Mammoth Blog

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- EBay Inc., which still reaps big profits but has been struggling to attract new users, said Monday it will cut about 1,000 jobs in an attempt to streamline its business. The cuts amount to 10 percent of eBay's work force.

The online auction site also plans to get rid of several hundred temporary workers and reduce open positions. EBay Chief Executive John Donahoe said in a conference call the company is "creating efficiency" in areas that require it.

The company expects restructuring charges of about $70 million to $80 million as a result of the cuts, mostly in the fourth quarter. EBay said the reductions will lead to $150 million in annual cost savings.

The latest round of cuts follows eBay's announcement earlier this year that it was cutting 125 jobs in Europe and North America, including 70 posts at its headquarters in San Jose, Calif.

Donahoe said Monday the weak economy and the effects of the strengthening dollar are "affecting our businesses." Nonetheless, eBay said its third-quarter earnings would be higher than it predicted in July -- though revenue will be at the low end of its expectation. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results on Oct. 15.

EBay shares were down $1.19, 6.3 percent, at $17.75 in morning trading.

EBay also said Monday it will buy online payments business Bill Me Later for $820 million in cash and $125 million in outstanding options. The company also said it will buy Danish classifieds site dba.dk and vehicles site bilbasen.dk for $390 million in cash.

Bill Me Later allows online retailers to offer shoppers credit. EBay said Bill Me Later has "sophisticated underwriting techniques" and tells shoppers within seconds if they're approved for credit, without detailed application forms. Bill Me Later will become part of PayPal, the online payment service eBay bought in 2002.