eBay Announcement Bucket To Pour Out April 14th?
I Apologize To eBay
During the LIVE February 2009 eBay TownHall radio event several references were made to the much anticipated changes all eBay users anxiously await (or dread). These references all indicated that the first of the announced 2 buckets (eBay’s term) of announcements per year would be released “in the spring”.
I have been telling my listeners that in the TownHall event I heard that the announcements would be made in March. I was WRONG. The references I heard to “next month” were in fact the changes to the Seller Dashboard which of course was released in March. This just goes to prove the adage that we hear what we WANT to hear.
According to the March 31st episode of eBayRadio, the April 14th episode will be one of the most important days eBay has ever had, then Lee and Griff added, “this year”. So it looks like the announcements will be made on April 14th, but again remember that the changes that may accompany this announcement will not take effect for AT LEAST 60 days according to Dinesh Lathi. This will give everyone ample time to make the necessary changes or adjustments to their businesses.
Again, I apologize to eBay and my listeners for hearing what I wanted to hear!
When Egos Fly! 3 Jerks and A Lady March 19th, 2009 2 PM ET
Listen live Thursday March 19th at 2 PM ET
Small Ecommerce Business Get’s The One Two Punch From Google And eBay In One Day
eBay Analyst Day
Much has already been and more will be written about the first eBay Analyst Day held in 3 years. eBay executives did their best to put on their smiley faces in an attempt to encourage the folks from Wall Street. I will not attempt to regurgatate most of what is already out there, however here are two things that I took away from the event:
- PayPal is the leading money maker of the company. Some of you will remember I wrote about this last August in a blog post. One of the things I found almost laughable was the talking point eBay made that PayPal’s integration into the eBay platform had risen several percentage points over the past 6 months. Of course it did! eBay made it almost (this is as close as I can come to saying Monopoly) mandatory. Who were they really trying to kid?
- eBay will now be focusing on the “Secondary Marketplace”. First this is not a term that has been used before that I am aware of. What it really means is the liquidation marketplace. Out of season or end of live product. It was said, and I paraphrase here, “We are interested in attracting those businesses that have stuff in warehouses that they need to dispose of”. This certainly does not seem to include the small sellers that have one of’s.
While eBay continues to state that they embarce the small seller, in my opinion the only reason for this is the increased search engine visibility they receive by “allowing” these sellers on the site. Once buyers are on the site they are directed to the sellers that eBay wants them to see, not necessarily what the buyer wants to see.
eBay told analysts that 2009 would be very difficult on the eBay site, only slightly better in 2010 and incrementally better in 2011 IF the economy improves. eBay also said that it’s focus is now on the current customers and less on attracting new buyers.
Bottom line is lower volume sellers are in for a tough couple of years based on the current direction of the company.
For complete analysis of the eBay Analyst event check out http://www.ebaystrategies.blogs.com by Scot Wingo CEO of Channeladvisor.com
Google announced yesterday, during the eBay Analyst event (maybe to hope to sneak it out there with little attention????) that effective in May 2009 there would be a significant increase in fees for those merchants using Google Checkout.
Again, the small seller takes it on the chin with these fee increases.
Colderice did a fee increase comparison on his blog, and I think it brings home the point very well.
Every company needs to make a profit. I do not blame either eBay or Google for making these moves. They need to do what they think will improve their position in the marketplace and ultimately their bottom lines. This is what their stockholders expect.
All users of either eBay or Google need to decide whether their businesses can adapt to the changes or not. If not, the answer is simple. Change your marketing strategies to other venues or payment options.
3 Programs Rank In The Top 100 on Small Business Trends Radio
Small Business Trends Radio
Congratulations AuctionWally, ebay & Beyond: Basics To Business and Tips From The Top
Anita Campbell host of Small Business Trends Radio has posted her Top 100 Podcasts For 2009 and I am very pleased that 3 of the podcasts endorsed by Ecommerce marketing Radio Network have been selected into this elite group of podcasters!
Walt Kolenda aka AuctionWally and Marlene Gavens (pronounced Gay-vens) host of Tips From The Top along with yours truly Dave White Host of ebay & Beyond: Basics to Business have all been included in this prestigous list along with eBay Radio, CNN Money and many more well known podcasts.
I am extremely gratified to know that the work these and all the hardworking podcasters is gaining attention.
ebay & Beyond: Basics To Business Podcasts Reviewed By AuctionWally
While prying open my sleepy eyes this morning I was greeted by a Direct Message (DM) from my good friend Walt Kolenda aka AuctionWally. As I was downing my morning coffee I about sprayed my computer screen with said coffee when I read the link that Wally had sent me! Imagine my total surprise when I began reading Wally’s review of my weekly live internet radio program ebay & Beyond: Basics To Business (also available as a podcast on Talkshoe and iTunes).
Walt has been a contributor/writer for Examiner.com for some time and recently has been charged with reviewing podcasts. I am totally floored that he would chose our program to be one of the first podcasts he reviewed.
Wally’s article is glowing and complimentary! Thanks so much Walt for the great review and exposure. As we approach our second anniversary show next week, I truly appreciate the attention and review by one of my peers.
eCommerce Marketing Radio Network Takes It To The Next Level
Janaury 23, 2009
Sherman, NY- eCommerce Marketing Radio Network announces today the beginning of a new era in live talk radio! Beginning Saturday January 24th 2009 ebay & Beyond: Basics to Business the longest running independent live weekly interactive talk radio program for ecommerce sellers will be simulcast live on both Talkshoe.com and live video on Ustream.tv.
As a pioneer in ecommerce news radio, the next progression is to provide live video streaming for better listener, (and now viewer) interaction. Using the wonderful technology of the internet, ebay & Beyond will now be able to demonstrate visually the products, software and techniques to improve ecommerce.
Initially we will provide live streaming video of the program and in the very near future, provide live screen shots of software, products and services that will enhance the listeners understanding of these items.
ebay & Beyond: Basics to Business is heard every Saturday morning, 10 AM to Noon ET.
Trading Assistant’s Required To Be Licensed In Pennsylvania
With the changes eBay made to the Trading Assistant Program in the past year there has been a significant reduction in the number of TA’s (Trading Assistants). Now Pennsylvania has signed into law the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act (Senate Bill 908) that will require those selling items online that do they do not own, to obtain a license and secure bonding or face criminal actions.
While the purpose of the law is apparently to protect those that consign items to be sold on the internet, it appears that this law was requested and lobbied for by auctioneers in Pennsylvania who saw a decrease in the amount of items brought to their auction houses. Instead those with items to be sold were seeking out ecommerce marketer’s that advertise online sales of items for a fee.
Though this law is clearly directed towards those TA’s on eBay, it will be enforced for any person or business selling in an auction type format on any marketplace. I have a call into the Pennsylvania Dept. Of State regarding those selling in fixed price or Buy It Now format to clarify if these are affected by the new law. Stay tuned!
What Did You Learn From the OLA Rummage Sale?
You Know this blog is supposed to be about my side of the mic, so I hope I can tell my side and not bore you to much.
The OLA Rummage Sale has come to an end. Some wonder what has the OLA Rummage Sale done for me! From my point of view a lot.
I will admit I’m not a seller and don’t claim to be one, so many may just blow this off, I hope not.
The biggest winner from the auction was the person or persons who participate in the first place.
They came and stumbled trying to list on a new platform for them, and it seemed there was just a ton of help for them when they fell down and just couldn’t seem to get it right. Wow to me that’s a plus..Getting to know each other.
Then there’s the new buyers that came or did I miss that someone sold something?
New people, and what do you do when you find something good ? You get what you can, then tell another person and so forth. Don’t you think they told others of the bargains on OLA? More exposure thats a plus.
I think some of OLA’s staff came to know all of us a little better and how strong we are…. and will be there as they have been to pick us up when we stumble.
Remember if I’m right this place is going to get big. Kinda nice to know the folks that run the place when you need to talk to them. Or even have someone to talk with.
When things are small and time is not to busy, lets build on what we have learned, not on what we don’t have.
Tomorrow is Saturday Time For ebay&Beyond at 10amET
Hello Guys and Gals,
This is the early warning system anounnceing that tomorrow is Saturday and time again for ebay&Beyond Basics to Business Radio program heard on www.basicstobusiness.com at 10amET-Noon. We will talk to callmemomo about the final days of the OLA’s Rummage Sale, Etsy.com ,Scott Pooler and so much more, so please come join in on the toll free number or the free chat this Saturday morning at www.basicstobusiness.comThanks for your support,
Sparky
eBay Strike Begins, Onlineauction.com Rummage Sale Features Over 6300 Items
While some unhappy sellers on the site have begun the second round of the boycott, again eBay says that the boycotters actions will not change the course the site has set. While I personally do not think that a boycott is the answer, certainly those participating are unhappy and looking for other venues to market their products. 
To that end, Onlineauction.com sellers have organized wht they are calling the “RUMMAGE SALE” which began on the same day, May 1st, as the eBay Boycott. The rummage sale is being conducted by the sellers to gain exposure to the Onlineauction.com site. I checked this morning while writing this and there are over 6300 items in the rummage sale category which the site set up just for this event. All items in the rummage sale start at $0.99 and are in auction format. To recognize and assist the sellers in their endeavor, Onlineauction.com has purchased and donated 2 new Dell laptop computers and placed them into the Rummage Sale. All proceeds from these items (the laptops) will be donated to St. Judes Hospital.
In full disclosure, Onlineauction.com is an advertiser on our radio program ebay & Beyond: Basics to Business, however that is certainly not the reason I am posting this. I am posting this to point out that all business owners, Brick and Mortar or virtual, must make the correct decision for their business. Like I said, I don’t believe the eBay boycott will be effective. What I do believe is that if a marketing channel does not fit your business model, then you as a business owner need to make the decision to either change your business or make a change.
And that’s my Final Value of the day.
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