Amazon and eBay are great places for selling merchandise, or buying for that matter.

But there is a difference, especially for sellers. One is not better than the other, just different.

For instance….

Transparency:

eBay is transparent not only to Wall Street, but also to the Seller, and Buyer…from the # of listings, to sell through rates, average sales prices within categories, research tools (Terapeak, Hammertap), etc.

Amazon is not transparent not to Wall Street, or to the buyer or seller. From the number of listings, sell through, etc. There is a reason for this lack of transparency.

Amazon is multi-tiered…not only does Amazon source and sell under it’s own name , but also builds contractual agreements with major b&m or stores.

Amazon…various subscription levels, and points of entry…such as auction – pay as you go, to seller central – by invitation, but easy to obtain

Seller Research:

Amazon… almost impossible.

eBay…from selling price of items, to sell through per site and category…several tools are available such as Terapeak, and Hammertap.

Seller Customers and Off-Site Links (such as seller’s website)

eBay allows the seller to list their website on their Me page.

eBay allows the seller to see, contact their buyers…by direct email, phone, and of course – buyer’s ship to address

Amazon works to keep the buyer as anonymous as possible. Except for the shipping address, the customer belongs to Amazon. Frowns on off-site links.

to be continued