eBay creating competition for its own sellers!
It is rare that I get upset with eBay, but this one hits really close to home…
As Ina Steiner pointed out on her AuctionBytes Blog, eBay is now sending DVD shoppers to Netflix. When someone searches for a DVD on eBay (for example, type in “Sopranos DVD” into a search), a big banner will appear at the top advertising netflix as an alternative to purchasing on eBay.
DVD sellers (myself included) spend thousands of dollars each month in insertion fees to get our items noticed on eBay. How can eBay think it is ok to do this? I see this as a major conflict of interest and plan to bring it up at eBay Live.
This one just really bothers me.
Corey Kossack is one of eBay’s “Top Sellers” through his eBay store, Koss DVD He is also author of eBay Millionaire or Bust and creator of ProfitBuilderSoftware.com, an online software tool designed to reduce eBay fees and maximize profits for eBay sellers.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Corey, I couldn’t agree more. I think Ebay needs to be reminded that their popularity was built by people like you and I, Netflix had nothing to do with it and it will eventually start to hurt them. I’m really surprised they went this route because it’s so easy to slip from the top spot now-a-days you’d think they’d be VERY careful. I havent been happy with their service for some time due to jacked up shipping rates that are not moderated, it’s becoming a joke.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Corey - I will respectfully disagree. I am an EBAY Silver Powerseller and a Netflix customer. I do not see the conflict that you do. Netflix does not sell DVD’s. If the banner ad was for Amazon.com I could see where it would be a direct conflict of interest. But customers looking on EBAY for DVD’s clearly have made the decision to purchase one. In many cases I would bet they have either rented the DVD or seen the movie in the threater and have decided they want to own it. Netflix is not a competitor in my eyes…
June 9th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Corey - amen brother. I’ll be standing right next to you at Live to complain.
You’re doing a great job with the Blogs here!
-Kevin