Randy Smythe - Yahoo! Voices

Why a Yahoo/eBay Merger is on the Horizon!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:46:00 EDT

With the announcement that Terry Semel is leaving Yahoo and founder Jerry Yang will be coming on board, I think the timing is right that for a Yahoo/eBay merger. I believe a merger between these two Internet behemoths makes sense on a number of levels.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Jun 23, 2007

Are You Considering Opening an Ebay Store? Wait! Read This First

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Fri, 11 May 2007 11:29:00 EDT

If you currently have a store and can make a reasonable profit, I would of course recommend that you stay but if you are considering opening a new store, my suggestion is to wait. Wait until eBay figures out what they want to be when they grow-up.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: May 11, 2007

Getting a Divorce! - Put the Kids First!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:51:00 EDT

When I got divorced I was so angry. I couldn't understand why this was happening to me. Anger and hurt are natural emotions when going through this type of event but when they spill over into your relationship with your kids they can have a major negative impact.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Feb 24, 2007

GoogZilla Vs. King Ebaydorah the Three Headed Monster!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:59:00 EDT

In the great tradition of Japanese cinema, the battle between Google and eBay is starting to look like one of those classic Godzilla movies. GoogZilla and King Ebaydorah are fighting over Tokyo (ecommerce).

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Feb 13, 2007

Microsoft's Micro-Payment System May Save Web 2.0

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:56:00 EDT

With the announcement last week that Microsoft is working on a Micro payment system for the web, it occurred to me that this might be the application that saves Web 2.0. One of the biggest problems facing Web 2.0 startups today is monetizing their services.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Feb 08, 2007

How I Would Monetize MySpace!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:38:00 EDT

MySpace has millions of little "viral" entrepreneurs at their disposal. These members love recommending, referring, passing on information about music, movies, people, pictures, Widgets and ideas. Why not put them to work for you?

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Feb 06, 2007

PayPal Vs. Google Checkout!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:48:00 EDT

It would be difficult to argue that Google's Checkout does not pose a threat to eBay's PayPal. Recent initiatives from PayPal look to be directly related to the perceived threat of Google Checkout.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Jan 22, 2007

What is the Digital Napkin?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:03:00 EDT

The Digital Napkin is a blog about ideas. According to Wikipedia.org an idea is "an image existing or formed in the mind". An idea is just a concept until it is acted upon, implemented or put into practice.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 21, 2006

EBay: What the Heck is a TSE?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:49:00 EDT

A new phrase and its companion acronym made its debut in the earnings call the other day: The Tailored Shopping Experience or TSE.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 20, 2006

How Do You Beat EBay in the Auction Business? One Category at a Time!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:27:00 EDT

What would happen if a significant competitor rose up in each of eBay's categories?

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 16, 2006

What's Happening to EBay's Top Sellers?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 17:22:00 EDT

According to a recently published list of the top 10,000 sellers on eBay (as of September 2006) published by Sellathon.com - a site that tracks eBay sellers by their feedback - some interesting trends are developing:

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 11, 2006

Can EBay Be Used as a Customer Acquisition Tool?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:02:00 EDT

Sellers who sell on eBay need to change their mindset, even sellers who are presently happy with the world of eBay. My suggestion is quit thinking of eBay as your home on the Internet and start thinking of it as a marketing tool.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 09, 2006

And the EBay Hits Just Keep Coming!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:02:00 EDT

Beginning in early 2007, eBay will add all Half.com listings to eBay search results. Chief Marketing Officer Gary Briggs made this statement during the recent Town Hall meeting announcing eBay's marketing plans for the 4th Quarter.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 04, 2006

Former EBay User (Me) Banned from EBay Message Boards!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:07:00 EDT

As you all know by now, I told my eBay story in late Sept. and began posting articles on various topics related to eBay. At the time I also registered on eBay again so I could participate in Message Board discussions.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 03, 2006

Interview: Former EBay Top Seller GlacierBayDVD Speaks Out

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:02:00 EDT

GlacierBayDVD rose to become one of eBay's top PowerSellers, achieving 268,198 unique feedback ratings and making $4.6 million in GMS (the value of items sold) in 2004. But something went terribly wrong

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 01, 2006

The Real Future of Ebay; After Their Recent Agreements with Yahoo and Google!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:10:00 EDT

Ebay appears to be modifying their business model; they are moving towards an advertiser supported shopping portal rather than a shopping destination.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Oct 01, 2006

Are EBay and Store Sellers Headed for Divorce?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:31:00 EDT

Unlike most businesses there is an emotional element that is unique to eBay. For so many years eBay was considered a community. Sure it was still a business, but both buyers and sellers alike enjoyed the experience.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Sep 28, 2006

Where to Get Your EBay News with a Shot of Espresso!

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 17:27:00 EDT

There are numerous sources on the web where you can get your daily dose of eBay news with your morning coffee: from the latest wacky sale to in-depth financial information. Here is a list of web resources to satisfy your ebay news habit.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Sep 26, 2006

What is the E! True Hollywood Story About EBay's Former Top Seller Glacier Bay DVD?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Randy Smythe) — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 15:08:00 EDT

What does one of eBay's former top sellers have to say about the current state of eBay. Randy Smythe, owner of Glacier Bay DVD weighs in on the world of eBay.

Contributor: Randy Smythe
Published: Sep 26, 2006