Is there an e-commerce problem that Amazon and eBay don't solve?

[marc100]

Im trying to identify a "marketplace" need that eBay doesnt cover.
I've spent time putting together a marketplace and Im met with constant friction on it.

100% of the time I'm asked this question: "How are you different from eBay?
50% of the time I'm asked this question: "Why does someone need to buy from you when they can just buy from Amazon?"

I'm looking to change my focus and cover more of a business need, but I can't discover one that eBay doesnt already cover.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AndrewNC]

Giving the sellers control of their customer base instead of Amazon or Ebay. When I sell one of my eBooks on amazon - I have no clue who bought it, and can't turn them into repeat customers. If they allow the customer to share their information with me for marketing purposes, i would like that.

 

[brycer9]

Ebay, Amazon, and many of the marketplaces charge ridiculous fees. This is one way to compete. Also, focus on one product category and you can make a name for yourself. These are some of the ways I am competing with our new marketplace

 

[TopChef]

Im trying to identify a "marketplace" need that eBay doesnt cover.
I've spent time putting together a marketplace and Im met with constant friction on it.

100% of the time I'm asked this question: "How are you different from eBay?
50% of the time I'm asked this question: "Why does someone need to buy from you when they can just buy from Amazon?"

I'm looking to change my focus and cover more of a business need, but I can't discover one that eBay doesnt already cover.

Marc100. Walmart sells pretty much everything you need from a B&M. That doesn't stop Whole Foods, Cost Co, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, ethnic groceries, and Walgreens from competing with Walmart directly. A lot of these companies are clobbering Walmart.

Let me ask you a question, what if you did find a need that eBay didn't cover? If you had any amount of success at all what would stop eBay from taking your business then? You need to establish a competitive advantage that lets you compete with eBay in some way. Better customer service, better UI, exclusive merchandise, etc.

This question has been answered here before. Check out Biophases e-commerce thread and he has answered your question there.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[tafy]

I use both all the time and I cant see why I would use an independant website unless they had a product I could'nt find or had it cheaper

 

[Edgars]

Giving the sellers control of their customer base instead of Amazon or Ebay.

Sivers did the same with CD Baby - people loved it.

 

[marc100]

I use both all the time and I cant see why I would use an independant website unless they had a product I could'nt find or had it cheaper

Thats the reaction I've been getting from other people and showing it to investors.
I thought I was solving a problem by charging a smaller fee than eBay, but when I talk to sellers they aren't that interested. Even though they complain, they still sell with eBay.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[amp0193]

You need to be able to provide sellers with targeted buyers. If I want to sell something quick, I go on eBay because I have access to the whole world. I'll pay the 13% fee for a quick sale. Fees don't matter to me, turning over inventory does.

 

[Bowden]

Back in 2000 or so when ebay first raised fees, a lot of sellers left and went on a new auction website. The problem was they had little to no traffic and most went back to ebay. The way to battle ebay is to think niche. It will be extremely hard to pry away Platinum Power Sellers from ebay as the fees they pay are no where near what a regular person pays. If you can create a marketplace for a specific niche and generate a lot of traffic, then they might just consider selling on your website.

 

[Kak]

Amazon needs a seller central app...

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[throttleforward]

Selling prohibited items (ones that Amazon refuses to sell for one reason or another) on your own ecommerce store seems to be lucrative. I've met with someone who does over $10mil/year selling tobacco products online.

 

[marc100]

If you can create a marketplace for a specific niche and generate a lot of traffic, then they might just consider selling on your website.

I've been advised to focus on comic books, Im hesitant because its a small market and hard as hell to gain traction. I've never seen a comic book on the cover of ebay.

Amazon needs a seller central app...

I don't understand what that means. Giving sellers access direct access to buyers? Not sure what that means.

Selling prohibited items (ones that Amazon refuses to sell for one reason or another) on your own ecommerce store seems to be lucrative. I've met with someone who does over $10mil/year selling tobacco products online.

Very interesting. I really like that. I will look into licensing necessary to do this. Hell I'll let people sell breast milk and used underwear if someone wants to buy it, I dont care.

 

[Kak]

Amazon needs an app where you can control your seller account.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Guest14692]

Selling prohibited items (ones that Amazon refuses to sell for one reason or another) on your own ecommerce store seems to be lucrative. I've met with someone who does over $10mil/year selling tobacco products online.

Restricted Products
As a seller or advertiser on the Amazon platform, it is your responsibility to comply with all laws and regulations and with Amazon policies.

We provide this material for informational purposes only and it is not intended as legal advice. We encourage you to consult with your legal counsel if you have questions about the laws and regulations concerning your products.

You should carefully review the "Examples of Permitted and Prohibited Listings" sections in each category shown on the right before listing a product. Also, certain categories require you to obtain pre-approval from Amazon before listing in those categories. If you are listing products that are prohibited in certain U.S. jurisdictions, you must inform customers in the listing conditions of such shipping restrictions; such products are not eligible for FBA. In addition, there are restrictions on the import and export of many products. If you wish to list items for international purchase, you are responsible for conducting proper research to ensure that the items listed comply with all laws and regulations.

Consequences for Violations
Violations of Amazon's policy on listing prohibited items may result in actions, such as:

Cancellation of listing
Limits on listing privileges
Suspension of listing privileges
Removal of your selling privileges
Amazon reserves the right to make judgments in its sole discretion about whether or not a listing is appropriate.

Additional Related Policies
Fulfillment by Amazon: FBA Manual
Reporting
Amazon encourages sellers to report listings that violate Amazon's policies or applicable law by using our Contact Us form. Select "Report a violation of our rules" and include all relevant information, so we can conduct an investigation.

Examples of Permitted and Prohibited Listings
The examples provided in these Help pages are not all-inclusive and are provided solely as an informational guide. Even where a product is listed as an "Example of Permitted Listings," all products and listings must also comply with applicable laws. In addition, any links provided are for informational purposes only, and Amazon does not warrant the accuracy of any information provided in these links.

Related Topics:
Alcohol
Animals & Animal Products
Art
Automotive
Clothing
Cosmetics & Skin/Hair Care
Currency, Coins, Cash Equivalents, and Gift Cards
Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia & Dietary Supplements
Electronics
Food & Beverage
Gambling & Lottery
Hazardous & Dangerous Items
Human Parts & Burial Artifacts
Intellectual Property Violations
Jewelry & Precious Gems
Kindle Accessories
Medical Devices & Accessories
Offensive Products
Other
Postage Meters & Stamps
Recalled Products
Sex & Sensuality
Stolen Property & Lock Picking Devices
Surveillance Equipment
Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products
Warranties & Services
Weapons

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200277040

 

[Guest14692]

Selling prohibited items (ones that Amazon refuses to sell for one reason or another) on your own ecommerce store seems to be lucrative. I've met with someone who does over $10mil/year selling tobacco products online.

If you investigate as to why Amazon and eBay won't allow the sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products, they say "because of strict government regulations".

Did the person you meet expand on this at all? How did they overcome it?
$10 mil/year is huge $$$. I can understand why superstores like Amazon and eBay wouldn't even bother, but Tobacco is huge!

 

[mayana]

used underwear if someone wants to buy it, I dont care.

There are actually entire websites dedicated to this EXACT thing...lol. Hey, who are we to judge? Different strokes...

But when it comes to restricted products, remember that Amazon and Ebay and all of the other big online stores don't restrict these products just to be buzz-kills. There are usually all sorts of legal, regulatory, and liability issues that come up depending on the product. If you decide to take this route, I'd focus on a niche and choose carefully.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[JAJT]

I thought I was solving a problem by charging a smaller fee than eBay, but when I talk to sellers they aren't that interested. Even though they complain, they still sell with eBay.

Because you are trying to offer them (maybe) hundreds/thousands of eyes on their listings vs Ebay's millions set of eyes (tens of millions? more?).

Ebay didn't just pop out of nowhere as this gigantic company. They sold Pez at first. Then people wanted to sell more. It grew from a small seed into a giant tree.

Win a single market or two first, then grow to be what your customers ASK you to be. Hundreds of eyes dedicated to comic books (for example) is a much easier proposition than hundreds of eyes spread thin across every category out there.

 

[stranger]

Im trying to identify a "marketplace" need that eBay doesnt cover.
I've spent time putting together a marketplace and Im met with constant friction on it.

100% of the time I'm asked this question: "How are you different from eBay?
50% of the time I'm asked this question: "Why does someone need to buy from you when they can just buy from Amazon?"

I'm looking to change my focus and cover more of a business need, but I can't discover one that eBay doesnt already cover.

Better think of why some people dislike ebay and/or amazon. It is why small online stores are still alive.

 

[throttleforward]

He didn't give me any details, because I was pitching him on one of my concepts so the conversation wasn't really an open 2 way dialogue. I doubt he would tell me anyway, as that is probably one of his biggest trade secrets (navigating whatever regulations and shipping barriers there are for selling tobacco online).

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Bowden]

I've been advised to focus on comic books, Im hesitant because its a small market and hard as hell to gain traction. I've never seen a comic book on the cover of ebay.

Not sure what research you conducted regarding comic books, but I suggest you look again.