Living my iPod world

Amazon vs. Ebay

Ebay and Amazon are two of the leading online shopping sites yet I believe Amazon still has the competitive advantages.

1. Amazon almost guarantees customer satisfaction. Unlike ebay, items are shipped immediately, tracking is made possible, and you can always cancel a purchase if you change your mind. Furthermore, although many times ebay's auction feature can bring great deals (I recently bought a $80 shirt for $13), w/ Amazon prices are compared and fixed. They also organize the products in order of quality: New -> Acceptable. Sellers are also given ratings based upon their past sells and unlike ebay, the shipping is fixed and determined by post office standards rather than at the seller's will.

2. The wishlist feature is a perfect way to keep track of items you want and the perfect tool during the Christmas season. I ask all my younger cousins to send me theirs and from the vast array of items, I am able to buy gifts that they want while keeping the surprise element. Ebay does feature a "watching" section which allows interested buyers to keep track of the desired item without bidding. However the problem with the watching feature is that items are limited and once the item is sold, it is no longer available. Amazon on the other hand is always stocked and because of their direct connection to the actual businesses themselves (ie. Borders & Toys-R-Us)

3. One of the greatest features of Amazon is probably their personalized recommendation section. Based upon items you've previously bought, shown interest in, your wishlist, and what other users who purchased the same items also bought. Everytime I get onto Amazon I'm amazed at how personal the recommendation section is and they even have option where you can remove the items on which your recommendation is based off of (ie. textbooks).

4. Finally, under each product is a review from buyers of their satisfaction with the product along with a "Better Together" feature. Purchase of the item along with another Amazon recommends, results in a discount price. And the recommended item is usually something which coincides well, not some item amazon has troubles selling.

Ebay seems to attract consumers with their cheap prices, high profit rates, and the availability of hard-to-find products. Amazon is reasonably priced but their attraction seems to be in the customer service and reliability area. Although it would be nice to have a site which combined all these features, it would be hard to build up the reputation and trust which both sites have provided their users and to surpass them as well.

Comments

Posted by: steven chang
Posted on: October 26, 2005 11:59 AM

Intrestingly enough I have found my self not using ebay like I used to, not having placed a bid in perhaps a year. Same with amazon, where I only buy things if I get a gift certificate. Mass market items on ebay and amazon in general are'nt any cheaper than they are at brick and motar stores, that $15 foldable chair is going to be cheaper at walmart than it is online. I find ebay only useful for buying really hard to find items, like car parts.

Posted by: Allison Trump
Posted on: November 15, 2005 09:33 PM

This is cool, you have to try it. I guessed 85842, and this game guessed it! See it here - http://www.funbrain.com/guess/

Posted by: Neil Ursic
Posted on: December 2, 2005 02:15 AM

This is great insight! I have yet to use either as i dont do online bidding, but I will remember this when I do. Thanks!

Posted by: Neil Ursic
Posted on: December 2, 2005 02:21 AM

Great info on Amazon and eBay. I cant say i have ever used them or done any online bidding, but when I do I will remember this. Thanks!

Posted by: Katie Riley
Posted on: December 2, 2005 02:47 AM

Good post! i cant say ive used ebay, however i do know how it works.. my brothers have used it but i have not.. i know that sunday is the big day though! however i have used amazon for books but that's about it