This report will give an overview of ebay,

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E-bay and Thomas cook

. Introduction

This report will give an overview of ebay, Thomas cook and shell and the variety of products which they sell together with the sorts of customers that buy from these companies and the different competition that they are faced with on a daily basis.

.1 Overview

E-bay was founded in September 1995. It is the 'world's online market place for the sales of goods and services' (www.thomascook.com). There are millions of registered customers from all around the world making ebay the world's biggest online trading platform where literally any good can be sold. People can buy or sell anything from cars, to books and clothes. E-bay buyers can choose to bid for goods at the auction or buy them at a fixed price straight away.

Thomas cook found in 1998 offers a 'whole world of travel'. It offers hotels, airlines, tour operators etc therefore it provides customers with the right product in all market segments across the world. They are a prosperous company reaching figures of 8 billion in the 2002/2003 financial year and more than 13 million customers were served. Its takeover of French travel group havas voyages in July 2000 made it one of the worlds leading leisure companies. Thomas cook cater for all customers as its tour operators offer holidays for youngsters with club 18-30 and other ages with Thomas cook signature.

EBay's customers vary in age from18-70 as anyone can access ebay via the internet provided they are 18 and over and have a credit card.

'Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies.

The aim of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group is to meet the energy needs of society, in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally viable, now and in the future.'(www.shell.com).

They operate in globally in over 150 countries and employ over 120,000 employees a year. They find and produce oil and gas on land and at sea. Competitors include esso (Exxon), Texaco, just a couple of many.

2. Marketing environment

It is important for companies to monitor for the long term and the short term enabling them to stay ahead of competitors.

2.1 Political

Ebay is a trading platform for buyers and sellers of goods. They also trade with internationally with different countries therefore they have to abide by different laws and regulations e.g. organs would be unethical to sell in certain countries.

Thomas cook cater for all segments so they have different laws regarding airlines hotels etc.

Shell has the problem of operating in politically sensitive regions as they areas have the richest source of energy. This could pose threats to security for employees.

2.2 Legal

Ebay can be subdued to credit card fraud form buyers and sellers therefore they need to have strict employment law and conditions for tackling these problems. Also there has been the question of terrorism in countries. This could lead to conflict as ebay do have partners in different countries. People also might get the idea that ebay is a trading platform with no promises as there is no call centre for help. There are also different age laws e.g. to use ebay the user must have a credit card. This would set eBay's target market to over 18s only.
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Shell has to working in socially unstable countries therefore they are at greater risk from terrorism. There has to be law and order enforced to tackle groups like these.

2.3 Economic

Ebay have to deal with economic issues such as interest rates and exchange rates as this would affect products bought and sold. If interest rates do go up price of goods will need to go up as costs incurred will go up e.g. price of advertising might be more. Exchange rates will differ when buying form a different country as the buyer will get less ...

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