What Will eBay Announce on Friday?

by: iheartjacksparrow

If Devin truly believes that small business is the "true engine of the US economy," why is he trying so hard to crush small sellers on eBay? As for his announcement, I'm guessing it's that eBay will no longer have human CSRs, and that all seller issues will be decided by algorithms, AI and robots.

As far as Amazon's new HQ, I'm guessing Los Angeles since that's where Apple is moving to.

by: RKTOYS

Well if they move to Philly or Pittsburgh, I know my taxes will go up to finance the massive handout they'll be receiving.  With not a single original thought in his pointy little head, Wenig's announcement is likely that of an upcoming list of 20 finalists for eBay HQ2.

by: P.Dorf

Could it be Devin will announce ebay is going to vastly improve its infrastructure by spending some of its ill-gotten billions, so every listing will be shown at all times, in all areas?
More likely it will be more hot air BS to appease wall street

by: Ming the Merciless

Whatever it is, one thing is certain: It will help ebafia a lot more than it will "help" anyone else. Ebafia isn't exactly known for its altruism.

by: toolguy

"I am looking forward to being in Akron, Ohio tomorrow with Mayor Daniel Horrigan @AkronOhioMayor to make an announcement about the role technology (and @ebay) will play in revitalizing small business, the true engine of the US economy."

"The speech will be followed by a panel discussion consisting of Brian Bieron, Executive Director of Global Public Policy for eBay"

"Small Business in the 21st Century - Local Roots, Global Reach" will focus on "how ecommerce can create big opportunity for small business."

I don't see the words "American" or "USA" anywhere in those above statements!

by: eXtinctBay

DW sees the writing on the wall- Facebook is positioning itself to take over eCommerce, and eBay needs a pre-emptive strike with some kind of buzz. Which is going to sound like his ''We Need To Reconnect With Small Sellers'' statement when he took over (that we all know was empty words).


Sounds like an effort to save the company before the next financials are released in two weeks. Or maybe they are buying a warehouse in Akron and finally shipping their own merchandise. Could it be some kind of a partnership with LeBron James, who is from Akron, and has a LOT of money, and credibility??

by: pace306

I cant/dont possibly see how this announcement could/would help any of us.

FBE? doubtful (logistics costs/manpower costs etc), plus most sellers wont send their items into eBay since eBays reputation is abysmal at best

GSP2? doubtful as PB has the infrastructure and logistics in place and its not a space that eBay wants to play in.

eBaypal? doubtful, as that would make eBay a direct competitor with Paypal, and it would make anyone selling on eBay have a stronger argument that eBay is the merchant of record and therefore THEY are responsible for taxes etc

Search seller:eBay - possibly, as said by eXtinct, eBay could and would see NO issue with using its Chinese connections to have eBay branded merchandise and compete with smaller sellers

US Eastern Time Zone CS? - doubtful, as the word on the street is eBay plans on aping Amazon and using bots and AI to shrink its workforce not expand it

I guess we will have to wait and see what happens - I dont see any good comming out of it - but you never know - miracles DO happen.

by: Studiolines

I am with Tool Guy , Don't see USA or AMERICAN . I see GLOBAL REACH and GLOBAL PUBLIC POLICY. They already devastated this small business in 2017 . Will take a while to get back to same level in sales, but it will happen without them getting a penny.
My guess would be they are going to open some type of fulfillment for the Chinese sellers so they can keep a better grip, get a bigger piece of pie and improve the hit level to MBG. I would imagine Paypal is tired of dealing with that mess.
The only thing I see in the GAR info that could possibly apply to Ebay is there desire to move Akron into technology focus and also they give grants for economic development. Best guess they are opening something in Akron that will offer jobs.

Has anybody heard of MAM - Made in America Movement? Look it up if you have not.

Is there anyway to tweet Wenig?  

by: Studiolines

Let me rephrase, helping non-profits deal with changing landscape of funding. Not technology focus.  

by: bitbybit

Small Business in the 21st Century- Local Roots, Global Reach

Friday, Jan 19, 2018 12-1:30 p.m.

Akron Art Museum - 1 S High St
A panel discussion on how e-commerce can create big opportunity for small business.

Opening Remarks
Devin Wenig, President & CEO, eBay

Panelists
Brian Bieron, Executive Director Global Public Policy, eBay
Anoo Vyas, co-director EXL Center, The University of Akron

Moderator
Christine Mayer, President, GAR Foundation

by: bitbybit

Looking more into this I think it has something to do with handmade items and connecting local small businesses globally. We all know how that goes don't we? Gee, I wonder what countries will be eBay's main focus? Oh, and where, pray tell, will the manufacturing be done? Of course, all of this is just speculation on my part and am hoping to be pleasantly surprised. There is always a first.

by: DeathFromAbove

Subsidize shipping junk back to China?  No idea how the US can compete with the world when the minimum cost to send something to a foreign country is $11 for a 3 ounce mailer.  That's about a 1400% difference.  

Maybe we should create an intercontinental currency called something like the yuge, or the bigly - that China has to use also in order to be permitted to send things over our border.

by: Castoman

Ugh...he's gonna be in my state (at least until I move in August)? Glad he's not coming near me....Akron is a bit of a distance. And Akron? HERE'S MY GUESS: A new "Global Shipping Facility" opening in Akron. They already have one in Kentucky. Betcha a $1. Any takers?

by: Silver Ice King

Personally I think this is just going to be Wenig talking out of both sides of his mouth as he usually does when it comes to small business.  Wenig already knows the numbers and appears to already be scrambling to try and get out ahead of the announcement and what it will do to Ebay.  No matter what he says it is only going to remind everybody of the BS he rolled out when he first took over as CEO of the company and promised to work closer with the small business owners.  He worked closer with us all right- closer to putting us out of business.

Wenig is desperate to keep his job and Ebays stock price up as his job and bonus depend on it.  Can't wait to see what lies he manages to spew out tomorrow.

by: Rexford

"make an announcement about the role technology (and @ebay) will play in revitalizing small business, the true engine of the US economy"

You mean like he has "helped" small sellers and small businesses on eBay? He's crushed their businesses, not helped them grow their businesses.  LOL  He talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk.  

The  Women's Professional Mud Wrestling team is located in Akron. Why shouldn't eBay be.

by: VV

They are going to announce they fixed Search.

by: geoffreymason

DW is likely grandstanding so that he will look good prior to releasing the results of 4Q 2017.

by: epuise

Announcing a Stock Buy-Back w/ the Tax Cut the GOP gave them...

by: a_c_green

> Or maybe they are buying a warehouse in Akron and finally
> shipping their own merchandise.

Given that Ohio is vaguely near the middle of the country, I would be inclined to agree that whatever his latest brain fart is, it's probably land-based, and could involve a warehouse or other sprawling physical plant that will try to insert eBay into the domestic shipping process, in the same manner that they've tried with their Global Shipping Program for international selling.

by: ebayout

https://www.bdmorganfdn.org/events/small-business-panel-discussion-hos
ted-city-akron

"Can" being the key word...no allusion to any specific plan.