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Julia Wilkinson

AuctionBytes Blog
Covering auctions, collectibles and marketplace selling.

Julia Wilkinson is Editor of the AuctionBytes Blog and is author of the "eBay Price Guide," "eBay Top 100 Simplified Tips and Tricks," "My Life at AOL" and numerous ebooks about selling online. You can also find her writing on Yard Salers.

Thu Mar 6 2008 21:50:11

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

By: Ina Steiner

Sponsored Link

eBay will launch a new blog in April that it told Fortune Small Business would be an unfiltered link between users and the company. Two things just jump out at me. First, the newly hired blogger has never sold anything on eBay. And secondly, while he says the first thing he did when he got to eBay was to meet with industry bloggers to find out "how we can work together," he has never reached out to AuctionBytes.

Other industry bloggers who linked to the FSB article do not mention having heard from him either: Randy Smythe, PowerSellers Unite and Tamebay, for example.

Check Friday's AuctionBytes Newsflash for our story, then let us know what you think!

Comments (63) | Permalink

Readers Comments

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Jose Mallabo

Thu Mar 6 23:20:03 2008

The ''eBay Ink'' corporate blog is intended to cover the entire span of topics that eBay Inc. touches as it relates to all of its businesses (marketplaces, payments, communications and all 20+ subsidiaries). Its audiences will include the community, industry analysts, employees, partners and investors as well. Expect to see content that includes conversations for that entire span of publics.

To be clear, Richard's point to Fortune Small Business editors about talking with bloggers was within eBay to coordinate editorial content with those authoring blogs that support eBay, PayPal and Skype; not outside bloggers.

Sincerely,

Jose Mallabo
Corporate Communications
eBay Inc.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Gravy

Thu Mar 6 23:44:14 2008

Great, looks like Ebay decided they need and hired damage control. Just another insider puppet paid the big bucks for PR. I don't understand how any buyer/seller could trust somebody that is on Ebay's PR payroll. They are spin-artists.

A question that's been on my mind alot lately after visiting the Ebay boards, is how could anybody feel comfortable posting to a company board without fear of retailation from Ebay employees with account access. That is why discussion boards need to be independent.

The fact that Ebay is making these moves, just tells me that the ''noise'' is deafening. Anybody know where I can find an amplifier? :)

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: dimes

Thu Mar 6 23:52:37 2008

Uh, Jose, he used the word 'external' three times in his response:

''I've been reading external blogs since I got here, too, and I think there's great dialogue going on there. Scot Wingo's blog eBay Strategies, Only eBay - all these blogs have a dialogue already, but they're external. I plan to be linking to those blogs from the corporate blog, because I think that the external discussion is important.

But now we can link them all together and make it even more productive. The first meetings I had when I first got here were with the editors of those blogs to find out how we can work together.''

So what's the story? Did Fortune misquote him, did you misread his comment, or are you now revealing that both Only eBay and eBay Strategies are actually internal company blogs that fail to disclose their company affiliation?

I think your clarification could use a little clarification.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Randy Smythe

Fri Mar 7 00:24:55 2008

Ina,

I could understand him not reaching out to me but Auctionbytes should have been his first call.

It is interesting that eBay Corporate Communications had to come here to clarify something their own blogger said in an article.

I wish Richard luck.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: namewithheld

Fri Mar 7 01:30:04 2008

To: Ina, David, Randy Smythe, tamebay, powersellers unite, and all others I'm accidentally leaving out:

Keep up the good work and please continue to provide free forums for open discussion (and criticisms) concerning ebay and ecommerce.

Any such blog that is sanctioned by the corporate parent can NEVER be truly impartial; this new blog is on the vested side of ebay, so why would any serious seller consider them as a source of up to the minute, useful information...for example, will they report all the ebay system tests and glitches, that effect my daily bottom line? All those frequent problems that ebay only makes ANY acknowledgement of after they absolutely have to?

It's kinda like when rich politicians put on the labor union hat for a photo-op and a quick meet and greet with the peasants, when they are out on the campaign trail, to show they are ''one of us''. Fake smiles, and all the sincerity of a wolf stalking prey....

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Patricia

Fri Mar 7 01:31:59 2008

This is just more of Ebay nonsense and I doubt I'll both with it. Its probably more like their plastic Town Hall Meetings! I swear that place is run like Romper Room and I have to say..."where are all the adults?" I think they'll find most sellers aren't in the mood for this silliness. I have been so apprehensive and untrusting of ebay since January 29, 2008 that I hope they take a nose dive, big time because they sure deserve it for being so callous and for making so many sellers so miserable!

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Sue @ TameBay

Fri Mar 7 05:12:10 2008

Hi Ina,
I can confirm he's never contacted us. I was absolutely astonished that he didn't mention you: as Randy says, you should have been the first port of call.
Sue

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Jeff S

Fri Mar 7 08:27:09 2008

What- the work of art they call "Ebay Chatter" isn't enough for them? I challenge RBH to use the ebay blogging platform for his shtick (the Chatter is Typepad!).

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Steve

Fri Mar 7 08:28:55 2008

So they hire yet another high profile executive (if you can call this one that) with no Ebay experience. They should call him Chief Damage Control Czar because that is what this is all about. No impartiality here. If you want the real story go to Auctionbytes or Scot Wingo's blog.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Jeff S

Fri Mar 7 08:40:10 2008

Hey Richard, back again. Don't you just hate social networking?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cc_chapman/104105816/<
BR>
Hope you included this picture with your resume. Cheers.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Shill Goggles

Fri Mar 7 09:32:42 2008

wonder how much ebay had to pay Fortune to write that crap piece? This is a direct copy of MicroSofts plan to become less evil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Scoble

Podtech vs Podshow?

eBay is Evil and no blogger is going to change that. This action obviously points to the fact that eBay realizes that it's Evil and needs to change the publics perception of it's Evilness.

Richard appears to shop more on Amazon than eBay
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A333RNBMT8Y1U1/ref=cm_rp_
lm_list_profile

Here is his Amazon wishlist:

Madden NFL 2004
Offered by Target
by SPIG
Avg customer review: (92)
In Stock
Price: $7.99

104 used & new from $0.01
DESIRED RECEIVED PRIORITY
1 0 medium
added August 14, 2003

Microsoft Xbox - Game console - black

by Microsoft
Avg customer review: (288)

This item is no longer available.

DESIRED RECEIVED PRIORITY
1 0 medium
added August 14, 2003

Controller S for Xbox

by Microsoft Software
Avg customer review: (98)

3 used & new from $19.99
DESIRED RECEIVED PRIORITY
1 0 medium
added August 14, 2003

Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.0 Surround-Sound Processor/Tuner

by Harman Kardon
Avg customer review: (5)

Currently unavailable
See similar items

DESIRED RECEIVED PRIORITY
1 0 medium
added December 7, 2000

His one SHILL 5 star review.

Ancestor
by Scott Sigler
Edition: Paperback
Availability: Currently unavailable

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Intelligent AND Entertaining, April 2, 2007
It's important to point out that Scott Sigler's novels have the unique ability to continually entertain and shock all while exhibiting a keen sense of knowledge and intellect. With Ancestor, he has out done himself. Not only did I find myself eager to turn the page but scared to see what he had in store for me next, the story transcends most in the genre and I was left feeling drained and hungry for more. Great job, Scott!

Scott Sigler joined up with PodShow.com December 2005. The site carries thousands of user-generated media shows, using the Internet to deliver specialized content to niche audiences and officials their recognized he was doing something different.

"He was one for the few people that saw the business ramifications of doing his own podcasts," said Richard Brewer-Hay, senior director of talent relations at PodShow.com.

http://detrichpix.typepad.com/allandetrich_picture
this/2007/04/scott_sigler_st.html

Evil eBay has hired a SHILL PUNK with less integrity than themselves.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Will

Fri Mar 7 10:54:51 2008

I agree with Steve, hiring anyone at this level that has no eBay experience is not a good move. With such an active and outspoken community of sellers, it will be difficult for him to gain any respect.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: jt

Fri Mar 7 11:55:51 2008

discussion on eBay stores board with the title
Straight talk from eBay?!
about this as well.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: jt

Fri Mar 7 12:05:13 2008

Discussing this on the ebay stores board with the title Straight talk from eBay

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Patricia

Fri Mar 7 12:26:21 2008

We don't need games and we don't need blogs by non-sellers. We need some sensibility here! Ebay seems to be chock full of very young (by age or mentality) very naive and optimistic people who love to play games and romp around. They simply do not see people as human beings like themselves - they don't see sellers as people trying to hold their businesses together and eke out some profit for their fees. I wouldn't mind seeing ebay go down. It would finally give the competition a good boost if they did - and get them out of the hair of people who need to sell in order to earn a buck! So, keep your games, ebay - you're impressing nobody but yourselves!

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Karen

Fri Mar 7 12:38:39 2008

So they've hired a guy with no eBay experience...Makes perfect sense.

He admits he doesn't know anything about selling and very little about buying, so eBay can spoon-feed him anything, and he won't know any better. How can he possibly have an opinion? To have an opinion one must have some hard-earned wisdom. Wisdom that comes from EXPERIENCE.

He flat out doesn't have experience. All he can do is spout whatever eBay tells him to.

Sorry, this guy has no credibility whatsoever and reading his blog would be nothing but a waste of my time. (And personally, I don't care a fig about what the cafeteria guy has to say...)

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: tallmonkeygrass

Fri Mar 7 13:00:23 2008

This new guy should NOT start work until he has listed and sold at least 10 different items on eBay. Maybe he can list a few of those things he bought on Amazon.

While I'm complaining, I think "Uncle Griff" should get out of his comfort zone and list things that require careful packaging, large boxes, different from the crappy little perfume packages he sells. He must list this stuff just to be able to say he sells on eBay. If I sold only the same little thing, yes, I could tell everyone I can ship for exactly $6 since there is no variance.

Yesterday I listed a huge lot of dolls and accessories. The box will weigh about 12 pounds. My FedEx rate will be around $14 for 12 pounds (maybe more, maybe less, but close). I know people prefer knowing it's $14 PERIOD. Saves all of us emails back and forth with zip codes. Anyway, ebay popped up a warning that "my package appears to exceeed normal shipping". OK eBay. If someone from the Florida Keys bids on this and it's actually $18, will you pay the extra $4?

I just wonder how they're going to treat the blogs we leave? Is this new guy another PINK?

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: disgustedwirheBay

Fri Mar 7 13:05:25 2008

Isn't this great? Now our fees can go to pay this guy's salary so he can sit there, never having sold anything, and be eBay's mouthpiece. Just what we all need: another person drawing a paycheck from eBay who would be a fool to jeopardize his own job to actually side with a seller against eBay. Why'd they do this? They already have Uncle G to do their dirty work.

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

by: Tony P.

Fri Mar 7 14:47:29 2008

"...both Only eBay and eBay Strategies are actually internal company blogs..."

Good One, Dimes! Bloggers that gush all over themselves whenever ebay pharts. We have a word for them:

TOADIE

eBay to Launch New Blog in April

This user has validated their user name.

by: Ming the Merciless

Fri Mar 7 16:52:25 2008

TRANSLATION FROM EBAY DoubleSpeak into ENGLISH:

The new adolescent blogger hire: "how we can work together..."

Translation: How I can persuade you to see things our way.

As I've said many times before, the ONE thing that remains consistent about decision making at ebay is that they cna be counted to inevitably make the WRONG decision.

Who gives a rat's patootie what this guy thinks?

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