A while ago I wrote a couple of articles about Amazon vs. eBay focused on the seller’s perspective. Now, here’s my view on both marketplaces fron the other point of view: the end consumer; the buyer.
On a feature by feature analysis, this would be a very concise summary of the buying experience in both eBay and Amazon from my standpoint.
| BUYERS Perspective | Amazon | eBay |
| Fees | WORSE Higher average fees translate to higher average prices | BETTER Lower average fees prices means lower prices for the end consumer |
| Format | FIXED Price Format | FIXED price + AUCTION |
| Average sale Price | HIGHER Amazon buyers tend to focus more on product condition than price. | LOWER eBay, by its nature, is competitive and draws buyers looking for the lowest possible prices. |
| Payment Methods | WORSE
| BETTER, MORE PAYMENT OPTIONS Besides credit and debit cards, eBay sellers can accept PayPal, money orders, cashier's checks or cash (in person) |
| Return Policy | BETTER “A-Z Guarantee” favors the Buyers | WORSE NO Buyer Guarantee, only a “Resolution Center” that works sometimes |
| Shipping | BETTER Buyer always knows the shipping cost (Amazon sets the shipping cost) | SLIGHTLY WORSE Variable shipping costs, dependant on sellers. |
| Web experience – Personalization tools | BETTER No doubt, Amazon is probably the best online store available | WORSE
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Summing it up, Amazon is a better online experience for the buyer… but at higher average prices than eBay. Both are perfectly valid options for online shopping and just as in “brick and mortar” retail stores some prefer to buy at WalMart and some at Target, on Internet the different mix of service/price also gives consumers more options to choose from.
My personal favorite... Amazon. I don’t care if they’re cents more expensive on average. .. so far, no other online retailer has been able to create a better experience than Amazon.
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