Online Buying Survey Reveals Different Priorities Between Buyers and Sellers

[The Tavern Wench]

AuctionBytes conducted an Online Buying Survey in December 2007.  They said they surveyed over 900 people, 96% of which reside in North America and 83% were online sellers.

Just my opinion, but I think this skewed the results right off the bat.  However, they did gather some interesting information and when they broke it down into Sellers -vs- Non-Sellers, to me the results did show a definite difference in priorities.

While I personally won't use this survey as a basis for marketing my websites, the information did show me a few things I will take into consideration and perhaps 'tweak' a bit.

AuctionBytes Report on Online Buying, Part I   (Explains the survey and shows the overall results)

AuctionBytes Report on Online Buying, Part II  (This is the Comparison between Sellers -vs- Non-Sellers)

I also think some of the questions were a bit skewed too.  It appears they must have referenced Independent Websites as 'Mom and Pop Sites'.  While this may be true in some situations, not all Independent Websites would fall under that broad brush title.

What do y'all think about it?

[The Bar Keep]

I also think some of the questions were a bit skewed too.  It appears they must have referenced Independent Websites as 'Mom and Pop Sites'.  While this may be true in some situations, not all Independent Websites would fall under that broad brush title.

What do y'all think about it?

I am a little disappointed as you must be as well Deb when it comes to 'Mom & Pop Sites'. I guess when you consider the name of the source's site 'Auctionbytes' then you would understand why that term was used.

The findings are interesting enough but what sticks out to me most was 90% Google. Google is the law in terms of SEO. Independent websites are consistently showing better organic search results than the like of eBay and Amazon.

A better test would have been to compare instant purchases verses auctions.

[2boysandtoys]

Joe - I too was 'excited' to see Google used as often as it was.  This points out to me that buyers and internet users are continually becoming smarter and smarter about how to find what they want/need - great news for all of us - IMO!

I also agree relative to auction vs. buy-now - that would be a great study.  I agree with your position that the fun of auctions is diminishing, and many are now just wanting to get 'it' - quickly for a fair price + fair and reasonable shipping.

I do wish the results included more non-sellers; but I suppose it may be difficult to find those - esp. as the market and population as a whole get wiser about the internet. 

Another question/survey that would be interesting is polling those who shop online frequently, and discovering how often they purchase from the 'first site' visited.  I suspect that often ebaY returns results for searches, thus may be a buyers' first stop.  BUT --- I'd love to know if they keep looking, and where they finally buy and why.

My personal experience this past shopping season - often I'd find what I wanted/needed online, including ebaY.  However, EVERY TIME for EVERY ITEM, I was able to find it cheaper when considering 'total cost' = price + shipping. 

  4 sharing !!!