EBay Slashes Listing Fees 75% to Lure Back Sellers

40% of online shoppers avoid shipping costs

(NEWSER) - Wal-Mart’s finally putting a dent in Amazon’s e-tailing dominance, thanks, ironically, to its ubiquitous brick-and-mortar outlets. Wal-Mart now allows online shoppers to pick up their goods at the physical store of their choice, avoiding paying shipping. It’s an old concept, but Wal-Mart’s got the stores to take it to another level. In some stores it’s installed special pick-up desks, and even drive-through windows. More»

Big-box giants drop price of 10 hottest DVD titles to $10

(NEWSER) - Wal-Mart has spurred an online DVD price war by dropping prices on 10 must-have movies to just $10, which analysts agree is below wholesale cost. “We remain committed to offering our customers the lowest prices online at Walmart.com, and will continue to adjust our pricing accordingly,” a company spokesman tells the Wall Street Journal . Says a Target rep: “We are planning to match.” Amazon had no comment, but its prices speak volumes. More»

(NEWSER) - GM is hoping to boost its sales in California with a trial program selling new cars and trucks on eBay, AP reports. Most of the company's dealers in the state have signed up for the program, which will let buyers haggle over the price of new vehicles and determine online whether they qualify for "cash-for-clunkers" using a microsite designed in partnership with eBay Motors. More»

(NEWSER) - China's version of eBay is flourishing despite a crawling global economy and critics accusing the company of abetting black marketeers, the New York Times reports. Started 6 years ago, Taobao.com offers free listings, which forced eBay out of China and lured 120 million users who generate $15 billion in annual sales. Analysts say that number will double next year. “It’s their Amazon and eBay combined," says one expert. More»

Used handkerchiefs, sisters... the possibilities are endless!

(NEWSER) - Hard up for cash? Perhaps the Daily Mirror’s list of the 10 most bizarre eBay auctions will inspire you to sell off some of your own belongings:

• Scorned by your ex-wife? Consider selling her wedding dress. If you model it yourself, as one man did in 2004, you could get $6,300.
• Pregnant? One mom got $15,500 from a casino in exchange for the right to name her kid. Fair warning: Said child is now saddled with the moniker Golden Palace Benedetto.