• Watch Out Craigslist and Kijiji, Wal*Mart’s Coming!

• Walmart Launches Online Classifieds Powered by Oodle

“We recently launched Walmart.com Classifieds beta to provide additional opportunities for our customers to save money and live better. This free, community-based resource allows customers to buy and sell items locally, find local jobs and learn about events in their area.

Our new Classifieds beta at Walmart.com provides an expanded offering of products and services, the majority of which are not traditionally available from Wal-Mart, such as job listings, automobiles, rentals and real estate. It also further connects our community of 130 million customers who shop the Wal-Mart brand each week.”

Tell me – do you think that eBay’s executives gave this any consideration, at all??? Do you think it could put a dent in either Kijiji, Craigslist or both? Personally, I don’t think it would bother Craigslist at all but Kijiji might be another story. Wal-Mart is most certainly a power to be reckoned with and can compete with eBay on every level!

Post from: EveryJoe

Blind-Sided By Wal-Mart

It seems I was wrong.

I also thought one of them was probably telling the truth…

Seems I was right.

In Restless Pursuit of Craigslist’s Success

“The Kijiji unit of eBay, a free classified ads service covering 13 countries online, was introduced in the United States in late June, and has already achieved modest success in some important markets, including New York. Its vice president and general manager, Jacob Aqraou, said it would market itself far more aggressively in 2008, and was further refining its service in hopes of putting a dent in Craigslist’s huge market-share lead.”

Now I might consider that the San Francisco Superior Court ought to give this article a good read…

A tidbit or two;

• “Mr. Aqraou said Kijiji was meant to appeal to consumers who were uncomfortable with Craigslist’s laissez-faire approach, where ads for sofas and child care discussion boards are a click away from offers for sadomasochistic encounters and prostitutes.”

• “And although Mr. Aqraou said most of Kijiji’s visitors had come from word-of-mouth referrals, it has spent an undisclosed amount on ads, including some aimed at people who searched online for Craigslist-related terms like Craig Newmark, the company’s founder. Kijiji also leaned on its parent company for marketing help, sending 15 million to 20 million e-mail messages to eBay users who fit the ‘young family’ profile.”

Containing an obviously open reference is the following;

In mid-December, Kijiji introduced Spanish-language options for Miami and several Texas cities, and the company said it would probably introduce similar services for American cities with large populations of Polish, French and Chinese citizens, among others.

“It will pull in a lot of groups that have been marginalized by the mainstream Internet offerings,” said Colby Atwood, president of Borrell Associates, an advertising consultancy in Seattle.

“It’s a perfect example of why Kijiji will hurt Craigslist more than anybody else,” Mr. Atwood added. “It adds to what Craigslist does, without changing the underlying model of free classifieds.”

Why Kijiji will hurt Craigslist? Gosh, do you think that was the perception all along – or was it the fact?

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay, Kijiji, Craigslist and The Recent Past…

Craigslist files countersuit against eBay

“Craigslist filed a countersuit against eBay Tuesday, alleging that the Internet auction company engaged in unfair competition, trademark infringement and a slew of other improper activities.”

Do you think there was a chance in 2004 eBay knew that buying those shares from a former Craigslist shareholder would bring grief down the road? Yeah, I think they knew… kinda like when you do something behind someone’s back and they figure it out – you’re caught! But, you won’t admit it come hell or highwater!

I find this statement by eBay spokeswoman Kim Rubey rather telling in its plasticity: “The original agreement between the two parties always envisioned that there could be competitive activity.” Really? But I guess it was above (or beneath) eBay to communicate with Craigslists people about Kijiji to see if it would work for them. Naaah – I doubt they did that.

There might be a chance that these two will get into a shouting match before long – that is how children do it.

Post from: EveryJoe

These Two Are Trying To Fool Each Other

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