Ebay could grow their revenue/profits with minimal investment -- what I would call a "reverse Ebay". Right now, Ebay is essentially a set of classified ads or people offering things for sale. How about putting in a "wanted" section where potential buyers could list things they want to buy -- a "reverse Ebay"? Today, Ebay has a certain class of users who want to buy a particular older item (e.g., toys from their childhood) and don't want to waste time looking in a variety of antique stores. These users search Ebay as a time saver, sometimes finding what they want, and sometimes not -- in which case they leave frustrated. But Ebay could open a section where potential buyers could list things they want to buy -- allowing sellers to contact buyers (I suspect there are potential sellers who don't list obscure things because they are not sure they will sell). Ebay could better leverage its existing customer base and search/sorting technology -- increasing revenue at a minimal investment.
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I've always wanted something like this, where I could specify what I want (specifically or generally), how much I'd be willing to pay, and specific terms of purchase.
This is a great idea! ...I'm not sure why Ebay doesn't offer this service.
I've suggested it to Ebay. Presumably, if enough people ask for the feature, they would add it (although they should have thought of it on their own). Attached is the link to Ebay's sugggestion box if you want to put in your vote http://pages.ebay.com/help/welcome/suggest.html.
Ebay told me that they are giving some thought to my suggestion. In the interim, they said that if I wanted a particular item that no one had for sale on Ebay at the moment, I could do Search for that item, then save the search, and then mark the box to receive an email from Ebay if sometime in the future someone offered my desired item for sale. Not a perfect solution, but it helps.
FYI -- there is also a suggestion similar to mine also posted elsewhere on WhyNot -- http://www.whynot.net/view_idea.php?id=982
Check out www.whyabe.com it is an rfp and reverse auction site. They are adding new features daily. It is free to use. You actually categorize your listing so that it invites relevant suppliers.
UPDATE looks like ebay has this now
http://pages.ebay.com/wantitnow/
A Free Reverse Auction Site is already out there. So why would you pay for ebay? Whyabe.com
The name of the site could be
< USAs MOST WANTED> or < INDIAS MOST WANTED> etc.
Has anyone tried this service? overdogg.com
1: Ebay has it now.2: There is another suggestion just like this... It even has the same name. I know you have seen it becuase you posted a comment on it. But I totally agree... why did they support his/hers as apposed to yours?
There is already websites like this-Bidyouhappy.com and swapz.co.ukBoth these website you say what your looking for and people who have it come to you.It personly think swapz.co.uk is the better out of the two.