What do
Zoolander,
Bruno, and
eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) have in common?
If your answer is "they have all lampooned the fashion
industry," sashay on down the catwalk and collect a
prize.
In a curious move, eBay launched The Inside Source
yesterday. The online fashion magazine -- mantra: "We
trendspot. You trendset." -- features editorial content
crafted by niche journalists and shopping specialists. The
goal is ultimately to direct readers to fashion-forward wares
on the eBay block.
As the world's leading auction site, it's got a noble aim:
to "[harness] the eBay shopping community's real-time buying
and selling activity to curate proprietary insights that
shape the retail industry and American consumers'
lifestyles." But isn't this ultimately just a pulse on what
thrifty shoppers smoking out deals on secondhand goods are
looking for? If I wanted to gauge current fashion trends,
wouldn't I be better off heading out to the mall than to a
consignment store?
I realize it's not just hand-me-downs being sold on eBay.
A quick scroll through some of the e-mag's articles shows
quality industry reads, too. However, just as
Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) has failed when it
tries to be hipand
Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) decided to launch
an entirely new siteto market trendy goods, eBay isn't as
cool as it thinks it is.
Coach (NYSE: COH),
Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF), and
Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) are prominently
featured on the digital zine's landing page as some of the
most searched items on eBay, but it's not perfect.
Click on Coach and you'll be whisked to tens of thousands
of "Coach" listings on eBay. Unfortunately, the list includes
DVDs of the television series
Coachand "coach" branded tutorials along with the
stylish handbags.
You can't blame eBay for trying. The magazine's launch
just weeks before the holiday shopping season should also be
applauded. However, no one should be surprised if the
initiative fails.
What else do
Zoolander,
Bruno, and The Inside Source have in common?
About 90 minutes before the end.
This article was originally published as
eBay Is a Model Idioton
Fool.com
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