I. Background of the Study
A pioneer and a market leader in the online auction industry, eBay has been able to grow the business significantly in the last decade amidst turbulent times for many contemporary dotcom companies. EBay’s strategy to focus on a niche market and differentiate itself through strong brand management and continuous improvement in the value-added services has enabled the company to defend the market leadership in the industry. While many new competitors have entered into the industry, eBay continued to set its sight in serving and growing.
From its no-registration, no-fee, grassroots trading company called Auction Web established in 1995, eBay has grown to be in a league by itself. It provides a safe place where buyers and sellers from around the world can come together to engage in commerce. EBay is currently the top-ranked online auction company within its industry, with a sizeable share of internet users registered on its site. People spend more time on time in eBay than any other online site, making it the most popular shopping destination on the Internet. There is actually no doubt that eBay holds the power in the online auction industry. However, complacency is not acceptable. Future threats may arise which could lead to a potential loss in its substantial market share, thus a need for an analysis of the key factors of the company which should be compiled and analyzed to determine the best alternative courses of action. II. Problem
Just like any other business, eBay has its own share of problems. One of its biggest problems is system breakdowns which could result to customer dissatisfaction, ruined reputation and of course, lost sales. A company that is largely dependent on its online features should always strive to deliver consistent site stability. The timing is crucial for eBay, being inaccessible for hours at a time will have a potential damage to the loyalty of its users. Another major