Discussion: The Modern Buyer: How Baby Boomers and Generation Xers Shop Now

[scene.of.the.crop]

Hi, everyone!

We’ve posted our next installment in “The Modern Buyer” blog series where we are exploring the current global shopping habits of the baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1980)—two generational groups that pioneered eBay in 1995.  As part of our four-part blog series that started earlier this month, we’re continuing to dive deep into the shopping experience today’s buyers expect, and what this means for eBay sellers. Let us know how are you thinking about the direction for your business in the short and long term as it relates to new buying behaviors.

I’m Jennifer Deal, eBay Seller Marketing Manager, and I’ll be popping in and out of this thread to answer your questions over the next couple of days. We also did a Facebook Live discussion on this topic, be sure to check it out:

Join the discussion below!

[alan@ebay]

Hi everyone, 

Before this discussion begins, I would like to remind users that all posts made in The eBay Community need to be respectful of others. 

To be mindful of sellers’ time and contribution, please focus your comments and questions regarding the topic of the article. Keeping in mind the Community’s Rules of Engagement when you post. Non-constructive, disrespectful/harassing comments will be removed by our moderation team so that the thread can focus on a productive discussion. 

Many thanks!

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

The link in the OP thread is to the first installment. here's the correct link:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/eBay-for-Business/The-Modern-Buyer-How-Baby-Boomers-and-Generation-Xer...

[retrose1]

What happened to the perfectly good discussion that went on about this a week ago?  Asking again will not change the opinions that were posted before.  The bad posts could have been edited out and we could have gone back to ignoring it.

[partial*eclipse]

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@scene.of.the.crop wrote:

Hi, everyone!

We’ve posted our next installment in “The Modern Buyer” blog series where we are exploring the current global shopping habits of the baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1980)... 

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The link goes to the installment from January 9 that says at the bottom: " Up next, a look at Generation X and the baby boomers."  Here's the GenX/Boomers article.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/eBay-for-Business/The-Modern-Buyer-How-Baby-Boomers-and-Generation-Xer...

[sharingtheland]

What eBay sellers can do: Appeal to these deal-motivated buyers by increasing your sales events, or adding more discount features throughout the year. And since we just learned that this generation also values a more personal shopping interaction, make an effort to connect with your customers on an individual level when you can.

How do we do this ^^^ if communication between seller and buyer is being highly discouraged?  Bots troll messages for certain words or phrases and then send "warnings" to both buyer and seller, whether warranted or not.   

One warning I receive like that, as a buyer who did nothing more than include my zip code in a message and ask about shipping cost, and I don't come back to ebay.

[alan@ebay]

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@retrose1 wrote:

What happened to the perfectly good discussion that went on about this a week ago?  Asking again will not change the opinions that were posted before.  The bad posts could have been edited out and we could have gone back to ignoring it.

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Hi @retrose1, 

Unsure of what the question is here. If the question is why we aren't we using the first thread, the answer is that the first thread was dedicated to the first article, this thread is dedicated to the new, just published second article in the series. 

Thanks! 

[d-k_treasures]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:
The link in the OP thread is to the first installment. here's the correct link:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/eBay-for-Business/The-Modern-Buyer-How-Baby-Boomers-and-Generation-Xer...

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Baby boomers are active on social media.

Being one, I refuse to use any social media like inyourFacebook.

I don't even allow anyone to show me anything from that site usinq any of my own computer(s). They can use their own in my house, but they are isolated from mine.

[d-k_treasures]

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@sharingtheland wrote:

What eBay sellers can do: Appeal to these deal-motivated buyers by increasing your sales events, or adding more discount features throughout the year. And since we just learned that this generation also values a more personal shopping interaction, make an effort to connect with your customers on an individual level when you can.

How do we do this ^^^ if communication between seller and buyer is being highly discouraged?  Bots troll messages for certain words or phrases and then send "warnings" to both buyer and seller, whether warranted or not.   

One warning I receive like that, as a buyer who did nothing more than include my zip code in a message and ask about shipping cost, and I don't come back to ebay.

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EXCELLENT point.

[alan@ebay]

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@partial*eclipse wrote:

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@scene.of.the.crop wrote:

Hi, everyone!

We’ve posted our next installment in “The Modern Buyer” blog series where we are exploring the current global shopping habits of the baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1980)... 

---

The link goes to the installment from January 9 that says at the bottom: " Up next, a look at Generation X and the baby boomers."  Here's the GenX/Boomers article.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/eBay-for-Business/The-Modern-Buyer-How-Baby-Boomers-and-Generation-Xer...

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Thanks for that! We've updated the link. 

[jason_incognito]

As a gen x that was around near the start of eBay, the biggest peeve I have is horrible descriptions.

I don't need a 6 page explanation, but a title and a pic with 2 words just doesn't do it for me.

Sellers can keep their tirades and threats, but they really need to do a better job of actually describing what they're selling and learn how to take measurements. If I want to buy a jacket, XL won't cut it. Pull out the measuring tape and give me the real measurements. 

[odditiesandantiquities1]

"Practicing diligent communication with buyers of the baby boomer generation can motivate return business. "

I believe this 1000%. I know some people might find my communication excessive but what I can say is that I have a very healthy repeat customer base.  I will contact my previous customers if I find something that comes in that might appeal to them based on their previous purchase. 

I will say that eBay must do more to support this contact with our customers. The nasty little reminders that we get, (I probably get more than others, because I do keep up communicaton with all my buyers long after the sale), is embarrasing and unfortunate. Many of my customers have asked if they are in trouble. Good grief. Why would they be in trouble. They want to buy from me.  I want them to buy from me. 

Health discourse is essential in good business practices. It is not something to be discouraged. I'm sure there must be a better solution to the one that's going on right now? Excellent communication has always been one of the keys to success. I can certainly attest to that in my own business. 

My second point, as I sell jewelry, is that price point along with uniqueness still sells. The price point has become a bigger issues these days, especially with the Boomers. They've had such a good time playing that $$ are a little scarcer than they would like. I have read that the Millenials are going to be big in reuse, repurpose and buy used. If that's the case, I think many of us still have a good future in front of us. Lately,  I have been getting buyers in their early 20's buying vintage and victorian items. Hoorah!!!

[jason_incognito]

will there be one on how to cross generations?

[nawlinsron2]

Do those 2 age groups have difficulty in triangulating fair price, fair shipping cost, and reasonable shipping time?
If so, I'm in trouble...

[mistwomandancing]

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What eBay sellers can do: Appeal to these deal-motivated buyers by increasing your sales events, or adding more discount features throughout the year. And since we just learned that this generation also values a more personal shopping interaction, make an effort to connect with your customers on an individual level when you can.

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LOL  The above is so very funny, so very eBay.  In actuality, sellers now are being discouraged from discussion with eBay buyers by eBay bot actions that are mindless.  You don't start sending out warning messages about off-eBay transactions when there has been absolutely NO discussion of that subject... and then on the other hand indicate today's buyers WANT interaction.  Yeah..... no, thanks, eBay.  Just don't feel courageous enough to take the chance of walking through the hot coals of eBay messages, knowing that the bots are reading our mail and can easily misconstrue what they are spying on. 

Ebay is not trustworthy, so safer to disregard their advice on this subject, since they have a way of making you sorry.  We've read too many posts here from sellers who have been warned, who did nothing wrong to warrant receiving that warning.  (You raise your hand to a kid often enough, you condition his response of shying away!!!)

It hasn't been very long since sellers were given automatic 5-Stars for NOT communicating with buyers, which we were told at that time was (somehow) construed to mean the transaction was having a problem!!!