EcommerceBytes-Update, Number 195 - July 22, 2007 - ISSN 1528-6703
| Next
From the Editor
eBay revealed on Wednesday that globally, across the board, listings declined 6 percent in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter last year, while Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) grew 9 percent (taking out the effect of currency exchange). Store listings were down 25 percent, and core listings were down 2 percent.
In the U.S., listings fell by 8 percent while GMV grew 10 percent.
GMV is not eBay's revenue - it is the value of items sold on the site. In other words, the sellers' gross revenue. Meanwhile, eBay's gross revenue from its Marketplaces business grew 26 percent year-over-year, which it attributed to the following:
continued strength in non-GMV businesses, such as Shopping.com, Rent.com, classifieds, and advertising;
the recently acquired StubHub tickets business, "which features a higher take rate than our eBay platform";
eBay's joint ventures in China and Taiwan, "where we're no longer recognizing local GMV, because we now hold a minority interest";
the format of the vehicles business, which has been shifting: "While GMV for vehicles is slowing, we are monetizing this business through other platforms such as our classifieds business, and our local motors format";
pricing actions taken in the last 12 months.
I played around a bit with the numbers on the AuctionBytes blog (http://blog.auctionbytes.com ). Please jump in and add your comments. I'd love to see your theories on why listings are down. And why, if listings are down, GMV is up.
During a conference call with analysts after releasing second quarter financials, eBay CEO Meg Whitman said eBay will release in the next 6 months more changes to the site than it has over the past several years. If you're like me, you cringed upon hearing this, but we've already seen plenty of changes and have heard about some of the changes yet to come.
AuctionBytes is surveying readers to find out what sellers think of the changes. The survey also polls eBay sellers on how their businesses have fared over the past 2 years. If you are an eBay seller, please take a few minutes to take the survey. Aggregated results will be published in a future issue (individual responses will not be revealed). http://tinyurl.com/34sg2l
We received 184 comments on the AuctionBytes blog about a recent article in AuctionBytes Newsflash written by David. And what's striking is not only the quantity of comments, but the quality. People are sharing their own experiences, their thoughts about what is going on and how they are coping with some of the challenges they are facing as online sellers. If you do one thing this summer, read the article and then go to the blog and read all the comments from your colleagues (and leave your own comments). This is rich data - think of it as free market research:
Article, "Data Points to Problems on eBay.com": http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y07/m07/i02/s00
Blog post, "eBay Users Spending Less Time on Site": http://tinyurl.com/2tjgpf
After reading the article, one reader named Pam wrote that, "While it was interesting to see all the analysis of eBay's ups and downs and of what eBay has done for or to sellers, it doesn't answer the crucial questions: What the heck has happened to all the buyers? Where have they gone, and why? In theory, the reduced number of sellers in my category - less competition - should benefit me in increased sales. It hasn't. Why? Has there been any study of this done?"
Indeed, eBay's claims during its Wednesday conference call that it is seeing higher Average Selling Prices and conversion rates have many people puzzled.
eBay has conducted research into buyer behavior on its site, and you can see some of the slides that were presented to developers in June on Buyer Research (Note that this is a link to a PDF file): http://pages.ebay.com/devcon/Resnick_LessonsfromeBayBuyerResearchFINAL.pdf
If you'd like to add your thoughts on any of these issues, you can leave a comment on the blog, or you can call the AuctionBytes Hotline toll-free at 1-877-222-0856. We have a new podcast in which sellers answer the questions, "What is the single biggest challenge that you face as an online seller?" and, "What are the best and worst policies or features eBay has implemented over the past 2 years?" (http://podcast.auctionbytes.com ).
Learn more about the AuctionBytes hotline here: http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/pages/hotline .
Thanks for reading, and I hope you are enjoying the summer.
About the author:
Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and AuctionBytes.com and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). Follow her on Twitter at @auctionbytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com .
You may quote up to 50
words of any article on the condition that you attribute the article to
EcommerceBytes.com and either link to the original article or to
www.EcommerceBytes.com.
Email this story to a friend. Next
EcommerceBytes Blog
AuctionBytes Blog
Letters to the Editor
Related Stories
Related Stories
Question of the Day - November 06, 1999, Issue #1
Future Editorial Topics for AuctionBytes.com (Print Newsletter): - November 06, 1999, Issue #1
Letter from the Editor - November 19, 1999, Issue #2
AuctionBytes.com News - November 19, 1999, Issue #2
Question of the Day - November 19, 1999, Issue #2
From the Editor - December 05, 1999, Issue #3
Question from a Reader - December 05, 1999, Issue #3
AuctionBytes.com Question of the Week - December 05, 1999, Issue #3
Revising your Auction Description - December 05, 1999, Issue #3
From the Editor - December 19, 1999, Issue #4
Question from a Reader - Going Going Gone Auctions - December 19, 1999, Issue #4
AuctionBytes.com Question of the Week - December 19, 1999, Issue #4
AuctionBytes.com Question of the Week - January 09, 2000, Issue #5
From the Editor - January 23, 2000, Issue #6
AuctionBytes.com Question of the Week - January 23, 2000, Issue #6
Letter to the Editor - February 07, 2000, Issue #7
AuctionBytes.com Reader Questions - February 07, 2000, Issue #7
Letters to the Editor - February 20, 2000, Issue #8
AuctionBytes.com Reader Question - February 20, 2000, Issue #8
From the Editor - March 05, 2000, Issue #9
AuctionBytes.com Reader Question - March 05, 2000, Issue #9
From the Editor - March 26, 2000, Issue #10
AuctionBytes.com Reader Question - March 26, 2000, Issue #10
From the Editor - April 11, 2000, Issue #11
AuctionBytes.com Reader Question - Sniping Elimination? - April 11, 2000, Issue #11
From the Editor - April 23, 2000, Issue #12
AuctionBytes.com Reader's Question - April 23, 2000, Issue #12
AuctionBytes.com Reader's Question - May 07, 2000, Issue #13
AuctionBytes.com Reader Question - May 21, 2000, Issue #14
From the Editor - June 04, 2000, Issue #15
AuctionBytes.com Reader Question - June 04, 2000, Issue #15
From the Editor - June 18, 2000, Issue #16
Letters from Reader-Automotive Auction Sites & Brokering Items - July 02, 2000, Issue #17
Beware Charity Auctions - July 02, 2000, Issue #17
Products and Services - July 16, 2000, Issue #18
From the Editor - August 06, 2000, Issue #19
Contest Winners!! - August 06, 2000, Issue #19
From the Editor - August 20, 2000, Issue #20
Letters from Readers - September 10, 2000, Issue #21
From the Editor - September 24, 2000, Issue #22
Stake Your Claim! - September 24, 2000, Issue #22
From the Editor - October 08, 2000, Issue #23
From the Editor - October 22, 2000, Issue #24
Letter from Reader - November 05, 2000, Issue #25
From the Editor - December 03, 2000, Issue #27
TAG Notes Daily Auction Newsletter - January 07, 2001, Issue #29
From the Editor - January 21, 2001, Issue #30
eBay's Gears Up for Sunday's Super Bowl, Reveals Silly Survey Results - January 22, 2001, Issue #2
Letters from Reader - February 04, 2001, Issue #31
'Shields Up,' Scotty! - February 18, 2001, Issue #32
African Art Makes Its Way Across the Atlantic - February 18, 2001, Issue #32
Earthquake Rocks Seattle, Washington - February 28, 2001, Issue #30
From the Editor - March 18, 2001, Issue #34
From the Editor - April 01, 2001, Issue #35
Okay, This Isn't Auction News, But,... - April 04, 2001, Issue #55
From the Editor - April 22, 2001, Issue #36
AuctionBytes Message Boards - May 06, 2001, Issue #37
From the Editor - May 20, 2001, Issue #38
From the Editor - June 03, 2001, Issue #39
Buying & Selling Online - June 03, 2001, Issue #39
Why Not Run Another Online Auction Story? - June 03, 2001, Issue #39
eBay Low-Life - Too Bad to Be True?! - June 24, 2001, Issue #109
From the Editor - July 01, 2001, Issue #41
From the Editor - July 15, 2001, Issue #42
New England Guide to Shows & Auctions - July 15, 2001, Issue #42
Lessons of an eBay Virgin - August 01, 2001, Issue #131
'Open Up' to Auction News - August 05, 2001, Issue #43
Truck from Summer Movie Offered on BidBay - August 12, 2001, Issue #138
From the Editor - September 02, 2001, Issue #45
BidBay Offers 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' Van - September 03, 2001, Issue #154
HP and Compaq to Merge - September 04, 2001, Issue #155
Events in September - September 09, 2001, Issue #46
The Photo Review to Hold Annual Benefit Auction on November 3rd - September 20, 2001, Issue #166
Arab Sheikh Donates $5 Million to U. S. Disaster Relief Efforts - September 24, 2001, Issue #168
Butterfly Ballots Banned in Florida, Machines to go up on eBay - September 26, 2001, Issue #170
Two Boston Area Auctions Today (September 30, 2001) - September 30, 2001, Issue #48
Events Calendar for October - September 30, 2001, Issue #48
AuctionBytes Forum Roundup! - September 30, 2001, Issue #48
'Pooh'-py Underwear - September 30, 2001, Issue #172
From the Editor - October 21, 2001, Issue #51
USPS to Mail Postcards This Week - October 21, 2001, Issue #51
Discount Shoppers Turn to eBay - October 22, 2001, Issue #187
Half.com Warns of Shipping Delays - October 23, 2001, Issue #188
eBay Investor WebCast - October 28, 2001, Issue #52
BOOKS! - October 28, 2001, Issue #52
Halloween Chat for Collectors - October 30, 2001, Issue #193
New Episode of 'Flea Market Finds with the Kovels' - November 06, 2001, Issue #198
Boston-Area Toy Auction - November 11, 2001, Issue #54
Tech Problems: Life on the Internet - November 11, 2001, Issue #54
From the Editor - November 11, 2001, Issue #54
From the Editor - November 18, 2001, Issue #55
From the Editor - December 02, 2001, Issue #57
From the Editor - December 09, 2001, Issue #58
New Packing & Shipping Forum - December 09, 2001, Issue #58
Letter to the Editor - December 09, 2001, Issue #58
From the Editor - December 16, 2001, Issue #59
Signature File - December 16, 2001, Issue #59
Letter to the Editor - December 16, 2001, Issue #59
Letters to the Editor - December 23, 2001, Issue #60
Robertson Stephens Downgrades eBay; Deutsche Bank Maintains 'Buy' Rating - January 02, 2002, Issue #230
Will Elvis Bring Luck to Fans? - January 07, 2002, Issue #233
Taking Down the Christmas Tree - January 09, 2002, Issue #234
eBay to Release Q4 Results Tuesday - January 14, 2002, Issue #237
From the Editor - February 03, 2002, Issue #63
From the Editor - February 17, 2002, Issue #64
Letters to the Editor - February 17, 2002, Issue #64
From the Editor - March 03, 2002, Issue #65
More Email Address Changes - March 03, 2002, Issue #65
Collectibles Extravaganza Hits Boston Today (March 3) - March 03, 2002, Issue #65
From The Editor - March 17, 2002, Issue #66
Miscellaneous Updates - March 17, 2002, Issue #66
Letters from Readers - March 17, 2002, Issue #66
From the Editor - April 07, 2002, Issue #67
Letters from Readers - April 07, 2002, Issue #67
From the Editor - April 21, 2002, Issue #68
Buyer’s Market Classifieds - April 21, 2002, Issue #68
Letters from Readers - April 21, 2002, Issue #68
From the Editor - May 05, 2002, Issue #69
Buyer's Market Classifieds - May 05, 2002, Issue #69
From the Editor - May 19, 2002, Issue #70
From the Editor - June 01, 2002, Issue #71
From the Editor - June 16, 2002, Issue #72
From the Editor - July 07, 2002, Issue #74
From the Editor - July 21, 2002, Issue #75
From the Editor - August 11, 2002, Issue #76
From the Editor - August 25, 2002, Issue #77
From the Editor - September 08, 2002, Issue #78
From the Editor - September 22, 2002, Issue #79
From the Editor - October 20, 2002, Issue #81
From the Editor - November 03, 2002, Issue #82
From the Editor - November 17, 2002, Issue #83
eBay Selects CSG Systems for Billing Solution - January 10, 2003, Issue #459
From the Editor - January 19, 2003, Issue #87
eBay Founder Reports Decrease in Share Holdings - February 14, 2003, Issue #484
From the Editor - February 16, 2003, Issue #89
From the Editor - March 09, 2003, Issue #90
From the Editor - March 23, 2003, Issue #91
From the Editor - April 06, 2003, Issue #92
eBay UK Runs 10p Pricing Promotion through May 3 - April 08, 2003, Issue #515
From the Editor - April 20, 2003, Issue #93
From the Editor - May 04, 2003, Issue #94
From the Editor - May 18, 2003, Issue #95
From the Editor - June 01, 2003, Issue #96
Letters from Readers - June 01, 2003, Issue #96
From the Editor - June 22, 2003, Issue #97
From the Editor - July 13, 2003, Issue #98
Letters from Readers - July 13, 2003, Issue #98
From the Editor - July 27, 2003, Issue #99
From the Editor - August 10, 2003, Issue #100
Letters from Readers - August 10, 2003, Issue #100
From the Editor - August 24, 2003, Issue #101
Letters from Readers - August 24, 2003, Issue #101
From the Editor - September 07, 2003, Issue #102
Letters from Readers - September 07, 2003, Issue #102
From the Editor - September 21, 2003, Issue #103
Letters from Readers - September 21, 2003, Issue #103
From the Editor - October 05, 2003, Issue #104
From the Editor - October 19, 2003, Issue #105
Letters from Readers - October 19, 2003, Issue #105
From the Editor - November 02, 2003, Issue #106
Letters from Readers - November 02, 2003, Issue #106
Furniture Cover Company Sells $1 Million on eBay - November 12, 2003, Issue #646
From the Editor - November 16, 2003, Issue #107
Letters from Readers - November 16, 2003, Issue #107
eBay Enhances Help and Adds Return Policy Feature - December 04, 2003, Issue #660
From the Editor - December 07, 2003, Issue #108
Letters from Readers - December 07, 2003, Issue #108
From the Editor - December 21, 2003, Issue #109
Letters from Readers - December 21, 2003, Issue #109
From the Editor - January 04, 2004, Issue #110
Letters from Readers - January 04, 2004, Issue #110
From the Editor - January 18, 2004, Issue #111
Letters from Readers - January 18, 2004, Issue #111
From the Editor - February 08, 2004, Issue #112
Letters from Readers - February 08, 2004, Issue #112
From the Editor - February 22, 2004, Issue #113
Letters from Readers - February 22, 2004, Issue #113
Online Auction News Roundup - February 27, 2004, Issue #708
From the Editor - March 07, 2004, Issue #114
Letters from Readers - March 07, 2004, Issue #114
From the Editor - March 21, 2004, Issue #115
Letters from Readers - March 21, 2004, Issue #115
From the Editor - April 04, 2004, Issue #116
Letters from Readers - April 04, 2004, Issue #116
From the Editor - April 18, 2004, Issue #117
From the Editor - May 09, 2004, Issue #118
From the Editor - May 23, 2004, Issue #119
From the Editor - June 06, 2004, Issue #120
Letters from Readers - June 06, 2004, Issue #120
AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers - June 20, 2004, Issue #121
From the Editor - June 20, 2004, Issue #121
From the Editor - June 22, 2004, Issue #787
From the Editor - July 11, 2004, Issue #122
From the Editor - July 25, 2004, Issue #123
From the Editor - August 08, 2004, Issue #124
From the Editor - August 22, 2004, Issue #125
From the Editor - September 12, 2004, Issue #126
AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers - September 12, 2004, Issue #126
From the Editor - September 26, 2004, Issue #127
AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers - September 26, 2004, Issue #127
Letter from Reader: eBay Seller Copes with Florida Hurricanes - September 28, 2004, Issue #857
From the Editor - October 10, 2004, Issue #128
From the Editor - October 24, 2004, Issue #129
AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers - October 24, 2004, Issue #129
From the Editor - November 07, 2004, Issue #130
From the Editor - November 21, 2004, Issue #131
From the Editor - December 05, 2004, Issue #132
From the Editor - December 19, 2004, Issue #133
From the Editor - January 09, 2005, Issue #134
From the Editor - January 23, 2005, Issue #135
From the Editor - February 06, 2005, Issue #136
AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers - February 06, 2005, Issue #136
From the Editor - February 20, 2005, Issue #137
From the Editor - March 06, 2005, Issue #138
From the Editor - March 20, 2005, Issue #139
From the Editor - April 03, 2005, Issue #140
From the Editor - April 17, 2005, Issue #141
From the Editor - May 08, 2005, Issue #142
From the Editor - May 22, 2005, Issue #143
From the Editor - June 05, 2005, Issue #144
From the Editor - June 19, 2005, Issue #145
From the Editor - July 10, 2005, Issue #146
From the Editor - July 24, 2005, Issue #147
From the Editor - August 07, 2005, Issue #147
From the Editor - August 21, 2005, Issue #149
From the Editor - September 04, 2005, Issue #150
From the Editor - September 18, 2005, Issue #151
From the Editor - October 09, 2005, Issue #152
From the Editor - October 23, 2005, Issue #153
From the Editor - November 06, 2005, Issue #154
From the Editor - November 20, 2005, Issue #155
From the Editor - December 04, 2005, Issue #156
From the Editor - December 18, 2005, Issue #157
From the Editor - January 08, 2006, Issue #158
From the Editor - January 22, 2006, Issue #159
From the Editor - February 05, 2006, Issue #160
From the Editor - February 19, 2006, Issue #161
From the Editor - March 05, 2006, Issue #162
From the Editor - March 19, 2006, Issue #163
AuctionBytes Feature: First Item Sold Online - March 19, 2006, Issue #163
From the Editor - April 02, 2006, Issue #164
From the Editor - April 16, 2006, Issue #165
From the Editor - May 07, 2006, Issue #166
From the Editor - May 21, 2006, Issue #167
From the Editor - June 04, 2006, Issue #168
From the Editor - June 25, 2006, Issue #169
From the Editor - July 09, 2006, Issue #170
From the Editor - July 23, 2006, Issue #171
From the Editor - August 06, 2006, Issue #172
From the Editor - August 20, 2006, Issue #173
From the Editor - September 03, 2006, Issue #174
From the Editor - September 17, 2006, Issue #175
From the Editor - October 08, 2006, Issue #176
From the Editor - October 22, 2006, Issue #177
Moniker.com Live Auction for Domain Names Heats Up - October 27, 2006, Issue #1398
From the Editor - November 05, 2006, Issue #178
From the Editor - November 19, 2006, Issue #179
From the Editor - December 03, 2006, Issue #180
From the Editor - December 17, 2006, Issue #181
From the Editor - January 07, 2007, Issue #182
From the Editor - January 21, 2007, Issue #183
From the Editor - February 04, 2007, Issue #184
From the Editor - February 18, 2007, Issue #185
From the Editor - March 04, 2007, Issue #186
From the Editor - March 18, 2007, Issue #187
From the Editor - April 01, 2007, Issue #188
From the Editor - April 15, 2007, Issue #189
From the Editor - May 06, 2007, Issue #190
From the Editor - May 20, 2007, Issue #191
From the Editor - June 03, 2007, Issue #192
From the Editor - July 01, 2007, Issue #194
From the Editor - July 22, 2007, Issue #195
From the Editor - August 05, 2007, Issue #196
From the Editor - August 19, 2007, Issue #197
From the Editor - September 02, 2007, Issue #198
From the Editor - September 16, 2007, Issue #199
From the Editor - October 07, 2007, Issue #200
From the Editor - October 21, 2007, Issue #201
From the Editor - November 04, 2007, Issue #202
From the Editor - November 18, 2007, Issue #203
From the Editor - December 02, 2007, Issue #204
From the Editor - December 16, 2007, Issue #205
From the Editor - January 06, 2008, Issue #206
From the Editor - January 20, 2008, Issue #207
From the Editor - February 03, 2008, Issue #208
From the Editor - March 16, 2008, Issue #211
From the Editor - April 06, 2008, Issue #212
From the Editor - April 20, 2008, Issue #213
From the Editor - May 04, 2008, Issue #214
From the Editor - May 18, 2008, Issue #215
From the Editor - June 01, 2008, Issue #216
From the Editor - June 15, 2008, Issue #217
From the Editor - July 06, 2008, Issue #10
From the Editor - July 20, 2008, Issue #219
From the Editor - August 10, 2008, Issue #220
From the Editor - August 24, 2008, Issue #221
From the Editor - September 07, 2008, Issue #222
From the Editor - September 21, 2008, Issue #223
AuctionBytes-Update Archives
You can read past newsletters going back to 1999 - click on a year and you'll be taken to all 24 issues from that year, which you can read in full-text!AuctionBytes-Update - 2010 AuctionBytes-Update - 2009 AuctionBytes-Update - 2008 AuctionBytes-Update - 2007 AuctionBytes-Update - 2006 AuctionBytes-Update - 2005 AuctionBytes-Update - 2004 AuctionBytes-Update - 2003 AuctionBytes-Update - 2002 AuctionBytes-Update - 2001 AuctionBytes-Update - 2000 AuctionBytes-Update - 1999
Discussion Forums
Have a question about buying or selling online? Want to get marketing or technical advice? AuctionBytes Discussion Forums are the place to come to get answers to your questions and get advice! Great tips - a refreshing change!Current Discussions:
