walthamstow - 10:24 pm on Jun 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

I believe this article is just a load of misinformed rubbish!

eBay aren't buying all their advertising on the web, it's being done mostly on their behalf by their very many affiliates.

Neither are they competing with Google, a vast amount of websites in the SERPS (including my own) have a page that points to eBay auctions and shops where the sales actually take place. This leaves the websites free to be more informative and less of a shop themselves. It also leaves the casual browser or those just seeking info free from the pressure to buy unless they choose to.

I would also disagree with those that dispute that eBay has a reputable brand. I have sold on eBay as my main source of income for over 3 years (2,500 items!) and my customers consider it most reputable. Admittedly there are shady areas such as electronics and computers but that's why the eBay feedback system exists and those buyers that are foolish enough not to factor in the feedback before making a decision to purchase are usually those that are taken in by misleading advertisements on web sites as well.

I've seen websites that sell things that have no buyer protection such as eBay's 'Square Trade', No feedback system to see how other buyers have fared and No dispute resolution service. How am I to know if they are reputable?
Google certainly does not offer any protection for buyers using the online shops it lists.

There are a lot of professional sellers on eBay and a lot of amateurs with the cheap bazaar look. Ditto there are a lot of professional sellers on the web and a lot of amateurs with the cheap bazaar look. The discerning buyer will come back to those that offer a quality service combined with quality products whether on eBay or the web.