Ina Steiner EcommerceBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on ecommerce.
by Ina Steiner, Editor of EcommerceBytes.com
Mon Oct 28 2013 22:15:05

eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

By: Ina Steiner

Sponsored Link

When eBay acquired GSI Commerce, it looked like eBay was trying to help its marketplace by adding inventory from large retailers and brands. Now that premise is reversed: eBay is offering up its marketplace to help its stable of large retailers and brands.

We've documented many of special services eBay gives to diamond powersellers, such as sending targeted emails to shoppers on behalf of the large clients, and displaying their logos in eBay search results to stand out from other sellers.

Now eBay is offering a way for shoppers to filter search results by "in-store pickup." The service launched with two clients of its GSI Commerce unit (which recently changed its name to eBay Enterprise): ToysRUs and Best Buy, but will be expanded to additional retailers - presumably more eBay Enterprise clients.



eBay sent out an email to buyers promoting the service that showcased Toys R Us and Best Buy and linked to this page, where it says, "Buy it on eBay, pick up at a store near you," and links directly to listings from those two retail chains. Look for more information about in-store pickup in Tuesday's EcommerceBytes Newsflash newsletter.

In-store pickup could be eBay's response to Amazon delivery lockers - but will eBay buyers be interested in using the feature? What are the chances of eBay opening up in-store pickup to smaller brick-and-mortar retailers? And is the eBay marketplace becoming simply a merchandising vehicle for large brands and retailers?



Share

Comments (41) | Leave Comment | Permalink

Readers Comments

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

This user has validated their user name. by: ebayisajoke

Mon Oct 28 22:29:09 2013

As long as stores like Best Buy and Home Depot offer PayPal I will not shop in them for fear that my personal information is sold or distributed to other online companies.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Massachusets Howler This user has validated their user name.

Mon Oct 28 23:38:54 2013

HOW ABOUT they PUT BACK the AUCTIONS ONLY TAB!!!!!

I need to get a job and KISS Ebay goodbye- I WILL NEVER LOOK BACK- they lost me a long time ago.

REPLACE the AUCTION TAB!!!!!!!!

I will NEVER shop in any store that accepts Preypal either- EVER.

CORPORATIONS- There are HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of CUSTOMERS that you have LOST FOR GOOD by doing business with PREYPAL.
I am just 1 person but I speak my mind and I AM NOT ALONE.

I GLADLY PAY MORE and buy from small INDEPENDENT stores.

MH

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Bloggo This user has validated their user name.

Mon Oct 28 23:42:18 2013

''Buy it on eBay, pick up at a store near you'' What a dumb idea. If you're going to the store to pick it up, what's the point of getting ebay involved?  

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: wanda This user has validated their user name.

Mon Oct 28 23:51:15 2013

Isn't that called SHOPPING?  Ebay is reinventing the wheel. Brilliant.

Whatever, so long as it furthers its agenda of dismantling middle America... what isn't absurd anymore?

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Paul W This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 00:40:34 2013

Any seller on eBay can check ''Buyers can pick up the item from you''  when creating a listing and could offer same day pickup in the description, so what's the big deal?
Well, other than the huge advertising benefit that Best Buy and ToysRus are getting, that is.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: pace306 This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 01:04:08 2013

WOW eBay once again ONLY offering this service to 2 specific sellers ...

LOL who would have thought that there was even a remote chance of an even playing field.

Now besides ignoring thier ratings and DSRs, eBay rewards them.

Who said you had to ONLY be above standard(s) to get rewarded.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

This user has validated their user name. by: Ric

Tue Oct 29 01:05:02 2013

Another way for John Donahoe to bamboozle Wall Street & investors by claiming higher GMV on eBay.

I guess JD needs a new way to conceal shrinking marketplace revenues so they pulled this trick out of their sleeve.

Donahoe is merely looking for a way to claim higher GMV for sales that start on eBay but finish in a B & M store. This will enable JD to further the quasi fraudulent accounting practices upon which his quarterly reports are based.


Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: tb This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 01:20:01 2013

Some good points here. Looks like a great way to pad the "earnings"!

As a shopper, I just don't get it. If you go directly to Best Buy or Toys R Us, can't you actually do the same thing? I just don't understand WHY anyone would do this through eBay with their wacky search engine and PayPal only. Dumb.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

This user has validated their user name. by: bitbybit

Tue Oct 29 01:54:42 2013

JD "Stupid is as stupid does"

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Bloggo This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 02:33:35 2013

Maybe JD is so detached from reality, he doesn't know that Best Buy and Toys R Us have their own websites.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: pfft!! This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 03:59:56 2013

This article actually made me laugh.  You can already go to Best Buys site and order anything to pick up directly from the store immediately (or just have it sent to you).  Easy peasy.

Why in the world would anyone care about logging into ebay to do it?

Do these ebay "brains" think they're actually coming up with some grand new idea?  Maybe if they came up with it YEARS ago it might be considered "innovative" but TODAY???  pfft!
Too funny  

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Bloggo This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 04:33:40 2013

Free In Store Pickup. Wow. You can pay for an item and take it home. Amazing!!!!

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

This user has validated their user name. by: Basset

Tue Oct 29 05:51:48 2013

Never understood why a buyer would go through a 3rd party when they can purchase a new item directly on a big box website.

If the 3rd party venue was used as an outlet for old or return stock, maybe, but then it should be labeled as such.  Otherwise, I would think the best deals or promotions would come from the retailer website - just a guess!


Since I mostly shop for pre-owned stuff - likely no ''pick-up'' option for me.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

This user has validated their user name. by: Philip Cohen

Tue Oct 29 07:28:28 2013

As everyone else has already inferred, just too funny! Obviously, things have now passed the desperate stage and they are now digging even deeper into the Bain Cook Book ...

“Man, we’ve got something special [at eBay]. Don’t screw it up.”—Maynard Webb (2003) ...
And then, along came John Joseph Donahoe ... http://bit.ly/YvxFEg

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Orwellwasright This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 08:49:44 2013

Wait until xmas when buyers reserve the "hot toy" on ebay then go to the B&M and are told its sold out...

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Ed This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 09:03:08 2013

WOW now the Big Box stores can have shopper that want to save money from shopping on ebay. They don't have to pay for shipping and don't have to charge the buyers ebay fees for shipping.

It looks to me the the sellers on ebay are going to be get killed by this program. This is what ebay calls free shipping.
@wanda Our buyers shop on ebay to find the deals. If you go to several malls it could take you all day. Now ebay is going to take your customers and tell them what store has your items and save them money.
Who needs a partner like them.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Ed This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 09:23:55 2013

This Free Pick Up at Big Box retailers explain why ebay is pushing managed returns or Free Returns. I think it is part of the deal he is usings to promote ebay to the largest retailers in the country. ebay knows that small sellers will not be able to compete and if the national sales tax goes he will not end up with millions of small sellers jumping ship.

If you go to lower in the ship when it sinks you will drown much quicker. ebay is already getting in the life boats.
You can't have a better partner than ebay

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: FREDDY This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 09:27:01 2013

Ridiculous. Why would anyone buy on ebay then go to the store to pick it up. If you have to use your car and fuel then I guess it is not ''free'' shipping anymore.
If I am looking for a hot toy etc. I go directly to the store site. They all have in store pick up.
Why would anyone want to go through ebay, pay for it, go to the store. If the store is out-when does the refund come back?? I am sure that if the store is out or it is not the same item waiting for them etc.. the negative feedback would be removed or never shown.
As for the holday season, who in their right mind would want to order on ebay and then go to the store and wait in a line for forever just to ''hopefully'' get it that day?

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

by: Moonwishes This user has validated their user name.

Tue Oct 29 09:28:46 2013

The point for me of buying on line is NOT leaving the house! I also buy things on line that are hard to find in my area or once you know that a particular brand and size fit, you can buy on line and have delivered to your home. Why waste gas, time and energy to go pick it up? The stores that will offer this are also probably hoping that once they get you in the store, you will pick up more than you ebay order. I haven't been in a Toys R Us in years and rarely go into a Best Buy (rare meaning less than once every couple years), so even if I liked the concept, I wouldn't be taking advantage of it.

Perminate Link for eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup   eBay Caters to Large Retailers with In-Store Pickup

This user has validated their user name. by: iheartjacksparrow

Tue Oct 29 09:53:36 2013

As most have already pointed out, why would you buy something from eBay and then drive to pick it up? Also, who at Best Buy and TRU thought this was a good idea since they will, presumably, be charged eBay fees on each sale? Unless they have special deals in place which trades fees for publicity/advertising.

Click to view more comments
1 2 3  [Next Page]


Login is required to post comments.
To sign in to leave a comment, fill in the form below. If you have not yet signed up for AB Verify, or if you'd like more information, go to the Registration Page.

Login for AB Verify
Be sure and use your email address and password to log in.
 
Email:
Password:
 
 Forgot Your Password?
 Even though you are signed in with the AuctionBytes Blog, you will have to sign in to the EcommerceBytes blog. But you can sign in with your existing AB Verify info.