EBay was started more than ten years ago and over that time eBay has given many sellers a part-time or full-time business that has made them lots of money. Some have even become millionaires selling items on eBay. Even though eBay has made a lot of people successful, it has pushed a lot of retail prices down on items. Items that would cost $25 in a retail store sell for $5 on eBay. Items that would cost $100 in a retail store sell for $40 on eBay.

That brings up the question, is it too late for eBay success? I believe that it is too late for eBay success. Not only are the margins on items squeezed but the fees are outrageously high. It will be difficult for anyone to make any money on eBay in the future if they are selling items with five and ten percent margins. Also the system for fraud and non-paying bidders is in need of a revamp as people become turned off by the entire auction process after a few bad transactions. I believe that many eBay store owners will eventually have to shut down business or move to their own e-commerce store so that they can expand their margins.

EBay seems like a very successful company but if the future looks bad for sellers, and it surely does, then the future of eBay will be just as bad.

Andre Bias is the owner of http://www.kidfriendlyentertainment.com, and online source for top notch DVD’s for children 10 years old and younger.