What is this eBay live?

[infohelps]

Today I received an email about the new eBay live.  It seems to be inviting me to take part in 'real time auctions' as long as I have an eBay account.  (Surely I wouldn't have been emailed if I didn't have an eBay account?) Pardon me for being stupid, but aren't auctions always in 'real time'?  I am a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to  navigating this technologically based world,  so I clicked to see if I could find more information but it didn't really tell me anything.  I am not active on eBay at the moment, but like to keep abreast of developments. I would be grateful if someone could please enlighten me. 

[jonatjonatjonat]

ebay Live

So basically - ebay ripping off TikTok Shop instead of Vinted for a change

[infohelps]

Sorry, but I don't know anything about Tiktok or Vinted.  When I said I was a dinosaur I wasn't joking!!  What does it mean?  Why is it banging on about real time auctions, when an auction can't be anything but real time?  You really will have to speak slowly and loudly preferably with hand gestures. 😉

[bojangled]

There is something called Whatnot which has been around since 2019 a live-stream shopping platform where users can buy and sell in online video auctions.

I think eBay Live was launching in mid pandemic times but didn’t happen. 

Never really been interested.

I love a real bricks and mortar auction myself.

Jo

[infohelps]

Still not sure what the difference is.  Do people film themselves holding up the said item that they want to sell and bidders can see the face of the person getting excited - or despondent in my case - as the bids come in, or not as the case may be?  Is that it?  If it is, it sounds horrific! 

[jonatjonatjonat · Accepted solution]

yes-  exactly that the items are shown on a live video.

This is how TikTok Shop works on their Lives. Though they aren't auctions. Its basically like QVC shopping channels.

On the link above there is actually currently a live event going on. That has sellers on the video, though another was just panning around different items currently on auction.

For some products they do work well, I saw a live for a plant shop on TikTok which was great as you could get a much better feel for the size and look of the products being sold than static images.

Currently they are trialing this on trading cards like Pokemon.

[infohelps]

Thanks for that.  I now know it's not something that would be relevant for me. 

[jonatjonatjonat]

No problem. Give it a year and you'll probably be forced to do them given the current trajectory of ebays new policies!

[infohelps]

Hmm. I think seeing me weeping when no one bids on my random collection of inherited somewhat niche items could become cult viewing. 🤣

[bojangled]

@jonatjonatjonat @infohelps 

You’ve both made me chuckle, thank you!

Jo