eBay + Skype = outside transactions?
eBay.com, auction giant, has acquired Skype, popular telephony service, last year. Now eBay announces the integration of Skype technology into the auctions.
Already this June the sellers will be able to make use of Skype technology: based eBay sellers can add a button ‘SkypeMe’ and their prospect buyers will contact them by voice or instant messenger. The new feature will be accessible for US based sellers and in 14 selected categories (I wonder how those categories were selected):
• Automotive GPS devices
• Camera and photo lenses and filters
• Wired networking routers
• Skype devices
• VoIP / Internet telephony
• Diamond solitaire rings
• Real estate
• Manufacturing and metalworking
• Beds
• NBA basketball cards
• Silver coins
• Lost in Space collectibles
• Radio control toys
• Cars and trucks
The new option should result in more sales for sellers and in better service for buyers – the communication process will be much easier, but it is hard to predict if the sellers will like and use this new feature. Also it is not clear how much eBay will charge for this option.
There is one important observation that the members communicating via Skype can easily arrange transactions and complete them outside eBay. Why to incur extra expenses on eBay fees?
Summary: eBay searches for the ways to justify enormous investment into Skype last year. The idea to integrate it with auction is obvious, but the time will show if it is successful and beneficial to all parties involved: eBay sellers, buyers and company itself.
[tags]ebay, skype, online auctions, home business, work from home, internet, business opportunity[/tags]
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