"What I wanted to do was create an efficient market, where regular people could compete with big business ... it was a little bit of an experiment."
— Pierre Omidyar, eBay founder
History
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1995 eBay / MarketplaceseBay — then called AuctionWeb — is founded by Pierre Omidyar after a long Labor Day weekend writing code on his home computer.
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1995 eBay / Marketplaces
Pierre posts the first item on the auction site, a broken laser pointer, and it sells for $14.83.
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1995 People#1!
Pierre hires his first employee, Chris Agarpao (shown left), to help him handle the website's operations. -
1996 People
#2!
Pierre Omidyar hires his second employee, Jeff Skoll, as president of the company … around the same time, Pierre quit his day job at General Magic. -
1996 StatsRevenue tops $10,000 in a single month.
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1996 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $7.2 million
- Global Registered Users: 41,000
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1997 eBay / Marketplaces
The AuctionWeb brand is officially retired and eBay is now hosting more than 200,000 individual auctions per month—that's compared with 250,000 auctions in all of 1996.
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1997 eBay / Marketplaces
Beanie Babies craze! The cuddly toys represent 6.6 percent of eBay.com's volume, or roughly $500,000.
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1997 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay's "feedback stars" make their debut.
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1997 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay celebrates the sale of its one millionth item: A Sesame Street Big Bird toy.
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1997 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $95 million
- Global Registered Users: 341,000
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1998 People
Meg Whitman joins eBay as President and CEO.
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1998 SustainabilityeBay launches the eBay Foundation, which helps a wide variety of national charities. In a trendsetting move, pre-IPO shares are used to endow the charity.
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1998 eBay Inc.eBay goes public in September, listing shares on NASDAQ under the symbol EBAY.
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1998 eBay / Marketplaces
Personalization tool "My eBay" makes its debut.
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1998 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $700 million
- Global Registered Users: 2.1 million
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1999 eBay Inc.
eBay expands internationally with sites in the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.
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1999 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay for Dummies is published.
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1999 eBay / Marketplaces
Start your engines! eBay launches its online automotive marketplace, eBay Motors.
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1999 People
The eBay employee base triples in one year, to 640.
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1999 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $2.8 billion
- Global Registered Users: 10 million
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2000 eBay / Marketplaces
Happy New Year!
eBay starts the new decade as the #1 e-commerce site. -
2000 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay makes public the first of several APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), allowing developers to build custom interfaces and functionality.
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2000 eBay / Marketplaces
First eBay University is held.
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2000 eBay / Marketplaces
"Buy It Now" feature is introduced, allowing buyers to shop at a fixed price.
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2000 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $5.4 billion
- Global Registered Users: 22.5 million
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2001 eBay Inc.
eBay expands internationally with sites in Ireland, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland.
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2001 eBay / Marketplaces
A Gulfstream jet sells for $4.9 million — the highest-priced item sold to date on eBay.
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2001 eBay Inc.
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2001 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay Stores, a directory of all storefronts, launches.
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2001 eBay / Marketplaces
Oldest pair of Levi's known in existence sells on eBay for $46,532.
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2001 Sustainability
eBay introduces Auction for America, on September 17, 2001, to aid victims of the September 11 attacks. This program becomes the basis for eBay Giving Works.
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2001 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $9.3 billion
- Global Registered Users: 42.4 million
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2002 eBay / Marketplaces
First eBay Live! Conference takes place in Anaheim, California.
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2002 PayPaleBay Inc. acquires PayPal, combining the strength of the world's largest online marketplace with the web's leading payment system.
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2002 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires 33% of China's EachNet in 2002 (and completes the acquisition in 2003).
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2002 Sustainability
eBay Foundation supports eBay's Auction for America by contributing more than $2.1 million to the New York city relief efforts.
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2002 People
Total eBay Inc. employees: 4,000.
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2002 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $14.9 billion
- Global Registered Users: 61.7 million
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2003 eBay Inc.
eBay is listed at #8 on Fortune's list of Fastest Growing Companies.
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2003 PayPal
PayPal Buyer Protection services are introduced for eBay transactions.
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2003 eBay / Marketplaces
The skeleton of a well-preserved 50,000-year-old mammoth is sold on eBay for 61,000 British pounds.
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2003 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $23.8 billion
- Global Registered Users: 95 million
PayPal
- Global Active Registered Accounts: 40 million
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2004 eBay Inc.
eBay Inc. acquires Marktplaats.nl, the Netherlands' leading online classifieds site.
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2004 eBay Inc.
eBay expands its presence in Asia with sites in Malaysia and the Philippines.
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2004 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires the Baazee marketplace in India.
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2004 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay opens its China Development Center in Shanghai to accelerate technology innovation.
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2004 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires mobile.de, the leading online vehicles marketplace in Germany.
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2004 People
Total eBay Inc. employees: 8,100.
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2004 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $34.2 billion
- Global Registered Users: 135 million
PayPal
- Global Active Registered Accounts: 64 million
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2005 eBay / Marketplaces
Happy 10th Birthday, eBay!
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2005 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires Skype, a leading global Internet communications company.
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2005 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires Shopping.com, a pioneer in online comparison shopping.
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2005 eBay Inc.
eBay expands into Poland.
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2005 Sustainability
eBay's Giving Works and PayPal join forces on fundraising efforts for hurricane relief organizations. Community donations total more than $2.1 million.
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2005 PayPal
PayPal launches its Merchant Services division, allowing merchants of all sizes across the Internet to easily and safely accept payments.
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2005 People
eBay Inc. employee base surpasses 10,000.
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2005 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $44.3 billion
- Global Registered Users: 181 million
PayPal
- Total Payment Volume (TPV): $20 billion
- Global Active Registered Accounts: 41.3 million
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2006 PayPal
PayPal launches a mobile application, which allows PayPal users to send money via their mobile phones.
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2006 eBay / Marketplaces
Vroom! The 2 millionth passenger vehicle is sold on eBay Motors.
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2006 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires Tradera, Sweden's leading online auction-style marketplace.
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2006 eBay Inc.
eBay takes a new approach to its China strategy with the announcement of a joint venture agreement with TOM Online, a leading Chinese web portal and wireless Internet company.
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2006 Sustainability
The eBay Foundation Techquity program, working with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, provides for entrepreneurs to acquire technology to support their small businesses.
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2006 eBay Inc.eBay Hong Kong
officially launches.
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2006 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $52.5 billion
- Global Registered Users: 222 million
PayPal
- Total Payment Volume (TPV): $35.8 billion
- Global Active Registered Accounts: 49.4 million
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2007 eBay Inc.
eBay Inc. acquires StubHub, the world's largest online ticket marketplace.
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2007 eBay Inc.
Kijiji launches in 200 U.S. cities.
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2007 eBay Inc.
People are talking! Skype introduces High Quality Video.
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2007 People
eBay tops "Best Companies to Work for" list in Ireland.
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2007 Sustainability
eBay Giving Works surpasses the $100-million donation mark.
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2007 PayPal
8 percent of all e-commerce worldwide is transacted via PayPal.
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2007 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay introduces gift cards.
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2007 Sustainability
eBay launches MicroPlace, which offers investment opportunities in microloans to the world's working poor.
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2007 People
eBay Inc. worldwide employee population surpasses 15,000
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2007 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $59.4 billion
- Global Active Users: 85.3 million*
*eBay Inc. began reporting global active users in 2007.
PayPal
- Total Payment Volume (TPV): $47.5 billion
- Global Active Registered Accounts: 57.3 million
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2008 People
John Donahoe is named President and CEO of eBay Inc., succeeding Meg Whitman.
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2008 PayPal
PayPal acquires Israel's Fraud Sciences Ltd, enhancing PayPal's security and fraud management systems.
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2008 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay Inc. is listed as one of Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For.
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2008 Sustainability
The company opens its first LEED Gold certified building on its San Jose, Calif. campus. Aptly named Mint, the building is the greenest in the city.
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2008 PayPal
PayPal celebrates its 10th birthday with 150 million accounts in 190 countries.
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2008 eBay / Marketplaces
An eBay auction for lunch with Warren Buffett raises $2.1 million for charity.
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2008 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay launches its iPhone application, giving millions of buyers mobile access to eBay.
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2008 eBay Inc.
Skype turns 5!
With 338 million registered users, Skype introduces unlimited calling subscriptions, an even greater value for users to call landline and mobile phones. -
2008 Sustainability
eBay launches WorldofGood.com, an online marketplace for ethically sourced, eco-friendly products.
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2008 eBay Inc.
Yay! For advancing global entrepreneurship, eBay Inc. becomes the first Internet company to be awarded the National Medal of Technology & Innovation, America's highest honor for technological and scientific achievement.
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2008 Sustainability
Helping Hands: In one year, MicroPlace has helped to pull 65,000 people out of poverty.
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2008 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires Bill Me Later, a leading online-oriented payments brand.
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2008 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires Den Bla Avis and BilBasen, leading classifieds sites in Denmark.
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2008 eBay / Marketplaces
Jack Sheng of eForcity Inc., becomes the eBay marketplace's first ever 1 million feedback seller.
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2008 Sustainability
Thanks! eBay sellers and buyers gave a record $36 million to nonprofit organizations in the United States in 2008 through eBay Giving Works.
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2008 Stats
eBay
- Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $59.7 billion
- Global Active Users: 87.7 million
PayPal
- Total Payment Volume (TPV): $60.1 billion
- Global Active Registered Accounts: 70.4 million
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2009 eBay / Marketplaces
By the time President Barack Obama takes office on January 20, more than 134,926 Obama-related items have been sold on eBay.
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2009 eBay Inc.
eBay Inc. was given a 100% rating from The Human Rights Campaign — America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
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2009 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay introduces Daily Deals … helping to connect buyers with sellers faster than ever.
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2009 Sustainability
The eBay Foundation and the nonprofit organization First Book distribute more than 300,000 children's books to kids in need across the U.S.
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2009 eBay / Marketplaces
For the second year in a row, eBay Inc. is listed as one of Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work for.
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2009 Sustainability
Green is the new black: eBay Inc. takes its employee Green Team out to the community. In the first six weeks alone, 100,000 people pledge to be greener, smarter shoppers.
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2009 PayPal
PayPal opens its European Center of Excellence in Dublin.
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2009 eBay Inc.
eBay acquires Gmarket, Korea's leading online marketplace.
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2009 eBay / Marketplaces
Badge of Distinction
eBay introduces Top Rated Seller status, making it easy for buyers identify sellers who consistently deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction in the eBay marketplace. -
2009 PayPal
PayPal launches Student Accounts, aiming to help teens learn to manage money wisely.
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2009 eBay / Marketplaces
We're Open!
eBay's Selling Manager Applications platform opens, enabling sellers to access developer apps that help them run their businesses. -
2009 Sustainability
On the Green List
Newsweek ranks eBay Inc. as one of the top green companies in America – coming in at No. 76 on the list of the 500 largest corporations in the United States. -
2009 Sustainability
eBay Inc. commits to a 15 percent corporate emissions reduction target by 2012.
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2009 PayPal
Better Together
eBay and PayPal begin to offer Bill Me Later as an option to customers during checkout. -
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2009 eBay Inc.
eBay Inc. completes the sale of Skype to a group of investors, retaining a 30 percent stake in the company.
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2009 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay on the Go!
eBay continues to lead mobile commerce with an upgraded version of its core iPhone application and a new app just for deals. -
2009 Sustainability
The eBay community gave a record $50 million to nonprofits through eBay Giving Works (U.S.) and eBay for Charity (U.K.)
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2009 Stats
eBay
Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV): $57.2 billion
Global Active Users: 90.1 million
PayPal
Net Total Payment Volume (nTPV): $71.6 billion
Global Active Registered Accounts: 81 million -
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2010 eBay / Marketplaces
To help small-business and part-time eBay sellers accelerate their businesses on eBay, the company kicks off a new series of events called eBay: On Location.
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2010 eBay / Marketplaces
The Narciso Rodriguez for eBay Collection was sold exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay Store, redefining how and where savvy shoppers can buy designer fashion at extraordinary value.
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2010 PayPal
Socially Accepted
Facebookers can now use PayPal to pay for Facebook Ads through the company’s online advertising tool. -
2010 Sustainability
eBay Inc. Adopts Fuel Cell Technology -- Bloom Energy Servers -- to Power Its headquarters campus in San Jose, Calif.
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2010 PayPal
China UnionPay (CUP) card members will be able to use PayPal to shop online, representing a new opportunity for international retailers to sell to a large base of Chinese customers who, combined, hold 2.1 billion CUP cards.
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2010 PayPal
First National Bank (FNB) and PayPal customers in South Africa can now sell to PayPal’s global customer base of more than 81 million active accounts in 190 markets around the world and move the proceeds to their FNB accounts
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2010 eBay / Marketplaces
Sell It Now!
New mobile selling apps allow consumers to list an item on eBayClassifieds.com or eBay.com or in 60 seconds or less. -
2010 eBay / Marketplaces
eBay relaunched its Kijiji classifieds site as eBayClassifieds.com, with major enhancements that create industry-leading standards in trust and safety, customer service and user experience.
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2010 eBay / Marketplaces
The eBay for iPad app delivers a dramatically different, visually compelling shopping experience to browse the vast selection of products available on eBay.
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On Labor Day weekend in 1995, computer programmer Pierre Omidyar wrote the code for what he called an "experiment": What would happen if everyone in the world had equal access to a single global marketplace?
Pierre tested his new auction website by posting a broken laser pointer, which he was about to throw away. And to his surprise, a collector bought it for $14.83. The sale of a broken laser pointer was the beginning of a radical transformation in commerce.
eBay is a remarkably efficient market created by connecting individuals who wouldn't otherwise be connected. It was the world's first example of online social networking. While skeptics questioned whether people would trust doing business with strangers online, Pierre firmly believed that people are basically good, and that any issues would work themselves out by the community.
Since then, eBay has grown to have a presence in 39 markets (including partnerships and investments) with more than 90 million eBay.com users worldwide, trading more than $1,900 worth of goods each second. In 2002, the eBay community made it clear that they preferred using PayPal as an online payment method. So eBay acquired PayPal, which brought new efficiencies to e-commerce and redefined possibilities for eBay's future.
The company has since expanded by acquiring innovative businesses, such as Shopping.com, StubHub, Bill Me Later and others, which have positioned the company as the global leader in e-commerce and payments.
Building on Pierre's entrepreneurial legacy, eBay continues to passionately believe in the potential of technology to connect people around the world. Read more about our global portfolio of businesses and how we continue to support entrepreneurship.