<<You make no mention of the perception of trustability, security and reliability.>>
Clearly, this is a factor. That is why eBay has a feedback system, and more people are coming to rely on that as a basis for making a purchase.
I can tell you that I have bought more than 100 items via eBay, and have yet to encounter any kind of fraud. In the two cases where I was not satisfied with my purchase, I was able to return for a complete refund. (If anything, the problem lies with the BUYERS who are the high bidders and do not send in the money. Of about 60 items I have sold on eBay, there have been 5 cases where the high bidder did not come through, and in EVERY one of those cases, it was somebody with a low or zero feedback rating.)
As far as the fastest growing demographic being the middle-class, middle-aged woman: How many of them are buying computers versus the number of them buying household items? eBay serves both of those extremely well, whereas Onsale only serves the first well.
As far as the early adopter argument: I would say that 600,000 auctions per week is well beyond the point of just early adopters.
One way to get around the trust issue is to go through a third party escrow system. I WOULD like to see eBay promote this more. |
