Everyday eBay

by Ken Hillis (Editor), Michael Petit (Editor), Nathan Scott Epley (Editor)

Everyday eBay is the first scholarly analysis of the internet marketplace that has become a global social, cultural and economic phenomenon. The eighteen new and classic essays gathered here examine eBay from a wide variety of perspectives as a bellwether of taste and material culture; as a rich site of cultural, racial, and sexual discourse and practice; as an emergent media form; and as a facilitator of global consumerism. From old toys steeped in nostalgia to 'rare' limited edition shoes, the contributors demonstrate that value on eBay is never simply about 'price'. On any given day, more than two million items are listed for sale on eBay, from everyday objects to kitsch and collectibles to the truly bizarre. Since its debut ten years ago, eBay has quickly become a central destination for millions of web browsers. According to eBay itself, up to 165,000 Americans now make their living by selling through the website, and other business analysts project that hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide now make their living through eBay.

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

You need to know that this is a scholarly analysis of eBay as a phenomenon, not a how to sell on eBay guide. I was hoping for insight and data about collectors - who is buying (urban, rural, rich, poor?) and why (nostalgia? need?). Instead this discusses much broader level issues: is eBay a frictionless economy, who is selling art, the nature of online identity, and how the community polices itself. It's fairly accessible for an academic work (and doesn't look or feel academic from the outside) but there are lots of references to Barthes who I didn't fully understand 20 years ago when I was studying him in college - not any clearer now! It was definitely an interesting read and the short essay format made it manageable. It won't have much impact on me as a buyer or seller on eBay though.