I think, when G&M started out, eBid was to be the UK eBay. Unfortunately, before eBid could launch eBay launched in the UK. eBay being already a 'name' and getting masses of free advertising from the media and internet, eBid was left standing and never really had a hope of taking them on. A two man organisation against a mega-business. eBid seems to have settled on slow and steady growth - keeping within their budget. There must have been some sense in that as they are still here when other startups have gone to the wall. I think it is the better site for sellers (and buyers) but, sadly, eBay's grip on the market does not seem to diminish - despite their own best efforts to alienate their customers. I think a lot of eBay sellers must have masochistic tendencies to put up with the treatment dished out to them. That or simple inertia stops them making the break.
One of the real stumbling blocks to eBid really taking off is the difference in traffic between the two sites. It is a chicken/egg situation. To get the buyers you need the sellers offering the range of goods to attract them. Most sellers are not willing to wait for the site to build though. When they don't immediately get the sell through rate they are used to on the higher traffic site they go back to take the abuse again. If sellers want a real alternative to eBay then they have to play their part in helping build it. eBid could advertise non-stop, but if the buyers can't find the goods they want being offered by sellers when they get here then no amount of advertising would make any difference.