eBay Express Priority Shifts from New Buyers to Pushing eBayers to Express

[regic]

An astute reader points out that in yesterday's conference call, Meg Whitman said eBay's priority was to get existing eBay.com buyers to buy on eBay Express rather than trying to attract new users to eBay Express...

Here's what Meg Whitman said in her opening remarks in regard to eBay Express: "During Q3 we continued to work on tailored shopping experiences that meet diverse buyer and seller needs and increase activity across Marketplaces. eBay Express, which debuted in Q2, offer buyers a great source to find new items they might otherwise search for elsewhere. Early results show eBay Express is having the intended effects. 89% of shoppers who have made a purchase on eBay Express say the experience met or exceeded their expectations. And buyers who shop both eBay.com and eBay Express are spending significantly more time, and nearly 25% more money with eBay, than those who have yet to try Express."

And in response to a question about that statement, Whitman said, "With regard to eBay Express, the focus of the eBay Express marketing for the fourth quarter is going to be around our core eBay buyers and getting an increased share of wallet. What we know is that our core eBay buyers love eBay, but they do shop at other sites for new items in a more convenience-oriented format. What eBay Express, although early, has convinced us of is that they will shop on eBay if they have an opportunity to in a slightly different format. So the marketing is all around our core consumer share of wallet. We may get some new users. We have seen some new users based on the television campaign that ran in September. But priority number one, two and three is more share of wallet from our existing very loyal eBay buyers."...

full article: http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blo...62670.html

[cranky_hippie]

UGH. Meg is such a b.itch.

[stardust]

So.  List, relist, relist at high fees in the core venue, while the *boss* directs buyers away towards a different venue -- and publicly says so.  Suck in all the propaganda the *boss* makes about how important the core venue is, and how they must and need to rebuild it and how all sellers must contribute  to find the magic -- all the while directing buyers AWAY from same venue.  Of course, tell the sellers that everything is just absolutely wonderful, and if they are having problems, it's THEIR fault...

Sound familiar, here?  >

[landofsmiles]

Yet, the faithful refuse to acknowledge the lies they've been fed even when their leader continues to divert their customers elsewhere, and even admits it. I find that kinda amazing.

[thentavius]

In the past, eBay has screwed up and managed to keep plugging away. This time, though, I think the screw-up is permanent. I think they've gone too far and this time sellers WON'T be migrating back and "living with" eBay's decisions.