eBay and Online Auctions

On 6th May 2008 our 1000th member registered at our auction forums. This is what we announced that day:

In less than two years we're delighted to reach this milestone. We appreciate that some members have come and gone during this time - that's natural for a forum commmunity but, overall, we continue to enjoy friendly, constructive discussion about the wider online venue trading scene and the particular sites that Pheebayers use.

We've also witnessed the rise and fall of a few venues in this time also. For instance Tazbar came to life in the UK and just today QXL announced it's UK site was turning out the light.

One thing has remained constant however. eBay was and still is the dominant market leader in the countries most Pheebayers live. But current signs are that Australia may be a weakening market for eBay as Oztion continues it's growth. It may not be long before Australia joins New Zealand in preferring a "home grown" site to the 800Lb gorilla. Will the same ever happen in the UK? Canada?

Competition works. It's healthy. It makes good sites improve and become better value for users. Sadly, another inevitable consequence is some sites will fail. But this is natural and the way it has to be. To have winners there must be losers.

I get no pleasure watching sites struggle and close. I can certainly suggest reasons why these events happen and criticise with the best of them when things aren't right. But I'm also aware of the fact that behind these sites there are real people. Dreams, plans, savings, earnings, hopes, families and most of all I recognise that the free markets that can seem so cruel also mean everyone has the opportunity to try.

I will never dance on the grave of someones failure. I prefer to applaud the fact they tried.

If I can ask one favour of everyone that uses Pheebay it is simply this; respect and applaud effort, support and report success, offer advice and hope in times of trouble and never lose site of your humanity in any circumstances.

It's so easy to knock things down. It's a real challenge to build them up.

In that spirit, may healthy and friendly competition bring us all some cracking deals and sales in the future!!