To: Anthony@Pacific who wrote (4382 ) 8/1/1999 3:24:00 PM From: Notting Hill Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 7772
I have been reading this negative stuff on Ebay and I am thinking that may be it's time for the supporters to speak up. It's a bit long. I focused on the antique auction market, but others apply. Read it or delete it. That's my 2 cents. eBay, is part of the new paradigm that is emerging today and will replace the way we used to do business. Whether we like it or not!!! Their market cap is huge, but I believe small compare to the potential. After all, eBay is just adapting a very old bartering/auction process through a new medium. Sothebys, Christies and Buterfield and Buterfield (who where created approx. 200, years ago did that at that time). They were just middle men, who through their "knowledge" could give values to product. They inflated prices to make profits. They used fashion and current ideas to position their products, and make tons of money out of it. Who said that a Van Gogh painting would be worth $25Million? The only difference today, is that anyone can now do it, for any product. Auctions has now gone main-street. Thanks to eBay (and to lesser extend the other copycats), anyone can go through their attic and find the old doll, or old toy and see if they can make money out of it. Ebay is just the modern stock exchange for these product, instead of going thought the selected few, who obviously knew better (but would still get a cut of the transactions. Also, ebay is an inexpensive way for small company who have a specific product to reach other parts of the world, without increasing advertising costs. Instead of the LA area, anyone for Nairobi to New York can view and buy a product listed from LA. Who thought years ago that Amazon would knock Barnes and Noble from it' ivory tower? The same applies for Schwab and E*Trade who are stealing business away from the traditional brick and mortar business . Other new comers will also challenge the traditional business. eBay is the gorilla in this market. The user base is huge. The product category is also huge. And as usual the snowballing effect is working in its favour. There is no traditional antique dealer who has not heard of eBay. They all recognize the new medium and also fear it. Some I know are already trading. eBay?s acquisition of B&B was a smart move. B&B owned the Western Seaboard of the US. With the acquisition, eBay became suddenly a giant among others giants, but in all categories. Now they just need to continue their international expansion in the UK, France and Italy, the other strong Antique Auction markets. Finally, Sotheby?s knee jerk reaction is the proof eBay is a real danger to them. They made an alliance with Amazon. ?The enemy of my enemy is my friend?. Well, not so!! They are now running around trying to sign exclusive agreement with other antique dealers. Exclusive? Get real!! With a market awash with money, dealers will do anything to sell their product (even if that means using proxy names). Ebay is focused and has made strong statement of growth in this area. AMZN and YHOO are just trying to steal business away, while still continuing their strength in their respective market. I just hope eBay makes a move on Christies, as it is the odd one out at the moment. I suggest shorts spend time surfing eBay's site for cheap pairs of shorts or underwear. They will need them soon!!