Though AuctionWatch chief executive Rodrigo Sales declined to say how the new system worked, he said it is "virtually unblockable." Sales said it is only being used to search eBay's listings. AuctionWatch has been at a disadvantage compared with Bidder's Edge and other auction service sites that despite eBay's objections, have continued to list eBay's auctions alongside those of other auction sites. "We feel that this is something that consumers want," Sales said. "We feel we have to respond to our customers needs." eBay spokesman Kevin Pursglove said the company received a letter from AuctionWatch alerting it to the company's move. He said eBay had not yet decided how and when it will respond. "We're still reviewing the situation," Pursglove said. Online auctions represent a growing segment of e-commerce. Gomez Advisors, for example, projects that consumer spending on online auctions will grow from $4.5 billion last year to $15.5 billion in 2001.