eBay being sued over patent infringement

From: Mail List <mail.list_at_analog-and-digital-solutions.com>
Date: Thu Apr 24 09:54:01 2003

Hi Paxton,

> Actually, as a seller, I think the eBay process sucks.

Scan the DNF message board. A lot of other sellers share that same sentiment.

> The advantage really is to the bidder.

And if eBay can capture the bidders, the sellers have little choice but to
follow.

That's why, having both sold and bought on eBay, I find eBay is great for
buying,
but for selling, not quite as good. Still has some good points from a
selling perspective,
i.e. huge exposure, etc. but there are some characteristics that are not so
good for
the seller.

> a much preferred model for me. It is where the sale is extended by a
minute or two
> when each bid comes in at the end of the auction.

Yes, that one feature takes the teeth out of sniping. That model is what
the GSA
auctions uses. And they are selling their own ( all of our's actually )
stuff and want
to do the best they can on it.

> On the other hand an IBM HPLC did much better on LabX than eBay ($400
vs $35)
> and saw a lot of action at the end.

Big difference, and I'm sure you were well able to find a good use for it.








At 03:28 AM 4/24/03 -0400, you wrote:
>The suit is over the process of running the auction which another person
>patented in the early 90s. It is an interesting suit. At one time in 2000 or
>so eBay offered to pay licensing fees, then opted to fight it.
>
>Actually, as a seller, I think the eBay process sucks. It is the second best
>bidder that really sets the price. The advantage really is to the bidder.
>
>Another very successful Internet auction run by LabX is a much preferred
>model for me. It is where the sale is extended by a minute or two when each
>bid comes in at the end of the auction. WWW.labx.com
>
>I do much better for lab equipment here than on eBay. Auctions are much more
>like real auctions. LabX is a totally different, more real auction model.
>Very successful also.
>
>I did an interesting experiment with some identical Olympus microscope tubes
>(parts). They did sell for much more on eBay than LabX (av $75 vs. $20). On
>the other hand an IBM HPLC did much better on LabX than eBay ($400 vs $35)
>and saw a lot of action at the end.
>
>To keep this on topic I do find classic computers on the LabX auction site
>that were primarily used as lab controllers. They often go cheap.
>
>Paxton
>Astoria, OR
Received on Thu Apr 24 2003 - 09:54:01 BST