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General discussion

Skype and Ebay...voice mail hell?

by surfpark Jun 14, 2006 4:18PM PDT

I was thinking about the the mention of eBay integrating a "Skype Me" button on auction pages from the June 14th show.

I can't help but think about how much eBay isn't in real-time. Seriously, aside from the end of the auction, the seller and the buyer are rarely online at the same exact time. Don't you think end-auction Skype sessions will dissolve into a game of internet phone tag?

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I agree - a bit of anonymity is part of the eBay experience

by cardsbb9 Jun 14, 2006 9:28PM PDT

Part of what made eBay work is that you did all your bidding and selling from 'behind' your email account.

To use Skype to communicate with seller/bidder means your own voice would have to enter into the transaction.

I also agree that another advantage of eBay was the 'asynchronous' mode of communication. So, yes, voice communication would be by voice-mail mostly. Also I just don't see the need to communicate beyond the bid and the paypal payment. When I place bids on items and win I just make the paypal payment and sit back and wait for the item. Unless the seller is dilatory in shipping there is no need for any other communication.

It's not like I am looking for any 'social networking' with the people I buy from (or sell to). When I transact on eBay I want the product (or the $$$), not any chit-chat.

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