So, farewell then?

by Sue Bailey

This post was written in January 2008; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

If I were Meg Whitman, I think I’d change my mind about announcing my leaving eBay along with the Q4 figures today. The internet is awash with rumours of my demise: having to watch all those people go “oops” before telling them I was just kidding and skipping off into the sunset, would be far too tempting.

There’s so much speculation out there that I honestly don’t think we need to add to it here. Here are a few of my favourite bits of opinion for your reading pleasure though:

  • Auctionbytes picks up on an interesting tidbit from yet another WSJ piece: John Donahoe, heir apparent, was the person responsible for the third party ads in search, which are loathed by sellers and generally serve to only confuse buyers.
  • Scot Wingo has a two part post on what analysts are expecting from the Q4 figures, and why it matters: At this point in the series, you maybe asking yourself: “Self, why am I continuing to read this stuff about Wall St. Analysts, bulls/bears, etc. I’m an eBay seller and this has nothing to do with my business.”
  • Only eBay swims against the tide: I doubt very much we will hear anything about Whitman resigning today. Personally, I think the WSJ article has been blown a little out of proportion although I secretly wish I was wrong.
  • Crunchgear’s great take: Meg Whitman set to retire, my friend, and we in St. Victual’s School for Girls in Lagos, Nigeria would like for to buy your item as a present for her.

For those who want to listen along, the Q4 earnings call can be found here at 9pm 10pm GMT. [oops!]

Tags for this post:
Author: Sue Bailey
Posted at: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Filed Under News
 

Comments

18 Responses to “So, farewell then?”

  1. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 3:08 pm

    Any gossip on potential fee changes?

  2. Sue Bailey on January 23rd, 2008 3:11 pm

    More gossip than you could shake a stick at, Whirly, but nothing specific. Only six hours to go, so I think we can all bear the wait now? :grin:

  3. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 3:17 pm

    I guess, I thought this was the financial report and forecasts, I thought fee changes etc may be presented at a later stage.

  4. Sue Bailey on January 23rd, 2008 3:22 pm

    Well, the gossip is that fee changes are being announced with the financial report…. we’ll see.

  5. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 3:24 pm

    Ok, thanks for the link to watch it.

  6. Jonny Walker on January 23rd, 2008 3:58 pm

    the conference is at 10pm GMT methinks

  7. northumbrian on January 23rd, 2008 4:55 pm

    bush ,blair, brown, trump ,whitman,

    wont make no matter to this poor seller, I know my place

  8. abs on January 23rd, 2008 7:59 pm

    more then likely lower insertion fees. almost a certainty id say. :)

  9. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 8:46 pm

    Lets hope so, I would gladly pay higher FVF in return for lower listing fee’s, a monthly subscription would be even better but I doubt that will ever happen.

  10. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 9:16 pm

    Tut! turned down a pint of ale to be here at 9.00….shoddy French clocks.

  11. Sue Bailey on January 23rd, 2008 9:24 pm

    I owe you a pint, Whirly :sad:
    Sorry. I really am losing the plot at the moment.

  12. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 9:40 pm

    S’ok.

    Is anyone’s PC currently playing some really dodgy cinema style interlude music? I can’t find the source assume its that Real player waiting to do the q4…..started playing like a bad hitchcock movie :???:

  13. Sue Bailey on January 23rd, 2008 9:53 pm

    We just wanted you here early to see Meg quit, Whirly :lol:

  14. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 9:56 pm

    I’ve been transported in time to the Godfather Pt Deux ….God i’m getting old! in times past I could walk down to the front of the cinema and by a cornetto :lol:

  15. Sue Bailey on January 23rd, 2008 9:57 pm

    Ooh, can you get me some ice cream in a tub with a wooden spoon?

  16. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 9:59 pm

    with a gob stopper at the bottom :lol: what did they call those?

  17. Sue Bailey on January 23rd, 2008 10:05 pm

    Screwballs, I believe :mrgreen:

  18. Whirly on January 23rd, 2008 10:08 pm

    o yeah…screwballs :lol:

    It’s just started thank god! that music was sending me on a 1 way tour to broadmoor!

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