The "wtf are eBay doing to themselves" thread

[cutmymilk]

I started selling online with Yahoo Auctions 10 years ago when I was 16. It was COMPLETELY FREE. Used to pay or receive money by postal order or cheque. No idea why it shut down in the UK, but there were a fair few con artists on there so maybe thats why.

[Mayhem]

Indeed, Yahoo Auctions were worldwide (I used to use them) and eBay gradually muscled them out in most territories. Why not Japan I have no idea actually...

[Ginger Tosser]

I used to use Yahoo Auctions, was annoyed when they finished in the UK.

[Tirian]

Indeed, Yahoo Auctions were worldwide (I used to use them) and eBay gradually muscled them out in most territories. Why not Japan I have no idea actually...

Because Japan is the only place that Yahoo got in first, and built a big enough userbase to make charging pay off. They closed in the UK because they never got to the usage levels where fee income would cover their costs and make a profit - so eventually, when eBay offered to pay them out to shut shop forever, they took it.

Same story everywhere else, pretty much. I think they tried charging in the US for a little while, but eBay already had the dominant position and it didn't pay off.