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Quote:EBay is aiming to take over the phone book's customary role as the first place people turn to find local services, from housecleaners to accountants.

Although eBay Inc.'s focus for now is on auto services, such as oil changes and brake jobs, its goal may be to connect consumers with local businesses of all kinds. This could signal a major shift in the way consumers shop for such services and greatly affect pricing and competition among local shops.

EBay plans to develop by as early as next year a new area devoted to automotive services on its existing eBay Motors site...

Quote:Where eBay would monetize those businesses beyond their listings would be with pay-per-call advertising. For Skype...

Quote:This could signal a major shift in the way consumers shop for such services and greatly affect pricing and competition among local shops.

Quote:***eBay Motors Local Market Test*** 

May 11, 2006 | 10:52AM PST/PT


This week, eBay Motors will begin a limited test of a new feature that will make it easier for buyers to find vehicles being sold locally.

Buyers located in four select markets (Chicago, Miami, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.) may see a new section at the end of their search results called “Additional vehicles near [your ZIP code].” Here they’ll see listings from participating eBay Motors dealers that will only be shown to these local buyers.