mro
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posted on August 30, 2000 06:23:16 AM new
At least if you're a small seller or sell antiques and collectibles. Check out the print version for pics of Meg, GM Jeff Jordan, CEO Brian Swette, and SVP Steve Westly.
"The company is determined to shake its image as the world's largest garage sale. EBay wants consumers to know that it has progressed beyond second-hand Beanie Babies and Barbies and become a destination for new and practical items, including electronics and computer hardware."
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20000830/2595939s.htm
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yankeejoe
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posted on August 30, 2000 06:25:23 AM new
Oh isn't that special?
They always forget that e-bay was built on all those "impractical" items that they now sweep under the carpet. Go Yahoo.
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jwpc
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posted on August 30, 2000 06:33:55 AM new
Well eBay has to do something to promote new sellers, since so many sellers have left eBay because they are fed up with eBay's high costs, lack of care, and constantly forgetting that it is the SELLER who made eBay what it is - it is the SELLER who pays eBay's bills.
I do about 700 auctions a month, and I used to be a eBay only poster - today, I put about 25 or 30 of those 700 on eBay - eBay forced me with their endlessly changing rules, their endlessly increasing prices, and their lack of care for the seller, they forced me to find a way to successfully sell away from eBay - and I found it, and seldom use their site anymore.
Paul Truth
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artsnflies
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posted on August 30, 2000 06:58:56 AM new
But will it attract a new class of ebay buyers?
IOW, if current buyers come to ebay with yard sale notions of price (ie. expect absolute rock bottom below normal retail prices) will they adapt to higher prices? Or will a new class of buyer come in?
Computers, electronics etc. don't come cheap. Especially if buyers want new. There are only so many budding Michael Dells out there putting PC's together in their basements.
Otherwise ebay may be in for a rude awakening.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/artsnflies/
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jamesoblivion
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posted on August 30, 2000 07:03:33 AM new
The article says that "eBay spends about $13 to acquire each new customer vs. the Internet average of $82". Interesting, huh?
James.
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pineyhurst
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posted on August 30, 2000 07:39:14 AM new
Well..... this is a shift in Megs choice of vocabulary. Meg used to call "second hand items" collectables. (And no doubt she will again when it suits her purposes.)
Why do I have the feeling that as a seller of "second hand items" I have been called trailer trash? You would think that this paper billionaire would remember that it was the trailer trash who made the billions possible. But then why should she....
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mballai
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posted on August 30, 2000 08:29:06 AM new
I love this sort of idiocy: We have something that makes money like crazy so we have to keep changing it in the hopes that a successful business will be transformed into another more successful business even if we decide to become like every other new item seller on the Internet and hang ourselves by losing the very business that made us successful.
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kerryann
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posted on August 30, 2000 08:50:36 AM new
I wonder if the Voices members were consulted about this new line of thinking.
Not Kerryann on eBay
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Empires
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posted on August 30, 2000 09:04:32 AM new
I think people are aware that eBay exists. It's a matter of attracting the buyers back to ebay. I doubt that will happen soon. Sellers are abundant, buyers are at a premium. Open your wallet ebay.
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Shoshanah
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posted on August 30, 2000 09:29:53 AM new
No surprise here...It has been coming for a long time...
********************
Shosh
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
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Capriole
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posted on August 30, 2000 09:36:18 AM new
Boy just when i was starting to get the whole seller thing better 
Okay so I did go to the Seattle Gift Show and I still came out clueless as to how I could mark up enough of this stuff to make a profit.
Hmmm.
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artsnflies
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posted on August 30, 2000 09:57:41 AM new
Capriole - That's just it. Up to now ebay has been a very large yard/tag sale with all the risks and rewards thereof. Now it sounds like they want to be more of a real e-commerce site.
Fine.
But will buyers buy it? Will they accept higher prices and the hassles of the bid process when they could just go to a direct e-commerce site and buy what they want?
And will sellers step up too? That is, will Joe and Jane seller be ready, willing and able to be more like a full time structured businss? Or will ebay have to bring in "ringers" in the form of known brands and seller?
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/artsnflies/
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networker67
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posted on August 30, 2000 10:09:08 AM new
Actually that's good news too me. The sooner they realize that if I want a new computer I am going to local dealer or a direct from the web re-seller and not ebay. If I want a Genuine Rolex I am going to reputable local Jeweler and not ebay. When I want some new art I am going gallery strolling and not on ebay. They can return to the formula that made ebay successful and build a new site for the Prestige of the Upper Income Brackets.
However they should keep in mind they will never crack that market because those people. Would never buy those expensive do dads on line. Why you ask? Because half the joy of being able to afford those things is being able to be seen buying those things. Can't be seen buying it on the web thus won't be buying it on the web.
ebay's basic market is, always will be, and nothing said or done by them will change it. Is the person looking for unique that isn't commonly found locally. The person looking for rare or older items that are no longer produced. The collector of various collectibles like old toys, coins, dolls, comic books etc. And finally the person looking for used items because new ones are just plain too expensive. Now if they hadn't been strong armed into that VERO thingie, they might have had a chance to brand an auction site for the real Chanels, DKNY, Versache, etc and so on. VERO when it was formed showed that ebay had a chink in its armour on that venue only thing.
The more they try to change what they are. They more they lose what really earns them revenue. Too bad all those just out of Business School MBA's can't see that. Got to love their persistence though.
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Bluee
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posted on August 30, 2000 11:50:14 AM new
(eBay finds gun)
(eBay points gun at foot)
(eBay pulls the trigger)
*BLAM*
Rinse, lather, repeat.
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magazine_guy
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posted on August 30, 2000 12:51:58 PM new
In my collectible area, the market has become pretty saturated in the past year, driving prices down. The two largest sellers (in my field) in the world are planning to flood eBay with thousands of listings concurrently (not hundreds, thousands) in coming months- each aware that the market value of their vast warehouses of collectibles is dropping, and each wanting to hedge their bets before the values drop even more.
The big guys are able to benefit from the economies of scale, and are able to operate on narrow profit margins against huge inventories amassed over decades. Not so the little guy, who is being squeezed out not only by the big sellers, but by eBay.
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artsnflies
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posted on August 30, 2000 01:23:51 PM new
Sounds like ebay wants to become an "instant e-commerce" site. That is, just like the rent-an-office services where you don't really have an office just an mailing address and phone for messages, ebay becomes an instant e-commerce site for those who don't want to go through setting up and marketing an e-commerce site.
Not a bad plan actually: Listing your item(s), optional listing enhancements (gallery etc), payment service (Billpoint and escrow), shipping service (MBE) and of course brand recognition (everyone knows ebay). All for a fee of course.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/artsnflies/
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azrae
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posted on August 30, 2000 01:29:27 PM new
"it has progressed beyond second-hand Beanie Babies and Barbies and become a destination for new and practical items, including electronics and computer hardware." "
Oh Margaret! I smell corporate "buddies" popping out of the woodwork.
[ edited by azrae on Aug 30, 2000 01:30 PM ]
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computerboy
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posted on August 30, 2000 01:35:34 PM new
Again, the only thing this creates is OPPORTUNITY!
For those of us who have a hand on the pulse of internet auction commerce, internet buyers are forever looking for VALUE, SAVINGS, DEALS. They are not interested in buying high end merchandise at regular retail pricing! They want items at significant savings of 50% or more!
If eBay adopts a new marketing strategy, I'll be pleased. It will bring a new group of eager buyers to the website who will quickly figure out that eBay is the source for products at huge savings. The end result is that these new users will find their way to our auctions and will buy our products. After they make their bid, they'll click at the pretyy picture of a big screen tv for $2500.00, they'll say "Wow, that's nice, wish I had the cash and they'll go to the search engine to find a fabulous Las Vegas Vacation with free coupon book for a bid of only $9.99.
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char6424
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posted on August 30, 2000 03:37:34 PM new
The problem that ebay is facing is that the collectibles market is a finite universe. You only have so many people who are interested in Beanie Babies and comic books. However, if they can change their image and become the place to get a great deal on a TV they become huge. For every person that wants to buy a beanie baby, there are 20 more who would rather by a TV.
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figmente
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posted on August 30, 2000 03:44:47 PM new
If they're so jealous of Amazon's balance sheet it shouldn't be too difficult achieve the transformation.
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vorlon4
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posted on August 30, 2000 04:24:12 PM new
Where's Radh and her "Meg's the only one that cares about the small sller." nonsense when we need her?
Meg's been making this same quote for a long time now- she JUST-DOESN'T-GET-IT.
Like I'd really buy a TV on-line.
What goes on in those people's pointy little heads?
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jamesoblivion
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posted on August 30, 2000 04:25:53 PM new
I can't wait for the day when I can watch a brand new toaster for ten days and then snipe it.
James.
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Antiquary
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posted on August 30, 2000 05:11:47 PM new
James 
A gradual shift to fixed-price sales will be next.
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CheyenneRoundup
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posted on August 30, 2000 05:27:04 PM new
I can see that eBay executives will get richer, eBay sellers will get the sharp pointy end of the shaft.
http://psychicspy.com/
I can see you.
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Borillar
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posted on August 30, 2000 07:27:26 PM new
[ edited by Borillar on Aug 30, 2000 07:28 PM ]
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Borillar
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posted on August 30, 2000 07:27:31 PM new
mro: It sounds like Good News for me!
I want eBay to still have that "world's largest garage sale" aspect, but as a Seller of New, unused items, it really hurts my profits.
The harm comes from shoppers who look at Joe Blow's used piece of . . . er, collectable being given away and then see my auctions where I incur New Item costs. That means that the customer's expectations are lower, especially about the price. (yes, I know that "some" collectables have a hefty investment in them, but your old toaster oven? PAH-LEE-SE!) 
Like I said before, I want eBay to keep the Old Gang and their flea sale on the front lawn, but I would enjoy shoppers appreiating the NEW Items I have that takes a little bit more investment.
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jt-2007
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posted on August 30, 2000 07:42:52 PM new
"Whitman ran global marketing for Hasbro's Playskool and Mr.Potato Head brands."
"The frugal approach has paid off. Ebay spends about $13 to acquire each new customer vs. the Internet average of $82"
That should answer everyone's questions on why eBay has been going downhill since she took over and why bids are so low and why they still have constant system problems.
J
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artsnflies
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posted on August 30, 2000 08:55:37 PM new
Computerboy - New merchandise costs. No way around it. Especially electronics and other higher end items. There's only so many fire sales, reposession sales, abandond property sales, etc. and how much new stuff is actually available then too?
Ebay has successfully sold the public the idea that auctioning is a magical way to get the lowest possible price. That's more myth than reality. People have debated the topic here before so I won't rehash it.
As I said above, sounds like eBay is trying to be an "instant e-commerce" site. They have the size and name recognition to just maybe pull it off.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/artsnflies/
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mro
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posted on August 31, 2000 03:51:41 AM new
Borilar
Highest price toaster in completed was almost $1500. They have gone over $3K. OK not toaster ovens.
Good luck selling the new stuff. Until the mfg decides it doesn't need a middleman. VW sells out Bug on it's web site. Stephen King skips publishers.
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junkthis
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posted on August 31, 2000 11:48:38 PM new
I'm down to my last case of "New Coke" ... should I drink and savor it or should I auction it on Yahoo?
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