Web car prices unreliable

Web car prices unreliable

Consumers cannot rely on the Internet for dealer invoice and
manufacturers’ pricing data, according to CNW Marketing Research Inc.
Bandon, Ore.-based CNW measured 10 third-party online automotive
information providers. The average vehicle price listed was $630
higher than the real sticker’s figure. In last year’s survey, the
average error was $444. "Online car-pricing is tricky and
difficult," CNW’s Art Spinella said. Web sites "don’t spend
the amount of money necessary to maintain the information
accurately," Spinella told Reuters. The most accurate pricing and
configuration information provider was ChromeData (available through
Yahoo).

Costco into B2B Web ordering

Costco Wholesale (COST) has opened a business-to-business Web
ordering service (https://www.costco.com/). The site is available
nationwide, and in three cities, including Seattle, Los Angeles and
San Francisco, the company will deliver items the next day. "The
goal of the site is to allow shoppers to quickly order their needed
items online and get back to their business," said Costco vice
president David Sinegal. The site shows real-time inventory
information so customers will know whether an item is available or
discontinued, before placing their orders.

Semel hiring seen precursor to Yahoo
takeover

Despite a strong statement during Tuesday’s Yahoo (Y) conference
call about management’s desire to keep the company independent,
speculation continues. Many on Wall Street consider a takeover likely,
reported the New York Post. "Hiring a media veteran like Terry
Semel to run the company would make it that much easier for Yahoo to
strike a deal with a media giant," the paper reported. Vivendi
Universal (V) and Bertelsmann are cited as the most likely buyers.
"Terry Semel didn’t take the job to sell advertising. He took it
to back door it into a studio job," one source told the Post.

Narrow demand for hotel broadband

Hotel chains have spent millions of dollars to deliver high-speed
Internet access to travelers but usage is far below hoteliers’
expectations. Many people either do not know the service is available
or can’t get it to work, according to the Industry Standard magazine.
Fewer than 10 percent of guests take advantage of broadband
installations. By contrast, the Standard reported, pay-per-view movies
lure about one-third of hotel guests, adult entertainment more than
half.

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