Print this article | E-mail this article | Comment on this article

eBay Debuts Skype, Alerts Services

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

June 14, 2006, 2:18 PM

eBay unveiled several new methods of communication for U.S. users of its auction service at the eBay Live Conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Among them is a plan to integrate the Skype VoIP service into its auctions, along with a new blog, wiki, and alerts service.

An option to add a "Skype Me" button will be available beginning June 19 in 14 categories across the service. Users in those categories would gain the extra option in the "Ask a seller a question" section of the auction. Through Skype, either voice or text chat would be possible.

"Skype represents a tremendous opportunity for our sellers to connect even more closely with their buyers," eBay president Bill Cobb said. "We believe that Skype will enhance the way that people communicate and trade on eBay, especially in high involvement and high price categories. It will be exciting to watch Skype become a part of our marketplace."

Other than Skype, eBay has also introduced eBay Blogs and eBay Wiki. The blog service would allow for users to share opinions, as well as connect with other users and help promote their auctions. The Wiki service would become like a Wikipedia of all things eBay, as users share their expertise on a variety of eBay subjects.

"I don't think blogging and wiki technology could be put in better hands than the eBay Community," Cobb said. "There are lots of online communities, of course, but only eBay's can boast such a huge diversity of passions, interests and expertise."

eBay Alerts will give bidders a new way to monitor listings by sending text messages and instant messages through the major services, and even making phone calls. Alerts would be sent for outbids and auctions that end soon, and through phone and text messaging, bidders can place a higher bid.

Finally, Tuesday night also marked the official launch of eBay Express. First debuted in April, the site allows for a one stop shopping destination for all "Buy it Now" items on eBay, complete with a single shopping cart.

Add a Comment (8 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

By shenping

edited Apr 27, 2008 - 3:09 AM

wow power leveling your network to provide more comprehensive as the best information and upgrading of
warcraft gold coin information,including
wow power level services is the most professional,
best wow leveling service providers upgrade .
Dailian professional for you, let you experience the most rapid escalation of the most effective services.
wow gold
FFXI Gil
Buy FFXI Gil
FFXI Gil Sale
Cheapest FFXI Gil
Buy Cheap FFXI Gil
final Fantasy XI Gil
Cheap FFXI Gil

Score: 0

By Galway

edited Jun 15, 2006 - 7:23 AM

Deleted duplicate

Score: 0

By Galway

posted Jun 15, 2006 - 7:23 AM

This seams like Ebays attempt to find a way to use skype in ebay, rather than finding a problem in ebay and then looking for a solution.

What people want is a means of being able to see a product using a webcam in some sort of recorded format. E.G. Your selling a mouse. So you record a skype demo, and then others can use skype to view the recording and get alot more information about the product than just looking at a picture. I dont use skype and so dont know if it can do this, obviously it makes sence to do 1 demo for all that to talk to 50 people individually.

If I was selling or buying something, I dont think I want to be messed about having to talk to the person, but the chance of doing it must appeal to some people.

If it does as it says, i might ask for those swimsuits to be tried on before I bid, the better the look the more i will bid :P honest !!

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jun 14, 2006 - 3:57 PM

"Hello, Sir. I noticed you are selling a used refrigerator. I am interested, but am concerned about it's state of repair. Is it running now?"

"Uh....yeah. It is."

"Don't you think you ought to catch it before it gets away then?"

Score: 0

By rijp

posted Jun 14, 2006 - 4:31 PM

har har har

Score: 0

By rijp

posted Jun 14, 2006 - 2:42 PM

Yeah, like I am going to be available for dumb a** questions 24/7 just because Ebay thinks this is a cool feature.

Mark my words, this feature will be DROPPED within 6 months. NO ONE will use this feature.

Its just not that critical.

First of all, if you detail the ad properly, no one will have questions.. Therefore obviating the need for such a trivial feature.

Score: 0

By Zeng

posted Jun 15, 2006 - 12:11 AM

"...dropped within 6 months..." Think about it, they just spent $1.6 Billion Dollars to buy Skype last year. Surely they must have seen sufficient potential in the acquisition to warrent that kind of investment.

Score: 0

By rijp

edited Jun 15, 2006 - 1:04 PM

Not really, they have money to burn...

Skype is useful, just not as a part of Ebay.. I don't see the point.

I don't see people responding to emails for a few days on Ebay, you really think they will stay connected via Skype just so they MIGHT get a question about an auction?

I am thinking..uh NO!

Score: 0

Dec 1 - 7:38 PM ET Intel tries to turn the tables on AMD in document discovery dispute

Dec 1 - 6:59 PM ET Palm to restructure yet again, may cut more jobs

Dec 1 - 4:58 PM ET Blockbuster downloads headed for more devices via Live Mesh

Dec 1 - 4:55 PM ET AOL's PlaySavvy speaks to game-shy parental units

Dec 1 - 4:41 PM ET Less bad news than anticipated for the semiconductor industry in 2008

Dec 1 - 3:51 PM ET 'Xohm' makes way for 'Clear,' as Sprint/Clearwire merger moves ahead

Dec 1 - 2:01 PM ET Chasing down the latest Cyber Monday tech deals

Dec 1 - 12:50 PM ET Will 'Cyber Monday' fare better than a weak 'Black Friday?'

Dec 1 - 12:38 PM ET Microsoft Cashback goes offline to Black Friday shoppers

Dec 1 - 11:19 AM ET DTV broadcasters could make another transition to mobile next year