Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#1

Post by twelvedigits » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 6:59 PM UTC

Imagine you (or, I) were creating a product designed to take on eBay and improve the peer-to-peer shopping experience.

What would you like to see changed?

Think of this as p2p shopping, not auctions.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#2

Post by Dnguyen » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 7:11 PM UTC

I'd fix the scammer issue.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#3

Post by benedwards » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 7:14 PM UTC

Focus. Simplicity. Service. Price.

Swappa is taking on eBay for re-selling Android devices... http://swappa.com

Focus. Only fully functional, ready to activate Android devices are allowed. Anything else is blatant fraud.

Simplicity. Only have one form to fill out to sell a device. No auctions. One price. A device is sold only when the buyer pays.

Service. An actual person checks in and helps on almost every transaction.

Price. Flat fee ($10), paid by buyer, only when a device sells. Sell a $300 device and save about $20 in fees.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#4

Post by qq66 » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 7:32 PM UTC

eBay has extraordinarily strong network effects. To beat them, make something designed very well for a particular vertical and build a strong following there. Like StubHub did in event tickets.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#5

Post by twelvedigits » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 9:07 PM UTC

qq66 wrote: post #4

eBay has extraordinarily strong network effects. To beat them, make something designed very well for a particular vertical and build a strong following there. Like StubHub did in event tickets.

Great point.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#6

Post by twelvedigits » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 9:07 PM UTC

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to make shipping more efficient for the seller? I feel like we can encourage more listings by making shipping dead simple.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#7

Post by stray » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 9:13 PM UTC

We rarely actually say this out loud, but we do intend to take on eBay.

I've got this sling and five stones, you see...

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#8

Post by kirpekar » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 9:20 PM UTC

For p2p shopping: Craigslist > eBay

What I would like to fix: Less Spam. Less Scam.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#9

Post by amac » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 10:06 PM UTC

Focus on people (sellers), not products or categories.

Re: Ask HN: How would you take on eBay?

#10

Post by twelvedigits » Thu, Apr 07, 2011, 11:21 PM UTC

amac wrote: post #9

Focus on people (sellers), not products or categories.

I agree. How can I make selling easier? I can think of many ways to make listings, payment, categorizing easier.

But how to make shipping easier?