Anyone Ever Go to the Ebay Open? What Was Your Experience?

[gloryglorygifts]

Was it helpful to you?  Did you gain any new insights? 

[hartungcards]

I went once, but it rained the first day and they had to play 36 holes the next day.

[turtles-trading-post]

I didn’t go to the live event, but logged into the virtual event the last two days. I didn’t learn a lot but it was interesting. I will log back in tomorrow for the final day.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques · Accepted solution]

I attended some of the sessions, and spent some time in the networking rooms.The networking rooms were usually more interesting than the sessions. But....I am an experienced seller and I am a seller who deliberately keeps up with ebay policy changes, business strategy, etc. So there wasn't much I haven't heard before from the execs. I did like that they had the session replays available the same day. I really, really wish they'd preserve the networking sessions in the same way. 

They did announce some "coming soon" type changes, such as AI generated backgrounds for product photos and perhaps even AI generated models for clothing sellers, but can't say I heard anything I personally considered game changing for MY business. (Other sellers, with different business models, may feel differently).

There was a hint that ebay might actually do some Holiday marketing around pre-owned clothing this year (as they have done in the UK) and I think that might help more sellers than the focus on sneakers, trading cards etc (although that focus is probably not going away).

But I didn't hear anything to indicate a major, site wide Holiday Marketing campaign is in the works. They have been strangely silent on the store/display ad tool, or perhaps I just missed that discussion. 

All in all, I didn't hear anything that made me say "Oh My God, NOOOOOO!" but I also didn't hear anything that made me say "YES! This is going to be a GREAT Q4"

Of course, there's still tomorrow LOL

[gloryglorygifts]

Interesting. Thanks! I was wondering if it would be worth my time to even check out some of the sessions. Maybe I'll try and get into it tomorrow as well.

That would be great if they would do some advertising for the pre-owned clothing and such!! Seems that lots of people on here have problems moving the stuff this year. A little help from ebay would be much appreciated by them, I am sure. The AI generated backgrounds sounds interesting too. I guess I will have to wait and see what that is all about. 

I've really only been selling on here about 6 years so I have often wondered what this big event is. I appreciate your insight. Thanks so much. 

[mam98031]

Register and come tomorrow for the last day for the Virtual Open.  They also have some videos of events you may have missed and wanted to see.  That is a new feature this year and I really like it.

The nice thing about the Virtual event, you can pick and choose where you want to go and listen to things that interest you.  You can spend a lot of time there or a little.  Depends on what interests you.  

[gloryglorygifts]

I watched some of them on youtube. Thanks!

[krazzykats]

The AI-generated manikins should be interesting for clothing resellers. 

No more carpet or bathroom floor tile backgrounds?  lol!

[candd205]

I enjoyed the virtual sessions. The networking rooms were the best, basically people chatting and giving each other ideas. My least favorite part was the constant spamming of the chat rooms, every few seconds the same people posting a link to their store or their insta over and over again.

[gloryglorygifts]

Ugh.... as if we don't get enough of that. I'm glad you enjoyed the chats tho. Maybe I will get to explore them next year. Thanks for letting me know your experience. 

[gloryglorygifts]

I will have to see if I can find the video about that. It's not my thing but would be interesting to see. Game changer or not? What do you think?

[candd205]

The chats ran concurrent with the presentations and networking, so it was well put-together.

[krazzykats]

Yes.  If a seller chooses to use the AI enhancements.  Was also mentioned that white or colored backgrounds are fine for Google Lens to pick up on now. 

But being able to photograph and style a manikin using your items sounds like fun.  I like playing with dolls.  lol! 

The background scrubber was also improved.  Haven't had a chance to play with any of it yet.  

My only wish was there were more baby boomer presenters.  Most discussions circled around sneakers and trading cards, still was great, but wish there were more vintage presenters.  😁

[gloryglorygifts]

Ooohhh, good to know. 

[gloryglorygifts]

It will be interesting to see how sellers use the AI to sell their products. I can't find any videos about it on the ebay open youtube, but it does sound like a game changer. At least you will have fun with it! Looking forward to seeing some of your creations on here maybe? 

I don't see any categories that are even remotely related to my biz, but thankfully there are other avenues I can refer to. Even terepeak is no use to me.  I saw a few mention the trading cards.  You're right tho. Not many vintage presenters nor items talked about. They need to diversify next year!