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Insights - Trends: What Could You Buy With $25K From eBay?


As noted a few months ago, eBay has expanded beyond collectively and into a B2B focus that is targeted primarily at small businesses (starting with its sellers.) eBay is savvy in that it long ago recognized that as individual sellers began to succeed in their efforts to sell online, they would develop into businesses that needed the products and services necessary to grow their enterprises.



This is to me an indication of an upstart market that is a function of supply and demand. Trust for large companies has diminished due to corporate scandal and escalating costs. There is even backlash on a local level. Check out Arizona Chain Reaction to see an example of budding backlash against the so-called "big box" retailers. With an uncertain economy, self-reliance is increasingly important to many, and this organization believes in supporting the local economy by patronizing locally-owned businesses.

eBay's B2B focus complements its B2C roots in much the same way. By patronizing other eBay merchants for their business equipment needs, business buyers who are also sellers are validating the model and providing themselves with more reasons to generate positive Word of Mouth for the eBay experience.

BTW, there is a contest opportunity in the Trends article that you might find interesting if you're interested in growing your small business.