Microsoft to buy Ebay? Rumors, blogs etc.
Michigan
Posts: 4,942 ✭
If they do..... well, there goes the neighborhood. 
Microsoft to buy eBay?
The New York Post created some buzz among those who didn't cut out of town early this (U.S.) holiday weekend by reporting Friday that Microsoft, for several weeks, has been discussing the possible acquisition of online auction site eBay.
The Post cites multiple unnamed sources in its story claiming that Microsoft has considered buying eBay and merging it with its MSN portal in an effort to better take on Google.
"Sources indicate that the talks, while still active, have cooled somewhat in the last two weeks as executives considered antitrust issues," the story says, adding that it's unclear what impact news that Yahoo and eBay have joined forces will have on the talks.
Blog community response:
"It's a bold idea, certainly, one that illustrates Microsoft's seriousness about making MSN more than an also-ran. But eBay doesn't need a portal draped on top of it, especially the third-ranked portal, and owning eBay won't save MSN. The entity would have a fighting chance as a stand-alone company, but Microsoft seems determined to keep strangling its Internet division by keeping all its businesses all under the same roof...The most complementary assets Microsoft would gain in such a merger would be PayPal and Skype. Alas, unless the company intends to spin-off eBay's marketplace business, this seems an awfully expensive way to get them."
--Internet Outsider
"Great! Now everything will be properly integrated in an auction-enabled VoIP Desktop Operating System with built in advertising. Maybe Linux can buy Gizmo now."
--Webtown--Jan in Malaysia
"I can't begin to fathom what exactly it could mean to the industry if this were to ever go through. Of course, Skype would certainly be integrated into Windows. That might be alright for a while. I don't really see much integration with eBay except for the mentioned integration with the Live Search. Added exposure for certain. Could also make for interesting integration of both Skype and Ebay into MSN Spaces. One question that comes to mind is how much is eBay worth. They just paid a bucket load for Skype and that was a minor drop in their total value. This would almost certainly be a deal in the billions."
Microsoft to buy eBay?
The New York Post created some buzz among those who didn't cut out of town early this (U.S.) holiday weekend by reporting Friday that Microsoft, for several weeks, has been discussing the possible acquisition of online auction site eBay.
The Post cites multiple unnamed sources in its story claiming that Microsoft has considered buying eBay and merging it with its MSN portal in an effort to better take on Google.
"Sources indicate that the talks, while still active, have cooled somewhat in the last two weeks as executives considered antitrust issues," the story says, adding that it's unclear what impact news that Yahoo and eBay have joined forces will have on the talks.
Blog community response:
"It's a bold idea, certainly, one that illustrates Microsoft's seriousness about making MSN more than an also-ran. But eBay doesn't need a portal draped on top of it, especially the third-ranked portal, and owning eBay won't save MSN. The entity would have a fighting chance as a stand-alone company, but Microsoft seems determined to keep strangling its Internet division by keeping all its businesses all under the same roof...The most complementary assets Microsoft would gain in such a merger would be PayPal and Skype. Alas, unless the company intends to spin-off eBay's marketplace business, this seems an awfully expensive way to get them."
--Internet Outsider
"Great! Now everything will be properly integrated in an auction-enabled VoIP Desktop Operating System with built in advertising. Maybe Linux can buy Gizmo now."
--Webtown--Jan in Malaysia
"I can't begin to fathom what exactly it could mean to the industry if this were to ever go through. Of course, Skype would certainly be integrated into Windows. That might be alright for a while. I don't really see much integration with eBay except for the mentioned integration with the Live Search. Added exposure for certain. Could also make for interesting integration of both Skype and Ebay into MSN Spaces. One question that comes to mind is how much is eBay worth. They just paid a bucket load for Skype and that was a minor drop in their total value. This would almost certainly be a deal in the billions."
0
Comments
patent nonsense for trivial ideas slowing progress, and
executives dreaming up anyway to make money except
using good old fashioned R&D.
the only reason M$ would consider going so far out of
their core arena is because they do not see much of a
future for it.
plus, why not spend all that cash instead of giving it to
stockholders.. they have to keep up appearances as a
growth company. in reality, they are turning into a dinosaur
faster then GM.
look for amazing products outside of the USA in the future.
random thoughts.
edited to add a coin:
MS is pouring money into R&D at rates well above the competition like IBM!
First Place Winner of the 2005 Rampage design contest!
<< <i>i see all this as a lack of innovation in core IT businesses,
patent nonsense for trivial ideas slowing progress, and
executives dreaming up anyway to make money except
using good old fashioned R&D.
the only reason M$ would consider going so far out of
their core arena is because they do not see much of a
future for it.
plus, why not spend all that cash instead of giving it to
stockholders.. they have to keep up appearances as a
growth company. in reality, they are turning into a dinosaur
faster then GM.
look for amazing products outside of the USA in the future.
random thoughts.
>>
Actually, pretty misinformed there FC....
Link to article about Ballmer talking to Wall Street
From the article:
"Ballmer, 50, is also under fire for a decision to increase spending on new products and acquisitions next fiscal year. Shareholders have recently complained to his deputies about both."
So, contrary to what you are saying, MS is putting a lot of money into R&D, at the ire of shareholders (generally, the institutional ones).
Also, according to the article, the amount of cash MS has is ~$35BILLION. There just isn't that much they can do in R&D. There is a point of diminishing returns.
I believe the amount stated for the next fiscal year was something around $2.5BILLION for R&D or something. I could be wrong.
I also don't think MS is going to try to buy ebay. Ebay is big enough on its own right (though a partnership is one thought). Just my own thinking.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
<< <i>I'm sure if Microsoft bought Ebay, they would screw things up royally. So for everyone hoping that a viable competitor to Ebay will arise, this would be good news. >>
??????
I thought everyone already says that ebay is totally screwed up right now anyway???
Which is it?
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I am trying to think of another company that has worse customer service and nothing comes to mind. Ebays MOTTO ought to be..............CUSTOMER ABUSE.
<< <i>The worlds formerly largest retailer knocked down a few pegs. >>
Microsoft & eBay could both use to knocked down a few pegs.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
.....and in other news, PCGS announced today that it has acquired the rival online coin forum owned by NGC. When asked about the reasoning behind the acquisition, PCGS founder David Hall stated, "Well, as of last week we had 19,995 registered users on our coin forum. We discussed ideas at our recent board of directors meeting about how we could quickly achieve the milestone of 20,000 registered users. Someone came up with the great idea of buying NGC's forum, which currently has 6 registered users. The merger puts us at 20,001 users now." Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, however someone very close to the deal heard Hall whisper something about "change for a 10". Hall immediately announced the hiring of MadMarty as forum moderator, under the condition that MadMarty must wear his pants at all times while at work.
FYI, I like the NGC boards.....just having some fun.
Our eBay auctions - TRUE auctions: start at $0.01, no reserve, 30 day unconditional return privilege & free shipping!
A buyout of Ebay would be great for Ebay stock holders. Maybe a doubling in price.
As for MSFT, it wouldn't do much to MSFT. Ebay's growth is slowing and it's becoming the big dinosaur itself. Maybe a new revenue stream, but how much can you change ebay, it's pretty well set.
I'll tell you one think, I'd like to have as many shares as possible the day before the announcement.
Ebay should sell while the selling is good.
Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."