AuctionWire

Softbank and Alibaba.com Create $20 Million Joint Venture in Japan

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:48:18 +0200

Alibaba.com and Softbank today announced formation of a joint venture company called Alibaba.com Japan. The total investment will be $20 million with Softbank accounting for 65 percent of the investment and Alibaba with the rest at 35 percent. The new company will take over the operation of Alibaba.com's existing Japanese-language website which connects small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Japan with buyers and suppliers around the world.

On washingtonpost.com

Yahoo Mail Working Harder to Block Fake eBay and PayPal Scams

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:41:29 +0200

Yahoo email is adopting a new technology designed to block more fraudulent email scams such as those that pretend to come from eBay and PayPal. If you use Yahoo Mail, it is likely you will notice a reduction in email phishing scams in days to come, especially those pretending to come from eBay and PayPal. Yahoo is upgrading its system on Thursday with a new technology that they call "DomainKeys" that is designed to block phishing spam email along with other fraudulent email that looks like they come from eBay and PayPal that don't. The system upgrade is expected to be accomplished globally over the next few weeks.

On gameshout.com

eBay rival OZtion reports 22% growth in listings

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:39:44 +0200

Australian online auction site OZtion reports a 22 percent growth in listings to approximately 580,000, following eBay Australias announcement that all items must be paid via PayPal. Daily new member registrations have increased by 165 percent and daily new sellers registrations by 300 percent. OZtion's registrations have reached over a quarter of a million. Traffic has also increased to over 2 million visitors per month. OZtion experts believe that such increases across most metrics reflect the fact that Australians are looking for alternatives to eBay and will not be using only the PayPal option. 79 percent of buyers favour payments by bank deposit, according to OZtion internal data. In terms of fraud prevention, OZtion has developed a suite of identity checks for its members and has also teamed with Australia Post to provide the level of identity check which is required to open a bank account.

Zoovy e-Commerce Technologies Forms Strategic Partnership With U-PIC Insurance Services

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:38:43 +0200

SAN DIEGO, May 12 - To help alleviate the high costs of carrier insurance, Zoovy, Inc. a leader in e-Commerce technology has formed a strategic partnership with U-PIC Insurance services. U-PIC is an insurance provider offering full coverage for packages shipped through most major carriers, while offering substantial discounts ranging up to 80% off competitor pricing. Zoovy merchants are now able to take advantage of this service to decrease their operational costs and thus increase overall profit.

Continue reading "Zoovy e-Commerce Technologies Forms Strategic Partnership With U-PIC Insurance Services"

ebay.ca - Now Available: Canada Post-eBay Flat Rate Box With Limited-Time Introductory Flat Rates

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:37:27 +0200

Hi everyone...This is Ira Grossman from eBay's Shipping team. I wanted to let you know that the Canada Post- eBay Flat Rate Box is now available. You can now order Canada Post-eBay Flat Rate Boxes online through the Flat Rate Box Store here. Plus, you can create, purchase and print Flat Rate Box shipping labels through eBay/PayPals Online Shipping tool (visit here for step-by-step instructions). The Flat Rate Box, designed exclusively for shipping goods sold on eBay, will help make selling on eBay and shipping to buyers easier, quicker and more convenient. Available exclusively through eBay, Canada Post Expedited Parcel and Expedited Parcel-USA Flat Rate Box shipping labels are available at special introductory rates in effect until August 14, 2008:

eBay Announcement | Canada Post introduces Flat Rate Box for eBay users

EBay, GE Money Expand PayPal Credit To EBay Site

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:35:30 +0200

EBay Inc. is diving into the murky waters of consumer credit in a bid to boost sales, even as consumer debt delinquency rates are rising nationwide. The Internet auction site said its popular PayPal electronic-payments unit, which saw revenue rise 32% last quarter, would begin offering financing options for purchases on its eBay.com auction site with credit issued by General Electric Co.'s (GE) consumer credit arm. With the expanded service, eBay shoppers that can't afford an item up front can fill out an online application for PayPal Pay Later, which the company says can be completed in 30 seconds, giving them instant access to credit.

On morningstar.com

uBid preps European launch

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:33:38 +0200

uBid, the US-based online marketplace for discounted products, is preparing to enter the UK in the coming months following a reorganisation of its business. The company joins rival Overstock in targeting Europe for the first time this year as US merchants look to get their hands on more foreign currency. It will also provide more competition for the likes of eBay and Amazon in the battle to attract buyers of cheap goods. uBid CEO Jeffrey D. Hoffman told E-consultancy: We are looking to acquire both buyers and sellers in European markets and are setting up an office in Europe. It will likely be in the UK. uBids move scheduled for the autumn - will provide another alternative outlet for manufacturers and retailers that are looking to offload their excess inventory without creating channel conflict.

On e-consultancy.com

EBay seller pleads guilty to software piracy charges

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:31:59 +0200

A 23-year-old Oregon man has pleaded guilty to charges that he used identity theft to set up bogus accounts on eBay, where he sold counterfeit software with a retail value of more than US$1 million, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Jeremiah Joseph Mondello of Eugene, Oregon, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count each of criminal copyright infringement, aggravated identity theft and mail fraud before Judge Ann Aiken in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. He faces up to 27 years in prison and a fine of $500,000, the DOJ said.

By Grant Gross

PayPal Pay Later Now Available for eBay Purchases

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:30:03 +0200

SAN JOSE, Calif.- PayPal Pay Later, a convenient and secure credit service, is now available for payments on eBay.com. Starting today, eBay buyers in the United States can take advantage of Pay Laters financing offer of no payments for 90 days for qualifying purchases between $50 and $199. With Pay Later, buyers now have more ways to pay for items at checkout and can use Pay Later even if they don't have a PayPal account. The streamlined application can be completed in 30 seconds and provides a buyer with instant access to credit.

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eBay Visitor and Page View Metrics Decline in April

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:28:50 +0200

The trend of declining unique visitors and page views shown for eBay in the first quarter of 2008 continued during the month of April. According to Nielsen Online, the number of unique visitors to the eBay site declined 10.73% year-over-year (YoY) in April, while page views declined almost 13% in April compared to April 2007. The time spent per person on the site, however, increased 12% in April, YoY.

By Ina Steiner

Softbank says in talks to invest in Alibaba Japan

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:22:24 +0200

TOKYO, May 15 - Telecoms and Internet firm Softbank Corp said it was in talks to invest in the Japanese unit of Alibaba Group, aiming to boost the Chinese Internet firm's business-to-business service in the country. The Nikkei business daily reported that Softbank would invest 2 billion yen ($19 million) to take a 65 percent stake in the unit through a private placement to be conducted between July and September. Softbank spokesman Hideo Azuma said the companies had not agreed on details yet.

On reuters.com

Overstock.com Throws New York Affiliates Overboard to Avoid Sales Tax

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:21:19 +0200

There were two predictable fallouts from New York States move to force online companies to collect state sales tax: There would be a lawsuit. And some online merchants would cut off their affiliates in the state. Amazon filed suit against the state late last month. Now Overstock.com has become the first major Internet retailer to cancel its relationship with affiliates in New York. Affiliates are Web site owners who get commissions for referring customers to an online store. They are important because New York State is requiring any company that has an affiliate in the state to collect sales taxes on its behalf. Until now, companies had to collect taxes only if they had a physical presence, such as an office or factory, in the state.

By Saul Hansell

Fair Outcomes: using game theory for honest feedback on eBay

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:18:22 +0200

Earlier this year, eBay made the first changes ever to its feedback system. The most controversial of them was ending the ability of sellers to give feedback on buyers, leaving people who felt harmed by a purchaser with no way of warning their auctioneering peers. eBay users found this so disturbing they organized a week-long strike. Sensing an opportunity in the uproar, a company called Fair Outcomes is now offering an arbitration system that's centered around maintaining the reputations of both sides involved.

By John Timmer

eBay Eachnet Launches Online Auction To Support Sichuan's Rescue Efforts

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:17:27 +0200

After the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China's online auction website eBay Eachnet announced plans to donate RMB200,000 to the disaster areas.The company also encouraged its employees to make donations and it at the same time launched an online charity auction to provide support to the people affected. By logging onto the Donation and Auction sector of eBay Eachnet, Internet users can now make donations via a charity auction or online bank remittance. eBay Eachnet says it will spend all the money donated by the Internet users and its employees on purchasing emergency goods for the disaster areas.

On chinatechnews.com

Storefront Service IRUN Integrates with eBay

admin@auctionwire.info (PurpleCow) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:14:37 +0200

E-tailers using eBay and other online marketplaces to sell goods are often looking for new tools that will help them manage their e-businesses more efficiently, and naturally, to make more sales. Merchants who want to run their own Web shop in addition to selling on eBay should take a look at IRUN, a full-featured hosted Web site builder with easy and automated eBay auction integration. This eBay Certified hosted solution is designed for non-technical users. You can easily develop your own site's front-end, with options to incorporate any existing logos, tagline or images you already have. With a design for your Web site in place, IRUN then seamlessly integrates your payment gateway for transactions. It also includes the tools needed to send your products straight to an eBay listing.

By Vangie Beal