posted on December 27, 2000 11:51:57 PM new
Well, I've seen 2 different versions of the new eBay TV ads tonight, and I'm a little confused. Just what does a young couple in a falling apart house or a dog burying cell phones & violins have to do with an Internet Auction site?? I must have gotten lost along the way. The ads seem to have as many negative implecations as they do positive. Or maybe I've just grown jaded in my later years, and it's far, far too subtle for me. Yeah, yeah, I know everyone else will just love it. Let's see, just where did I leave my rubber chicken and my boat horn....................
posted on December 28, 2000 12:12:09 AM new
No, I didn't really like the one I saw with the couple and the house falling apart...so is that the kind of house you can get on eBay? LOL
Also I liked how they had the word "cheap" in there.
I think eBay could of done a much better job.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on December 28, 2000 12:30:36 AM new
Actually,I kind of like them.I believe they show that the things getting ruined [ - the dog burying them,the house falling down with everything in it-] are things that you can't just go to the store to replace because they do not make that same exact item anymore...so you gotta buy it on ebay.
I am just glad to see them using some of my fees to advertise.I am not going to complain!
Yet.
posted on December 28, 2000 12:35:02 AM new
Well, it seemed the ebay commercials were hitting every 20 minutes so it's good impact. The message at the end was good, and the rest was entertaining enough to get people to pay attention until the end.
On subject, about that previous Visa/ebay ad. How did the wife ship a lamp to the husband without either knowing who they're dealing with?
posted on December 28, 2000 12:47:02 AM new
SHHHHH!!...don't ask, but I found this in a dumpster in the back of eBay proper.
The part of the script that was axed for the Visa/eBay commercial:
HUSBAND: (Getting over the shock of buying his fiance's lamp) Err...Honey, who don't I do you a favor and mail the lamp for you??
WIFE: Till I get the money Honey.....
Back at Work....
CO-WORKER: You want me to do what?!?!
HUSBAND: Look, just send her the Payment by (choose pay service here) with a false address, i'll do the rest.
CO-WORKER: And you did this "when" I might add??
At home....
(Wife hands Husband the package)
WIFE: Okay, got the payment. Do you know some dude in India bought it?? I specificly said....
HUSBAND: Don't worry...I'll foot the Postage...
ALTERNATE ENDING
SAFEHARBOR NOTICE (read by the Wife): Dear eBay customer,
We've recieved information that your husband has bidded on one of your auctions. After looking into your auction, we've determined you've violated our TOS. This is considered Auction Interference per our TOS. Your account and your husband's account has been suspended Indefinately. And, you still owe us $25.00 in FVF and listing fees.
(SHOUTS OUT HUSBAND'S NAME LOUDLY)
Visa. It's everywhere you wanna be (or whatever #*!@ they put at the end....)
:\\\"Crystalline Sliver cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
[ edited by Crystalline_Sliver on Dec 28, 2000 12:49 AM ]
posted on December 29, 2000 07:44:23 PM new
Well I'm not an ad person but it is true that the current ad's make no sense but they do attract your attention. I looked up even before I knew it was Ebay.
Also they were running during "The West Wing" an extremely highly rated show, must be expensive. (or course it was a re-run)
posted on December 29, 2000 08:20:45 PM new
I didnt really see any of the new ebay ads I dont get to see much tv but I was here last night working on a TV and vcr and while wrestleing with wires and remote and things I just happen to get a gimples of the TV and there was the Ebay Logo Of course the frist thought that came to me was forget this mess a min I have to check my auctions
SO my thought is this if the ads do no other good maybe they will haunt the minds of them put it off untill tomorrow sellers and shippments will mostly all be fast and on time hahaha . http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
posted on December 29, 2000 08:28:54 PM new
I thought the ads were pretty good! The point I got was that you could find hard to find items on eBay which is certainly true!! Love that they are running the ads so often!!!
posted on December 29, 2000 08:43:29 PM new
I loved the lamp ad the first time I saw it - and it does have people talking, which can only be good for eBay.
posted on December 30, 2000 06:00:45 AM new
I'm thinking that anyone with a 2nd grade (or above) education should be able to "understand" the new ads.
Things get lost, things get broken, you can find replacements on Ebay. Now go back to your coloring books. I'm suprised that some people can find their way home every day.
I guess some people just need to bash Ebay any chance they get.
posted on December 30, 2000 10:48:57 AM new
Crystalline Sliver - Thanks for the laugh.
I did wonder if the humor of the couple/lamp ad was worth the exaggeration of reality (money missing from their account, mailing address, bidding on your own family items etc). While anything that gets your attention has some advertising value I don't think suggesting pratices that are against the rules and encouraging deception between husband and wife would have been my first choice for a theme.
The house falling apart does get your attention. And you can get everything in the house plus a house and car on eBay. I would like to see the focus group results before making my decision.
Maybe it's just a matter of style and preference. I don't use "cute" in my auction listings and would prefer to see more basic information in the initial advertising.
After establishing the fundamental concept that eBay exists with a wonderful array of items at attractive prices I might use "cute" to remind people about the site.
I guess something is better than nothing but frankly they didn't impress me.
I did have to stop a minute and give some thought to the suggestion that I'm just an "eBay basher". Upon careful reflection I've come to the conclusions that, at least up to now, the responsibility rest with eBay for having done so much, so often, that merits bashing. I'm just making well reasoned and appropiate responses to their ill conceived actions but I will keep that possibility in mind
