eBay Takes On CraigsList
If you're looking to sell something online, chances are you go to one of two places: eBay.com or craigslist.org. Ebayis a good choice if you don't mind spending a few bucks to gain access to the teeming masses that flock to the auction site in search of deals. The latter site is handy if you don't want to ship whatever you're selling or are offering an intangible service like dog walking. Now, eBay is hoping to capture that second group with the U.S. launch of its new and bizarrely named classified ads site, kijiji.com.The name (which doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like "Craig's List") means "village" in Swahili. As of today, 220 cities across the U.S..
However, if the initial absence of listings in many of these cities is anything to go by, Craig Newmark, who put the "Craig" in craigslist.org, doesn't have much to worry about. Interestingly, eBay owns 25% of CraigsList.
From 'USA Today'
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gail @ Jul 9th 2007 11:37AM
I personally feel ebay's charges are excessive.
I perfer to use Craigslist and hope ethey don't change to a paying site.
Gail Casseus
http://www.andgift.com
DQ @ Jul 9th 2007 11:43AM
Ebay has really become FeeBay over the past few years. I used to buy and sell lots of stuff on eBay until I realized how great Craigslist is. Ebay gets fees from the buyers for listing and then more from the seller once it sells. Then, if you decide to pay using Paypal, the seller gets more fees taken from their sale and Ebay owns Paypal! You'd think that if they own both, they'd only charge fees to people using Paypal for services outside eBay and free for eBay users, but nope...they take in fees on both ends. Keep up the great work Craig! I love your list!
diane @ Jul 9th 2007 12:30PM
I have never been an ebay fan simply because of the fees associated with buying or selling on the site. I will forever recommend craig's list to anyone buying or selling anything. but a word of caution craig's list can be addicting and if you aren't actually looking for something you NEED you will find yourself buying simply because it was a good deal and with time your days will be consumed with looking on craig's list for things you DONT need but buy because it was a good deal...the driveway and yard fills up quick with those good deals that need a bit of work....i know the men in my world have craigitis and an endless supply of projects waiting to be completed..but still the buying and endless hours of searching continues. thanks craig.
hisholypresense @ Jul 9th 2007 1:09PM
I agree. We use to use Ebay ALOT, But since the fees can get pretty high,Craigslist has become the place to go.. Go Craig,Your site is the best.
Ziggyzuu @ Jul 10th 2007 9:50AM
I have used both sites in the past, don't use ebay much at all anymore because I also didn't like the fees (and hate the shipping)...and besides that, it's so cluttered up with stuff now it's information overload. Once in a while I buy something that is hard to find anywhere else. As for craig's, it's free but it's overloaded with spam too. But can be very effective when you're giving something away, though I've had a tough time occasionally getting people to show up when they say they want something. Gotta love the "Best of Craigs" though, that is hilarious!
I actually found another site that has a different twist--they pay YOU to list your classified ads. You only get 25 cents per ad, but if you have a lot of stuff (and I do right now) it can add up nicely. I think I've gotten about $30.00 already.
It's www.listasaurus.com. I think it's fairly new but it seems like things are starting to pick up on the site, and I've actually been able to sell and giveaway a couple of things.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months between ebay and craigs...very, very interesting!
Darius Cordell @ Jul 11th 2007 5:53PM
I think we all feel ebay's fees are very excessive.
They are much like the credit card industry where they charge fees for the person taking card and charge the person giving the card interest.
In both cases the fees should be on one side or the other.
In any event, Craigslist (and Backpage) are both good sites but you just have to be even more careful about who you take money from.
Atleast Ebay does try and validate buyers - though it does not always work.
Kate @ Jul 30th 2007 4:36PM
We ran an eBay Store for years! The fees crept higher, higher and higher. The customer satisfaction fell to an all time low. eBay charges excessively for what they provide (auction, store, final value fees), plus eBay stores are subject to negative feed back from customers who simply want to hurt the business. PayPal takes a huge chunk of the money too. It's a rip off company. I'd recommend anyone thinking of opening an eBay Store NOT TO! It's a rip and the fees are only going to get worse. Open a regular online store and market your store through the search engines. It's far cheaper to do in the long run.
Moses @ Sep 6th 2007 5:03AM
I feel the same way of feebay. I am a power seller that been paying ebay fees for a long time. They take money from selling items and getting paid. I think it's really unfair for the sellers. I love craigslist but dont like the fact that not everybody posts pictures of what they're selling thus why I have my own list moe's list.
Moses @ Sep 6th 2007 5:07AM
Thats www.moeslist.com
tommy V @ Nov 21st 2007 5:20PM
I think everyone should agree to declare Dec. 3 2007 free of ebay day. Do NOT post or buy any items on Monday Dec. 3rd and watch them wiggle. Imagine a day when ebay makes NO money! BOYCOTT ebay Monday Dec, 3rd. Hit em where it hurts!