eBay's trade show in Vegas this June seems like it might be worth the time and travel. What is the most important thing anyone out there has learned by attending the show? I think I would maybe go to
look for new products to sell and to see what new solutions are out
there. Is that pretty much what everyone else has done?
I've never been before.
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bidgirl
to here.
Three words Camaraderie, Camaraderie, Camaraderie, and Networking.
I didn't go the 1st or the 4th year, but I went in 2003 & 2004. What's the agenda / itinerary this year? What classes are they focusing on? I imagine there will be lots of talk about eBay Express, Turbo Lister 2 and maybe Skype!
The Exhibitors booths are fabulous to visit, collect items and get to know something about the specific companies. There are lots of them, so wear comfortable shoes.
If you're a powerseller, you'll get the red-carpet treatment, so they say.
Some of the classes include (or included):
- Writing better descriptions
- HTML use
- Photographing your items. Nikon gave a fabulous presentation one of those years that I went and they sold their Nikon at a eBay Live special price.
- There are a few wholesale companies at the exhibits to encourage you to obtain inventory from them.
- Marketing ideas.
- Business Plans
- eBay Stores
- Legalizing your business
- Advanced Selling Tips
- Sponsors and Exhibitors also have classes, such as UPS, IBM, Nikon, Liquidity Services, Elance Online, Andale and Marketworks.
One year, there was an eBay employee helping with Me pages. Not knowing very much HTML, that eBay employee showed me what the heck I was doing wrong with my Me page. Another eBay employee analyzed my eBay Store and sent me suggestions and how-too's when I came back home. She even called to see how everything was going. The trip was worth my meeting those two eBay employees.
And, if you miss any classes that you wanted to take, not to worry because you can bring it all home on CD-ROMs or DVDs.
There is just too much to do and too little time to do it all. You'll have a grand time and come away with very fond memories.
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Most important thing I did was talk to other ebayers. Lots of networking, learned lots just from talking to folks.
I went the same 2 years elizdale went, and had a blast.
There were a few folks who did wholesaling, but, unless it's changed, it wasn't a place to go for products. Lots of auction managent, postal/shipping, & other auction related services on the solutions floor.
I'm hoping to go this year.
And, Welcome!
Hazel
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Yes, I'm so excited! My flight and hotel are booked! This will be m first eBay Live. I never had the impression there would be wholesalers there, it is not exactly a trade show. It's more of a show to learn more in depth how to sell more and better I think, with lots of eBay related product vendors and classes. There are also some fun night time events*
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It is very much a trade show. Some of last year's vendors may not be there; one that I have worked with for many years was dubious about the ultimate value of their eBay Live effort once it was over, but at least they all got to spend a few days in sunny San Jose.
Yes indeed, there are wholesalers there as well as solutions providers. As for "learning", I didn't go to a single one of their (worthless) classes. I've been in enough eBay U. venues to know what to expect and didn't waste the time. Meaning, eBay usually has a big, big presence at other trade shows such as the Off-Price Show and the ASD/AMD Shows. There's little they can teach truly experienced sellers. What they really want to do is SELL eBay/PayPal services to us. The PayPal folks are all hot to get EVERYONE using PP Printing. It's all revenue enhancement.
These fresh-faced bright-eyed young marketers should get together in a room, shut up and have US teach THEM. Never happen.
fLufF
--
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Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat1 It is very much a trade show.
These fresh-faced bright-eyed young marketers should get together in a room, shut up and have US teach THEM. Never happen.
fLufF
-- Boy did you hit the nail on the head! The other thing I noticed is that it is sheer futility to bring up problems or concerns since you will either get blank smiles and little acknowledgement that there are any problems with eBay at all.
Unless you are repeating the core philosophy of eBay, talking with staff is like talking with cult members.
I know others have had better experiences than me, but I knew more about eBay than 90% of their staff.
If the main reason you are thinking of going is to figure out new items to sell, well, forget it. Ain't gonna happen there.
Larry
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See if you can score a couple of these from the Andale booth:
Andale 39 Chevy Matchbox
I think I got about $17 for that one last year on ebay. I kept one with good paint.
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Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat1 As for "learning", I didn't go to a single one of their (worthless) classes. OMG fLufF, that's funny. We need to create an "eBay Live No Classes Club." I'd be a member of the club for 2004 EL and I think Hazel would also.
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Went to the one in Orlando. Happen to arrive at the same time as Meg and got her autograph out front on day one. Went inside and got some free food and free advice. Trust me when they say, you get what you pay for. Since we paid 0, we got 0. Spent the next two days driving around Central Florida flea markets picking up good inventory to bring back and sell.
Not worth the trouble or effort if you've been selling on eBay for any period of time. You'll know more than most Pinks and other staff and that'll just frustrate (and depress) the heck out of you.
Now, if you happen to be in the area and don't have any expectations other than you want to be able to say you've been there done that, then it might be worth a look. But I wouldn't pay any registration fees for the privilege...
JMHO YMMV
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Is there an agenda posted somewhere on what classes are being offer?
If you have money to spend and like Vegas, go. Otherwise, be ready to meet a bunch of brain dead zombies and wonder why you ever made the trip.