Going, going, gone – Blackcircles launches Online Auction Site

In a separate development, the online tyre business has also launched a ‘virtual auction’ website. Designed as a way of bringing cut-price quality products to the masses, the company will want to use its reputable image to shine a light on the sometimes questionable world of Internet tyre auctioning. Whether or not the site can realistically compete with global giants like eBay is another question.

However, Blackcircles’ auction site does have some very real advantage over that well-known auction site. Writing in India’s Rubber Asia magazine, TIC secretary Peter Taylor highlighted the disadvantages of buying tyres this way. “When it comes to buying tyres is eBay the right place?” he questioned adding: “potential buyers really do need to think twice.”

While Peter Taylor warned consumers of the dangers of buying online, running an online auction alongside an already respected business could be seen as a safer option for consumers. Taylor criticised eBay’s return policy for being at the whim of the seller, but a company like blackcircles.com could integrate auction into its existing service.

And the synergies do not end there. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, there is the fitting network. EBay can’t have claim to have a tyre fitting network when blackcircles.com and similar companies do.