Internet Retailer: An eBay alternative launches at Overstock Auctions

Overstock.com is gunning for eBay's auction business, offering lower auction fees and price breaks for frequent selling. More interestingly, the Overstock.com auctions link with a social network, which allows buyers to check out sellers, how they relate, and what sort of experiences their own friends have had with people who've bought things from them. While personal relationships are confidential in the social network, the commercial relationships are always public, putting a high degree of scrutiny on transactions.