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Le Moor · (#7 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backatya

Hmmm on first read you may think....hey this is a good idea!, but when you think about it, it's something that could be fraught with difficulty. One of the problems with trying to ascribe the 'biding for products' module to 'services' is that Services (which in the main are 'personal') are not homogeneous like goods are.

One can get an iPod £50 cheaper from one seller compared to another and will still basically be getting the same product (assuming it is a working iPod). However, I could bid to install your windows at half the price of the next service provider bidding for the job.......so do you just go for it based on that? The VALUE of a service cannot be assessed on price alone. I would expect a Plumber of 20 years experience who gets no end of work to cost more than the guy who just past his City and Guilds (or whatever they are called these days).

The nearest one gets to a bidding scenario for the provision of services in when you invite quotes from different providers. But then providers are quoting based on a job specification (and usually taking a visual of the work area) which if comprehensive enough gives the provider doing the quote a good chance of being able to spec up the job (materials required etc.) with more certainty. Also the buyer assessing the quote probably takes on board other information about the various businesses providing quotes before making a decision. These are processes not easily transferred to an eBay product-type setting........unless folks are interested in nothing more than the cheapest outlay available.

Respect

Maybe not all services will be auction friendly but then not all tangible products are either. Building services is just ONE example, but even this could possibly be adapted.

If you think about "the Appointment" you then can see where the 'bidding' demand for services in an auction may be present.

For example a Plumber can auction his services and where the bidding might have demand is when those services are offered on a appt basis. Ie, a certain plumber is available on a certain day. This is where the demand could possibly create an auction environment especially if its a service which is difficult to fulfill. A daily rate, plus time of availability is what can create the demand.

To the company offering the service the site could be a good vehicle to increase levels of business in times they usually find hard to fill, ie around Bank Holidays, Christmas, August Holidays etc.

Look at another random service. A Piano Teacher for example. Most people if they haven't been recommended to a teacher will simply pick up the yellow pages. But why not have an auction offering a set of lessons over a certain period, ie the summer holiday. This comparison is no different than buying a book in a shop or on Ebay. People use Ebay for the convenience, the fun factor and the chance that they may even pick the item up cheaper. So why can't all these factors apply with services?....