Amazon takes steps to assure failure

[Bob Niland]

Amazon Requires Its Payment Service for Auction
Transactions, Limits Sales to $2,500

"... customers will no longer be able to purchase
items over $2,500 through zShops or Auctions."

So, like, do they reject bids above $2500?

They do realize, I trust, that this effectively
prohibits listing for many items with expected
closing values WAY below $2500. Would you list
an item you thought would probably get $1900,
but which you had seen close on eBay for $900 to
$2900?

Setting an enforced maximum price sounds so stupid
it's amazing eBay didn't think of it first, unless
the goal is to accelerate the failure of amzn aucs.

Amazon is requiring all zShops and Auctions
transactions to be paid through Amazon Payments.

This is like eBay requiring that only PayPal be
used, something many here have predicted will
eventually happen. In this case, however, AMZN
will discover that this policy, plus the cap,
will be just two more nails in the Amazon Auction
coffin. With any luck, eBay and the eBay wannabees
are paying attention.

"Shoppers can buy with greater confidence, ..."

But the real motivation is hinted at by:

Amazon's announcement reminded users it is
against its policy to direct buyers away from
Amazon transactions, and it prohibits sellers
from including text in their item descriptions,
such as URLs or email addresses ...

Sounds oddly familiar.

 

[Bob Niland]

Oops. Posted to incorrect group.