eBay Open

[ten_o_nine]

Never attended. I was looking at it for this year, but I ask why should I? I don't want to meet sellers that compete against each other and me, I want to meet buyers and see what they are interested in. Are you able to be honest with another seller that competes with you?

I didn't think so.

[slippinjimmy]

The very last thing I would want to meet at an event like this would be buyers.

Of the 17 Million(?) sellers currently on eBay I doubt there are more than a few dozen that would be direct competitors for me, tens of thousands more that sell in the same categories but not the same items, I would not consider them competitors at all.

[chapeau-noir]

---

@ten_o_nine wrote:

Never attended. I was looking at it for this year, but I ask why should I? I don't want to meet sellers that compete against each other and me, I want to meet buyers and see what they are interested in. Are you able to be honest with another seller that competes with you?

I didn't think so.

---

I wouldn't assume that. These events are pretty popular with sellers.*

*To the point where at one point people paid hundreds to attend them.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

The main event is Virtual--that is, online only. So unless you attend one of the live events you won't physically meet up with any sellers (or buyers). You can meet up with them in the Networking Rooms, which are basically like a Zoom call... if you want to do that. it's certainly not required. Usually, some of the rooms are general discussion, and some are focused on a particular topic. 

I attended one ebay Open Live event---pre-Covid---and had no trouble being honest with other sellers, some of whom compete directly with me. I had a good time. Not sure why honesty would be a problem for you, but to each his own, I guess.

[chapeau-noir]

I actually attend virtually when they stage these, picking a few topics.  The presentation has been a little uneven, but some of the talks are excellent.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

I'll just add, aside from the networking that usually goes on, especially at live events, for me, if I come away with even a few good tips I can actually use, I'm happy. In a previous life, I attended a lot of job related gatherings, and that was the same sort of thing....most people were happy if they learned at least a few useful things, and many were happy for the chance to network, make contacts etc. 

One good thing with the Live event I attended was , everyone who attended was given Concierge customer service. Over the years, I've only had to call Concierge a few times, but it has always worked out well, so even if I had ended up with nothing else, that was worth it.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

You've posted a couple times about his. I'm just wondering: have you even looked at the agenda?

If you haven't, you can find it here:

https://hopin.com/events/ebay-open-2023/registration

Scroll down to "Schedule"...then click on the dates, and the agenda for that day will open up. If you aren't going to any of the small Live Events on the 26th, skip that date and go straight to the first day of the Virtual Event, which is Sept 27. 

[greatmidwestcoin]

I highly doubt you would find much competition anywhere with selling used dishes.

I really didn't see the point of your post, especially when you answer your own questions.

[a_c_green]

---

@ten_o_nine wrote:

Never attended. I was looking at it for this year, but I ask why should I? I don't want to meet sellers that compete against each other and me, I want to meet buyers and see what they are interested in. Are you able to be honest with another seller that competes with you?

---

The odds of me running into a competitor of mine while attending an eBay Open (or whatever they're calling it this year) are, like, slim to none, and Slim just left town. Generally speaking, no one knows in advance who anyone else looks like unless you've been networking with them in the past, and if you want to be incognito, just tuck your badge under your lapel, or write a fake name on it, or whatever. 

Anyway, the main purpose is to see what eBay has in store, not the other sellers, nor to meet buyers. (You can probably find local seller groups if you want to socialize with other sellers more frequently.) The high value here is to be able to meet and converse directly with eBay people. Collect their business cards. Express yourself clearly (and, um, politely) about what you think of the assorted changes, both recent past and soon to come. Make it known that you're available for any upcoming seller surveys, Beta testing (in case they start actually testing new releases in the future 😉) or whatever.

The last one I attended was back in 2019, just before the world ended, so I can't say how different things will be this time around, but I have too much involvement with eBay these days to miss a chance to get past their typical firewall of non-communication and get in some actual face time, in person.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@a_c_green Sounds like you might be under the impression that this one is Live? It's not---it's Virtual. You can maybe get some face time with ebay personnel if you go to one of the Meet Ups or the short, live presentations the day before the Virtual event opens, but that's about it. I have found I can sometimes get a private conversation going with ebay personnel in a Networking center, or in the Q&A section of the Sessions. 

But this isn't live like 2019 was.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Why wouldn't you be able to be honest?  I sell clothing, so I run into sellers ALL THE TIME who sell the same thing.  Guess what?  I enjoy the camaraderie.  Hell, I've even thrifted with competitor sellers!  I've been on a number of different message boards with them, have met many in person, both at Ebay events & elsewhere & never had any issues.  It's fun to be able to commiserate with others who know your category.  

Maybe it's differerent if you're selling some super-secret widget, but when you're selling pre-owned clothing, there's plenty to go around for everyone. 

Not to mention, I'm honest on here, even though there are a ton of my competitors here. 

[a_c_green]

---

@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@a_c_green Sounds like you might be under the impression that this one is Live? It's not---it's Virtual. You can maybe get some face time with ebay personnel if you go to one of the Meet Ups or the short, live presentations the day before the Virtual event opens, but that's about it.

---

Yes, I was referring to the eBay Open Chicago event on the evening of September 26. Free food, valet parking, swag bags, and face-to-face conversation with eBay employees after the presentations. There are worse ways to spend an evening.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@a_c_green Yep, if I were closer to one, I'd consider it. Have fun, and I agree...the chance to actually talk to ebay staff and execs is worth it. 

[collectfest]

As the expression goes, keep my friends close and my enemies closer.