Online auctions are no longer just for internet shoppers. More and more companies are using auction websites to create business opportunities. However, beyond auctioning physical products, intangible services are now also being sold online. Auction platforms can become another excellent place for Taiwanese businesses, SOHO workers, and entrepreneurs to sell services and products.
Taking Yahoo Auctions in the United States as an example, dedicated “service” categories had already appeared years ago. These included services such as converting decades-old videotapes into DVDs, allowing customers to relive old memories through new technology, as well as companies that review résumés to ensure wording and presentation are polished and professional.
On eBay in the United States, the platform even partnered with a company called Elance. When users selected the services section on eBay, they could directly connect to Elance for additional professional service auctions. The outsourcing platform facilitated more than US$75 billion in announced transactions and worked with over 300,000 freelancers and businesses, providing consumers with greater choice through service auctions.
Enspyre Mobile Business Center, previously selected by Business Next magazine’s “Creativity, Taiwan, Move Forward” campaign as one of Taiwan’s most innovative companies, offered virtual office services, telephone secretary services, and outsourced customer service center solutions through auctions on Yahoo! Kimo. Unexpectedly, the auctions generated enthusiastic bidding and surprising results.
Enspyre General Manager Elias Ek stated that the auctions not only increased page views and website traffic, but also helped more people understand the company’s services.
Ms. Tsai, who purchased Enspyre’s services during her first experience shopping on Yahoo! Kimo Auctions, commented: “I never imagined that one company could close a business deal with another company through an auction at a lower cost.”
