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(IHP) The eBay Story Part 2

Jul 8, 2022
Discover eBay's explosive growth in the late 1990s, marked by the 'Great eBay Flood' and the Beanie Baby craze. Learn how it revolutionized online selling and fostered a unique community of niche collectors. Explore strategic partnerships, especially with AOL, and the pivotal leadership transition when Meg Whitman stepped in as CEO. Her innovative approach was vital in navigating challenges and competition from giants like Amazon, propelling eBay toward monumental milestones, including a pivotal IPO.
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ANECDOTE

The Pez Dispenser Myth

  • The eBay founding story about Pez dispensers is false.
  • It was a PR tactic by Mary Lou Song to make eBay more appealing.
INSIGHT

Auctions and Indeterminate Value

  • Auctions excel at pricing items with indeterminate value, like discontinued collectibles.
  • Traditional sales struggle with this.
INSIGHT

eBay's Efficiency

  • eBay's centralized marketplace eliminated inefficiencies.
  • It connected buyers and sellers across geographical boundaries.
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