eBay 'cries uncle,' returns to its roots

Compete: At Web giant eBay, it's out with the new and in with the old both in terms of corporate strategy and product mix. After trying in vain to remake itself as an online "retailer" of fixed-priced items to rival the likes of Amazon.com and Walmart, eBay last week cried uncle when it announced it was returning to its roots as an auction clearinghouse for used goods and collectables (in addition to overstocked items). Why the change? The past year has not been kind on the one-time darling of the Web which has seen its traffic and fortunes decline.

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