Investment banking firm SG Cowen & Co. released the results of a survey of eBay PowerSellers conducted in October and November 2005. One part of the survey focused on respondents' interest in Skype. eBay recently acquired Skype, a service that lets people use their computers to make telephone calls to other Skype users for free worldwide.

The survey asked, "How would an eBay feature where customers could call you via an Internet phone connection, at no cost to the customer or your organization, impact the number of transactions your organization completes on eBay?"

About 40 percent said it could have a positive impact on the business, and close to 50 percent had a neutral view on its potential. Over 10 percent said it could actually decrease the number of transactions their organization completes on eBay.

PowerSellers in the Computers & Networking, Business & Industrial, and Jewelry categories had the most positive view on a Skype feature. Bigger and more experienced PowerSellers were most optimistic about the potential impact of a Skype feature.

When asked if they would be willing to pay a fee to provide a free click-to-call service to customers, about 38 percent said they would be very willing; about 48 percent said they would be somewhat willing; and about 13 percent said they would not at all be willing to pay for such a service.

SG Cowen & Co. surveyed the eBay PowerSellers about other aspects of selling online, see Monday's article in AuctionBytes (http://auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y05/m12/i12/s04).

SG Cowen & Co. analysts Jim Friedland and David Geisler issued the report. They surveyed 823 PowerSellers on eBay representing over $200 million in annual GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume). They surveyed all levels of PowerSellers, from those earning a minimum of $1,000 in monthly sales to those attaining over $150,000 in monthly sales.

http://www.sgcowen.com