Web's robot shoppers don't roam free
Article Abstract:
Shopping 'robots,' computer programs that comparison shop on the Internet, are sometimes envisioned as a way to transform the Web into a marketplace characterized by 'frictionless capitalism.' Using bots, say theorists, shoppers will always find the cheapest prices, and middlemen will become obsolete. So far, however, reality has remained relatively complex. One problem is that bots' recommendations are only as good as the information they collect, and online merchants' practices sometimes confuse or mislead them. For example, some bots charge merchants for listing their products, which means merchants who do not pay are not included. Some merchants oppose automated comparison shopping in principle, fearing a simplified marketplace where the lowest price always wins. They say such an arrangement devalues features and capabilities that would otherwise distinguish a site.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Entrepreneurs roll the dice on a new site; on-line gaming faces big hurdles; no. 1 is trust
Article Abstract:
The World Sports Exchange is one of an increasing number of new on-line betting companies started outside the US that targets home computer users who like to gamble. The company has found that one of its biggest obstacles is obtaining the trust of the players, who are leery of sending large sums of money to an off-shore company. Payoff money is awarded with a hand-cut check that is sent through the regular mail. Intertops is the largest on-line gambling company, with 40,000 on-line accounts from Fall 1996 to Spring 1997. The World Sports Exchange is run by Jay Cohen and Steve Schillinger. Mr. Cohen and Mr. Schillinger would not disclose the amount of money the company was making but stated they were satisfied with the company's progress.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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