Check these out and then use your imagination (all quotes from the article);

EBay makes public its complaint against Craigslist

• “Craigslist considers eBay’s new site Kijiji a competitive activity that nullifies some shareholder rights eBay won when it bought a 28 percent stake in Craigslist in 2004, according to the complaint, which eBay made public on Wednesday.”
• “eBay contends Craigslist went too far in interpreting what rights eBay should lose. And it’s suing Craigslist for allegedly diluting its stake unfairly.”
• “Craigslist said Wednesday in a blog posting on its site that eBay is intent on dominating the classifieds business.”
• “EBay’s lust for acquiring the rest of Craigslist is blatant throughout the complaint. EBay says industry analysts believe the online classifieds site is worth several billion dollars, and in July, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman told Craigslist she’d ‘welcome the opportunity to acquire the remainder of (it).’”

How many Craigslists are there? Is it an anomaly? Honestly, how many of you know anything about Kijiji? Then – how many of you have been around long enough to know how diluted and powerless classifieds have become online? Ah – the good old days :) Craigslist truly would have been a powerhouse in the late 90’s!

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay and Craigslist – Open To Your Imagination

You anger your customers long enough and loud enough and they will rebel! Competition that you never heard of will also spring up out of nowhere. No one is immune to the forces of folks who want a different way to live and are willing to go to whatever lengths to find (or create) what they want.

Even if, in the past, you have altered your policies and gotten past those uproars. Even if you’ve been able to weather the loss of both sellers and buyers previously, there comes a line in the sand. If you cross that line you will pay the price. The trick is to make the determination where that line is and that is usually not to be done.

So, the comment arrives here and we discover new competition in an old suit;

Zipidee Extends a Welcome to all Former eBay Digital Good Sellers

SAN FRANCISCO–April 10, 2008—“Zipidee, the Internet’s fastest growing digital media marketplace, announced today that it has expanded its scope of digital products to include eBooks. The announcement coincides with eBay’s recent decision to halt fixed price listings for digital goods, paving the way for eBook publishers, as well as sellers of digital video and audio files, to migrate their content to Zipidee.”

And the CEO is ready to take advantage of an opportunity he perceives;

“From its inception, Zipidee has embodied an open marketplace where video and audio creators have complete freedom to sell their digital products, at whatever price they choose, and in any category they want. Now we’re extending the same opportunity to eBook publishers,” said Henry Wong, Zipidee CEO. “eBay’s recent decision to de-list digital sellers from its auction and fixed price listings has created a huge opportunity for us.”

This press release informs us that;

“Zipidee provides digital content owners with a turnkey platform to create their unique online storefronts. The platform offers sellers marketing tools to promote their content, detailed reporting of all financial transactions, and the flexibility to set their own prices.”

Crunchbase adds;

“Zipidee is an online marketplace for your digital goods. It’s not the first, yet it will offer you the most control over the pricing and distribution of your assets.”

[Thank you Victor, your information is appreciated. Image found at Crunchbase]

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay’s Digital Download Ban [The Competition Grows]

CDBurnerXP Pro

CDBurnerXP is a free application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs. It also includes the feature to burn and create ISOs, as well as a multilanguage interface. Everyone, even companies, can use it for free. It does not include adware or similar malicious components.

Key Features

• burn all kinds of discs
• audio-CDs with or without gaps between tracks
• burn and create ISO files
• data verification after burning process
• create bootable discs
• multi-language interface
• bin/nrg → ISO converter, simple cover printing and much more!
• Operating Systems: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista

H/T – Both John Thornhill (PlanetSMS) and “Cybamart.”

Technorati Tags – CD Reproduction Resources Digital Download Ban eBay CDBurnerXP Pro eBay Sellers

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay’s Digital Download Ban [CDBurnerXP Pro - Free!]

The Warrior Forum (again).

Wherein we find links to a few excellent resources I’ve had the pleasure of discussing elsewhere :)

One is CafePress. From their Audio and Data page;

Sell professional quality Audio and Data CDs

Design your CD
We offer full-color direct printing on all CDs (no sticky labels here!).

Choose and Design Your Packaging
Choose from simple paper sleeves to retail ready jewel cases with full-color inserts and tray cards.

Add Your Content
Specify your track listing and mail us a master CD with your content. Once we receive your content, we’ll upload it and let you know when it’s ready. You can also upload your MP3s.

Perfect for: Music, Audio Presentations, Broadcast Content and more!

Tell us about your CD
Who better than you to generate excitement for your CD and help your customers make a buying decision? By tagging your CD, you’ll ensure its searchability in the Marketplace. Do this by adding keywords that describe both your CD’s content as well as your cover art.

Make Money
You set your own retail price over the CafePress.com base price and keep the difference. CafePress.com Audio base prices are:

Type of CD Base Price
CD with Paper Sleeve – $4.99
CD with Jewel Case and Inserts – $8.99

There are more… [Also posted here]

Technorati Tags – CD Reproduction Resources Digital Download Ban eBay eBay Buyers eBay Sellers

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay’s Digital Download Ban [Workarounds Arrive]

Brian Burke, Director Global Feedback Policy, says;

Hello…This is Brian Burke, Director Global Feedback Policy. Digital goods are often reproduced at little to no cost to the seller. On eBay, this creates the potential for Feedback Manipulation (both real and perceived). To preserve the integrity of the Feedback system, effective March 31 all goods that can be digitally downloaded or transferred electronically must be listed using the Classified Ads format.

Using the Classified Ads format, sellers receive a 30-day ad at a fixed price. This solution enables sellers to continue to market their digital goods on eBay; however, because Classified Ad listings are a lead generation tool and do not result in transactions that go through eBay, Feedback cannot be exchanged between buyer and seller.

Sellers who wish to continue to offer digital goods can do so by selecting the Everything Else>Information Products category in the Sell Your Item form and choosing the Classified Ads format (not auction-style or fixed price). For more information about the Classified Ads format, please read Advertising with Classified Ads.

Sincerely,

Brian Burke
Director, Global Feedback Policy

The Warrior Forum says;

BAD NEWS Ebay Limits Digital Downloads 2 Classified

PlanetSMS says;

Digital Items Banned On eBay

“There is only one negative issue I can find so far and that is your eBook business can no longer be automated. You will need to make your items physical. And the best way to do this is to burn your eBooks to CD Rom and send it via regular mail. This is not as hard as it sounds once you set up a system to burn and ship CD’s. This task can even be outsourced if you wish.”

[Crossposted]

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay – Digital Downloadable Goods in Classified Ads Format Only