eBay.co.uk brings Skype onto site, making it easier for buyers and sellers to communicate
eBay.co.uk, the world’s favourite online marketplace, is introducing Skype™ functionality to its listings, making it even easier for buyers and sellers to communicate with each other. The new service will let sellers add Skype functions including free internet voice calls and instant messaging to their listings across a range of categories.
Sellers will be able to include a “Skype Me™” button on the eBay.co.uk listings page that buyers see. By clicking the button, buyers will be able to talk to sellers or use Skype instant messenger at no cost to ask about items and discuss deliveries or postage.
The pilot programme will start from mid-July 2006 and will be trialled in categories including art, antiques, stamps, coins, pottery & glass, sports memorabilia, real estate, baby products, musical instruments, and audio consumer electronics.
The categories have been selected for the difference using Skype will make to the ease of transactions, whether there are high selling prices, complex products or categories in which buyers may need extra details about the items for sale.
“This is a really exciting area of integration for Skype and eBay and will make it even easier for buyers and sellers to communicate,” said, eBay spokesman Richard Ambrose. “We expect it will reassure buyers while dramatically increasing both the number and value of sales.”
“Good communication is at the heart of smooth e-commerce transactions,” said Alistair Shrimpton, UK Manager, Skype. “And Skype is looking forward to taking its first steps into this exciting market. We expect our free communication tools will enhance the user experience on eBay and make it an even better place to trade.”
The introduction of Skype to eBay.co.uk follows extensive research amongst buyers and sellers. Sellers felt the opportunity to communicate more with buyers and share information about their products would smooth the purchase process. Buyers agreed the service would help them learn more about both seller and product.
“With the introduction of Skype, we are making it easy – and free – for our community to connect with one another,” said Dan Wilson, eBay.co.uk community manager. “Getting information about complex items will now be quick and easy. However, for many of the other 15 million eBay.co.uk users, we also think it will help bring together like-minded collectors and enthusiasts, further cementing the community feel for the site.”
About eBay Founded in 1995, eBay pioneers communities built on commerce, sustained by trust, and inspired by opportunity. eBay enables ecommerce on a local, national and international basis with an array of websites – including the eBay Marketplace, PayPal, Skype, Kijiji, Rent.com, Shopping.com – that bring together millions of buyers and sellers every day.
• eBay.co.uk hit the 15 million users milestone in April 2006.
• eBay.co.uk has achieved the ten million live listings landmark, meaning there are more than ten million items for sale on the site at any one time.
The number of eBay.co.uk's Unique visitors reached 11.7 million in March 2006*. eBay.co.uk's reach was 43.3% in March 2006* (reach is the % of all active internet users within that month that visited eBay.co.uk). * Nielsen Net Ratings, March 2006
About Skype Skype is the world's fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers.
Skype is an eBay company (Nasdaq: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com. Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.
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