Get to know that has-it-all, eBay online store
It was only founded in 1995 yet its triumph can be equated to a three-decade existing company. That is eBay online store, the America's largest shopping and online auction website.
People, through eBay online store, make a wide reaching selling and buying of services and goods. Aside from its original US-based website, the eBay online store has also launched localized online stores in numerous other countries.
Early history and origin
Pierre Omidyar, a computer programmer, established the eBay online store. Then, it was part of AuctionWeb, a bigger personal website which included Omidyar's own contemptuous Ebola virus' tribute.
Interesting facts about eBay online store: the prime item sold through this worldwide online store was a laser pointer, broken and cost $14.33. The first employee hired by the company was Chris Agarpao. Meanwhile, the first company president was Jeffrey Skoll, in 1996.
In 1996 of November, the online store established a licensing deal with Electronic Travel Auction so that they can use the SmartMarket technology and sell airline tickets and few travel products.
The then AuctionWeb was officially changed into eBay in 1997 of September. Originally, the website was owned by Echo Bay Technology Group, the consulting firm of the founder.
The store was publicly introduced in 1998, making Skoll and Omidyar instant billionaires. Paypal purchased the company on the 14th of October 2002.
Aside from the eBay's US website, there are also 28 eBay online stores in different parts of the world. It was locally established having its local domains and languages. The first outside-US eBay store was launched in Australia and United Kingdom.
Services and items sold
Millions of appliances, collectibles, vehicles, equipment, furniture, computers and other assorted items can be listed, sold and bought everyday. In the year 2005, eBay set up its category in Business and Industrial, which started the industrial business trade.
Some items are valuable and rare while others are filthy gizmos. Almost anything are saleable provided that the sellers and the buyers agreed to the policy proposed by the store. Services as well as intangibles are saleable as well. Large multinational corporations like IBM advertise their latest products and also offer services through fixed-priced storefronts and competitive auctions.
Generally, the company terminates auctions which breach the terms of service imposed.
Apart from online selling, eBay is also consists of eBay blogs, eBay mobile and eBay Community Wiki. It contains discussion boards, chat rooms, guides and reviews, and answer center.
The strong rival of eBay includes Amazon.