eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) and Skype today announced that eBay users will have the option of including Skype functionality on listings in 14 categories across eBay.com. The launch of Skype on eBay.com is a pilot program designed to evaluate Skype use among different types of goods and user communities. eBay and Skype made the announcement at eBay Live!, eBay’s annual community conference.

Beginning June 19, sellers will have the option to add a “Skype Me” button to their item listings when completing the “Sell your Item” form. If the Skype option is selected by the seller, a “Skype Me” button will appear in a new “Ask a seller a question” section. By clicking on the button, buyers will be able to communicate with sellers using voice, text chat or both. Buyers can use Skype to instantly request more information about a specific item and interact with the seller in real-time. This functionality will be available at no cost to users.

“Skype represents a tremendous opportunity for our sellers to connect even more closely with their buyers,” said Bill Cobb, president of eBay North America. “We believe that Skype will enhance the way that people communicate and trade on eBay, especially in high involvement and high price categories. It will be exciting to watch Skype become a part of our marketplace.”

“Skype’s integration on eBay makes it easier for buyers and sellers to communicate,” said Henry Gomez, North America general manager, Skype. “And we’ve seen that good communication is at the heart of smooth e-commerce transactions. We are looking forward to watching Skype take its first steps into the e-commerce mainstream.”

Beginning June 19, “Skype Me” functionality will be available in the following categories on the eBay U.S. website:

• Automotive GPS devices
• Camera and photo lenses and filters
• Wired networking routers
• Skype devices
• VOIP / Internet telephony
• Diamond solitaire rings
• Real estate (residential, commercial)
• Manufacturing and metalworking
• Beds
• NBA basketball cards
• Silver coins
• Lost in Space collectibles
• Radio control toys
• Cars and trucks

eBay selected these categories for the pilot based on Skype’s ability to positively impact the transaction. Categories were chosen where instant communication can greatly facilitate trade, such as those with high average selling prices, complex products, or new technologies that can generate a high volume of questions. Additionally, eBay selected categories with a local component, such as large items requiring local delivery or pick up, and those with a highly enthusiastic community, such as collectibles.

As with any new community offering, eBay solicited feedback directly from community members before integrating Skype. Overall, eBay sellers said they appreciated having the option of an additional communications channel with buyers, while buyers said they would look favorably on listings that included a new way to learn about the product and get to know the seller.

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About eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay created a powerful platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and businesses. On any given day, there are millions of items across thousands of categories for sale on eBay. eBay enables trade on a local, national and international basis with customized sites in markets around the world. Through an array of services, such as its payment solution provider PayPal, eBay is enabling global e-commerce for an ever-growing online community.

About Skype
Skype is the world's fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers.

Skype is an eBay company (Nasdaq: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.