It the chicken and the egg conundrum. We have to use it because that is were most of the buyers are, and the buyers are their because that is were most of the sellers are. I remember the early days when Yahoo auctions and Ebay were real competitors. For a few months I would list 10 auctions on Ebay and the same 10 on Yahoo, Ebay always sold 200% more so eventually I stopped using Yahoo auctions.
Funny thing in Japan, the exact opposite happened. Yahoo auctions crushed Ebay, and to this day Ebay is still trying to get a foot hold there. I think it was who ever built up the membership the fastest and largest won. Many have tried to compete with Ebay, but have failed miserably. Only a huge company with deep pockets, a huge user base and some payment system in place that offers protection for both buyers and sellers would have a slight chance, but even then you run into the same problem of all the buyers being on Ebay.
Seriously, I don't see anyone taking them down on auctions, but their profits will drop and growth will stagnant as more of the buyers and sellers, fed up with scams and fees, move on to other websites and options to purchase and sell their items.
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