Amazon vs. eBay, Round 2, Fight!
eBay is undoubtedly the champion of selling used goods. Those who follow Amazon closely know all too well that Amazon launched their own online auction system and failed miserably. Well, it looks like Amazon may be ready to do battle once again. Amazon recently filed a continuation patent application (12/332,246) which has a priority date that goes as far back as Oct 2001. The invention is for marketplace where users can sell to one another. Sort of like a classifieds, but with a twist. The marketplace is tied into their catalog system, which is pretty much Amazon’s primary model.
The images do a pretty good job of describing the system. For example, say you own a Canon SD1100IS and would like to sell it. You can search for the product on Amazon and click to sell yours. This will add a link to your used camera (which will be listed in the marketplace) from the Canaon SD1100IS page in the catalog. You set a price and specify the condition. Future visitors to the catalog page will see the link and may follow it to the marketplace and purchase your used camera. Also interesting is the ability for buyers to post that they are willing to buy it used and post the price and condition they are looking for. This is then also linked from the catalog page. Could this be a better way to sell used? It’s already available for merchants selling used, but will it work for user to sell used goods like eBay does?
Amazon has had a marketplace like this for years. Where have you been?
Ah yes, you are correct. I have been using Amazon forever and rarely ever looked in their “Marketplace.” Apparently, all users have access to become a seller in their “Marketplace.” I realized that this patent application is a continuation from a 2002 patent application, so it dates pretty far back. It looks like Amazon is working hard to protect its concept of having an electronic catalog in combination with a user marketplace for selling the same goods.