Randy Smythe, a former top eBay PowerSeller, Amazon.com seller, blogger and consultant, joined AuctionBytes in a podcast interview to talk about how eBay has changed - and about his new role as "Merchant Evangelist" for Buy.com's third-party merchant program. In the interview, he tackles the interesting issue of why eBay is promoting Buy.com on its website while at the same time Buy.com is competing with eBay for merchants to sell on its own marketplace.

Smythe was eBay's top feedback seller in 2005 and talked about the upheaval he's observed on eBay in the past few years. He also talks about the competitive environment for eBay alternative websites and the "chicken and the egg" phenomenon that makes it so difficult for competitors. One marketplace that stands out as meeting that challenge of attracting both buyers and sellers is Bonanzle, he said.

Smythe began selling on Amazon.com after he closed his business on eBay in 2006. In January, he joined Buy.com, which is an online retail site founded in June of 1997 and offering millions of products in a range of categories, including consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, cell phones, books, music, videos, games, toys, bags, home and outdoor, baby, jewelry, shoes, apparel and sporting goods.

Smythe describes the Buy.com Marketplace, which is similar to Amazon.com's third-party seller program. Smythe explains the similarities and differences, and what it takes for merchants to join the program.

Link to podcast interview