There was a time when eBay was auctions only. People came to eBay, every week looking to see what was available for bidding.
Then came BIN options... slowly at first...
and then dramatically.
People no longer came every week... they might visit when they were looking for something that was wanted..
Auctions did not lose favour... they lost bidders. and that was a breakpoint when auction prices dropped dramatically.
It was this last fact that tipped the balance away from auctions ... and now people say
Why chase an auction when they did not have to do so.
Auctions need bidders, looking for that right inventory, with a desired start price....
Auctions do not belong in certain categories unless that category of item is special and unique...
Or ... Perhaps there should be a special auction sub-site on eBay....
That major tip from auctions to BIN ... was due to less bidders....
Did eBay create that tip...by promoting a fixed price option.... or did they follow what the buyers were doing... a little bit of both
The convenience was the ability to Buy It Now and not every week at auction.. Store inventory really took off when stores and auctions were placed together in a search.... It did for me...
Sellers got guaranteed higher prices for GTC inventory....and eBay makes more money when higher priced fixed price items sold...
