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
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You raise various points
Not all goods are homogenous, namely unbranded goods. To determine the value of unbranded goods (especially when done online) one usually considers the reputation of the seller. e.g. I would buy an iPod from any website as long as its the cheapest, as i know the value of the iPod. However I would not buy plain leather shoes from just any website as they may not be good quality. I would look for a well known shoe shop like Clarkes.
The purpose of "feedback" on ebay is so that sellers can gain a reputation. On a service auction website sellers of services could have feedback from previous customers. They could also list their qualifications and experience, and even pictures or videos of work they have done before. This would mean that buyers could juggle price and quality of service by allowing or rejecting certain bids.