EventHorizon1984 Log

The Hype of Mobile Payments

The Hype of Mobile Payments
14 April 2012
EventHorizon1984

 

There is a growing trend of companies playing fast and loose with the "mobile" descriptor.  When these folks talk "mobile" payments, sales, etal., readers/listeners are guided to the assumption that any statistics given are solely for smart phone transactions.  Which is not true.

"There are a lot of people talking about mobile payments these days."
John Donahoe, 2012

"I do not think it means what you think it means."
Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride (1987)

By example, eBay paid writer Richard Brewer-Hay stated, "eBay Inc. anticipates continued growth in mobile sales and payments in 2012 as shopping on smartphones and tablet devices."  Qualifying "mobile sales and payments" are not only smart phones.

So what is a "mobile" or "mobile payment"?

A standard definition of mobile payment:

"Any payment where a mobile device is used in order to initiate, activate and/or confirm this payment can be considered as a mobile payment.  This definition includes a wide palette of approaches, and points out the fact that mobile payments do not restrict themselves to payments via the mobile phone but virtually any mobile device such as a smartphone, PDA, tablet PC or even merchant-operated mobile terminals."
IEEE Symposium on Trends in Communications (SymptoTIC '04), 24-26 October 2004, Bratislava, Slovikia.

Or if you prefer United States based and short:

"Mobile Payment - Payment initiated from a mobile device."
Mobile Payments in the United States
Mapping Out the Road Ahead
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, BetterBuyDesign, March 25, 2011

Now a few are asking, 'smart phone, mobile, what's the big deal?'

It's a matter of choice to be completely factual, or choosing to be fast and loose with the details.

"we live in a mobile home.  That's a cave that goes places.  Only we never went anyplace." Alex Rogan
"A mobile cave that never went anywhere.  Fascinating."  Grig
The Last Starfighter (1984)

The Merriam-Webster definition of mobile is, "capable of moving or being moved".

By this definition, some companies are loosely telling the truth about "mobile".  While that definition of "mobile" is an excellent means of inflating numbers, it is misleading.

Again by example, selected at random a link to point-of-sale (POS) mobile terminals:

http://www.networksolutions.com/merchant-accounts/retail-pos.jsp

These are POS devices that use cell phones for connectivity.  As written for one device, "mobile payment processing through your 3G/3GS/4G iPhone".

Note they state "mobile payment processing", i.e. mobile payment.

By one standard definition, these are "merchant-operated mobile terminals".

Let's suppose you're small warehouse seller Acme Widgets.   With these mobile devices, in 2011 you processed $1 million in credit card transactions.  Acme Widgets could state factually, mobile payments in 2011 reached $1 million.  Or state they processed $1 million in transactions through smart phones.  Even though they processed zero customer initiated smart phone payments.

Anyone with similar portable, read mobile, POS systems can make the same claims.  It's truthful, but nevertheless inflating the mobile payments numbers.

By the way, next time you're shopping at a brick-and-mortar, check out the wireless POS devices.  Wireless systems are considered Merriam-Webster mobile.  Like your wireless mobile laser printer.

You might ask, 'why bother massaging numbers, mobile payments are huge.'

"eBay's global mobile GMV reached $5 billion in 2011"
Richard Brewer-Hay, 11 January 2012

$6.0 trillion - 2011 total volume of transactions
Visa Inc

While we believe in the future mobile payments will be huge, as a percentage of eCommerce and Commerce today, they are rather small.

The figures for eCommerce as a percentage of total Commerce:

• "E-commerce sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 accounted for 5.5 percent of total sales."

This percentage tracks rather well with numbers from a handful of brick-and-mortar stores:

• "Online share of sales at big brick-and-mortal retailers
• 8.7% Sears
• 7.2% Macy's
• 2% Target
• 2% Walmart"

In the case of Walmart, "2011 online sales amounted to less than 2 percent of its $264 billion in U.S. revenue".

Let's shrink the pie further.

The figures for United States mobile payment/m-commerce:

• In the US, m-commerce revenues are expected to hit $6 billion by the end of 2011, growing to $31 billion by 2016, according to Forrester Research (June 2011).
• But m-commerce will only be 2 percent of e-commerce in 2011 and 7 percent of e-commerce in 2016.
• The average annual spend on mobile purchases was US$300.

Worldwide the numbers are:

• $86.1 billion in 2011

Yes that would be United States eCommerce is 5.5% of Commerce.  With m-commerce being 2% of that 5.5%.

What should you take away from this article?  The next time you see someone waving a smart phone and saying $Blahblah "mobile", look for the specific dollar amount breakdowns attributed to smart phones and other devices by region.

Bet you won't see any.

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"In 2011, PayPal's net total payment volume, or TPV, for transactions using mobile devices reached $4 billion"
eBay INC Form 10-K, 31 January 2012

http://www.frbatlanta.org/documents/rprf/rprf_pubs/110325_wp.pdf
"U.S. financial institutions have not offered mobile financial payments because of a perceived lack of a good business case, although the growth of mobile banking implementations and recent mobile payment trials signal this may be changing."
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, 25 March 2011

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The Sutchi Hui Pedestrian versus Chris Bucchere Bicyclist Incident. San Francisco Vehicular Fatality.

The Case of Sutchi Hui Pedestrian versus Chris Bucchere Bicyclist.  One Dead In San Francisco.
9 April 2012
EventHorizon1984

 

We are not a current events type of space.  But sometimes something comes up ......

On 29 March 2012, in the city of San Francisco, a bicyclist identified as Chris Bucchere collided with a pedestrian identified as Sutchi Hui.  Mr. Bucchere survived the impact.  Mr. Hui died later at the hospital.

While this type of sad event happens around the world daily, it's what happened after the collision that made headlines.

One viewable by the public online post.

"Never post anything you don't want repeated in RL."
SoccerkickrevivaL

An individual identifying themselves as "Chris Bucchere" wrote a post about the incident on the Mission Cycling AM Rider Google group (http://groups.google.com/group/mc-am-riders).

We pieced together and verified from various sources, the contents of that Mission Cycling AM Rider Google group post.  See below.

Wrecked

Dear Missionistas / Raiders of the Morning, Famiglia and Amigos,

I wrecked on the way home today from the bi-weekly Headlands Raid today. Short story: I'm fine. The pedestrian I clobbered? Not so much.

Around 8 a.m. I was descending Divisadero Street southbound and about to cross Market Street. The light turned yellow as I was approaching the intersection, but I was already way too committed to stop. The light turned red as I was cruising through the middle of the intersection and then, almost instantly, the southern crosswalk on Market and Castro filled up with people coming from both directions. The intersection very long and the width of Castro Street at that point is very short, so, in a nutshell, blammo.

The quote/unquote 'scene of the crime' was that intersection right by the landmark Castro Theatre – it leads from a really busy MUNI station to that little plaza where The Naked Guy always hangs out. It was commuter hour and it was crowded as all getup. I couldn't see a line through the crowd and I couldn't stop, so I laid it down and just plowed through the crowded crosswalk in the least-populated place I could find.

I don't remember the next five minutes but when I came to, I was in a neck brace being loaded into an ambulance. I remember seeing a RIVER of blood on the asphalt, but it wasn't mine. Apparently I hit a 71-year-old male pedestrian and he ended up in the ICU with pretty serious head injuries. I really hope he ends up OK.

They asked me a bunch of stupid easy questions that I couldn't answer, so they kept me for a few hours for observation, gave me a tetanus shot and sent me on my way.

Anyway, other than a stiff neck, a sore jaw/TMJ, a few bruises and some raspberries, I'm totally fine. I got discharged from the hospital durning the lunch hour. The guy I hit was not as fortunate. I really hope he makes it.

The cops took my bike. Hopefully they'll give it back.

In closing, I want to dedicate this story to my late helmet. She died in heroic fashion today as my head slammed into the tarmac. Like the Secret Service would do for a president, she took some serious pavement today, cracking through-and-through in five places and getting completely mauled by the ragged asphalt. May she die knowing that because she committed the ultimate sacrifice, her rider can live on and ride on. Can I get an amen?

Amen.

The moral of this little story is: WYFH

Hoping you'll all keep the rubber side down,

Chris

We here would love to make a few choice personal comments about this masterpiece, but it would not be fit to print.

"All we want are the facts"
Joe Friday, Dragnet

Let's go over some of this

The above post was attributed to Chris Bucchere, because his email address was attached to it.  One problem with that logic; if you want to get one of his email addresses it's easy enough to use Google to get one.

For instance you can get a Chris Bucchere email address from http://feedhaus.com/.

Or make one up, with his name imbedded within.

All well within the realm of what any simpleton Internet Troll could accomplish.

To objectively state that Chris Bucchere made that post, where a computer is involved, you need to link the IP address associated with that email address to him.  Match the MAC address to a device he has access to or owns.  And then prove he was at that specific device at the time of the post.

If that post was made from a smart phone, best of luck trying to reverse trace the phone number and phone that made the post. 

Ok, neither are outrageously difficult to obtain, but that's another discussion.

Not to say this is impossible.  But the reverse process, a search warrant for Chris Bucchere's phone and Internet records, requires some probable cause. 

You can read the appropriate California statute for yourself: 

Penal Code Section 1523-1542

So did Chris Bucchere, the one in the collision, make that post? 

The site associated to that group, MissionCycling.org, had this to say:

"The mailing list this was posted to exists solely to allow the broader cycling community to communicate about cycling events and related topics. It was by no means an official Mission Cycling members list. Chris Bucchere’s post came as a surprise and shock to all of us who read it."

The owners of that Google group say it's him, but that's not proof.

Let's take a different and public tact.

"There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!"
Cosmo, Sneakers (1992)

There is a growing misconception that the poster known as "Chris Bucchere" only made that one incident post.  This is not true.

View for yourself some posts attributed to poster "Chris Bucchere", going back to 2010, on the Mission Cycling AM Google group.

To do this, use Google and search for "site:groups.google.com groups.google.com/group/mc-am-riders "chris bucchere"".

Because that group closed itself to the public, use the Google "Cached" option to view messages.

A cursory examination shows that the poster known as "Chris Bucchere" had a good online rapport with other group members.  Not out of the ordinary with online groups.  Plus he left multiple Internet links identifying himself.  Abet any Internet Troll could do this.

But when you read his postings, you will find out he had a good offline, that is a person to person relationship, with other group members.  Internet Trolls are not known for doing this, unless they're into Identity Theft.

A Detective would have no problem determining if the poster known as "Chris Bucchere" is the Chris Bucchere the Police interviewed on 29 March 2012.

The original post was deleted, making an online public reading difficult.  But not impossible.  If you're really the curious type, do a Google search for "Wrecked - Mission Cycling AM Riders".  Suggest using the quotes ("").

We suspect that link leads to the post that's making news around the world.

Currently that link will not yield that post, and at present it's not Google cached yet.  However the original post might show up in the Google cache in the coming weeks.  Should it appear, you'll probably see it circulating around the Internet.

Unless Google decides to quash it, or has already deleted it.

"the southern crosswalk on Market and Castro"
The poster known as "Chris Bucchere"

What does the area involving the death of Sutchi Hui look like?

The view as provided by www.dailymail.co.uk:

The view as provided by www.sfgate.com:

The view as provided by zzz.sfbg.com:

The view as provided by sfist.com:



"I was cruising through the middle of the intersection and then, almost instantly, the southern crosswalk on Market and Castro filled up with people"
The poster known as "Chris Bucchere"

There is an article, "The Chris Bucchere Accident", which includes video of pedestrians in the Castro & Market Street area.  The area of the above photos.

You can judge for yourself whether pedestrians can fill a crosswalk "instantly."

"I couldn't see a line through the crowd and I couldn't stop, so I laid it down and just plowed through the crowded crosswalk in the least-populated place I could find."
The poster known as "Chris Bucchere"

One might wonder what "laying the bike down" means.  It's a term taken from a motorcycle maneuver, which involves hitting the pavement and sliding.

Here's a motorcycle explanation and photo:

How to Lay Down the Bike

There is an interesting section within; "Today's bikes are also capable of stopping faster than ever before, making the advice about always lying down to avoid a crash obsolete."

Now imagine a bicycle and bicyclist going sideways, not upright.  Into a crowd of pedestrians.

Likely scenario would be the two wheels are facing the crowd, with the bulk of the bicycle protecting the rider.

Our opinionated question is 'Why didn't he turn (left or right)?'.

"The light turned red as I was cruising through the middle of the intersection."
The poster known as "Chris Bucchere"

"The light was yellow, sir."
Jake Elwood, The Blues Brothers (1980)

According to the Police there is a, 'motorist who reported seeing Bucchere and another cyclist fly through several red lights and stop signs before the deadly Castro district crash.'

We'll have to wait and see what statements were made by other people AT the incident area.

It was after all, the commuter hour and crowded.

Unconfirmed at this point, is the notion that there were traffic cameras, and other cameras, automatically recording the incident.

"I laid it down and just plowed through the crowded crosswalk"
The poster known as "Chris Bucchere"

Is a bicycle considered a vehicle in California?

V C Section 21200 Laws Applicable to Bicycle Use Peace Officer Exemption:

"A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division"

Answer:  Yes.

Much has been made of whether the light was yellow or red.  Isn't a bicycle/vehicle supposed to yield to pedestrians, whether the light is red, yellow, or gren?

Right-of-Way at Crosswalks

21950.  (a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.
(d) Subdivision (b) does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

According to part (d) a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk has right-of-way.  Meaning the vehicle yields.  Read, STOP.

"Reporters.  They want a comment."  Robert Goren
"Can they print a hand gesture."  Alexandra Eames
Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Then there's this tragedy.

Teen Driver Arrested After SUV Hits 3 Cyclists In Concord, Killing 2

The driver was "arrested on manslaughter charges in the death of 2 bicyclists.  Essentially reckless driving, speeding, and two fatalities.

That incident took place on 7 April 2012 at "9:30 a.m."  The arrest was recorded in an article posted at 10:50 AM.

Contrast that action with Chris Bucchere, who according to MissionCycling.org, "reckless riding on that day", probably GPS tracked going 35.2 mph in a 25 mph zone, resulting in one fatality?

This incident took place on March 29, 2012.  Over a week later the "Prosecutors have not filed charges but are looking into the case."

Guess in San Francisco, if you're under two vehicular fatalities, it's ok.

/*

"Don't try to usurp my throne, bitch! *I* am the slowest person in the group."
The poster known as "Chris Bucchere", 7 December 2011

"Recently retired from asking for or seeking anything from anyone. Now simply accepting my destiny."
Chris Bucchere

/*

Some references.

• http://www.google.com
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2126649/Chris-Bucchere-accused-KILLING-71-year-old-defending-actions-cycling-internet-forum.html
  --  'I plowed through... and blammo': Cyclist accused of KILLING 71-year-old after brazenly telling internet forum how he ran him over
• http://www.marinij.com/sausalito/ci_20334356/cyclist-involved-fatal-s-f-crash-was-coming  --  
Cyclist involved in fatal S.F. crash was coming from Marin Headlands ride
• http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2012/04/05/was-cyclist-who-killed-pedestrian-reckless  --  
Was the cyclist who killed a pedestrian reckless?
• http://sfist.com/2012/04/05/cyclist_who_struck_pedestrian_at_ca.php  --  
Cyclist Who Struck Pedestrian At Castro: "I Just Plowed Through The Crowded Crosswalk"
• http://dothedude.blogspot.com/2012/04/asshole-cyclist-looking-for-sympathy.html  --  
Asshole Cyclist Looking For Sympathy Buys Himself A Heap Of Trouble
• http://tarckbike.com/node/17985
Jackass of the day  --  Jackass of the day
• http://sfcitizen.com/blog/2012/04/06/did-strava-com-help-kill-pedestrian-sutchi-hui-whats-your-time-on-the-castro-street-descent-aka-castro-street-bomb/
  --  Did STRAVA.Com Help Kill Pedestrian Sutchi Hui? Timing Yourself on the “Castro Street Descent” (AKA Castro Street Bomb)
• http://holierthanyou.blogspot.com/2012/04/chris-bucchere-accident.html  --  Holier than You Blog:  The Chris Bucchere Accident
• http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=forum.posts&thread=1982296&forum=2&page=1&pc=24  --  Talking about your legal issues on a public forum

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eBay INC 2012 4th Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2012 4th Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
18 January 2012
EventHorizon1984

 

eBay INC CEO John J. Donahoe said during the Fourth Quarter Earnings Call, "“We had a strong fourth quarter finish to an excellent year, increasing our confidence in our three-year outlook."  Meanwhile Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel said, "sell."  Fodder for thought if you live and die by eBay INC stock fluctuations.  Whereas small businesses on eBay are more concerned with, 'How did the Marketplaces section of eBay.com do?'.

Well.                                  

Numbers from eBay's 01/17/2012 SEC 8-K filing show a healthy net total Marketplaces quarter to quarter revenue growth of 7%.  Up from the previous quarter growth of "0%".  It is also a slight improvement over the fourth quarter 2010 growth of 6%.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 01/18/2012

Marketplace revenues are principally generated through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  The payees being the business who use eBay.com to sell products.

How many products were there during the fourth quarter?.

According to Medved.net eBay started the fouth quarter with approximately 154 million listings per day. 

Auction chart from Medved.net.

Auction chart from Medved.net.

The count peaked at 177 million.  The fourth quarter ended with approximately 162 million products.

If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 01/18/2012

The number of PayPal payments made increased a robust "19%", compared to the previous quarter's increase of "6%."  It is also a tiny improvement over the fourth quarter 2010 growth of 18%.

PayPal payment volume was up "14%", compared to third quarter's anemic "2%" increase.  However it is well below the fourth quarter growth of 20%.

According to eBay INC, the "Take rate" declined for the first time in 2011.  The fourth quarter "Take rate", that is the percentage of a PayPal transaction that Ebay INC keeps, stands at "3.71%."  Down from the previous quarter amount of "3.78%"

What about eBay INC's Bill Me Later payment method? 

eBay INC reports Bill Me Later losses increased and decreased and.  The Net charge-off rate, losses, increased slightly to "4.4" from the second quarter's "4.3%."  However the 90-day delinquency rate decreased to "2.4%", compared to the previous quarter's "2.6%."

Once again eBay's payment transaction losses remaining more or less stable.  It still remains to be seen why eBay INC continues to increase the amount of funds held from eBay's customers.  Going from 2010 fourth quarter's $2,550,731,000 to this quarter's $3,967,550,000.  Nearly four billion being held, versus the previous quarter's $3,295,115,000.

What about the merchandise selection on eBay.com? 

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 01/18/2012

eBay INC states Gross Merchandising Volume (GMV) represents the "Total value of all successfully closed items between users on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the quarrter, regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction."

Four quarter being essentially the Christmas shopping season, GMV quarter to quarter growth increased a healthy "12%". A definite improvement from the the rest of the year's growth numbers of "0%", "1%", and "-4%".  But that "12%" is poor in comparison to the fourth quarter 2010 growth of "19%".

Remember last quarter John Donahoe touted a GMV increase of 16%?  Christmas shopping season is the biggest boost to commerce's bottom line.  Fourth quarter should have buried that "16%".  However fourth quarter pulled in a year to year increase of only "10%."  A significant decrease compared to the previous quarter's "16%" and "17%".

The GMV for vehicles was a dismal decrease of "-13%" quarter to quarter.  A significant fall from the "-4%" decrease of the second quarter.  Year to year Vehicle GMV growth was a decrease of "-3%".  eBay INC's vehicle market is dying.  Why eBay INC allows this degradation to continue is unknown.

"E-Commerce up > 23%!!"

John Donahoe became eBay INC CEO in March 2008, and will finish his fourth year of CEO stewardship in March 2012.  What is the stock trader's view?

At the start of John Donahoe's tenure, eBay INC's stock price was 29.84 (31 March 2008).  At the end of the trading day, eBay INC closed at 30.34. 

Trading today was frantic.  Total shares traded stood at 31,514,297, versus the average daily transaction volume of 10,863,900 shares.  Dropping eBay INC's stock price from 30.53 to 30.34.  The after hours price, that is transactions made after the Earnings Call, stands at 31.05.

eBay INC's official investor page, in the matter of eBay INC stock dividends declares:

Which means the average individual investor must 'buy low' and 'sell high' to materially profit from eBay INC stock.  Such an investor who bought on 31 March 2008 and sold today would have made fifty cents per share ($30.34 - $29.84).

Less transaction fees of course.

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" eBay Motors Parts and Accessories - This category saw very strong growth in December, coming in at a record-setting 57.6% y/y growth for ChannelAdvisor customers in the category."

Scot Wingo, CEO ChannelAdvisor

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EcommerceBytes To Censor Reader Comments

EcommerceByes To Censor Reader Comments ... NOT REALLY
31 December 2011
EventHorizon1984

Based solely on the teaser title of this piece, you may have felt the need to post a comment. 

Immediately. 

Keep that feeling in mind should you read the rest of this article.

David Steiner said in the EcommerceBytes article "Should EcommerceBytes Blogs Be Verified Only?" about future comments:

• "We still left open the option to post without becoming verified, but we're strongly considering making it mandatory to be AB-Verified to use our services."

Spam is the primary reason EcommerceBytes (formerly AuctionBytes) is considering the move toward requiring posters to verify themselves.

As Mr. Steiner put it:

• "I am the person who has to clean out the 200 or so spam comments left overnight, anything that puts another obstacle in the way of a spammer is, in my estimation, a good thing."

He closed with, "We are interested in your perspective".

Our collective answer is No.

The Spam Solution

While we empathize with the Spam problem, one of our associates deals with about 50 spam and link emails daily, Spam is not justification for potentially throttling down reader comments.

As an extreme example of a login blog, view the comments on ChannelAdvisor CEO Scot Wingo's eBay Strategies Blog article "Holiday 2011 Late December Update - E-Commerce up >23%!!".  The December 22nd article has zero comments.  A similar article on EcommerceBytes would have more than zero comments.

With the computer industry contacts that EcommerceBytes has available, Spam control should never be an issue.  Or an excuse.

The Improved Discussion Solution

Mr. Steiner stated:

• "I have also empirically observed that since we implemented AB-Verify, the level of discussion has improved. Users with a single ID tied to all of their comments often take a much more thoughtful approach to a discussion"

With respect, most here haven't seen much of a "much more thoughtful approach".  There are definitely less posts on average per article.  Giving the appearance of a more civil conversation.

The Merriam-Webster definition of empirical:

• "originating in or based on observation or experience"

The flip side of an empirical observation (emphasis mine):

• "relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory"
• "capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment"

A user verification system does Not guarantee "a more thoughful approach to a discussion" elsewhere on the Internet.  One can find verified EcommerceBytes users, posting regularly on the Yahoo! eBay Message Board.  The level of thoughful commentary there is sparse.

There are other sordid examples of user verified comment sites, with odious posts from (as I understand it) people with verified EcommerceBytes accounts.

Quality posts depend on the quality of site moderation, not user verfication. 

David and Ina Steiner provide excellent site moderation.  User verification has nothing to do with the post quality.

The Problem With Verification

"I think people forget that business is war and the most competitive medium right now is social media", Richard Hillgrove

What does being EcommerceBytes verified mean?

David Steiner said:

• "If you aren't familiar with what is required to become AB-Verified, we're asking for one thing: a valid email address."

Verification means that account has an email address.  Everything else need not necessarily be factual.

You might ask, 'what about the IP address?', 'can't people be tracked through their IP address?'. 

Don't count on that IP being useful, or an indicator that a real person is attached to it.  As Mr. Steiner observed:

• "There are almost as many email services out there as there are proxy servers."

A "proxy server is a computer that offers a computer network service to allow clients to make indirect network connections to other network services." 

In other words, "they also hide the user's own IP address from the web sites they access through the proxy, they are sometimes also used to gain a degree of anonymity."

Any one, or any organization, can be anonymous.  An anonymous IP is helpful to individuals protective of their privacy.  But anonymity is critical to some businesses.

The BBC article "Fake forum comments are 'eroding' trust in the web" contained this blunt but understated passage:

• "Some firms have created tens of thousands of fake accounts to flood chat forums and skew debate."

The article "How big firms bash their rivals, in public and private" had this unkind passage:

• ""Sock puppetry" is what ensues when company stooges post multiple entries under assumed names, posing as members of the public, in order to boost the apparent popularity of a product."

It's a given that sock puppets will register.  They don't get paid if they don't post.  But does verification process keep out the "company stooges"?  Who by "eroding trust" are a detriment to EcommerceBytes.  Only Heaven and the Steiner's know.

However it is not a given that readership will register.  If "it is invaluable to have a readership that is "plugged-in" (David Steiner), perhaps it is worth considering that most EcommerceBytes posters don't bother with login's.

Epilogue

At the beginning of this article, we asked you to remember how you felt about commenting.

You can do that here by writing below, and sending it.  Period.

EcommenceBytes wants to implement a system where you:

1. Register with EcommerceBytes.
2. Wait for the approval email.
3. Login whenever you wish to make a comment.
4. Write the comment and send it.

If you're a regular poster, or sock puppet, registration is not a major pain.  

But if you are 'just passing through', or the occasional reader, or spur of the moment type poster, that is new fresh readership, will you be waiting around a day or two to say something?  Probably not.

Having watched and/or been a part of user verified sites since ARPANET and CompuServe, one social dynamic hasn't changed.  Eventually two major posting groups form.  Those who are passionate about a topic, and those paid to write comments.

Passion fades, but mercenaries are forever.

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"No one here is exactly what he appears."
G'Kar, Babylon 5

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References of interest:

• Fake forum comments are 'eroding' trust in the web, 24 November 2011
• How big firms bash their rivals, in public and private, 13 May 2011
• Will fake business blogs crash and burn?, 22 May 2008

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Star Wars: The Old Republic Beta Test Observations

Star Wars: The Old Republic Beta Test Observations
29 November 2011
EventHorizon1984

It was a warm November 21st. An evening made memorable by the arrival of an email that started with the following sentence.

You are invited to test Star Wars: The Old Republic!

It was not a phishing email.

Before going further:

• Star Wars: The Old Republic^TM is the property of LucasArts and LucasFilm and Electronic Arts (EA) and BioWare (a division of EA). 
• Limited use of their material is covered under the Fair Use Doctrine.
• Beta testers are bound by an amended Game Testing Agreement.
• The November 25 2011 amendment to the non disclosure agreement reads:

You may well ask what is Star Wars: The Old Republic?  According to EA, BioWare, and LucasArts:

• "Set thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a massively multiplayer online game challenging players with epic quests, featuring dynamic combat across iconic worlds in the Star Wars™ galaxy such as Tatooine, Alderaan, Hoth and more. Each of the game’s eight primary classes will enjoy their own unique trilogy of storylines, all of which are fully voiced with a sweeping musical score."

We believe the game will be a hit, and reach an initial half-million subscribers.  With one million subscribers by the end of the first year.

Of course we could be wrong, and the dim sour grapes view from a major competitor could be correct.

• Activision CEO Thinks Star Wars: The Old Republic Will Fail

Of course the Activision CEO Bobby Kotick may have other motives for his comments.

• Blizzard's flagship game World of Warcraft loses 800K subscribers in Q3

About that beta test...

The beta test began November 25th, and sadly ended the evening of the 28th.  I liked it.

Obligatory game play screen shot.

While now allowed to comment in detail on the game, I won't (mostly).  The game has a very cinematic feel and the details would be one giant Spoiler Alert, because each character you play is story driven.

• "... it's a surprise.  Hey, are you the kind of kid who reads the last page of a mystery first?  Who pesters the magician to tell you his tricks?  Who sneaks downstairs to peek at his Christmas presents?  Noooo, of course you're not.  That's why I'm not gonna tell you!"

Do you really want to know who's your Daddy?

Besides other gaming experts will describe in excrutiating details ALL the spoilers, and ruin the experience.

Having said that ...

This is a Windows only game. 

The beta software was a download of approximately 19GB.  Buying a box set will save you from the hours it will take to download a fresh complete digital copy.  Abet you will need to download any recent updates.  However digital pre-order owners may get access to the game up to five days in advance.  

'Getting into the game required very little instruction.  Gameplay was as they say, intuitive.  The character controls were smooth and responsive*, with no appreciable lag.  However this may change when the first hundred thousand players sign in.  blah, blah.

There is "shooter" action aplenty to keep a gamer occupied.  You may enjoy sending that first hand launched missile at an opponent, and see the body (bodies) fly.  Or 'feel' the impact of your light sabre in a fight.  Or chuckle at the sound and graphics of a "Dirty Kick" attack; "oooh that's gotta hurt".  Or find your companion outplaying you, as she goes all out Xena Warrior Princess medieval on an opponent.  No graphic game violence though.

When you're in a large area with a few dozen other players battling it out, don't get killed watching.

You will find movie references.

"That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their sockets when they lose." Han Solo

SPOILER ALERT

But what was most disturbing, was uncovering why the Republic fell.

A Marker on Coruscant.  The bane of Isaac Clarke's life.  

Ok, not really a spoiler or Marker.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is scheduled for release in North America on 20 December 2011, and Europe on 22 December 2011.

/*

"Well, you may have thought it was a game, but it was also a test.  Aha, a test!  Sent out across the galaxy to find those with the potential to be Starfighters.  And here you are, my boy!  Here you are! "
Centauri (Robert Preston), The Last Starfighter (1984)

/*

Disclosure - Multiple copies of Star Wars: The Old Republic have been pre-ordered.  Some here are Electronic Arts, BioWare, Amazon, Origin, GameStop, and Blizzard customers.

* Game was tested on two different systems:

1. i7-2600K processor, 16GB memory, dual HD 6950 CrossFire
2. i7-2600K processor, 16GB memory, dual HD 6850 CrossFire

/*

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eBay INC 2011 Third Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2011 3rd Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
20 October 2011
EventHorizon1984

 

eBay INC CEO John J. Donahoe lead eBay's Third Quarter Earnings Call with the bold statement, "Q3 was another strong quarter for our company.", while the mood on Wall Street, "EBAY left investors unimpressed," was less energetic.  Which leads to the routine question asked by small businesses on eBay, 'How did the Marketplaces section eBay.com do?'.

Well.                                  

Numbers from eBay's 10/19/2011 SEC 8-K filing show net total Marketplaces quarter to quarter revenue growth essentially dead.  Down from the previous quarter growth of "5%". 

Keep in mind that part of the second quarter growth of 5% can be attributed to eBay's 6 July 2011 additional fee on shipping costs.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

Marketplace revenues are principally generated through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  The payees being the business who use eBay.com to sell products.

What of the number of products that eBay's less than 1% revenue growth came from?.

According to Medved.net eBay started the third quarter with over 138 million listings per day. 

The third quarter ended with approximately 152 million products.

If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

The number of PayPal payments made was a health "6%", compared to the previous quarter's increase of "2%."  The PayPal payment volume however was down to "2%", compared to second quarter's "5%" increase.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

According the eBay.com numbers, the "Take rate" has remained stable for the past year.  The third quarter "Take rate", that is the percentage of a PayPal transaction that Ebay INC keeps, stands at "3.78%."

What about eBay INC's Bill Me Later payment method? 

eBay INC reports Bill Me Later losses decreased and increased.  The Net charge-off rate has improved slightly to "4.3" from the second quarter's "4.4%."  But the 90-day delinquency rate has risen to "2.6%", compared to the previous quarter's "2.2%."

With payment transaction losses remaining more or less stable, it remains to be seen why eBay INC continues to increase the amount of funds held from eBay's customers.  Going from 2010 fourth quarter's $2,550,731,000 to this quarter's $3,295,115,000.  Yes, that's 3.29 Billion dollars.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

What about the continuing buyer and seller claims that there is less merchandise on eBay.com.  How deep is eBay.com's product selection?  Let's look at the value of merchandise sold.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc - 8-K - 10/19/2011

According to eBay INC in their 8-K statement, Gross Merchandising Volume (GMV) represents the "Total value of all successfully closed items between users on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the quarrter, regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction."

GMV quarter to quarter growth is essentially dead.  Third quarter shows less than one percent movement, compared to second quarters "1%."   And what of John Donahoe touting a GMV increase of 16%?  It's the year to year increase.  And this year's GMV, $14,666 million, is coasting downward off of eBay's record 2010 year end GMV of $15,039 million.

The GMV for vehicles decreased "-4%" quarter to quarter.  A significant fall from the "9%" increase of the second quarter.  Year to year Vehicle GMV growth is also essentially dead.

"EBay is still best known as a discount flea market retailer."

John Donahoe became eBay INC CEO in March 2008, and concluded his third year of CEO stewardship in March 2011.  Has there been progress for eBay.com under CEO John Donaohe?

It appears from the above metrics that eBay sellers in aggregate have had their say in the matter. 

Here's the non-seller stock market view. 

At the start of John Donahoe's tenure, eBay INC's stock price was 29.84 (31 March 2008).  Between then and now, the stock reached a top price of 35.35.  It is currently trading at 32.14. 

Trading was mildly frantic today with current volume at 25,643,763 versus the average daily transaction volume of 14,794,700 shares.

According to eBay INC's official investor page, in the matter of eBay INC stock dividends:

Which means for the average individual investor to materially benefit from eBay INC stock, they must sell and/or buy the stock.  In other words, 'buy low, sell high', short, long, et al.

Over the three plus years the eBay INC Pop & Mom investor made $5.51 per share, or posted a 19% return on investment.  Assuming they sold their shares when the stock peaked.

Then there's the competition.

Amazon closed at $71.30 on 31 March 2008.  Amazon stock is currently at $233.61.  Meaning the Amazon Mom & Pop investor would make $162.31 selling their stock now.  If we have our sums right, that's a 227% return on investment.

$5.51 versus $162.31.  Hmmm.  The difference between buying a cup of coffee at Starbucks or an iPod from Apple.  As a side note:

• Starbucks
• 31 March 2008  $17.50
• 20 October 2011  $40.99

• Apple
• 31 March 2008  $143.50
• 20 October 2011  $395.31

With the tepid response to eBay INC's stock price over the past three plus years, there is possible good news for CEO John Donahoe, regarding Amazon's Third Quarter 2011 Earnings Call scheduled for 25 October 2011.  It may never happen. 

Harold Camping is proclaiming, again, that the World will end tomorrow.

/*

Related articles:

Amazon eBay 2011 Earnings Call Pre-Game Tale of the Tape

eBay INC Stock Price During CEO John Donahoe's Tenure

/*

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

“We do no market research. We don’t hire consultants. The only consultants I’ve ever hired in my 10 years is one firm to analyze Gateway’s retail strategy so I would not make some of the same mistakes they made [when launching Apple's retail stores]. But we never hire consultants, per se. We just want to make great products."

"You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new."

/*

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Amazon eBay 2011 Earnings Call Pre-Game Tale of the Tape

Amazon eBay 2011 Earnings Call Pre-Game Tale of the Tape
12 July 2011
EventHorizon1984

You bought eBay or Amazon stock on the hype that they were excellent long-term growth investments.  But is it all hype?

With Amazon's 2011 Earnings Call scheduled for July 26th, and eBay's on July 20th, it's a good time to look at performance history.

As a consummate investor, you know both stocks do not pay dividends.  eBay INC states bluntly to investors:

No dividends means you live and die by share price.  The average investor must trade ('buy low, sell high') shares to materially benefit from eBay or Amazon stock.

How are both stocks performing?

eBay's current CEO John Donahoe, took control of the company on 31 March 2008.  Now in his fourth year, under his new new three year plan, here's the score:

Chart from Yahoo! Finance, 31 March 2008 - 11 July 2011.

$29.84 31 March 2008 - $32.91 12 July 2011

eBay is currently trading at 32.26.

During the same period, here's the score of competitor Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos:

Chart from Yahoo! Finance, 31 March 2008 - 11 July 2011.

$71.30 31 March 2008 - $212.55 12 July 2011

Amazon is currently trading at 211.23.

In case you're wondering, here's what the two charts look like combined:

Chart from Yahoo! Finance, 31 March 2008 - 11 July 2011.  eBay in red, Amazon in blue.

You may ask what about return on investment, etal?

Here's the tale of the tape using Yahoo! Finance:

So how is Your  investment?

/*

"The whole put and call biz is about short term gambling on stock prices....the bets being made should rarely, if ever, be used by long term investors to determine the long term value of a stock."
Itspostingtime  

/*

18 July 2011

Corrected Amazon Earnings Call schedule.

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And Yet Another Google Merchant Center Product Feed Search Change.

And Yet Another Google Merchant Center Product Feed Search Change
11 July 2011
EventHorizon1984

A scant two months after an earlier Google atttibute deadline, comes more Google "suggested" (read Required) changes to product feeds.

 

Google Product Search: Important Changes to Feeds Specification and Program Policies

Monday, July 11, 2011 2:28 PM

Hello,

Thank you for participating in Google Product Search. We are reaching out to you to inform you about important changes we're making to our Product Search required attributes and Program Policies. All merchants will be affected by these changes.

We are now requiring a new set of basic required attributes, as well as attributes which are required for certain product categories and target countries. Please read the new Feeds Specification carefully to determine how your data feed will need to change at http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=188494

You can find a summary of the new requirements in table form at http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=1344057

Starting September 22, accounts that do not comply with the new requirements will be suspended. For more information about how we will enforce the new policies, visit this Help Center article http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=188484

Please update your account settings or data feeds as soon as possible to ensure that you are complying with these new requirements by the dates specified above. For more information about these changes, please visit our Google Merchant blog at http://googlemerchantblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/important-changes-to-google-product.html.

Sincerely,

The Google Product Search Team

© 2011 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

 

For those who send product information to Google, the above Google missive means spend hundreds of man-hours changing your database.  Again.

/*

"Even if I change it still feels like dying."
The Doctor, Doctor Who

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Harold Camping At The End Of The World

Harold Camping At The End Of The World
21 May 2011
EventHorizon1984

The buzz around the planet is New Zealand is still with us.  So is Harold Camping.

We sincerely believe he will go on as before.  One reason is provided in the AP article "Apocalypse believers await end, skeptics carry on":

• "Camping, an 89-year-old retired civil engineer who has built a multi-million-dollar nonprofit ministry based on his apocalyptic prediction"
• "In 2009, the nonprofit reported in IRS filings that it received $18.3 million in donations, and had assets of more than $104 million, including $34 million in stocks or other publicly traded securities."

Very Wall Street.

/*

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some have coveted, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
1 Timothy 6:10

"Baka Bakka."
Ruri Hoshino, Martian Successor Nadesico

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Sony Online Entertainment Hacked

Sony Online Entertainment Hacked
3 May 2011
EventHorizon1984

Nothing like having a hacking problem surface.  A week late.  As noted in the Guardian article "PlayStation Network hack: why it took Sony seven days to tell the world."

Between then and now, Sony had this to say:

SECURITY UPDATE

As previously announced, we have been conducting an ongoing, thorough investigation stemming from the cyber attack in April and promised to notify you should there be any changes to the situation. 

A press release was issued today outlining these details. We will promptly send a customer service notification via email to all of our impacted account holders whose customer data may have been stolen as a result of an illegal intrusion on our systems. This information was discovered less than 24 hours ago and in response, we took down our services until we could verify their security.

SOE is committed to delivering secure, stable and entertaining games for players of all ages and we're working around the clock to ensure this situation is resolved as quickly as possible. We deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your continued patience and feedback.

Sincerely,
Sony Online Entertainment

Of course now, about a week later Monday (5/2/2011), Sony decided to rectify the situation:

Sony Says 25 Million More Accounts Hacked

"The data breach comes on top of the 77 million PlayStation accounts"

"Sony said that it shut service Monday morning to Sony Online Entertainment games, which are available on personal computers, Facebook and the Playstation 3 console.  Its most popular games include "EverQuest," "Free Realms" and "DC Universe Online."

Of course now, about a week later Tuesday (5/3/2011), Sony decided clarifiy the situation with this email:

Important Customer Notification

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 12:25 AM

From: "Sony Online Entertainment" <Sony_Online_Entertainment@soe.innovyx.net>

Customer Service Notification May 2, 2011 Dear Valued Sony Online Entertainment Customer: Our ongoing investigation of illegal intrusions into Sony Online Entertainment systems has discovered that hackers may have obtained personal customer information from SOE systems. We are today advising you that the personal information you provided us in connection with your SOE account may have been stolen in a cyber-attack. Stolen information includes, to the extent you provided it to us, the following: name, address (city, state, zip, country), email address, gender, birthdate, phone number, login name and hashed password. Customers outside the United States should be advised that we further discovered evidence that information from an outdated database from 2007 containing approximately 12,700 non-US customer credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates (but not credit card security codes) and about 10,700 direct debit records listing bank account numbers of certain customers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Spain may have also been obtained and we will be notifying each of those customers promptly. There is no evidence that our main credit card database was compromised. It is in a completely separate and secured environment. We had previously believed that SOE customer data had not been obtained in the cyber-attacks on the company, but on May 1st we concluded that SOE account information may have been stolen and we are notifying you as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the attack and as a result, we have: 1. Temporarily turned off all SOE game services; 2. Engaged an outside, recognized security firm to conduct a full and complete investigation into what happened; and 3. Quickly taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our network infrastructure to provide you with greater protection of your personal information. We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and goodwill as we do whatever it takes to resolve these issues as quickly and efficiently as practicable. For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email, telephone, and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive information. Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information. If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking. When SOE™'s services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that you log on and change your password. Additionally, if you use your Station or SOE game account name or password for other unrelated services or accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them, as well. To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we encourage you to remain vigilant, to review your account statements and to monitor your credit reports. We are providing the following information for those who wish to consider it: U.S. residents are entitled under U.S. law to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free (877) 322-8228. We have also provided names and contact information for the three major U.S. credit bureaus below. At no charge, U.S. residents can have these credit bureaus place a "fraud alert" on your file that alerts creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name. This service can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name. Note, however, that because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you, it also may delay your ability to obtain credit while the agency verifies your identity. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts on your file. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, or should you have any questions regarding your credit report, please contact any one of the agencies listed below. Experian: 888-397-3742; www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013 Equifax: 800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 TransUnion: 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 You may wish to visit the web site of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or reach the FTC at (877) 382-4357 or 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580 for further information about how to protect yourself from identity theft. Your state Attorney General may also have advice on preventing identity theft, and you should report instances of known or suspected identity theft to law enforcement, your State Attorney General, and the FTC. For North Carolina residents, the Attorney General can be contacted at 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; telephone (877) 566-7226; or www.ncdoj.gov. For Maryland residents, the Attorney General can be contacted at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; telephone: (888) 743-0023; or www.oag.state.md.us. We are committed to helping our customers protect their personal data and we will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in regions in which such programs are commonly utilized. We thank you for your patience as we complete our investigation of this incident, and we regret any inconvenience. Our teams are working around the clock on this, and services will be restored as soon as possible. Sony takes information protection very seriously and will continue to work to ensure that additional measures are taken to protect personally identifiable information. Providing quality and secure entertainment services to our customers is our utmost priority. Please contact us at (866) 436-6698 should you have any additional questions. Sincerely, Sony Online Entertainment LLC

THIS IS A CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTIFICATION. SOE Privacy Policy | SOE Terms of Service www.soe.com

Sony Online Entertainment LLC 8928 Terman Court - San Diego, CA 92121

 

Somehow those affected, 100 million or so, may not be getting that warm and fuzzy feeling about the situation.

/*

"I've got a bad feeling about him."
Dr. Frank Poole, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

"I have a very bad feeling about this."
Luke Skywalker, Star Wars (1977)

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eBay INC 2011 First Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2011 First Quarter Earnings Call Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
27 April 2011
EventHorizon1984

eBay INC "is showing signs of progress", according to the Wall Street Journal.  Which brings up the quarterly question asked by many small businesses on eBay, 'How did the Marketplaces section eBay.com do?'.

Well.                                  

Numbers from eBay's 04/17/2011 SEC 8-K filing, show net total Marketplaces revenue growth up an anemic "2%" from the previous quarter.  Down from the previous quarter growth of "6%". 

Marketplaces revenue is up "10%", compared to the poorly performing first quarter of 2010.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 4/27/2011

Marketplace revenues are principally generated through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  That is the business who use eBay.com to sell products.

Here is another eBay Marketplaces revenue chart.

eBay shows an anemic "2%" current quarter versus prior quarter increase. 

There is a robust "12%" current quarter to prior year quarter increase.  Compared to the "13%" increase of a year ago, there appears to be some slow down in year to year revenue.

And what of the number of products that eBay's "2%" came from?.

According to Medved.net eBay started the first quarter with close to 123 million listings per day. 

The first quarter numbers peaked at close to 134 million listings.  The number of products are down from the fourth quarter peak of 142 million.

If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 4.27/2011

The number of PayPal payments made and the amount of those PayPal payments, were down compared to fourth quarter's "18%" and "20%."  A tepid increase of "1%" and "2%" respectively.

According the eBay.com numbers, "Transaction revenue rate" has remained stable for the past year.  The current quarter Marketplace loss rate, part of which includes fraud, stands at "3.45%".  Compared to VISA, who reported a fraud rate of "$5 per $10,000" in 2005.  Which is 0.05%.

What about eBay's growing Bill Me Later payment method? 

eBay reports Bill Me Later losses are decreasing.  The Net charge-off rate has slid to "4.86%", and the 90-day delinquency rate has dropped to "2.16%". 

The declining fraud rates are interesting given eBay has increased the amount of funds held from eBay's customers.  Going from fourth quarter's $2,550,731,000 to $2,746,079,000.

What about seller and buyer claims that there is less merchandise on eBay.com.  Have products moved off eBay.com?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 4/27/2011

There was a quarter to quarter Gross Merchandising Volume (GMV) decrease of "(4%), excluding vehicles.  But a year to year increase of "8%."

GMV represents "Total value of all successfully closed items between users on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the quarter, regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction."

The GMV for vehicles increased "7%" quarter to quarter.  A significant improvement from the "(11%)" decline of the previous quarter. 

John Donahoe became eBay CEO in March 2008, and concluded his third year of CEO stewardship in March 2011.  Has there been progress for eBay.com under CEO John Donaohe?

While eBay sellers will continue to make that call, here's the non-seller stock market view. 

At the start of John Donahoe's tenure, eBay INC's stock price was 29.84 (31 March 2008).  Between then and now, the stock reached a top price of 35.35.  It is currently trading at 34.03.

According to eBay INC's official investor page, in the matter of eBay INC stock dividends:

Which means for the average investor to materially benefit from eBay INC stock, they must sell and/or buy the stock.  In other words, 'buy low, sell high', short, stock options, et al.

In three years the eBay Pop & Mom investor made $5.51 per share or 19% return on investment.  Had they sold when the stock peaked.

Then there's the competition.

Amazon closed at 71.30 on 31 March 2008, and in the same three year period peaked at 197.80.  Amazon closed today at 197.00.  Meaning the Amazon Mom & Pop investor made $126.50 per share or 177% return on investment.

Hmmm.  $5.51 versus $126.50.  Perhaps we're not understanding the Wall Street insider view.

/*

"Amazon's a very competitive company, and I think they are a very good competitor, and we take them very, very seriously. I think the proof will be in the pudding. You know, we are still looking for signs of momentum, and so far, they have not gotten traction."
Meg Whitman, eBay CEO, 31 May 1999

"Amazon can be successful, and eBay can be successful too."
John Donahoe, eBay CEO, June 2010

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eBay 2011 Spring Seller Update and Free Shipping

eBay 2011 Spring Seller Update and Free Shipping
15 March 2011 
Ides of March Edition
EventHorizon1984

eBay announced it's 2011 Spring Seller Update today.  The good, bad, and the ugly spring news has made it's way to eBay seller sites AuctionBytes and TameBay.  With the spin from eBay being presented in Bloomberg's EBay Cuts Fees to Attract Merchants, Boost Turnaround Effort article.

End Google Search Link Elevation.

Over the next few weeks there will be many articles describing in detail or fantasy what these updates will mean to sellers. Our recommendation to anyone who sells on eBay:  First go over the updates, make your own cost determinations, and ask questions that require hard number answers.

What we plan to do here is go over the mythology of free shipping, as it relates to the spring updates.

The bottom line cost of free shipping.

From a MBA bean counter point of view everything has a cost. Work at an office and freely use the Post-it® Notes, telephone, chair and desk, etc., the company paid something for them. Work for yourself and those were your 'out of pocket' expenses.

When a U.S. seller ships a product there are costs.  Those pesky Part II Expenses on Schedule C.

Let's suppose one U.S. seller sells reasonably sized 13 ounce widgets, and has only two shipping options.

$3.26  USPS 1st Class Mail
$5.95  USPS Priority Mail

From a very very simplistic cost point of view, each shipped product will have a line item expense of either $3.26 or $5.95.  Typically a customer sees advertised a $1 Widget, but ends up paying $4.26 ($1 Widget + $3.26 1st Class) or $6.95 ($1 Widget + $5.95 Priority).

From a very very simplistic sales point of view, a free shipping product will have the shipping cost bundled into the price.  Where a $1 Widget is sold to the customer at $4.26 or $6.95.

The less very simplistic method involves re-apportioning total shipping expenses amongst the total sold widgets.  That is charge less for some product, and more for others.  Or other legal creative bookkeeping.

A customer may receive free shipping, but regardless there is a line item expense to the business somewhere.

Free shipping as it relates to the eBay 2011 Spring Seller Update.

Let's take a look at eBay auctions.

Here is the current eBay auction fee structure:

Let's say the product sells for a tier ($10.00 - $24.99) amount.  Here are the fees:

This is the eBay auction fee structure for the first 50 listings beginning 19 April 2011:

Using the 13 ounce widget with either $3.26 or $5.95 shipping, here are the numbers.

Let's throw in free shipping, and compare before and after fees.

The numbers indicate eBay sellers who ship for free (but see "The bottom line cost of free shipping") will have a fee reduction (numbers in red).  While eBay sellers who charge shipping will have mixed results.

As you might suspect from the chart, the higher the shipping charge, the less fee reduction to the seller.  But at the higher $200+ range, sellers with shipping charges below $22.23 will not incur a fee increase.

We find it extremely curious that the numbers, at least for those running 50 auctions or less, points to an ACTUAL fee decrease.  Consider what happens to eBay's bottom line, when millions of sellers running billions of auctions with "reasonable" shipping charges pay less fees to eBay.

Well, like free shipping, eBay will make up the revenue somewhere.

As it turns out, assuming our sums are correct, here are the fees after 50 auctions:

The astute reader will notice that after the first 50 auctions there is a fee increase for sellers who charge shipping.

The 50 auctions a month or less sellers will profit greatly from the new fee structure.  Depending on the (selling price) tier, sellers running 51-300 auctions a month may also profit from the fee change.

If you run more auctions, expect to see a fee increase.

Of course an eBay seller could always run free shipping auctions.  There's no charge to a seller's bottom line, right?

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"it really seems like they are trying to force sellers into an all free shipping eBay. Forget for a moment that this would raise their bottom line since they will earn more end of auction fees"
The Whine Seller, 22 May 2008 

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A Tale of Four eBay Sellers

A Tale of Four eBay Sellers
14 February 2011 
Valentine's Day Edition
EventHorizon1984

While scanning the various blog sites, one of us came across this interesting note.

Where CohibaStore.com, a PowerSellersUnite regular member, states:

• "Due to some moron at PayPal, or better, the morons at PayPal, I am unable to withdraw funds or use the PP debit card for a few weeks."
• "I hung up the phone and promptly shut down my ebay stores, closed all the listings and took the rest of the day off."

A week later one of his eBay Stores remains empty.

You might be asking, "why the interest in this seller?".  He happens to be one of the sellers in our eNA (eBay Noise Aggregate) study.  Where we quantified the eBay 'store to core' impact on sellers.

Since we mentioned "Four eBay Sellers", "submitted for your approval" are four sellers of the hundred and nineteen sellers studied.

1. clact (5209), member since Feb-25-02
2. cleggandco (24352), member since Aug-20-02
3. oldspartantrader (7696), member since Feb-28-05
4. z50com (10482), member since Jun-25-00

These sellers are well known successful eBay PowerSellers with hundreds of listings.  And with hundreds/thousands of posts on various venues. 

Or at least that's the way it was in 2008/2009.

1.  "Are you trying to cheer me up?" 
Captain John Sheridan, Babylon 5

Clact, better known as Marty on the eBay Stores Discussion Board, and eBay Voices participant, currently has these two listings on eBay.

A set of two listings that has been essentially unchanged since 2010.  Although it's been presumed that he is off doing other eBay related things.

2.  "I'll be back." 
Terminator, The Terminator (1968)

Cleggandco, also known at CohibaStore on the PowerSellersUnite forums, had this to say in 2007.

• "My sales are currently 90% ebay, 5% my web store and 5% blujay."
• "Most importantly you need to build a reputation. You cannot do this overnight. You need that reputation to help spread your reputation via word of mouth. It's still the best form of advertising."

Today he has an Amazon outlet, higher total sales compared to 2010, and for the moment no products on eBay.  BUT that's temporary.  

• "Of the 300+ ebay listings we used to run, we have perhaps 50 that will get re-listed when they fix it. I will continue to suck money out of their system and ride out the decline until it's completely unproductive - as everyone should be doing."
• "Customer service continues to be dreadful. Even as Gold Top Rated Power seller, getting an answer, or even making contact requires herculean effort. I'll bet cash money it will be this continued failing that finally drives me off from selling on ebay, rather than fees, idiot buyers or moronic rules."

Will this $10K a month (on eBay) seller remain on eBay?  Shrug.

3. "That wizard is just a crazy old man." 
Uncle Owen, Star Wars (1977)

Oldspartantrader or Carl, has been a fixture on the eBay Stores Discussion Board for years.  

Currently he is NARU, having left eBay on his terms in 2010, opting for retirement.

4.  "You can count on my steel." 
Unknown warrior, Army of Darkness (1992).

z50com also known as John, is a noted aerospace tool seller.  He's a regular poster on the Yahoo! EBAY Message Board and AuctionBytes.  In 2007 he had this to say:

• "Ebay works great for me. Most weeks I sell 90-100% of my listings. Prices for my products have never been higher."
• "I hate hearing all the whining from unsuccessful sellers, adapt or go out of business. The strongest will survive, I have."

Depending on the source, his "90-100%" sell through was coupled with anywhere from $2K to $10K a week in gross sales.  Making him at the time the largest, or one of the largest, in this small group of four sellers.

His current selling status has changed dramatically from those prior years.

z50com still sells on eBay in a smaller capacity, but appears to supplement his income through a part or full time job.

"What is the moral?  Must be a moral." 
Comedy Tonight, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1966)

If there is any moral to this "Tale of Four eBay Sellers," it might be the comment about eBay's treatment of Calvin Klein, where we rhetorically asked:

• "if eBay is willing to show such tepid support for a $6 billion dollars in sales a year corporation, how do you think eBay treats the much smaller sellers?"

Now we know.

/*

"He's dead. I'm crippled. You're lost."
Flight Officer David Campbell, The Longest Day (1962)

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eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA)

• The eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA) - Measuring The Impact Of Store To Core
• The eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA) Redux

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eBay Discussion Topic - "When did "gooder" become a word?"

eBay Discussion Topic - "When did "gooder" become a word?"
2 February 2011
EventHorizon1984

Trawling through eBay, one can find serious topics of discussion on eBay's Liveworld controlled forums.

But for the purposes of this article, sometimes not.

A major eBay shirt seller, honeville1, asked "When did "gooder" become a word?".

This brought out a few collective chuckles, and remembering the quote by Edmund Burke (1729-1797) "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." (1)

1. Winston Churchill (1874-1965), "Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it." (2)
2. George Santayana (1863-1952), "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Or as we included in a previous article on forgetting the past: 

Pablo Picasso, "If there is something to steal, I steal it."

But to partially Honeville's question.

The year was 1984, and a scene from a television mini-series left a memorable impression on millions of viewers.  The conversation from V: The Final Battle (1984) basically started with:

"How you doin' gooder?"  Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside)
"That's short for do-gooder.  It's a little nickname he's got for me." Mike Donavon (Marc Singer)

The word "gooder" has been around the science fiction community for almost 27 years.

Speaking of 1984, it was a fairly good year for science fiction, fantasy, and horror feature films.

(Not an all inclusive list.)

• 2010
• A Nightmare On Elm Street
• Children of the Corn
• Cloak & Dagger
• Conan The Destroyer
• Dreamscape
• Dune
• Electric Dreams
• Firestarter
• Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
• Ghostbusters
• Gremlins
• Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
• Iceman
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Night of the Comet
• Nineteen Eighty-Four
• Oh, God! You Devil
• Repo Man  - watch the ending, ED.
• Romancing the Stone
• Runaway
• Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
• Splash
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Starman
• Supergirl
• The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension
• The Brother from Another Planet
• The Ice Pirates
• The Last Starfighter
• The Muppets Take Manhattan
• The Neverending Story
• The Philadelphia Experiment
• The Terminator
• The Toxic Avenger

And for starting a company.

/*

"Return the money!?  Are you delirious?"
Centauri (Robert Preston), The Last Starfighter (1984)

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eBay INC 2010 Fourth Quarter Earnings Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2010 Fourth Quarter Earnings Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
20 January 2011
EventHorizon1984

eBay INC posted  mixed results for the fourth quarter of 2010 on the 19th.  And once more we look at this quarter attempting to answer the question that many small businesses on eBay ponder, 'How did the Marketplaces section eBay.com do?'.

Well.                                  

Numbers from eBay's 10/20/2010 SEC 8-K filing, show net total Marketplaces revenue growth up "8%" from the previous quarter.  An improvement from two consecutive quarters of "1%" growth. 

But Marketplaces revenue is only up "4%" from the fourth quarter of 2009.  Versus "15%" from fourth quarter 2008 to fourth quarter 2009.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 1/19/2011

Marketplace revenues are principally generated through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  Principally business who use eBay.com to sell products.  The more a seller lists, and/or the more a seller sells, the more Marketplaces revenue eBay.com generates.

Now look at just the Marketplaces revenue.  That is revenue derived from fees on sales.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 1/19/2011

During the busiest shopping quarter of the year, eBay shows a "6%" current quarter versus prior quarter increase.  Up from the "0%" change of the third quarter.

There is a "3%" current quarter to prior year quarter increase.  Compared to the "17%" of a year ago, that "3%" could use some improvement.

You can see eBay's "6%" in action by viewing the number of products that were available during the fourth quarter shopping season.

According to Medved.net eBay started the fourth quarter with a little over 140 million listings per day.  Like the third quarter, the fourth quarter number of listings peaked at 142 million.

By the end of December the counts dived to 122 million.

In other words, millions of products were placed on eBay.com and millions were sold, resulting in eBay's revenue increase.

If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 1/19/2011

The number of PayPal payments made and the amount of those PayPal payments, increased "18%" and "20%" respectively.

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 1/19/2011

According the eBay.com numbers, the "Transaction revenue rate" has remained stable for the past year.  The current quarter Marketplace loss rate, part of which includes fraud, stands at 3.45%.  Compared to VISA, who reported a fraud rate of "$5 per $10,000" in 2005.  Which is 0.05%.

Should sellers be concerned about buyers using eBay's Bill Me Later payment method? 

According to eBay the Bill Me Later losses are decreasing.  The Net charge-off rate has gone from 11.14% to 6.07%, and the 90-day delinquency rate has dropped to 2.37% from 4.20%. 

Businesses in general pass costs on to their customers, and in the case of eBay to their sellers.  Sellers will have to make their own determination on whether the declining loss rates indicates eBay is containing costs, or passing them on to the businesses that use eBay.

What about seller and buyer claims that there is less merchandise on eBay.com.  That is, have products moved off eBay.com?

Edgar Online - eBay Inc (eBay) - 8-k - 1/19/2011

Businesses traditionally load inventory onto eBay during the fourth quarter shopping season.  There was a quarter to quarter Gross Merchandising Volume (GMV) increase of 19%, and a current quarter versus prior year quarter increase of 6%.  Excluding vehicles.

GMV represents "Total value of all successfully closed items between users on eBay Marketplaces trading platforms during the quarter, regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transation."

Keep in the GMV represents the value of the items sold.  As stated earlier the actual number of items available on a daily basis during the fourth quarter ranged from 142 million to 122 million.  Comparable to counts during the third quarter.

The GMV for vehicles declined "-11%" quarter to quarter, and "-8%" quarter to prior year quarter.  The second straight quarter of declines, with declines in three of the four 2010 quarters.

Auction seller inventory now represents 38% of eBay.com's GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume).  A decrease from the 40% of the previous quarter.

Has there been progress for eBay under CEO John Donaohe?

John Donahoe became eBay CEO in March 2008.  He wraps up the third year of CEO stewardship and his second year of his newer "Three-Year Revival Plan" in March 2011.

The New York Times said about eBay's fourth quarter:

• "Revenue in the period rose 5 percent"
• "Revenue from eBay’s marketplace business, which is its largest unit and includes its namesake Web site, rose 4 percent"

Excluding vehicle related sales, the GMV (sales) current quarter versus prior year quarter increased 6%.

According to Martin Adamo, a well known eBay entrepreneur (clact) and eBay Voices member, the economy has something to do with eBay's numbers.

Then again the Wall Street Journal said of year to year online sales:

• "Online holiday sales in the 56 days through Dec. 26 rose 13%"

Perhaps businesses on eBay should ask why in aggregate they had to settle for John Donahoe's 6% increase in sales, when the rest of the internet was doing 13%.

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"The minute our community stops talking is the minute I worry.  Because their opinions, constructive criticism or praise, stem from passion."
John Donahoe, eBay CEO, 18 April 2008

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eBay INC 2010 Third Quarter Earnings Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2010 Third Quarter Earnings Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
21 October 2010
EventHorizon1984

eBay INC posted strong number for the third quarter of 2010.  But like last time, we look again this quarter into what many small businesses on eBay ponder, 'How did the Marketplaces section eBay.com do?'.

Well.

Numbers from eBay's 10/20/2010 SEC 8-K filing, show net total Marketplaces revenue growth is up an anemic "1%" from the previous quarter.  Two consecutive quarters of "1%" growth.

Revenue generated principally through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  The more a seller lists, the more a seller sells, the more Marketplaces revenue eBay.com generates.  Of course when sellers slow down, so does eBay.com.

According to Medved.net eBay started the third quarter with about 130,400,000 listings per day. 

The number of listings peaked at 142 million.  Up 8.9% from the beginning of the quarter.

Then settled back to 140,300,000 listings.  Up 7.6% from the beginning of the quarter.

There are strong increases in the number of products available for sale, yet total Marketplaces (principally eBay.com) revenue increased only "1%".

Now take a look at just the Marketplaces revenue.  That is revenue derived from fees on seller sales.

That's "0%" current quarter versus prior quarter.  Down from the "1%" increase of the second quarter.  Abet up from the -4% decrease of the first quarter.

That "0%" means in aggregate, sellers are experiencing virtually no increase (or decrease) in sales on eBay.com.

Perhaps this point is not missed by The Wall Street Journal.

• "on the back of a 0.5% increase in revenue"
• "Some industry insiders were quick to note eBay's marketplace performance continues to lag the overall U.S. e-commerce market, where retail sales are expected to rise almost 13% to $152 billion this year, according to research group eMarketer."                                 

And a point definitely not missed by eBay INC, as shortly before the the end of the third quarter President of eBay Marketplaces Lorrie Norrington was terminated.

If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

The number of PayPal payments made and the amount of those PayPal payments, increased 7% and 5% respectively.

With this increase in PayPal activity, some eBay.com sellers have reported increases in fraudulent transactions.

According the eBay.com's numbers, the "Transaction revenue rate" has remained stable for the past year.  The current quarter Marketplace loss rate, part of which includes fraud, stands at 3.57%.

Compared to VISA, who reported a fraud rate of "$5 per $10,000" in 2005.  Which is 0.05%.

eBay.com sellers considering Bill Me Later payments, should look closely at those numbers.

What about seller and buyer claims that there is less merchandise on eBay.com.  That is, have products moved off eBay.com?

The hemorrhaging of sellers inventory appears to have slowed to "0%", compared to last quarters -6% decrease.  However car sellers have "-1%" less inventory on eBay.com than the previous quarter.

Auction seller inventory now represents 40% of eBay.com's GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume).  A decrease of 1% from the previous quarter.

With the start of the Christmas shopping quarter, we're anticipating PayPal eBay INC to set new revenue records.  It remains to be seen if small business or eBay.com can exceed the pace of last season.

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"I'm still looking for evidence the turnaround is taking hold. I haven't seen that yet."
Scot Wing, CEO ChannelAdvisor INC

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Christmas Time Is Here

Christmas Time Is Here
24 December 2010
EventHorizon1984

MasterCard reported "During the period October 31 to December 24, U.S. consumers spent an estimated $36.4 billion, a 15.4% year-on-year increase over the 2009 holiday season" for eCommerce sales.  What portion of this increase can be attributed to small businesses operating online was not reported.  However in aggregate, this is excellent news for online sellers.

Not that there wasn't money to be made by small businesses selling one of a kind items on eBay.  Like many previous eBay monetary Christmas shopping seasons, something unique turned up for sale on the site.  The $79.90 Steve Jobs action figure made many sellers happy with it's eventual top price of $2,500.  Before Apple told eBay, 'No.'

While there is a practical aspect to conducting transactions for money, we would hope that the MBA greed need subsides tomorrow.

Taking a quiet respite with family and friends. 

Enjoying the feeling of harmony in the air.

"Priceless."

 

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"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

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Meg Whitman Governor Memorabilia For Sale On eBay November 3rd

Meg Whitman Governor Campaign Memorabilia For Sale On eBay November 3rd
31 October 2010 
Halloween Edition
EventHorizon1984

 

With the Meg Whitman for California Governor campaign spending over $160 million, most of it hers all from eBay seller fees, one might think the milk from the cash cow stops flowing when the voting concludes on November 2 2010.  Except for the extensive after campaign clean up spending, that would be the case for most elections.  But we are talking about the loved or despised ex-CEO of eBay Margaret Whitman.  With a small army of eBay sellers who know opportunity is knocking.

Think of it.  Tens of millions of dollars spent on signs, buttons, stickers, leaflets, notepads, pens, clothing, ballons, napkins, identification badges, tickets, photos, autographs, and other campaign trinkets.  Given away FREE by the Meg Whitman for Governor organization. Free memorabilia, sometimes carted away in bulk after campaign events by eBay sellers.  Free memorabilia that can be listed for free on eBay.

And did we forget to mention the potential millions in illegal sales of rips from Meg Whitman campaign television ads?

If you're an eBay seller, don't you miss this golden multi-million dollar sales opportunity.

November 3rd, eBay.  Be there, Aloha.

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"called me a whore, they've called me a liar, they've called me a Nazi"
Meg Whitman, 26 October 2010

"a monkey could drive this train"
Meg Whitman, as train driving eBay CEO, circa 1998-2008

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eBay Myth Conceptions About Alibaba and the Forty Thieves

eBay Myth Conceptions About Alibaba and the Forty Thieves
29 August 2010
EventHorizon1984

When eCommerce company Alibaba.com purchased Vendio Services (June 2010) and eBay third party provider Auctiva (August 2010), there was the usual buzz.  But it was less about Alibaba's CEO David Wei stating "The U.S. is the top priority in our investment list" and more about the "Alibaba and the Forty Thieves" meme.

This is a very pervasive meme.  For example:

• AuctionBytes - "Let's give them all to Alibaba and the forty million thieves and let them sell on Alibaba's new site."
• TameBay - "Alibaba and the Forty Thieves ?"
• eBay Forum - "Would that be the story of AliBaba and the Forty THIEVES ?.."

Users of the "Alibaba and the Forty Thieves" meme have the popular conception that it's Alibaba AND HIS Forty Thieves.  As it turns out it's a misconception*.

* Since we're dealing with myths, the popular phrase "Myth Conceptions" is a steal homage to the copyrighted work of the late Robert Asprin.  A book published in 1980 titled, "Myth Conceptions."

The meme of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" might be from the 1944 movie of the same name.  Which is described as "A boy prince, raised by forty thieves."  It might be the cartoon Arabian Knights (1968-1969).

Or simply it's a straight name association used by people who know the name of the story, but have never read the original work.

Speaking of which "The Story of 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" from "Stories from the Thousand and One Nights" (1909) is available at Bartleby.com.

We know in this tale:

• "'Ali Baba married a woman as poor as himself, and lived by cutting wood"
• "‘Ali Baba expected a dark, dismal cavern, but was surprised to see a well-lighted and spacious chamber, lighted from an opening at the top of the rock, and filled with all sorts of provisions, rich bales of silk, embroideries, and valuable tissues, piled upon one another, gold and silver ingots in great heaps, and money in bags. The sight of all these riches made him suppose that this cave must have been occupied for ages by robbers, who had succeeded one another."
• "‘Ali Baba went boldly into the cave, and collected as much of the gold coin"

We meet Marjaneh:

• "Marjaneh, a clever slave-girl, who was fruitful in inventions to meet the most difficult circumstances"
• said 'Ali Baba to Marjaneh, "I leave the matter to your wit and skilful devices."

Who gives The Bride a run for the body count.

The tale ends with:

• "Some years later he carried his son to the cave and taught him the secret, which he handed down to his posterity, who, using their good fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and splendour till they were visited by the terminator of delights and the separator of companions."

The story is not 'Ali Baba and his forty thieves, but 'Ali Baba and the encounter with forty thieves.

However from a 21st century legal perspective, 'Ali Baba taking property from thieves is theft.  Paradoxically such an act is considered justice.  More so considering the "Forty Thieves" were dealt with by 'Ali Baba's proxy (Marjaneh) in a way appropriate to the legal code of the time.

Still the 'Ali Baba meme is rather powerful.  Although as the title of the article Alibaba and the eBay Thieves demonstrates, it may not mean what you think it means.

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"Sometimes bad guys are the only good guys you get."
Parker, Leverage

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PayPal and the International Credit Card Wars

PayPal and the International Credit Card Wars
18 August 2010
EventHorizon1984

Considering the events that have happened during PayPal's 2010 international expansion, PayPal appears to be living in interesting times.

PayPal International's interesting times began on January 27th.  The date that the Reserve Bank of India asked PayPal "to immediately suspend PayPal payments to and from India as well as transfers to local banks in India."

• "I’m personally committed to working closely and tirelessly with the Reserve Bank of India to get a fast resolution to this issue" Farhad Irani, 14 February 2010

PayPal's India problems marched through February and March.

Then came a PayPal Japan revelation:

• "PayPal recently announced that as of March 31 customers in Japan are no longer able to make personal payments to individuals using the company's 'send money' service and that the facility would remain suspended until further notice."

Unfortunately PayPal's India problems have not gone away.

• 28 July 2010:  "This morning, an email was sent to Indian users, notifying them that they would (very) soon be removing the ability to withdraw funds from accounts electronically."
• 31 July 2010:  "We’ve received good news. You can continue to enjoy electronic withdrawals just as you did before."

And despite Farhad Irani's declaration, PayPal remains unlicensed in India.

• Certificates of Authorisation issued by the Reserve Bank of India under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 12 July 2010

But guess what notable United States companies are licensed in India?

Answer:

• American Express (licensed 2009)
• Diner's Club  (licensed 2010)
• MasterCard (licensed 2009)
• Visa  (licensed 2009)

• MoneyGram (licensed 2009)
• Western Union (licensed 2009)

When PayPal's intentions come across as "PayPal wants to replace credit cards in stores", how will the larger companies react?

Or more to the point, how are the larger companies reacting?

Consider these numbers.

• In 2009 according to "eBay Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe. “PayPal significantly expanded its presence globally and, for the first time, processed more than $20 billion in total payment volume in a quarter.""
• Discover (established 1985), which owns Diner's Club (established 1950), reported sales volume of $23 billion in the second quarter of 2010.
• American Express (established 1850) reported a 2009 fourth quarter volume of $115 billion.
• Number two MasterCard (established 1966) reported a 2009 fourth quarter purchase volume of $510 billion.
• While number one Visa (established 1958) posts "$4.8 trillion total volume" for a twelve month period.  A rough average of $1,200 billion a quarter versus PayPal's $20 billion quarter.

If you were, say Visa, nothing to worry about right?

Yet Visa's international activities indicate they take PayPal's growing international presence seriously.  Or 'coincidentally' Visa, as well as MasterCard, etal, are aggressively expanding their international businesses in the same year as PayPal.

• February 11 2010
• Visa and Travelex Launch Visa Money Transfer for Remittances from Australia
• "Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), the world's largest retail payments network, and Travelex, the world's largest international foreign exchange and international payments specialist, today announced the launch of the first Visa Money Transfer service in Australia."

• May 11 2010
• MoneyGram and Visa Introduce Cash-to-Visa Card Money Transfer Program
• "launch of MoneyGram's first cash-to-Visa card program enabling consumers to transfer money from MoneyGram locations in the United States directly to the Visa accounts of recipients outside of the United States"

• May 25 2010
• Visa and Bancomer Transfer Services Launch Visa Money Transfer for remittances from the U.S.
• "launch of a money transfer service that will provide an additional alternative for consumers that send money from the United States to friends and family living abroad. "
• "initial deployment of the service will enable consumers to send funds from the United States to select countries such as El Salvador, Brazil, China and The Philippines, with plans to extend the program to allow remittances from BTS locations to any country within the Visa network."

Visa did not ignore India.

• May 26 2010
• Visa and Monitise to Launch Joint Venture in India
• "formation of a joint venture that will provide a technology platform for financial institutions and mobile network operators in India to offer a range of mobile financial services to consumers."

PayPal remained on the move, entering the South Africa market in March.

Not that Visa was far behind.  As they churned this out in a July press release:

• "As a first time sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, we're very happy with what this has done for our business. It has driven business growth - increasing transactions, building our brand and providing business development opportunities for our partners"

Definitely interesting things happening in 2010.

eBay's (PayPal is owned by eBay) CEO John Donahoe said in 2009, "PayPal is a business that will be bigger than eBay."  Along with the comment, "Donahoe said we are not that far off from the day where a restaurant beams a bill to your mobile device and you pay via PayPal."

A skirmish is defined as "a minor fight in war usually incidental to larger movements."  Did John Donahoe's 2009 PayPal chest thumping get the attention of the major credit card companies?  Touching off the 2010 prelude to international payment system skirmishes?

We'll see.

As the owner of PayPal, eBay INC is not immune from the major credit card companies.  Remember MasterCard's $510 billion purchase volume?  eBay's equivalent statistic, Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV), for the same period was $12.5 billion.

'Coincidentally' MasterCard started their MasterCard MarketPlace in March 2010.  The "MasterCard MarketPlace" is initially being trademarked for the United States, European Union, China, Australia, and Canada.

MasterCard's MarketPlace commercial has a certain 'as compared to eBay' feel to it.  Since eBay INC calls it's eBay.com site, the "eBay Marketplace," MasterCard must be making a point.

A very sharp one.

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Addendum
19 August 2010

The day after we published the above article, reuters reported:

• UPDATE 4-MasterCard to buy DataCash for $520 million
• "The deal will improve MasterCard's ability to process payments online, especially in Europe and emerging markets, the company said. Its new chief executive, Ajay Banga, is trying to boost the company's profits by developing its online and mobile payments processing business."
• "MasterCard and Visa are trying to compete with PayPal, which is synonymous with online shopping in the minds of many consumers."
• "MasterCard, which gets 55 percent of its revenue from outside the United States, is looking abroad to grow."

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See Also:

• American Express Tells PayPal, Revolution Money Don't Leave Home Without It
• The PayPal India Transaction Holdup
• The PayPal India Transaction Holdup Continues
• The PayPal India Suspended Transaction Services and Farhad Irani
• PayPal India Service Hold Explained: 'We Don't Need No Stinking License'
• PayPal India Farhad Irani Restores Business Bank Withdrawls But Hold On Personal Funds Remain
• PayPal India Personal Accounts Hold and the April 30th RBI Deadline

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"Donahoe said, noting that only 5 percent of sales are online as compared to stores."
PayPal will be bigger than eBay.com, CEO says, 23 July 2009

"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with terrible resolve."
Isoroku Yamamoto, Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

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eBay and Johnny Sain

eBay and Johnny Sain
12 August 2010
EventHorizon1984

Decided to pick up some words to relax before a weekend (group  Ed.) three day systems contract, and AuctionBytes won the coin toss over TameBay.  The site didn't disappoint.

The day's guest lecturer was one eBay Addict, a self professed eBay shopper.  He has skill of a professional writer, with the hardball delivery of a stereotypical east coast resident. 

eBay Addict is reminiscent of the fictional sports writer Oscar Madison. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.  Let's rewind a bit.

Despite eBay Addict saying, "I'm not trying to bait you," he managed to hook quite a few live ones. 

The lively taunt and rant session piqued my curiosity.  Curiosity and Google went no where, but the {cough} {cough} baseball addict seated nearby had this to say:

"[expletive deleted] Braves."

I went 'huh?', but apparently there are baseball fans that recognize where eBay Addict appropriated the "We really don't want to hear about the labor pains, we just wanna see the baby." catch phrase. 

Johnny Sain (1917-2006)
Boston Braves 1946-1951
"The world doesn't want to hear about labor pains; it just wants to see the baby."

Ah sports writer.

His comments are sprinkled with sporting allusions.  Reading like other sports articles, such as one from east coaster Mike Bovenzi, who like dozens of others wrote a similar "fans don't want to hear about labor pains. The fans just want to see the baby."  Sadly he too didn't attribute Johnny Sain.

Who is eBay Addict and is he a sport writer? 

"We don't care..."
eBay Addict

Hope you enjoyed today's sports trivia.

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"You and other sellers like you just don't get it. Buyers (and eBay) are sick of the excuses and the rants. We really don't want to hear about the labor pains, we just wanna see the baby. And in this instance, your baby can't be delivered on time! ROFTL!!"
eBay Addict

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Calvin Klein Slow Death on eBay or Best Match?

Calvin Klein Slow Death on eBay or Best Match?
10 August 2010
EventHorizon1984

With minor fanfare Calvin Klein opened an eBay store last week.  It's incredible that eBay (EBAY, share price $21.91) kept this news low key given the Calvin Klein brand.  Then again given the pedigree of the Calvin Klein (1978) brand versus eBay's (1995), it might not have been eBay's decision to make.

Calvin Klein is owned by the Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (PVH, share price $53.27). 

As noted by the multi-brand Phillips-Van Heusen, "We closed 2009 approaching $6 billion in global retail sales under the Calvin Klein brands."  Compared to the eBay 'oranges' of $4.46 billion in Marketplaces Net Transaction Revenue; i.e. fees not sales.

And of course Calvin Klein has it's own web store.

One might expect a well known global brand, to do well almost anywhere.

Well...

Calvin Klein may have opened an eBay Store last week, but their eBay selling ID was created on 30 September 2009.

Seller ID calvinklein has a positive feedback rating of 15.  With DSR (Detailed Seller Rating) of 5.0 Item as described, 5.0 Communication, 4.9 Shipping Time, and a sub-par 4.7 Shipping and handling charges.

There are 10,207 listings for calvinklein.

And 26,826 closed listings.

According to figures from eBay supported TeraPeak, from July 9 to August 7, calvinklein had 47 successful listings for total sales of $1,614.  And a sell through rate of 0.8%.

Given the lack of exposure on eBay's Fashion Vault page that Calvin Klein gets,

and the lack of press hype, perhaps the lack of sales should be expected.

Which leads to the question, if eBay is willing to show such tepid support for a $6 billion dollars in sales a year corporation, how do you think eBay treats the much smaller sellers?

/*
"Well, that is your name, isn't it? Calvin Klein? It's written all over your underwear."
Lorraine Baines, Back to the Future, 3 July 1985

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eBay INC 2010 Second Quarter Earnings Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers

eBay INC 2010 Second Quarter Earnings Numbers Of Interest To Small Business Sellers
21 July 2010
EventHorizon1984

As expected eBay INC posted reasonably good numbers for the second quarter of 2010.  But for small businesses on eBay there is the nagging side question, 'How did eBay.com do?'.

Well.                                  
 

Net Revenue growth is up an anemic 1% from the previous quarter.

Revenue generated principally through fees paid by users of eBay.com.  That is the more a seller lists, the more a seller sells, the more Marketplace Revenue eBay.com generates.  Of course when sellers slow down, so does eBay.com.

                                  
 
If you were selling on eBay.com, were you using PayPal?

The number of PayPal payments made and the amount of those PayPal payments, showed little change from the prior quarter.  Essentially sellers using PayPal saw little or no sales growth.

What about those claims that there is less merchandise on eBay.com.  That is, have products moved off eBay.com?

Car sellers have 8% More inventory on eBay.com than the previous quarter.  Sellers of everything else have 6% Less inventory on eBay.com than the prior quarter.

Wonder where it went?

Auction seller inventory now represents 41% of eBay.com's GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume).  That's a decrease of 2% from the first quarter.

We'll leave readers with this fun fact:

"eBay also uses free cash flow. Free cash flow represents operating cash flows less new purchases of property and equipment. eBay considers free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases of property, buildings, and equipment, which can then be used to, among other things, invest in eBay's business, make strategic acquisitions, and repurchase stock."

As a business, you wouldn't be worried about declining net cash and free cash flow.  Would you?

/*

"Our EBAY fundamentals call for Q2 is mixed - For Q2, we expect revenue growth deceleration"
Mark Mahaney, Citigroup

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eBay INC Stock Price During CEO John Donahoe's Tenure

eBay INC Stock Price During CEO John Donahoe's Tenure
30 June 2010
EventHorizon1984

While much is said about eBay INC's stock, there is one fact that's rarely talked about.  According to eBay INC's official investor page, in the matter of eBay INC stock dividends:

Which means for the average investor to materially benefit from eBay INC stock, they must sell and/or buy the stock.  In other words, 'buy low, sell high', short, et al.

Many analysts (who make money on fees You pay them) give the advice 'eBay stock is a long term investment.'  Is this stale and cliche advice a bad thing?

Depends on when you make the purchase, and your definition of 'long term.'

To show the short (no pun intended) version of eBay INC stock variation, presented below are eBay INC stock prices on days of note, during eBay CEO John Donahoe's watch.  Stock prices are taken at close of market (end of day).

Additionally you will find sets of five stock prices clustered around the dates of eBay INC's quarterly Earnings Call. The first two are the relative low or high value of eBay stock, prior to eBay's Earning Call. The third is the eBay stock price on the day of the Earnings Call. The the fourth and fifth are the relative low or high values of eBay stock after the Earnings Call.

Numbers and details relating to eBay INC provided through Yahoo! Finance and Seeking Alpha.

eBay INC Stock Price - 31 March 2008 to 30 June 2010.

29.84 - 31 March 2008, end of Q1 2008, John Donahoe becomes eBay CEO

32.94 - 4 April 2008, Highest stock price under John Donahoe

27.33 - 30 June 2008, end of Q2 2008

28.18 - 10 July 2008
26.89 - 15 July 2008
28.10 - 16 July 2008, eBay Q2 2008 Earnings Call
23.98 - 18 July 2008
25.38 - 23 July 2008

22.38 - 30 September 2008, end of Q3 2008

15.96 - 9 October 2008
18.10 - 13 October 2008
15.33 - 15 October 2008, eBay Q3 2008 Earnings Call
14.97 - 16 October 2008
15.47 - 20 October 2008

13.96 - 31 December 2008, end of Q4 2008

13.44 - 15 January 2009
12.55 - 20 January 2009
13.28 - 21 January 2009, eBay Q4 2008 Earnings Call
11.67 - 22 January 2009
12.00 - 23 January 2009

10.27 - 9 March 2009, Lowest stock price under John Donahoe

12.56 - 31 March 2009, end of Q1 2009

14.41 - 16 April 2009
14.06 - 20 April 2009
14.78 - 22 April 2009, eBay Q1 2009 Earnings Call
16.78 - 24 April 2008
16.20 - 28 April 2008

17.13 - 30 June 2009, end of Q2 2009

18.58 - 16 July 2009
18.55 - 17 July 2009
19.45 - 22 July 2009, eBay Q2 2009 Earnings Call
21.52 - 23 July 2009
21.24 - 24 July 2009

23.60 - 30 September 2009, end of Q3 2009

24.49 - 16 October 2009
25.15 - 19 October 2009
25.03 - 21 October 2009, eBay Q3 2009 Earnings Call
22.75 - 28 October 2009
23.01 - 29 October 2009

23.53 - 31 December 2009, end of Q4 2009
     Volume 5,990,600

23.26 - 19 January 2010
22.23 - 20 January 2010
24.13 - 21 January 2010, eBay Q4 2009 Earnings Call
23.58 - 22 January 2010
24.07 - 26 January 2010

26.97 - 31 March 2010, end of Q1 2010
     Volume 8,048,100

26.32 - 19 April 2010
26.40 - 20 April 2010
26.29 - 21 April 2010, eBay Q1 2010 Earnings Call
24.55 - 23 April 2010
24.56 - 26 April 2010

19.61 - 30 June 2010, end of Q2 2010

Finally an overview of eBay stock prices during eBay CEO John Donahoe's current reign.

31 March 2010 - 25 June 2010

To recap:

• 29.84 - 31 March 2008, end of Q1 2008, John Donahoe becomes eBay CEO
• 32.94 - 4 April 2008, Highest stock price under John Donahoe
• 10.27 - 9 March 2009, Lowest stock price under John Donahoe
• 19.61 - 30 June 2010

What if you heeded the call of your analyst to buy eBay stock on 31 March 2008 as a long term investment? 

As of 30 June 2010, you lost 34% of your investment.  And of course the fees you paid your analyst for such generous advice.

eBay INC's next Earnings Call is scheduled for 21 July 2010.

Where will eBay's stock price be then?

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"Longer-term, the pillars of the Internet, companies like eBay and Yahoo! will continue to outperform"
Youssef Squali, 5 March 2004

67.31 - 5 March 2004, eBay INC stock price not adjusted for stock split.
34.65 - 5 March 2004, eBay INC stock price adjusted for stock split.

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The eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA) Redux

The eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA) Redux
6 June 2010
EventHorizon1984

For those who were part of the thousand or so hits on our previous eNA (eBay Noise Aggregate) article, on May 29th the 30 day eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA) was 157712.  Down 9.2% from the prior eNA of 173608.

Or in sales terms:

• $157,712 - Total 30 day sales ending on or around 29 May 2010
• $173,608 - April 2010

eNA consists of one hundred nineteen (119) eBay "noise sellers" with an aggregate positive feedback of over one-half million (500,000).  "Noise" as coined by eBay CEO John "has a long moustache" Donahoe and eBay ex-CEO Meg Whitman. 

You can glean the short methodology from our previous "The eBay Noise Aggregate (eNA) - Measuring The Impact Of Store To Core" article.

"Ultimately the value eNA is measured in it's predictive ability. Or lack there of."

Let's compare the eNA downward trend to eBay's most protected Diamond seller bought by Rakuten INC Buy (Buy.com).  With Buy's huge variety of products (7,183,772 items offered over 30 days) it should be a good sample of eBay as a whole.

Buy

• $2,213,637 - Total 30 day sales ending on or around 29 May 2010
• $2,478,285 - April 2010

Down 10.7%.

Well eBay is having a rash of listing specials this month.

/*

"Wounds my heart with a monotonous languor."
The Longest Day (1962)

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eBay Did Skype and PayPal Is Next??

eBay Did Skype and PayPal Is Next??
5 June 2010
EventHorizon1984

June 4th was a busy day for eBay stock traders as 56,354,674 eBay INC shares traded hands.  With an average trading volume of "19,149,300" shares was something up? 

Well, yes.  It was the usual games that stock analysts play with other people's (investor's) money.

But let's play the conjecture game, and suppose that analysts managed to figure out that eBay CEO John Donahoe telegraphs his moves.  A year in advance.

Take this news piece from 17 April 2008.

• ""What we're testing this year are the synergies," Mr Donahoe told the Financial Times this week after Ebay reported its latest earnings. "If the synergies are strong, we'll keep it in our portfolio. If not, we'll reassess it." That could lead to the disposal of the business, he indicated."

About a year later, 14 April 2009, Henry Blodget wrote this:

• "eBay is finally dumping Skype... on the public market! Specifically, it's planning to spin the company out in an IPO next year."

Do you know what John Donahoe thoughts on PayPal were 24 September 2009?

• "EBay would consider that step if PayPal no longer had synergy with the parent company, Donahoe said at a conference in Las Vegas. He said he regularly asks himself whether eBay is hampering PayPal's development."

We'll take the long shot bet that around September 2010 eBay INC will make an exciting announcement about PayPal.  Such a move would be a short term win-win for eBay and PayPal.

Long term?  Well John Donahoe is all about synergy and never about the long term.

/*

"In the meantime, by announcing the deal now, it can get investors excited about the separation and try to goad potential acquirers into ponying up and buying Skype outright -- which is presumably part of the thinking here."
Henry Blodget

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Rakuten INC Does "Buy It Now" of eBay INC Diamond Seller Buy.com

Rakuten Inc Does "Buy It Now" of eBay Inc Diamond Seller Buy.com
20 May 2010
EventHorizon1984

A figurative shoe dropped as The Wall Street Journal announced "Japan's Rakuten to Acquire Buy.com" earlier today.  Buy.com's "But It Now" price was a manageable "$250 million."

Here are some things you can look for while you watch this news rapidly spreading around the eBay blog-sphere.

1)  How long it takes eBay to respond.

When eBay does a hot roll out, their press release hits the stands at the same time the news hits the wires.  When eBay is caught off guard, there is a time lag between the wire news and their response.  You can measure the level of surprise at the corporate level, by the amount of time it takes eBay Corporate to officially respond.

When Rakuten Inc, "the top e-commerce site in Japan" says:

• ""We feel it has a great strategic fit with our global expansion," said Hiroshi Mikitani, the CEO of Tokyo-based Rakuten. "Our goal is to become the number one e-commerce company and Internet company in the world.""

There had better be a good response from eBay Inc.

Incidentally Rakuten Inc plans a joint venture with Baidu Inc.  The same China search engine that eBay is partnered with.

2)  How long it takes Amazon to respond.

When Rakuten Inc says:

• ""We believe that we have a very different business model from Amazon and eBay. We empower the merchants""
  

Expect an interesting response from Amazon.

3)  What will Randy Smythe say?

Well known business savvy eBay fixture Randy Smythe currently works as "Merchant Evangelist" of the "third-party merchant program" at Buy.com.  With Rakuten Inc stating "We empower the merchants" perhaps Mr. Smythe had a hand in the acquisition.

We doubt he was an innocent bystander in this deal.  Any comments he is allowed to make will be fascinating.

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"Just my 15%."
Randy Smythe

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The Consequences of Being Attached to eBay's Hip

The Consequences of Being Attached to eBay's Hip
17 May 2010
EventHorizon1984

Like many on line journals, for example (shameless SEO linking) TheBrewsNews, Red Ink Diary, GrannyGoodPaints Place, as a friend put it, we write 'for the halibut.'  Unlike other sites, there is no pressing need to gather an audience solely to hawk expensive services to eBay sellers. 

We bring this up because something we can neither confirm nor deny dropped on our virtual desk.  That tidbit brought up the question, 'what happens when the audience of a blog changes?'

The obvious answer:  the blog is read by fewer people.

If you write without regard to generating income, you'll continue to write something.  If you're dependent on the revenue generated through ads and hawking services based on an eBay centric audience, you have choices.

1.  Denial.  Nothing will change, continue as always.

"The old Ebay was sitting in people’s attics. The new Ebay is sitting in warehouses”
Lorrie Norrington, eBay INC

eBay will be around a long time.  But eBay's focus will move from small sellers to warehouse/volume sellers.  The focus of the newest eBay sellers is less toward folksy generic advice, and more toward receiving hard core business services.  Five years ago there was good revenue from giving general starter advice to people unfamiliar with the Internet.  Today people are more Internet aware, and through searches can get that expensive advice for free.

The fresh new unaware sellers will still be out there, but their numbers will continue to shrink.  Conversely the number of blogs providing advice and services will continue to mushroom.  To spell it out, more businesses for fewer customers.

2.  Expand your focus.  Multi-channel is good.

EBay Buys Skype for $2.6 Billion (2005)
Sold! eBay jettisons Skype in $2 billion deal (2009)

Multi-channel has benefits.  When executed properly it's a good move, like eBay centric (" eBay is an investor in ChannelAdvisor") Scot Wingo (ChannelAdvisor CEO) indirectly hawking  ChannelAdvisor Amazon services.  But as seen above there are risks involved.  For a revenue generating blog, perceived fallibility can translate to loss of face and loss of income. 

From a potential customer viewpoint, a business that makes mistakes of it's own choosing, might not be a good place to get advice or services.

3.  Do something else.  Change is good.

"You can't change people."
John Donahoe, eBay INC

Suppose one were a mystery writer, decided 'change is good', and kill off your most famous character.  It worked for Arthur Conan Doyle, right?

• "Public outcry, however, led Conan Doyle to bring the character back"

When a blog depends on advertising income, it's a very bad idea to alienate readers.  And in the process alienate the blog's revenue stream advertisers, who want to reach those readers.

In the aforementioned example said 'mystery writer' created a new character, but remained a mystery writer.  When you are essentially a 'business writer' and your revenue blog is eBay centric, what do you change to?

Join the parade of a million articles and books giving general business advice?

4.  Retire.

Most here are partial to number 4.

We expect to see many blog retirements over the next two years.

Disclosure:  Ad revenue affords one of us the occasional cup of coffee.  <sip>  Thank you.

/*

"It takes time, Doctor, but eventually you get there."
The Master, Doctor Who

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Why You Should Never Turn Your Back To The Ocean

Why You Should Never Turn Your Back To The Ocean
29 March 2010
EventHorizon1984

There was more than a bit of irritation felt when the statue of Duke Kahanamoku was first placed in Waikiki; with his back to the ocean.  Years later passing by the Duke, it remains irritating.  In leu of someone or something turning the statue to properly face the ocean, we'll mitigate the irritation by writing something.

There are many sound reasons for the advice, "never turn your back to the ocean."  But words fail to crisply capture what is best explained by film.

• A photo series by A Pacific View captures a 'what could have happened'.
• A video by blakech demonstrating man versus Pacific Ocean.
• Sports Illustrated Jodi LaBossiere v. Ocean.

You're not much safer with your back to a fantasy ocean in a gaming environment either.

As the EverQuest 2 photo below might be captioned, "Why is everyone running?"

Ribet ...

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"It's not until you get back to nature that you realize that everything is out to get you. So my father always told me to respect nature, because it has no respect for you."
Dana Scully, X-Files, Quagmire

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PayPal India Farhad Irani Restores Business Bank Withdrawls But Hold On Personal Funds Remain

PayPal India Farhad Irani Restores Business Bank Withdrawls But Hold On Personal Funds Remain
28 February 2010
EventHorizon1984

Continuing the trend of terse press releases, Farhad Irani "Head of PayPal Asia Pacific" stated February 26th on the PayPal Blog that "bank withdrawals for settlements for exports of goods and services" are anticipated to resume on March 3rd.

The small catch for India businesses is this new PayPal (an eBay company) requirement: "you will be required to fill out a new field entitled ‘Export Code’ when you request a withdrawal". 

Predictably PayPal provided no details on getting an "Export Code", but Farhad Irani promises that on March 1st he will "be back in touch with specific instructions on how you can move your money into your bank account"

An India business can wait and see what gems Farhad Irani releases from the PayPal vaults, or perhaps they could take the time to read the PluGGd.IN article PayPal Resumes Local Withdrawls to Indian Banks, Here is how to get Export Code, and find the section titled "How do I obtain IE Code or FIRC?".  Or see the Techie Buzz article Import Export Code (IEC) For PayPal India Payment Withdrawals and view the "Useful Links" section.

At this point one should wonder what PayPal has NOT said about this self-inflicted problem.

Consider the spin released by individuals with no stated relationship to PayPal that 'only personal accounts were affected' beginning 27 January 2010.  And quotes from terse PayPal Blog public relations releases.

• "I’m writing to let you know that personal payments to and from India and transfers to local banks in India have been suspended"  Anuj Nayar, PayPal spokesman, 6 February 2010.
• "Only personal payments should have been reversed."  Anuj Nayar, PayPal spokesman, 9 February 2010.
• "We were hoping that our merchant customers would be able to start withdrawing their funds at their local bank by today, but it looks like this will still take some more time."  Farhad Irani, Head of PayPal Asia Pacific, 14 February 2010
• "thousands of Indian businesses who use PayPal" Farhad Irani, Head of PayPal Asia Pacific, 26 February 2010

Interesting how according to PayPal, business affected went from essentially none to thousands.

Should be very interesting to see what gets extracted from PayPal in the months to come.

Meanwhile we'll leave you with these gems from enthusiastic India PayPal blogger Amit Sinha of Little About:

• "resumption of service of PayPal, acclaimed e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet and one of the greatest means of communications of Indians overseas."
• "millions of Indians have had a sigh of relief"

"Millions"??

/*

Apologies for the "transaction" typo in previous articles.

See Also

• PayPal India Service Hold Explained: 'We Don't Need No Stinking License'
• The PayPal India Suspended Transaction Services and Farhad Irani
• The PayPal India Transaction Holdup Continues
  
• The PayPal India Transaction Holdup

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"I never said it. Honest" ... "For a while, out of childish pique, I wouldn't utter the phrase, even when asked to.  But I've gotten over that.  So, for the record, here it goes: 'Billions and billions.'"
Carl Sagan

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Resuming local bank withdrawals to India

---

Hi. It is Farhad Irani again with a progress update. We have been diligently working with the RBI and our business partners to resume Indian bank withdrawals for the thousands of Indian businesses who use PayPal to sell their goods or services in the global marketplace.

I’m pleased to tell you that the RBI has now allowed us to resume bank withdrawals for settlements for exports of goods and services. We are currently making changes to comply with Indian regulations for settlements for exports of goods and services, and we anticipate that as of Wednesday, March 3rd, we will be able to resume the bank withdrawal service. As part of the changes, you will be required to fill out a new field entitled ‘Export Code’ when you request a withdrawal. This information is required under the current laws of India in order to identify the nature of cross-border merchant transactions. On Monday, March 1st, we will be back in touch with specific instructions on how you can move your money into your bank account. I will be posting another blog then.

I’d like to thank the RBI for working with us to get this addressed. We know this is an inconvenience to you and we appreciate your patience.

Moving forward, the RBI has told us that PayPal needs specific approvals to allow personal inward remittances to India, which we currently do not have. Until we get these approvals, personal payments into India will remain suspended. However, if you are an exporter, you will continue to be able to use the PayPal service for payments of goods and services. In fact, with the changes we are making to our system, PayPal is now set to be a more powerful engine for exporters in India. With purpose codes for export transactions and FIRCs (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates), you should now be able to get the export related benefits you seek.

We know the past few weeks have been difficult and I would like to assure you that we have been working tirelessly to resolve the situation and restore our service. PayPal’s highest priority is to always ensure we comply with all applicable regulations everywhere we do business around the world.

Going forward, you can expect the same reliability from PayPal that you have enjoyed for all these years. I would like to thank you all for sticking with us and assure you of our best services going forward.

Farhad

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Aloha Bonanzle ... PayPal Is Your Friend

Aloha Bonanzle ... PayPal Is Your Friend
25 January 2010 
Amended Edition ^[1]
EventHorizon1984

Blog articles originating here are a collective effort wired together by one editor (or an alternate).  When the editor is pre-occupied, uninspired, lazy, etal, there is no post.

When the "look into this" started piling up, the editor though 'they' could get away with posting a comment on a better read blog, Red Ink Diary, and get back to lazing on the computer.

'They' were wrong.

So ... A Looo Haaa Bonanzle Forum and the eBay Answer Forum.  The Collective has notice the surge in article hits, and the editor has been carpet bombed with figurative wadded up paper.

{sigh}

If you've been around eBay long enough, you're aware that somewhere in the bowels of lower peon management, hopefully it's that level and not higher, they engage in the philosophy of 'throw spagetti at the wall and see what sticks'.  That is test a bunch of ideas on the live production system, and gauge the customer reaction and/or the public reaction.

The applicable eBay buzz term is 'applied to a small number.'

Is the "$20,000.00" figure a test applied to a small number of sellers?  Is this a case of eBay disinformation, or 'loose lips' leaks, or one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, or just a really bad idea?  

Or a mistake?

 

Ultimately PayPal users will find out before the end of 2010 what was fact and what was fiction.

In the meantime since "Monroe Labouisse, director of PayPal's business on eBay in the US and Canada" stated on the record that PayPal holds occur on "less than 5% of transactions," that still leaves sellers with a 1 in 20 chance of winning the PayPal hold lottery. 

And should you notice PayPal doing something interesting, write a letter to Auctionbytes.  With AuctionBytes pulling in a half a million visitors a month, it's amazing what a little noise can do to reverse a policy.  Or a mistake.

But it begs the question, why should there be a new PayPal/eBay focus on holds and what changed?

Our previous article covered a bit.  Here we'll add a bit more, plus throw in a scenario.

Nora posted eBay's "Funds Payable" ("Funds payable and amounts due to customers'") numbers for the years 2003 to 2009, in the comment section of the AuctionBytes article "eBay Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results."  You can verify these numbers by viewing eBay's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 8-K filings.

After reading various eBay SEC filings some numbers stood out, and we left a comment on Red Ink Diary article "Through the Smoke, Flames".

Part of the comment reads:

"There’s a line item for “Net Total Payment Volume”, which is defined as “Total dollar volume of payments, net of payment reversals, successfully completed through our payments network or on Bill Me Later accounts during the quarter, excluding the payment gateway business.”

Here’s what happens when you put both numbers together.

            Funds Payable ($)    Net Total Payment Volume ($)    FP% of NTPV
2003      106,568,000         3,711,000,000        2.9%
2004      331,805,000         5,607,000,000        5.9%
2005      586,651,000         8,114,000,000        7.2%
2006    1,159,952,000        11,004,000,000       10.5%
2007    1,513,578,000        14,044,000,000       10.8%
2008    1,467,962,000        15,988,000,000        9.2%
2009    2,157,945,000        21,366,000,000       10.1%

The "Funds Payable" and "Net Total Payment Volume" (nTPV) are the totals for the year, that eBay reported to the SEC.  The nTPV represents PayPal transactions through eBay.

Well we mucked up the figures in that post.  Demonstrating don't be lazy and post numbers on the fly.  The nTPV posted was for the 4th quarter of the year, not the year total.  

While the correct numbers were being looked up, we decided to add in the amount represented by the line item "Transaction loss rate".  The "Transaction rates" line item has the notation "Transaction rates represent the ratio of Payments net transaction revenues (including the payment gateway business and Bill Me Later), Payments third-party processing expenses, and Payments fraud and protection program losses relative to net total payment volume."  The column "Transaction Losses" represents the total "Payments fraud and protection program losses" for the year.  Below are the correct amounts.

            Funds Payable     Net Total Payment Volume    FP% of nTPV    Transaction Losses
2003     $106,568,000     $12,226,000,000        0.87%         $36,234,000
2004     $331,805,000     $18,915,000,000        1.75%         $50,125,000
2005     $586,651,000     $27,485,000,000        2.13%         $73,771,000
2006   $1,159,952,000     $37.752,000,000        3.07%        $126,388,000
2007   $1,513,578,000     $47,470,000,000        3.19%        $139,067,000
2008   $1,467,962,000     $60,147,000,000        2.44%        $170,627,000
2009   $2,157,945,000     $71,616,000,000        3.01%        $181,467,000

Looking at this table, the why PayPal holds take place makes a horrid sense.  It may really be that the holds are less for the interest generated, and more to do with what PayPal (and eBay) is obligated to do under it's Merchant Account agreement.  As commented:

"Have to wonder if all or part of that “Funds Payable” represents the reserve eBay’s credit card processor (Wells Fargo) requires to make “the marketplace safer for buyers and sellers.”."

Amounts held can come from either the cash coffers of eBay ($3.999 billion), or from the businesses that accept PayPal transactions.  If you are eBay/PayPal, guess who's cash you don't want held?

And consider eBay CEO John Donahoe's push to get more eBay sellers to use PayPal.  This may be less about forcing PayPal upon every seller, and more about spreading the amount held among more sellers.  For example if eBay could double the number of PayPal users, the average amount and percentage held per seller would be smaller.  This is good Public Relations because fewer people would notice PayPal holds.

Then too consider the increase in PayPal seller holds beginning in the spring of 2009.  Notice the increase from 2.44% to 3.01%?  It's a small change, but we're dealing with large amounts.

Suppose the change from 2.44% to 3.01% represented PayPal's new required (Wells Fargo?) reserve.  For $71 billion that represented an additional $410 million (hope we got the sums right) that PayPal/eBay can't touch.  If you are eBay/PayPal, guess where you get that $410 million?

Finally we leave you with the probably improbable but you never know nightmare scenario for PayPal sellers. 

Some unlucky PayPal users were being assessed a 20% hold on funds in early 2009, versus "10% being the norm."  With PayPal/eBay's unchanging fraud rate and money being tight, what happens if PayPal/eBay is required to keep "the norm", as PayPal put it "10%"?  In 2009 terms that's $7.1 billion, versus $2.1 billion.  Where do you think the money is going to come from?

Then again this is unlikely to happen because a 10% reserve is high and PayPal is your friend.  Beer anyone?

See also

• PayPal Holds "It's All Heresay"
• The eBay PayPal 10% Hold Solution
• The eBay PayPal 5% Hold Solution
• The eBay PayPal 20% Hold Solution
• eBay Seller Forum: New PayPal 60-Day Payment Holding
• TameBay: PayPal reserves: here's what's really happening
• Red Ink Diary: PayPal Rolling Reserves - Straight Talk
• TheBrewsNews:  The Keys To Surviving The PayPal 21-Day Hold Policy

[1]  Never press 'publish' and walk away for the night, when you mean to press 'save draft'.

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"The Visitors came here to suck us dry, and when they're finished with this planet, they're gonna take it like an empty beer can and toss it over their shoulder."
Ham Tyler, V: The Final Battle (1984)

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2010 The Year Everything Changed

2010 The Year Everything Changed
28 December 2009
EventHorizon1984

Toward the end of the year 1984 there was a memorable scene in a movie that ended shortly after HAL 9000 forwarded the message to Dr. Heywood Floyd, "It is important that you believe me.  Look behind you.".  The changing facial expression and slow steady movement of Roy Scheider (Dr. Floyd) was as memorable and priceless as another scene which ended with "You're going to need a bigger boat."

An interesting portrayal of alarm, apprehension, surprise, and wonder.  All happening while moving forward in time, but looking back.

Here near the end of the year 2009, humans do a similar performance.  In the race toward the New Year we see the hopeful possibilities and the horrific ones, and at the same time look back over the year soon to be gone.

While this little parable is aimed at the 'small' sellers on Amazon, eBay, eCRATER, and other notable venues, this is applicable to anyone.

There was a dramatic pause in the 2010 and Jaws scenes, and a certain amount of fear involved with Roy Scheider's characters.  But he didn't freeze.  When the momentous occurred, he moved.  Perhaps slowly and methodically, and with much uncertainty, but he moved.

Too often we look over the recent past and possible futures, and freeze into inaction.  Past and future dread taking hold, and bringing forward progress to a stand still.

Don't let that happen. 

Easy to say and hard to do.  Of course.  But do you really want to be remembered as 2009 road kill?

Our take on this yearly event?  If you have any sense of grammar, you'll note the tense of the title.  It's written as though 2010 was a past event.

The year 2010 will be known as memorable.

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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1859)

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A Tale of Two Cross Promotions, Google and eBay

A Tale of Two Cross Promotions, Google and eBay
19 November 2009
EventHorizon1984

Apologies for the advertisements that were appearing on this blog.  They have been changed.

Don't know how other bloggers view their sites, but here it's rare taking a look at our own site.  Typically the self viewing in the mirror occurs when format changes are being made, or we're checking the links of specific articles.  Otherwise writers here work from the editing pages.

Yesterday viewing the blog, it came as a shock that we had been transformed into a mature audiences site.  The artificial intelligence of Google AdSense decided our 'racy' writing needed suitable 'racy' ads.

Fortunately this is easy to fix.

https://www.google.com/adsense/site-targeted-ad-review

Click categories not wanted and save.

While the Google AdSense promotions are relatively easy to change, the same can't be said of eBay's cross promotions.

When you go to the eBay page "Promote your items on other pages" the choices are simple.

Select "Yes" and "Your items will be shown on pages and emails that are seen by thousands of interested buyers" and "Similar items from other sellers will also be displayed with your other items on your pages".

Select "No" and "Items from other sellers will not be displayed on your listings and emails related to your items."

That should keep the items of other sellers off your own pages right?

Not really.

As noted in our previous article, eBay "Promises, Promises", that changed over the last few days to having no ability to keep out the listings of other sellers.

16 November 2009, 1:28 PM PST

"Starting tomorrow, November 17, you may begin to see merchandise on the bottom of item pages for active listings as well. While we usually refrain from making changes close to the holiday season, the test results showed a considerable increase in sold items, and  we wanted to offer this functionality to our selling community ASAP."

Contrary to what eBay corporate might think about the stealth of these changes, sellers noticed.

18 November 2009, 14:00:55

eBay Seller Unable to Opt-out of Cross Merchandising

"In spite of the fact that I have ALWAYS opted out of cross-promotions on my ebay listings, deceptive ebay still cross-promotes to my buyers (but hides from me) my competitor's similar items on the bottom of MY listings that I am paying for!"

One might think having no choice is all an eBay seller can expect.  Well, there is one other facet of having other seller items on a listing.  Remember our first tale of an awry cross promotion?  When we found out what was happening, we were able to chose what to show our viewers.

There is no similar option on eBay.

Whether an eBay seller opted-in or opted-out of cross promotions, eBay chooses what cross promotions appear on the seller's page.

On the eBay Store discussion forum thread "More proof ebay is INSANE!" Top-rated seller honeville1 presented the case of seller wgeclectics and listing 260499558152. 

The listing is for a "paperback" suitable for "Ages 4-8".  This product would be found by adults searching for children's items.

(Listing captured 18 November 2009 at 11:40 HST)

Anyone finding this listing would get a bonus supplied by eBay. 

(Listing captured 18 November 2009 at 11:40 HST)

For a limited time one could buy a children's paperback and "Complete '64 Collection Playboy".

eBay makes it clear who's responsible for the eBay inserted cross promoted items by including, "Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing."

With eBay making a "small" number of cross promotion insertions in a random fashion, as an eBay seller will you be the next winner of eBay roulette?

And is this what you want?

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"I'm going to give the audience what 'I' think they want."
Ben Richards, The Running Man (1987)

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World_Securities eBay Match Ups

http://www.ebaymatchups.com/profile/world_securities

                                                                                                                                 

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Samus Aran {Metroid} World Horror Federation (WHF) Special Guest Match! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Metroid *] Galactic Federation Samus Aran hunter of alien space pirates Samus didn't fall for the 'hot coffee in the center of the massive starship' ruse. But we made the mistake of mentioning Master Chief. Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. Master Chief SPARTAN-117 [Halo] http://www.ebaymatchups.com/matchup/view/ori-warship-stargate-sg-1-vs-master-chief-spartan-117-halo-_198288 Whoa!!! MELEE! Submitted by world_securities | 20 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 9 votes   Samus Aran {Metroid} 10 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Necromonger Fleet [Chronicles of Riddick] World Horror Federation (WHF) Cover Your Eyes Time Match! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Frenzy and frolic, Strictly symbolic, Something for everyone: A comedy tonight! Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [The Chronicles of Riddick] Necromonger Fleet "In normal times, evil would be fought by good. But in times like these, well, it should be fought by another kind of evil." Aereon Something was playing havoc with the Fleet sensors. No matter, one odd shapped ship faced Adria's command ship. "Submit to the will of the Ori." Ori Prior The main view screen showed someone seated. A dark brooding humanoid. And then the sensors cleared. Suddenly the view shifted outside to the two warships. Then continued to pull back to show the Ori Fleet. And pulled back to show Necromonger warships in the background. And continued to pull back to show the Ori Fleet afloat in a sea of black warships. 'You. And what army?" Necromonger Riddick Submitted by world_securities | 20 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 9 votes   Necromonger Fleet [Chronicles of Riddick] 9 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Oni Invasion Fleet {Urusei Yatsura} World Horror Federation (WHF) Cover Your Eyes Time Match! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Something erratic, Something dramatic, Something for everyone: A comedy tonight! Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [Urusei Yatsura] Oni Earth Invasion Force MISTER Invader commanding Some Dads will do anything for their daughter. And if Lum loves this miserable dirt ball and the weird population on it, Daddy will keep it safe. Daddy and the Oni Fleet that is. BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 20 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 11 votes   Oni Invasion Fleet {Urusei Yatsura} 5 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Alien World Horror Federation (WHF) Cover Your Eyes Time Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Something convulsive, Something repulsive, Something for everyone: A comedy tonight! One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Alien, Alien 2, Alien 3, Alien 4, Alien vs Predator] Alien lifeform The Ori troopers marched prisoners from the desolate research facility. The prisoners were thirsty and hungry, and had a haunted look to them. This did not last very long ... hsssss Submitted by world_securities | 20 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 5 votes   Alien 9 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Psi Corp Command Ship {Babylon 5} World Horror Federation (WHF) Cover Your Eyes Time Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Something appealing, something appalling Something for everyone: a comedy tonight One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Babylon 5] Psi Corp Command Ship 600 meters Alfred Bester onboard 'I know what you're thinking' Bester "Submit to the will of the Ori." Ori Prior 'I know that you know that I know what you're thinking.' "Just how stupid do you think I am?" Bester Brain Freeze. FIGHT! Submitted by world_securities | 20 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 4 votes   Psi Corp Command Ship {Babylon 5} 10 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Stitch {Lilo & Stitch} World Horror Federation (WHF) Cover Your Eyes Time Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Something familiar, something peculiar Something for everyone: a comedy tonight One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Lilo & Stitch] Stitch "Monstrosity? What you see before you is the first of a new species. I call it Experiment 626. He is fire-proof, bullet-proof, and can think faster than super computer. He can see in the dark, and lift objects three thousand times his size. His only instinct... to destroy everything he touches!" Jumba Oh the horror.......... Submitted by world_securities | 20 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 4 votes   Stitch {Lilo & Stitch} 10 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Kratos {God of War II} World Horror Federation (WHF) Special Guest Match! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [God of War, God of War II] Kratos, God of War "Mangy beasts! I shall send you BACK to the depths of Hades! " BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 21 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   Kratos {God of War II} 10 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Kanamits {Damon Knight} World Horror Federation (WHF) Horror Match! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. But there are places you should never go ... Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: "You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone!" "Respectfully submitted for your perusal --- a Kanamit. Height: a little over nine feet. Weight: in the neighborhood of three hundred and fifty pounds. Origin: unknown. Motives? Therein hangs the tale, for in just a moment we're going to ask you to shake hands, figuratively, with a Christopher Columbus from another galaxy and another time. This is the Twilight Zone." The Ori Fleet bombarded Earth.  Actually bombarded the planetary shield, to no effect. Adria considered her options when she heard a gentle voice in her mind. 'Welcome.' [To Serve Man, Damon Knight] [To Serve Man, Twilight Zone, Rod Serling] Kanamits "The evolution of man, the cycle of going from dust to dessert, the metamorphosis from being the ruler of a planet to an ingredient in someone's soup. It's tonight's bill of fare on The Twilight Zone." Rod Serling Submitted by world_securities | 21 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 11 votes   Kanamits {Damon Knight} 8 votes

vs Ori Warship with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Cthulhu {H.P. Lovecraft} World Horror Federation (WHF) Horror Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. In the Stargate universe there exist alternate realities. But there are places you should never go ... One Ori Warship, with Orici Adria, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: "That's a signpost up ahead. Your next stop, The Twilight Zone." [The Call of Cthulhu, H.P. Lovecraft] Cthulhu There was something wrong with this Earth. No satellites in orbit, no EM output, no brightly lit cities. Save one undefined power source. On closer inspection this appeared to be a civilization a century younger. Curiosity sparked in Adria, as she ordered a landing. Streams of people greeted the Ori. 'Save us!' 'Help us!' Then the ground shook. A mountain walked or stumbled toward the starship. The sight of It drove some humans and Ori troops mad. The Great Old One had arrived to claim it's followers. And new followers. ...... who you gonna call? ...... Submitted by world_securities | 21 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 15 votes   Cthulhu {H.P. Lovecraft} 5 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Dawn of the Dead {2004, George Romero} World Horror Federation (WHF) Horror Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. In the Stargate universe there exist alternate realities. But there are places you should never go ... One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: "That's a signpost up ahead. Your next stop, The Twilight Zone." Earth appeared devastated. Ground forces quickly removed pockets of resistance, suffering only minor injuries. Bites mostly. The 'why a deserted Earth' concerned the Prior. 'We will search this system, rock by rock, until we find these Terrans.' "Brains!" Submitted by world_securities | 21 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 7 votes   Dawn of the Dead {2004, George Romero} 14 votes

                                                                                                                       

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. The Thing {John Campbell} World Horror Federation (WHF) Horror Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. In the Stargate universe there exist alternate realities. But there are places you should never go ... One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: "That's a signpost up ahead. Your next stop The Twilight Zone." The Ori Warship reduced the surface of the defenseless Earth to ash. The Prior ordered a landing in the area where the Ancient weapon was supposed to be. Nothing was found. Only the charred remains of a human research station. Perhaps the secrets of the Ancients remained locked in the frozen corpses. Bodies were ordered dug out of the ice, and stored for future study. NoThing at all. Submitted by world_securities | 21 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   The Thing {John Campbell} 10 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Freddy Krueger {Nightmare On Elm Street} World Horror Federation (WHF) Horror Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. In the Stargate universe there exist alternate realities. But there are places you should never go ... One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: "That's a signpost up ahead. Your next stop The Twilight Zone." [A Nightmare on Elm Street] [Freddy vs Jason] Freddy Krueger The Ori Warship reduced the surface of the defenseless Earth to ash. But despite the total victory, the crew was restless. And having sleeping problems. "I'm Back." Freddy Krueger Sleep well Ori. Submitted by world_securities | 21 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   Freddy Krueger {Nightmare On Elm Street} 10 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Hammer's Slammers {David Drake} World Horror Federation (WHF) Special Guest Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [David Drake] Hammer's Slammers Regimental HQ Planet The jump had gone badly, and it took all the skill of the crew to barely land the Ori Warship. The Ori Prior had shown little concern; the world was inhabitable and inhabited. 'This planet will submit to the will of the Ori.' Ori Prior. 'Convert the natives Commander Platt.' 'It's covered from orbit.' Major Joachim Steuben 'They cannot leave.' Colonel Alois Hammer read the reports, 'Teeps' 'Our assets will cover.' 'Piss in My backyard.' BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 22 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 13 votes   Hammer's Slammers {David Drake} 19 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Draconia {Buck Rogers} World Horror Federation (WHF) One-On-One Match! One Ori Warship, 700 meter by 400 meters of war machine. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Buck Rogers in the 25th Century] Draconia Onboard, Princess Ardala and Kane The new Draconia is once again headed toward Earth, when a ship appears on it's stern. "Submit to the will of the Ori" Ori Prior. 'He is cute. In an undead way.' Princess Ardala 'As you say Princess.' says Kane, followed by silence. 'You're waiting for orders. Oh very well. Launch the fighters. Fire the cannons. We have an important appointment with Earth. Don't take too long.' Princess Ardala BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 22 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 17 votes   Draconia {Buck Rogers} 39 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. NSEA Protector {Galaxy Quest} World Horror Federation (WHF) One-On-One Match! One Ori Warship, 700 meter by 400 meters of war machine. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [The New Adventures of Galaxy Quest] NSEA Protector 488 meters long Original Cast "Submit to the will of the Ori" Ori Prior. 'Submit?' Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, "Never give up. Never surrender." BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 22 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 20 votes   NSEA Protector {Galaxy Quest} 65 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Galaxy Police Patrol Ship [Tenchi Muyo!] World Horror Federation (WHF) One-On-One Match! One Ori Warship, 700 meter by 400 meters of war machine. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Tenchi Muyo!] Galaxy Police Patrol Ship Pilot: Mihoshi Another routine patrol of Earth sector for Detective Mihoshi. zzzzz zzzzz zzzzz An alarm sounds. 'huh? what?' 'Unknown warship to port.' Yukinojo 'Oh. Unknown ship you are trespassing in restricted space. ah please identify. please.' "Submit to the will of the Ori" Ori Prior. Mihoshi rapidly looking through manual. 'You're Under Arrest. Pull over to the nearest planetoid and have your papers ready.' Mihoshi dum da dum dum dum da dum dum dummmm .... Submitted by world_securities | 22 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 5 votes   Galaxy Police Patrol Ship [Tenchi Muyo!] 9 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Super Star Destroyer Executor, Darth Vader World Horror Federation (WHF) Invasion DeathMatch! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet of thousands toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: the Deathmatch sequel: The Empire Strikes Back A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away ... [Star Wars] Super Star Destroyer Executor 17,484 meters long Darth Vader onboard "I have been expecting you." Darth Vader BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 23 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 7 votes   Super Star Destroyer Executor, Darth Vader 12 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. SDF-1 {Macross} World Horror Federation (WHF) Invasion DeathMatch! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [The Super Dimension Fortress Macross] SDF-1 Described as "city-sized" Do we really need to spell out the welcome an alien invasion fleet headed to Earth would expect? BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 23 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 9 votes   SDF-1 {Macross} 6 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Solonoid 38th Space Fleet {Gallforce} World Horror Federation (WHF) Invasion DeathMatch! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [Gallforce] Solonoid 38th Space Fleet Guest Star: Lufy (1st female to play Starbuck) The mission of the Solonoid 38th Space Fleet is the defense of Chaos. At all cost. The fleet is armed with planet busters. Their mission is not diplomacy, and keeping Terra intact is a bonus. BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 23 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 10 votes   Solonoid 38th Space Fleet {Gallforce} 10 votes

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Deep Space Nine, Kira Nerys Command World Horror Federation (WHF) Invasion DeathMatch! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [Star Trek: Deep Space Nine] Deep Space Nine 1,452 meters in diameter Colonel Kira Nerys in command "Diplomats! The best diplomat I know is a fully activated phaser bank." 'You tell them Commander.' Kira Uncomfortable in full dress uniform, Kira was reviewing Federation diplomacy records and found the buried quote. 'Would solve many problems Nerys.' Odo 'Followed by the lengthy talking phase and fake smiles. Can't win.' Kira's quarters comm whistled. 'Colonel, Chancellor Martok is waiting in your office.' While Kira rushed into the meeting, Odo appeared calm and seemed to glide into the room. Sela, Special Envoy to the Praetor, deftly glowered in. 'Prophets help me.' thought Kira The Star Fleet Diplomatic Section arranged for a commemoration of the end to hostilities, formally known as the Dominion War. All sides were to be represented. Then as a matter of Honor, the Klingons insisted that the fleet responsible for the final invasion be at the ceremony. Ever the tense ally, the Praetor insisted that His invasion fleet also be represented. With much humor Odo lead the Dominion, with Jem'Hadar and Cardassia well represented. Seeing the possibilities in the assembled powder keg, Star Fleet opted to hold the ceremony at Deep Space Nine. As far as possible from everyone. And send one starship; Souvereign class Bozeman-C, under command of Captain Morgan Bateson. Dropping out of warp, and late again, Captain Bateson viewed the lights of the starships surrounding DS9. 'About time Morgan' Kira Before he could respond, the Ori fleet appears before him. And all around him. Blotting out whole sections of background stars. Soon knowing about this, the assembled in the meeting room stood. Save one. Before they could speak, the sound of Odo clearing his throat could be heard. 'I know what you're thinking. But we're all intelligent people with excellent Intelligence services.' sardonically, 'Know Anyone with this many ships?' As though reading a script, 'First Contact' Kira. Over the Comm, 'This is Kira Nerys of Deep Space Nine. Welcome.' "Submit to the will of the Ori" Ori Prior. 'Pardon me?' Kira 'Opposition to the Ori is hopeless. Do not struggle against the inevitable.' Adria 'What does the book say now Colonel?' Odo. 'We have weapons fire.' Captain Bateson 'And it's not us.' BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 23 days ago | 0 comments Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 8 votes   Deep Space Nine, Kira Nerys Command 6 votes

                                                                                                                         

vs Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] vs. Babylon 5, Commander Susan Ivanova World Horror Federation (WHF) Invasion DeathMatch! An Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of unstoppable power in the Stargate reality. This time Adria commands the Ori Milky Way invasion fleet. In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. Bypassing the Super Gate, Adria has found a shortcut that will lead the massive battle fleet toward Earth. The Ori jump into an alternate reality and face: [Babylon 5] Babylon 5 8,454 meters long Mobilized Combined Shadow War Fleet CMDR Susan Ivanova in charge Even given the Shadow War situation, Commander Ivanova is having a typical bad day. "You are sitting at *my* station using *my* equipment. Is there a reason for this, or, to save time, should I just snap your hands off at the wrists??" Susan Various hairs stand at full attention on Ivanova. "Do you hear that? It knows our names." Susan "Commander we have company." The Ori fleet appears in the view from the command deck. Blotting out whole sections of background stars. Seeing and feeling the Ori presence, “I can only conclude that I'm paying off karma at a vastly accelerated rate.” Susan "Submit to the will of the Ori" Ori Prior. "I appreciate your response. . . and I fully understand." Susan with sarcasm, "if you go into this, you'd only get hurt." "We thwarted all efforts against us. Crippled your fleet. Met with little if any resistance on the worlds that we redeemed. Opposition to the Ori is clearly hopeless, but you continue to struggle against the inevitable." Adria "Crippled?? Excuse me?" Ivanova looks literally behind her. "Our gun arrays are now fixed on your ships and will fire the instant you come into range. You will find their power quite impressive... for a few seconds." 'And Who are you that dares interrupt our Orici?' Ori Prior. Ivanova's inner voice tells her something. Or perhaps it's the Vorlons. Doesn't matter, there are no choices here. "Who am I?! I am Susan Ivanova. Commander. Daughter of Andrei and Sophie Ivanov. I am right hand of vengeance and the boot that is going to kick your sorry ass all the way back to " 'whatever hell you spawned from.' "I am death incarnate and the last living thing that you are every going to see. God sent me." {end transmission} 'You should have had your morning coffee first, Commander.' "Well, who wants to live forever..." Commander Ivanova BATTLE! .......... and did we mention the dead world in the distance is not completely dead .......... Submitted by world_securities | 23 days ago | 1 comment Ori Fleet, Adria Command [Stargate SG-1] 3 votes   Babylon 5, Commander Susan Ivanova 12 votes

vs Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] vs. Predator Huntship {Dark Horse Comics} World Horror Federation (WHF) Special Guest Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Predator, Dark Horse Comics] Predator Huntship Crew: Seasoned Hunters The Ori Prior felt joy in finding Earth free of Ancient weapons. He did not notice the cloaked ship lampreyed to the Ori Warship. Did we tell you that Predators hate poachers? MELEE! Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship [Stargate SG-1] 3 votes   Predator Huntship {Dark Horse Comics} 16 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Samurai 7 {story by Akira Kurosawa} World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Samurai 7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai_7 {postulating they survived the battle, but not The Battle} Kambei, Katsushiro, Kikuchiyo, Gorobei, Kyuzo, Shichiroji, Heihachi Planetary bombardment was a failure. 'Orici. We do not know why all weapons fire glances off the surface and returns to the firing warship." Ori Prior 'Yes we do know. Land the fleet. This will be a ground action.' Adria. Looking skyward, "You're overestimating me. I'm not a man with any special skill, but I've had plenty of experience in battles; losing battles, all of them." Kambei Shimada BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 10 votes   Samurai 7 {story by Akira Kurosawa} 11 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. TARDIS with The Master {Doctor Who} World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Doctor Who] TARDIS, functioning The Master onboard Adria peered intently at the tiny lifepod sitting in the hangar bay. Almost blurred, and yet ... It opened and a humanoid strode out. "Thank you for the timely rescue. I am The Master. How may I serve you?" ?? Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 2 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 7 votes   TARDIS with The Master {Doctor Who} 13 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Andromeda Ascendant with Dylan Hunt World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Andromeda] Andromeda Ascendant 1,301 meters long Crew: New Systems Commonwealth Command Crew: Beka Valentine, Tyr Anasazi, Telemachus Rhade, Seamus Harper, Trance Gemini, Andromeda/Rommie Commanded by Captain Dylan Hunt Listening intently through an earpiece. "... are you here to join the Systems Commonwealth ..." Captain Hunt Ori fleet fires on Andromeda. "Definitely not the joining type. Beka." Captain Hunt "Wiggling Dylan." Beka Valentine BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   Andromeda Ascendant with Dylan Hunt 9 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Borg Cube with Queen {Star Trek} World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Star Trek] Borg Cube 3,040 meters Borg Queen in command "We thwarted all efforts against us. Met with little if any resistance on the worlds that we redeemed. Opposition to the Ori is clearly hopeless." Adria "Brave words. I've heard them before, from thousands of species across thousands of worlds, since long before you were created. But, now they are all Borg." Borg Queen "We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile." Borg drone BATTLE!? Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 5 votes   Borg Cube with Queen {Star Trek} 11 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Peacekeeper Command Carrier with Scorpius World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Farscape] Peacekeeper Command Carrier 5,300 meters Commanded by Scorpius "Earth?? Why would you want that piece of dirt?" Scorpius "Now your wormhold technology, that would have some small value." Scorpius smiles. BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   Peacekeeper Command Carrier with Scorpius 9 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Imperial Star Destroyer with Darth Vader World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Star Wars] Imperial Star Destroyer 1,600 meters long Darth Vader onboard "Join us." Darth Vader "We thwarted all efforts against us. Met with little if any resistance on the worlds that we redeemed. Opposition to the Ori is clearly hopeless." Adria Diplomacy is one of the Sith Lord's strong points. Not! BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   Imperial Star Destroyer with Darth Vader 14 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] vs. Vorlon Heavy Cruiser [Babylon 5] World Horror Federation (WHF) Celebrity DeathMatch! A fleet of five Ori Warships. 700 meter by 400 meters of power. Adria commands this battle fleet, and is unstoppable In the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The Orici heads toward Earth, and accidentally jumps to an alternate reality, facing: [Babylon 5] Vorlon Heavy Cruiser 1,330 meters long Ambassador Kosh onboard We are told there is conversation between the two major participants; requiring a telepath to overhear. The talk is at an end. BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 24 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 with Adria [Stargate SG-1] 10 votes   Vorlon Heavy Cruiser [Babylon 5] 7 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. Tsunami {Tenchi Muyo!} World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Tenchi Muyo!] Tsunami The Ori fleet finds a delicate flower looking Tsunami floating in Earth orbit. 'Sub ...' Lead Ori Prior 'LEAVE.' Tsunami BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 5 votes   Tsunami {Tenchi Muyo!} 13 votes

                                                                                 
                                                   

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. Dalek Ship {Doctor Who} World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces someone more annoying: [Doctor Who] Dalek Ship "Submit to the Will of the Ori' Lead Ori Prior "We obey no-one. We are the superior beings!" Dalek Leader FIGHT! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 9 votes   Dalek Ship {Doctor Who} 8 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. UPSF Soyokaze {Captain Tylor} World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Irresponsible Captain Tylor] UPSF Soyokaze Commanded by Lt. Commander Justy Tylor ... this is as unfair as it can get ... BATTLE! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 4 votes   UPSF Soyokaze {Captain Tylor} 14 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. Lexx World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: The Ori demanded we cut them a 'break'. This will be a defensive battle. Lexx 10,000 meters long Crew assets: Lexx, Kai, Lyekka, Zev Crew liabilities: Stanley Tweedle, 790 "??" Lead Ori Prior "I am the Lexx. I am the most powerful weapon of destruction in the two unverses." "Submit to the will of the Ori or Die" Lead Ori Prior "I killed mothers and their babies. I've killed great philosophers, proud young warriors, and revolutionaries. I've killed the evil, the good, the intelligent, the weak, and the beautiful. I have done this in the service of His Divine Shadow and his predecessora, and I have never once shown any mercy." Kai RUN! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 6 votes   Lexx 10 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. Doomsday Machine {Star Trek} World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Star Trek] The Doomsday Machine 2,700 meters long The Lead Ori Prior is not amused when the fleet drops into a planetary system that is not Earth. Ah, but there is a navigation beacon transmitting in Terran. =L374= 'Stupid humans leaving their droppings in our universe.' Lead Prior Then something appears on their scanners. Headed into the system. Something very large that is changing course toward the Ori fleet. RUN! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 5 votes   Doomsday Machine {Star Trek} 10 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. Space Battleship Yamato World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Space Battleship Yamato] Argo aka Yamato 263 meters long Fresh out of mothballs and in Earth orbit.. And may we add, trigger happy. 'Submit to the will of the Ori' /in the background the sound of something VERY LARGE swiveling/ FIGHT! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 2 comments Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 3 votes   Space Battleship Yamato 14 votes

vs Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] vs. The Shadows {Babylon 5} World Horror Federation (WHF) Five-on-One DeathMatch! The Ori battled Earth, and demanded the new standard of five Ori Warship, each 700 meter by 400 meters of powered assault. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. And now 5-to-1 odds. But as LTCOL Carter reaffirmed, in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. The five Ori Warship battle fleet headed toward Earth, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Babylon 5] 'The Shadows' 1,500 meters Out in the middle of nowhere, one Shadow attack vessel is found lurking near a dead world. Think fast Priors. Given enough time Shadows swarm. FIGHT! Submitted by world_securities | 25 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x5 [Stargate SG-1] 4 votes   The Shadows {Babylon 5} 11 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. Master Chief SPARTAN-117 [Halo] World Horror Federation (WHF) Special Guest Match! The Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of total destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Halo *] 1 Drop Capsule Contents: Master Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN-117 Master Chief finds himself freshly awakened from cold sleep, and stuffed into a drop capsule.  We've told him his coffee is in the heart of the Ori Warship. He is grouchy, FULLY ARMED, and needs his coffee. MELEE! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 10 votes   Master Chief SPARTAN-117 [Halo] 10 votes

vs Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) vs. Ryo-Ohki [Tenchi Muyo] World Horror Federation (WHF) Duo Match! The Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of massive destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. At the end of Stargate SG-1 season nine there were 3 of them. Orici in command of one, Ori Priors in command of the remaining two. There are alternate realities in the Stargate universe. Two Ori Warship, without Orici, on a routine meeting accidentally jump to an alternate reality and face: [Tenchi Muyo!] Ryo-Ohki Piloted by Space Pirate Ryoko "A Pirate's Life For Me." When does a Space Pirate need an excuse to raid? PILAGE! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) 4 votes   Ryo-Ohki [Tenchi Muyo] 15 votes

vs Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) vs. Battleship Arcadia [Captain Harlock] World Horror Federation (WHF) Duo Match! The Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of massive destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. At the end of Stargate SG-1 season nine there were 3 of them. Orici in command of one, Ori Priors in command of the remaining two. There are alternate realities in the Stargate universe. Two Ori Warship, without Orici, on a routine meeting accidentally jump to an alternate reality and face: [Captain Harlock] Battleship Arcadia 400 meters long Commanded by Captain Harlock We'd think up a nice scenario here, but when does a Space Pirate need an excuse to raid? FIGHT! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) 4 votes   Battleship Arcadia [Captain Harlock] 17 votes

vs Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) vs. Excalibur [Crusade] World Horror Federation (WHF) Duo Match! The Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of massive destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. At the end of Stargate SG-1 season nine there were 3 of them. Orici in command of one, Ori Priors in command of the remaining two. There are alternate realities in the Stargate universe. Two Ori Warship, without Orici, on a routine meeting accidentally jump to an alternate reality and face: [Crusade] Excalibur 2,990 meters long Commanded by Captain Matthew Gideon 'Doctor Chambers. You are absolutely sure?' Captain Gideon over comm, on bridge. 'Are you an idiot? Captain. We have the cure.' Max Eilerson 'The device is rapidly manufacturing the 'vaccine'.' Dr. Chambers 'I know. We can't replicate the device. Lieutenant, max speed to the jump point' Captain Gideon. 'Captain, incoming ships. Definitely not friendly.' Lt. Matheson 'TP??' Gideon 'Sir, I', before Matheson can finish the remark, 2 Ori Warships drop into normal space, and Captain Gideon momentarily  winces. The Ori sit between Excalibur and the jump point. 'Submit to the will of the Ori or Die' Lead Ori Proctor 'They are flooding the comm channels and overlaying telepathic messages.' Galen. "What kind of pain is John going through" thought Gideon. 'Never mind Lieutenant.  I don't have time for this. Take us on an evasive course to the jump point.' 'They won't let you.' Dureena Nafeel. Gideon silently agrees. 'They want to destroy Earth.' Nafeel 'They can take a number. Lieutenant. Clear My Sky.' Gideon 'Battlestations' Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) 3 votes   Excalibur [Crusade] 20 votes

                                                                                                                 

vs Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) vs. Battlestar Pegasus [Battlestar Galactica] World Horror Federation (WHF) Duo  Match! The Ori Warship is 700 meter by 400 meters of massive destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. At the end of Stargate SG-1 season nine there were 3 of them. Orici in command of one, Ori Priors in command of the remaining two. There are alternate realities in the Stargate universe. Two Ori Warship, without Orici, on a routine meeting accidentally jump to an alternate reality and face: [Battlestar Galactica, original series] Battlestar Pegasus 1,265 meters long Commanded by Commander Cain There's a fine line between genius and insanity, but the only line Cain recognizes is the one in the sand. "Submit to the will of the Ori or Die." Lead Ori Proctor 'The path to Earth is through Me.' {end transmission} "Bring electronic defense shields to maximum power." 'Stand by for point blank attack.' "Even their shields won't be able to help them." Commander Cain Let the wrestling match begin! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship x2 (Stargate SG-1) 8 votes   Battlestar Pegasus [Battlestar Galactica] 14 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. GA-001 Lucky Star [Galaxy Angel] World Horror Federation (WHF) Pick On Someone Your Own Size Match! The new big bristling bully starship, the Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. They relish the defeat of smaller foes. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Galaxy Angel] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Frames#GA-001_Lucky_Star GA-001 Lucky Star Length 50 meters Pilot: Milfeulle Sakruraba Fair fight, to the Ori, right? This Angel Frame class starship is even smaller than the Earth built starships, right? And best of all the Ori Prior senses the vulnerable child Milfeulle is very unhappy.  And alone. Milfeulle is unhappy and very alone today.  She is alone because the other members of the Angel Brigade know Milfeulle is unhappy and are keeping their distance.  They enjoy living. Or as Milfeulle's unofficial dosier states: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milfeulle_Sakuraba "She has an incredible amount of good luck with extremely bad luck periodically to counter it. The bad luck can cause disastrous outcomes like destroying a whole planet or even an entire galaxy." FIGHT! sobbing, "no!" Milfeulle. Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 7 votes   GA-001 Lucky Star [Galaxy Angel] 9 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. Imperial Star Destroyer [Star Wars] World Horror Federation (WHF) Pick On Someone Your Own Size Match! The new big bristling bully starship, the Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. They relish the defeat of smaller foes. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Star Wars] Imperial Star Destroyer 1,600 meters long Crew Complement: Standard There are multiple scenarios that could occur with these ships. But let's face facts, the Empire is not subtle. 'Destroy that Rebel ship!' Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 10 votes   Imperial Star Destroyer [Star Wars] 8 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. The Lovely Angel [Dirty Pair] World Horror Federation (WHF) Pick On Someone Your Own Size Match! The new big bristling bully starship, the Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. They relish the defeat of smaller foes. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Dirty Pair, Classic] 2141 AD The Lovely Angel 80 meters long Crew: Kei, Yuri, Mughi Fair fight, to the Ori, right? The Lovely Angel is a similar size class to the Earth built starships, right? Kei and Yuri have been looking forward to their well earned vacation, when the Ori Warship drops out of hyperspace into WWWA territory. 'This is The Lovely Angel of the 3WA to unknown starship. State your intentions.' Kei Stargate technology provides automatic language translation.  It's not perfect.  In the language of the Ori, "Lovely Angel" translates to ...... "Submit to the will of the Ori or die Dirty Pair." Ori Prior "LOVELY ANGELS!!!!" Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 2 comments Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 8 votes   The Lovely Angel [Dirty Pair] 6 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. Minbari Cruiser [Babylon 5] World Horror Federation (WHF) Pick On Someone Your Own Size Match! The new big bristling bully starship, the Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. They relish the defeat of smaller foes. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Babylon 5] 2261 AD Minbari Sharlin Class Cruiser 1,660 meters long Crew complement: Warrior Caste It's the height of the Shadow War, and the Minbari Cruiser is guarding one of the boring unused routes to Earth. Typically one of the junior officers asks 'We should be on the front lines fighting. Why are we here?' Ori Warship drops out of hyperspace. Ori Prior senses Minbari telepaths. Minbari telepaths sense ... OPEN FIRE! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 4 votes   Minbari Cruiser [Babylon 5] 10 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. UES Nadesico ND-001 World Horror Federation (WHF) Pick On Someone Your Own Size Match! The new big bristling bully starship, the Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. They relish the defeat of smaller foes. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: [Martian Successor Nadesico] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCrs7PUDMpM UES Nadesico ND-001 298 meters long Commanded by Captain Yurika Misumaru Typically Yurika is a happy camper. But this is the Episode 6 "Sort of Like a Fateful Decision" captain. She just made the choice between saving the Martian survivors or the crew of the Nadesico. Ori Warship enters Martian space, and Ori Prior 'sees' a defenseless Earth. He demands the surrender of Earth or it's destruction. Today Captain Misumaru is not happy.  Neither is the crew. Fight! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 1 comment Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 6 votes   UES Nadesico ND-001 10 votes

vs Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) vs. USS Defiant NX-74205 (Star Trek) World Horror Federation (WHF) Pick On Someone Your Own Size Match! The new big bristling bully starship, the Ori Warship. 700 meter by 400 meters of destruction. One-on-one unstoppable in the Stargate universe. They relish the defeat of smaller foes. But in the Stargate universe there are alternate realities. One Ori Warship, without Orici, accidentally jumps to an alternate reality and faces: NX-74205 USS Defiant aka "Borg Killer" 122 meters long Commanded by Lt. Commander Worf. Crew: Klingons with Romulan science complement. "Submit to the Ori or Die, little one." Ori Prior "Little??" Lt. Commander Worf Fight! Submitted by world_securities | 26 days ago | 0 comments Ori Warship (Stargate SG-1) 3 votes   USS Defiant NX-74205 (Star Trek) 12 votes

vs Wonder Woman vs. Hercules World Horror Federation (WHF) Gotcha Match! We've switched realities with Heroes of two Earths. Wonder Woman has been told about a villian's plan to kill Hera. Hercules has been told about Hera's henchwoman plan to kill his friends. Let's see if they notice. Wandering in from dimension alpha, Wonder Woman. "I am Diana – Princess of the Amazons. I won’t be denied!" Wandering in from dimension gamma, Hercules. "All right you goddess of grump, give me your best shot." "Hera, give me strength!" "Hera; she's the perfect example of what happens when a woman gets too much power." Who will win the battle of the gods? Submitted by world_securities | 139 days ago | 1 comment Wonder Woman 9 votes   Hercules 11 votes

vs The Terminator, Skynet vs. The Mummy World Horror Federation (WHF) Non-Stop Match! In this UNliving corner, Skynet's representative The Terminator. "It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead." In this UNdead corner, The Mummy: "this creature is bringer of death. He will never eat, he will never sleep, and he will never stop" Superscience VS Supernatural! Who will win the battle of the UNstoppables? Submitted by world_securities | 166 days ago | 0 comments The Terminator, Skynet 21 votes   The Mummy 16 votes

vs Ash, Evil Dead vs. Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th The World Horror Federation Halloween main card event. The match you've all been waiting for. The Ultimate Evil Dead Bout! A master of the darkness, fresh from Hell after his WHF heady win against Freddy Krueger,  in aisle 12, Jason Voorhees. And standing in the light of the S-Mart banner, Michigan resident and one man Army of Darkness, Ash. "I'm gonna have to ask you to leave the store." "Buckle up Bonehead. 'Cause you're goin' for a ride! " Match sponsored by Old Spice, "Do You Have IT? Prove IT." http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/other/business/20070108adco2.mov "Learn IT, Live IT, Measure IT" http://www.experienceoldspice.com/ And S-Mart, "Shop smart. Shop S-Mart." http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/3502 http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/7285 Submitted by world_securities | 204 days ago | 0 comments Ash, Evil Dead 25 votes   Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th 29 votes

              

vs The Terminator, Skynet vs. Cyborg, Teen Titans The World Horror Federation Halloween grudge match: (Machine) Man versus (Teen) Machine. In this corner, Skynet's representative The Terminator. "It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead." And in this corner, The Teen Titan's representative, Cyborg. 'Hey! What's he doing h... Submitted by world_securities | 205 days ago | 0 comments The Terminator, Skynet 37 votes   Cyborg, Teen Titans 13 votes

vs Hellboy vs. The Mummy The World Horror Federation presents the Superfight Halloween matchup. Paranormal bout of the Hellspawns, The Mummy (1999, 2001) versus Hellboy (2004, 2005, 2008). Meet The Mummy: "this creature is bringer of death. He will never eat, he will never sleep, and he will never stop" Hates cats. Meet the "World's Greatest Paranormal Investigator", Hellboy: "brought to Earth as an infant ... Submitted by world_securities | 206 days ago | 2 comments Hellboy 20 votes   The Mummy 28 votes

vs Pinhead vs. Freddy The World Horror Federation presents the ultimate Halloween matchup. Brought back from Hell after his close WHF match loss by a head to Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger. And in this other pocket dimension, Pinhead of Hellraiser fame. Who will win this matchup of blades and witty banter. Submitted by world_securities | 208 days ago | 2 comments Pinhead 19 votes   Freddy 40 votes

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