Discussions are reported to be underway which could see
Jack Ma take complete ownership of Yahoo Auctions effective
July 14 to compete against eBay Inc. According to Jie YuRen
of TaoBao, in this arrangement Mr. Ma will also be partnering
with Google on new advance auction search techniques
(porting over some of the technologies from Google Search,
and Google Base).
Ina Porel of Yahoo had no comment when asked about the rumor
that the new site is expected to run as a beta site for 3-4
months and in parallel with Yahoo Auctions, in order to allow
Yahoo Auction Members to test it out. After the initial beta
period, it is said that all Yahoo Auction listings will be
transferred to the new site and existing Yahoo Auction members
are set to enjoy a guaranteed three years of free listings.
Fees are also to be set at a fraction of those charged by eBay Inc....
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The sooner the better. This might explain Yahoo's total lack
of interest in improving and keeping their auction site running
smoothly.
