Mobile transaction network mBlox has announced that it is working with application service provider Dynetic to deliver an SMS re-bidding service to eBay customers in the UK, France and Belgium.
The service, which is identical to that launched in Spain by the two companies in September 2006, will enable users to monitor and participate in the online bidding process, even when they are no longer in front of their PC. It is powered by mBlox inbound and outbound premium SMS services.
eBay is the worlds largest online marketplace, with a global customer base of 266 million users. The company provides a global trading platform where practically anyone can trade practically anything at anytime. SMS re-bidding is a natural extension of eBays online auction format capability, says mBlox, and mobile access is a key factor, particularly as a high proportion of eBay bidders are away from their computers during the final stages of an auction format listing.
eBays SMS re-bidding service enables users to track bids through outbid alerts, and to react quickly from their mobile should they need to increase a bid. The UK service, which costs 0.12 plus VAT per message, will be offered to users as an option when a bid is placed online.
Ian Jordan, Head of Product Development, Operations and Innovation at eBay UK describes the advent of mobile bidding as a fundamental transformation of the Internet auction experience.
Traditionally web auctions are a desk-based activity and many auction biddings end prematurely because people leave their PCs says Jordan. The possibility to participate beyond the PC from a mobile phone will have massive implications for the dynamics and value of the auction process. It will mean more potential buyers will participate for longer producing better deals for everyone.”
mBlox CEO Jeff Clark adds: The solution for eBay proved compelling for two clear reasons. First, it is purely text message-based, requiring no downloads or up-front payments, and perhaps more importantly, it can be used on any phone. Anyone logging into their usual eBay account will receive an option to continue monitoring or participating in auction format listings via their standard mobile phone. Secondly, it introduces the concept of ubiquitous connectivity to eBay via a mobile phone. Users will no longer be confined to the essentially sedentary PC but free to participate in auctions when and where they please.”
mBlox points out that the solution is completely scalable so that the re-bidding service can be easily replicated in additional markets across Europe.