Difference between revisions of "EBay"
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==Ethical Implications== | ==Ethical Implications== | ||
| − | Some of the ethical issues on eBay include the buying and selling of counterfeit and [[Digital Piracy|pirated]] items, [[Online Identity Theft|online identity theft]], buyers not paying for items that they win, and sellers not sending items that a buyer has paid for. In recent years, eBay has implemented rules and a solution system to solve many of these problems but it is still difficult for them to control everything. Some Internet users do not feel comfortable buying or selling on eBay because of the aforementioned reasons. | + | Some of the ethical issues on eBay include the buying and selling of counterfeit and [[Digital Piracy|pirated]] items, [[Online Identity Theft|online identity theft]], buyers not paying for items that they win, and sellers not sending items that a buyer has paid for. "The selling of pirated and counterfeit items is a big problem on eBay, particularly regarding computer products, collectibles, and designer watches, jewelry and clothing." <ref name="vigilantes">[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DXK/is_16_20/ai_108967481/ Goldsborough, Reid (2003). “Fighting Back Against Online Auction Fraud - Personal Computing”]</ref> In recent years, eBay has implemented rules and a solution system to solve many of these problems but it is still difficult for them to control everything. Some Internet users do not feel comfortable buying or selling on eBay because of the aforementioned reasons. |
===Vigilantes=== | ===Vigilantes=== | ||
| − | eBay Vigilantes have tried to take matters into there own hands by coming up with their own ways to fight against eBay criminals. "The most common tactics used by vigilantes are sending warning messages to bidders in what they believe is a scam auction, placing and then retracting a bid so they can warn others with a message that becomes part of the auction about why they retracted their bid, and creating a throw-away account so they can place winning bids and leave negative feedback without getting hurt by receiving negative feedback in return." <ref name="vigilantes" | + | eBay Vigilantes have tried to take matters into there own hands by coming up with their own ways to fight against eBay criminals. "The most common tactics used by vigilantes are sending warning messages to bidders in what they believe is a scam auction, placing and then retracting a bid so they can warn others with a message that becomes part of the auction about why they retracted their bid, and creating a throw-away account so they can place winning bids and leave negative feedback without getting hurt by receiving negative feedback in return." <ref name ="vigilantes"/> |
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 17:30, 18 December 2011
eBay is an online auction and shopping environment in which people buy and sell a variety of items worldwide. Both new and used items are available for purchase through auction or more directly with the "buy it now" feature. A wide variety of items are available in many different categories, such as fashion, motors, and electronics. Users can buy and sell anything from rubber bands to new and used cars. As the Christmas 2011 eBay commercials suggests "when it's on your mind, it's on eBay."
History
eBay was founded in Pierre Omidyar's San Jose living room back in September 1995. It was from the start meant to be a marketplace for the sale of goods and services for individuals. In 1998, Pierre and his cofounder Jeff Skoll brought in Meg Whitman to sustain the success. Meg had studied at the Harvard Business School and had learned the importance of branding at companies such as Hasbro. Meg culled her senior staff from companies such as Pepsico and Disney, created an experienced management team with an average of 20 years of business experience and built a strong vision for the company -- that eBay is a company that's in the business of connecting people, not selling them things. They quickly shed the image of only auctioning collectibles and moved into an array of upscale markets. By forging partnerships with namebrands such as GM, Disney and Sun, eBay has managed to continue growing and being successful. [1]
Ethical Implications
Some of the ethical issues on eBay include the buying and selling of counterfeit and pirated items, online identity theft, buyers not paying for items that they win, and sellers not sending items that a buyer has paid for. "The selling of pirated and counterfeit items is a big problem on eBay, particularly regarding computer products, collectibles, and designer watches, jewelry and clothing." [2] In recent years, eBay has implemented rules and a solution system to solve many of these problems but it is still difficult for them to control everything. Some Internet users do not feel comfortable buying or selling on eBay because of the aforementioned reasons.
Vigilantes
eBay Vigilantes have tried to take matters into there own hands by coming up with their own ways to fight against eBay criminals. "The most common tactics used by vigilantes are sending warning messages to bidders in what they believe is a scam auction, placing and then retracting a bid so they can warn others with a message that becomes part of the auction about why they retracted their bid, and creating a throw-away account so they can place winning bids and leave negative feedback without getting hurt by receiving negative feedback in return." [2]
