up through her experiences & with Sonia's expertise with many different types of faces they have created a basic face.

Whether you are dealing with pimples or wrinkles, these are lifelong tools. They are not about an age, a time of day or a trend. Once you have these essentials down, you can take it to the next level - add red lips or do a shimmery eye if you're in the mood.

The book obviously includes many pictures of Cindy Crawford & is very easy to read & is clear. There are also light-hearted cartoon strips. All in all this is a very useful read either for yourself or as its in such good condition as a gift. The blurb at the beginning does state that this is a first edition. It is spiral bound & measures 10x8".

Price bought = £1.00
Price advertised = £2.00
Bids after 4 days = 0


Mini 'Mag' Torch Replica

(insert pic)

Description: Get this aluminium Mag light replica torch today.

# Includes batteries and wristband

# No reserve

Price bought = £1.00
Price advertised = £0.99
Bids after 4 days = 0


Tiger Print Mobile Phone Holder (my personal favourite)

(insert pic)

Description: I have cherished this fantastic tiger print mobile phone holder through good times & happiness. I am now forced into sale due to the fact I have recently been the victim of mobile phone theft & in order to afford a new mobile I have no choice but to sell.

It saddens me to part with this beautiful item that although used has only slight print wear on the seat where my phone used to lie its head (not visible when occupied by mobile).

A truly grand edition to any bedroom any buyer would be privileged to own such an item as I have been.

There is no reserve so all bids are welcome but keep in mind to me this is a one in a million, a priceless piece.

Price bought = £1.00
Price advertised = £0.99
Bids after 4 days = 0

Total Cash Spent = £10.48

All of the items I bought have been delivered safe and sound, and the sellers have praised me on my prompt payments and smooth trades. Altogether an exciting and pleasurable experience. I have since started to purchase other items for myself from the site and the only problem I have come across so far is that I won an auction for a Sega Master System games console and accessories when delivered I found that it unfortunately didn’t work. However after some pleasant correspondence with the seller she has agreed to refund me in full by cheque and let me keep the damaged console (for which I have gained 5 games, 2 controllers and an AC adaptor for completely free!). In fact I think I will probably use eBay as my primary store for everything now before I go to the high street.

On the selling side, unfortunately none of my items appear to have been bid on yet and with only 10 hours remaining on each auction I have my doubts as to whether I can get rid of the junk at all. But I will persist trying different auction styles i.e. ‘Buy It Now’ that uses a fixed price, and different descriptions until it sells and will let you know the outcome as soon as I do. I have also signed up with a drop shipping company call ATS distribution for £30 admin fee and have set up auctions for two products so far. These haven’t sold as yet but there are four days or so left on each of the auctions. If they sell I will continue to auction items from the site as it is such an easy process.

In conclusion I would recommend eBaying to everyone, after the initial worries are overcome it is a cheap and fun way to buy and sell. With so many advantages that far out way the disadvantages you’d be a fool not to consider this option when trading online or otherwise.