Quote:Skype offers a free service when users make computer-to-computer calls to other Skype users. Charges apply when Skype users make calls to regular phone numbers.
But in a move to strengthen the bonds between eBay buyers and sellers, the company will also encourage eBay merchant sites to use Skype software to allow customers with last-minute sales questions to click to talk to a customer service agent.
..two companies justified the combination by saying that the power of so-called "click-to-call" services to convert shoppers into buyers represents a far more lucrative form of selling proposition than advertising can.
and perhaps most importantly:
Quote:While allowing potential benefits from providing communications services between buyers and sellers, particularly in China,
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArti...sinessNews&storyID=2005-09-12T115950Z_01_FOR227652_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SKYPE-EBAY.xml
eBay Official Press Release:
http://investor.ebay.com/downloads/eBay_...elease.pdf
I think China is the key reason for the acquisition and the Skype purchase is likely a panic move on eBay's part after China's largest instant messaging company TenCent (170 million users compared to eBay China's 11 million and Alibaba/Taobao's 7 million) announced last month it would start a China auction site by year end.
http://community.tuliptools.com/index.ph...248.0.html
There is a thread on FAS:
http://www.freeauctionscripts.com/commun...php?t=6172
It is a copy of a thread said to be from the Ebay boards, from an Australian seller who has been going round and round with Ebay because he has dial-up with only one phone line, and often cannot take phone calls because he is on line. The story is that Ebay "randomly" tested his number and found it busy. They sent emails requiring him to get another method of phone contact citing "invalid contact data" and threatening him with suspension.
My first reaction was BS - Aussies love tall tales and this, well constructed as it is, is too much - even for Ebay.
With this coming so soon after.....
You know I have gotten several dozen "ask seller a question" emails from Ebay. I answered each quickly and kindly, although nearly every one was answered clearly in the listing. I still have yet to make a sale from any of them. And I have strange hours. I have no wish to offer 24 hour customer phone service and dedicate all my time to Ebay.
Of course the big sellers can hire someone to do it.
Quote:I have no wish to offer 24 hour customer phone service
either does eBay... :twistedevil:
Small poll of Skype users, but 72% say the eBay deal sucks
http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=34932
Reuters also saying the acquisition could dampen user enthusiasm that has been largely responsible for Skype's rapid growth:
Quote:But the sale to eBay could signal the end of the evangelical zeal from users that drove Skype's rapid growth. Its software ....- has spread in classic viral fashion, as each new user convinces friends and family to sign up.
http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCom...835_newsml