The world of eBay

eBay could, in fact, be considered a small country. The San Jose, Calif.-based auction-and-sell e-retailer just tallied its 200 millionth registered user. (OK, make that a large country.) And having solidly established itself as a “nation” of buyers and sellers on the Web, eBay just launched two new areas for its contingent of collectibles-loving citizens to meet: MyCollectibles and Collector's Corner.

The new destinations are areas where eBay hopes to build a community in which collectors showcase their collections and buy, sell and communicate with other people who share their passions and interests.

“We're committed to collectibles,” says Bill Cobb, president eBay, North America. “It's the heart and soul of eBay. We will launch various things throughout the year, but our whole business is anchored in the auction-and-sell business.”

According to eBay's 2006 first quarter figures, more than 4,622 collectibles items are sold every hour on its Web site.

The new MyCollectibles page allows members to communicate with one another by reviewing their various collections—from comic books to port wine bottles—with links to items that can be purchased on eBay.com. Collector's Corner was created as a central hub where collectors interact and learn what's happening in the world of collecting through editorial and other content as well as resources like tutorials on grading, authenticating, buyer's guides and how to sell collectibles on eBay.

eBay's new sections were announced at last month's fourth annual eBay Collectibles Summit. Other topics discussed included safety on the Web and eBay's plans to improve on fraud in feedback, shipping and counterfeit products.

The summit also looked forward towards future generations of collectors who may not think of themselves as collectors yet.

Of special note to retailers, another discussion spotlighted how eBay has begun working with retailers who use eBay as an extension of their businesses to drive shoppers into their stores through special advertisements and announcements on the site.

And for a company that's found such monumental success in letting people—especially collectors—interact with each other, the question for the future is how do you stay small when you get big?

As Gary Briggs, eBay's CMO, says, “If we become a mass retailer, then it's not eBay anymore.”