EBay's profit forecast disappoints, shares fall EBay warned Wall Streeton Wednesdaythat profit this quarter could fall below analysts’ estimates as it invests in marketing and a revamped website to attract more shoppers, sending shares down more than 5 percent in after-hours trading. The online marketplace is making a big push to catch up to Amazon with three-day guaranteed delivery and a more user-friendly website, hoping to distinguish itself as a haven for specialty items rather than commodity products.(Reuters)
eBay is turning into a dinosaur. They shot themselves in the foot when they stopped chasing domestic sellers and catered to the Chinese product flooding. AliExpress offers a lower price for the same product. $BABA is going to drink their milkshake with the longest of straws.
eBay is improving seller resources to scale new business Over the past several months, the marketplace has made it easier for sellers to borrow money from eBay to scale their businesses, which then adds more inventory to its site, as well as added more capabilities to seller tools, including search functions and faster product listings. (Digiday)
I usually have very good experiences when buying on eBay. But when I have an issue, it's often related to a seller who does not hold the physical inventory and uses a drop-shipper. The seller creates listings for hundreds or thousands of products and then relies on the drop-shipper for fulfillment, which can be dodgy. One "tell" if a seller is drop-shipping is to ask them a question about the product they are listing. For example, "What is the expiration date on the packaging?". If you don't get any reply, it's likely because they don't have the physical product.
eBay is adding support for Google Pay EBay is adding Google Pay as a payment option to its Android app, mobile web, and desktop site. The feature will begin rolling out in early April. In an announcement, eBay cites Millennials and Generation Z shoppers who increasingly make purchases from their phones and digital wallets as a reason for the new addition. (The Verge)
eBay exec reveals a key advantage for sellers choosing the site over rivals It's nearly impossible to run a successful retail business these days without some kind of online presence. And when it comes to selling wares online, small businesses have options. Steve Wymer, eBay's chief communications officer and its head of global impact, highlighted the tools the e-commerce platform offers to independent sellers looking to move inventory online in a recent interview with Business Insider. (Business Insider)