gBay? Alright, go ahead, laugh... get it out of your system. But we'll see who's laughing in a year or so from now. I have good reason to speculate on the future of eBay vs. Google. Here's my thoughts:

I'm a big fan of both the auction giant eBay and the search engine giant Google; who's not these days right? But I've noticed a new trend with Google over the last few years, they aren't afraid to take anyone head on, including 'friends.' They took on Yahoo and MSN and quite frankly gave them a G-whooping. Yahoo even used Google's results for a while, but that didn't phase Google from pushing them further into the dark. Google's tackled Microsoft a few times too, despite friendly initial advances from the software king. The recent rumors of Gzilla, Gfox, GBrowser, or whatever you want to call it have the boys at Redmond sweating, especially since Mozilla's Firefox has taken a nice cut of their IE user base. And, just to make my point, it's also no secret that Froogle is a semi-assault on Amazon, the giant retailer online. Yes, Google loves to buddy-buddy up with folks and it loves to take the bigger boys head on.

So what's this have to do with eBay? Google's a search engine and eBay is a auction site. Well, if you consider the fact eBay is one (if not the largest) advertiser on Google then you might start to put some pieces together. Almost everything you 'Google' these days has a eBay ad pop up offering that item. I think I even saw myself on sale once, go figure? In any event, the two are pretty tied up in finances... they support each other in a symbiotic relationship of sorts. But could that all change?

The rumor mill is again pumping out news of Google's decision to develop a online payment service, a merchant and consumer tool for receiving and making payments online. Well, considering that this would be a direct jab at PayPal, the 'global leader in online payments,' and that PayPal is owned by eBay, well, now you really start to see where I'm heading. But this rumor is getting to be old news, and despite Google execs downplaying it, we'll see what happens. No, I'm thinking about starting another rumor or, better yet, how about just a bit of reasonable speculation on my part.

Anyone who uses Google likely knows about Froogle; it's right there on the main page, so you can't miss it. You've also probably noticed Google's image search and the fact Google owns Picasa. So it's fair to say Google has the means to host, load, and process images. Google's also gotten into maps and local stuff, so geographically speaking, Google's right on target, no pun intended. So if you combine a store, with images, with good geospacial technology, and a proverbial ton of users, you end up with... hrmm, something a lot a Amazon/eBay; minus the auctions of course. But what's to stop Google from taking that route (the auctions)? I mean seriously, how easy would it be to develop their own auction system, customize it with Froogle (so you've got your retail) and spit out a Gcommerce site that takes on Amazon and eBay at the same time. Amazon has already tried to start auctions, and they've done a decent job at it. But by far retail sales remain their biggest prize; though they've done an incredible amount of "outsourcing" lately, meaning other retailers sell via their site (like circuit City, etc). eBay is unquestionably the king of auctions, but haven't taken the step to include "Or buy it new at ....!" Could Google be the first to try it? It sure seems like all the pieces are in place to make the power play. And it's certainly not unlike Google to get into the trenches and duke it out with other competition (even if they were once friends).

I'll let you finish the rest of the speculation on your own, I just thought I'd make mention of it so you could consider the possibilities there. And I'm sure a lot of folks I'm sure are getting worried Google is becoming the next Microsoft *cough* monopoly *cough*. But you have to admire their innovative thinking and genius as a whole. I mean after all, who'd have thunk you'd hear, "Why don't you go Google it?" in normal conversation two years ago? Is gBay that much of a speculation at this point?

John C. Derrick
Founder

Great information!!

Personally, I can not wait to see what google comes up with. Everything they have devleoped so far has been a winner in my opinion. I use ebay and google (and froogle ) but froogling is realy only used for price comparison for me. I still shop at a selct few locations. Tending to trust the larger retailers then the smaller and more expensive ones.

Having said that.. the only time I have ever been to amazon.com is from a google search. I have never actually visited their homepage even!!

For those that already do amazon.com, I doubt they will switch over is massive droves. There is loyalty even on the web, and when a company like that is so large, there chief concern is gaining new customers not losing current ones.

With gmail hitting the eCommerce avenue... I think gaining new customers is going to be the biggest problem for other online marketers. (Best to get involved with google early to get an advantage )

It'll be nice if google steps in to eBay's territory because then they'd finally have some real compitition which means that they'll most likely lower many of those rediculous comissions.

OsirisX wrote:

It'll be nice if google steps in to eBay's territory because then they'd finally have some real compitition which means that they'll most likely lower many of those rediculous comissions.

Amen to that. They've gotten very greedy lately.

I agree. Ebay charges high commisions, and google is supurb at everything they do, so why not have a shot at it. Pretty soon woll be running:
Google XP
Gfox
Gzilla
Gbay

Interesting follow up:

SAN FRANCISCO, October 26, 2005: Google Inc. said Tuesday it was testing a new service that lets Web users publish information online, but it would not confirm whether the move was part of a broader push into online shopping to compete with the likes of eBay or Amazon.com.


Analysts and blog commentators have been abuzz this week over purported Web page screenshots showing a new service called "Google Base." Another related service could offer online payments and would put Google head-to-head with eBay Inc.'s PayPal payments service.

"Google Base," as depicted in screenshots on Google-watching sites, encourages users to post details of their small business enterprises, articles on current events, automobile listings and even scientific research.

"We are testing new ways for content owners to easily send their content to Google," Google spokeswoman Eileen Rodriguez said in a statement.

"We're continually exploring new opportunities to expand our offerings, but we don't have anything to announce at this time," Rodriguez added.

Analysts said that if Google combines the publishing system with its Froogle shopping service and other offerings it could compete with local classified advertising on sites such as eBay, Craig's List or online shopping at Amazon.com.

OK, resurrecting an old thread.

Looking back... and ahead, I still don't think this G-bay (with a better name) is that far of a stretch. Perhaps it's still closer than we think. In the last year and a half we've seen the following:

GBase (Online listings - this has A LOT of room to grow)
Froogle (Continued and improved)
Google Checkout (Not a direct jab at PayPal, but close enough)

The three combined (along with a more auction geared site) would be a huge hit to eBay. So why hasn't Google gone this route?

Two reasons I suspect.

1.) eBay is a major player in the Ad revenue game for Google. Ever notice how much stuff eBay promotes in Google search results? Even the most random items are usually advertised.

2.) Google, like most of us, has been fascinated with other things... especially video and music. Their acquisition of YouTube and now the merger of that site and Google Video seemingly has been priority number 1.

So I don't think this "battle" is over yet... delayed perhaps, but definitely not over.

Interesting concept........... I certainly have my issues with eBay; dishonest auctions at worst and at best an inaccurate rating system........... I've even had to email the eBay staff to have negative strikes removed (One of those dishonest auction deals........grrr)
I hope Google can do it better..........