Educational Media Reviews Online

In ten years, eBay has taken the concept of a garage sale and successfully transformed it into a global marketplace whose profits have made it the 59th largest economy, just behind Kuwait’s GDP. The film tersely examines the company, its business model, marketing, and customer base.

From its beginning, eBay has fostered the notion of “community.” The documentary profiles several capricious eBay customers as well as several making a living in eBay’s online marketplace. While these stories are certainly upbeat, the film also brings to light that eBay has spelled doom for antique and collectible shops. It has even harmed charities, who have witnessed drops in donations due to people selling rather than donating. Yet the documentary demonstrates how many of these organizations have adapted and sold items on eBay themselves instead of clinging to their traditional models of operation.

eBay representatives have noted that eBay does not drives prices up or down. It is only interested in taking a percentage of the sale price. In eBay’s patently unique business model, it has no inventories and no costs of goods sold. Its customers are its producers as well. Through its feedback system, eBay has created a source of customer credibility which sustains the ongoing transactions. It has effectively marketed itself to make what some perceive as a rummage sale to be socially acceptable. Furthermore, eBay has expanded into sales of durable goods such as automobiles and appliances. This documentary concludes by examining the threats to eBay in the forms of fraud and taxation across borders.

This is a witty and revealing documentary that successfully blends frivolity, grit, and insight to demonstrate both the fruitful and the staid impacts of eBay. This film is highly recommended for its inclusive discussion on the eBay phenomenon and will be welcome viewing for audiences high school aged and up.