A new twist on an old Web site
By CHRISTINA OCCHIPINTI:: September 22, 2006

Do you like eBay, but hate bidding on items, particularly used items? If so, the company has come up with a new Web site just for you.

eBay Express, is aimed at convenience-oriented shoppers who usually go onto eBay to buy new items and want to make their purchases without waiting for the auction on a listing to come to a close.

Bill Cobb, president of eBay North America, said he felt eBay’s new alternative is geared for people who tend to stay away from unconventional shopping methods.

“eBay Express is for buyers who prefer a more conventional online shopping experience,” Cobb said in a statement. “We think eBay Express will attract new buyers to eBay and inspire existing buyers to use eBay even more. We're excited to team up with our most experienced eBay sellers to deliver a simple, easy and convenient shopping experience through eBay Express.”

eBay Express is targeted to convenience-oriented online buyers who typically buy new items and want to make their purchases quickly, without waiting for an auction-style listing to end. Instead of paying each seller individually, eBay Express gives its users an online shopping cart that let’s them pay for all of their items at once.

The new service was launched in April and is being touted as an easy way to find new items at fixed prices from qualified eBay merchants.

eBay Express was designed to be exclusive to sellers who sell at fixed prices, accept PayPal and have a reputation of selling successfully on eBay with a positive feedback score of 98 percent or greater. Sellers interested in eBay Express must also have a total accumulated feedback of 100 points or more to be eligible to sell through the service.

It might be corn, but just don’t eat the cup

Working to reduce the harmful effects of its business practices on the environment, Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont-based ice cream company known for its wacky flavor names, is switching to 100 percent corn-based cups for its smoothies and frozen drinks.

The company’s new cups, which are made from American-grown corn by the Fabri-Kal Corporation in Kalamazoo, Mich., will be making their debut in Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops across the country starting this fall.

Graham Rigby, brand manager for the ice cream giant, said the company is constantly on the prowl for environmentally-safe packaging. “The cob does the job,” Rigby said in a statement. “We are always looking for ways to improve our packaging and this is one change we can be proud of.”

Ben & Jerry’s chose their new corn-based drink cups because corn is a renewable material, and the cups can be fully compostable in commercial and industrial facilities. Even though the company is switching to new cups, the original cup design will stay the same so Ben & Jerry’s fans will still the company’s brightly-colored cow and pasture scene.