Collectibles Come to Social Shopping via eBay Live Platform

E-commerce company eBay is launching eBay Live, a live shopping platform that lets people browse, chat and purchase items from anywhere in the world using beta technology that combines entertainment with instant purchasing. The first series will offer a curated selection of rare trading cards from top eBay seller Bleecker Trading, and will be hosted by trading card enthusiast DJ Skee. The new platform is designed for social shopping, “allowing our community to come together over shared interests and merchandise,” explained eBay vice president of collectibles, electronics and home Dawn Block.

The live events will be accessible through the eBay app and the web, inviting  shoppers “to engage with products as if they’re in a traditional shop,” beginning June 22, eBay said in an announcement. “EBay is the latest online platform to enter the live shopping space and joins the likes of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest,” TechCrunch reports.

Some of the cards for sale include high-end Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant offerings. According to The Verge, eBay “recently expanded its Authenticity Guarantee for graded trading cards through a partnership with Professional Sports Authenticator. Now, when an already-graded trading card sells for more than $2,000, that card is sent to PSA first to ensure authenticity.”

Last month, eBay teased live-stream shopping that includes the ability for two creators to simultaneously go live co-hosting a single shopping stream. In November, Twitter announced a new live-stream shopping platform with Walmart as its first participating retailer.

“Also in November 2021, Facebook rolled out a test of Live Shopping for Creators,” TechCrunch reports, adding “Facebook has had Live Shopping for years, as partnerships between brands and creators become more common, the app has begun testing a feature that would make these collaborations appear more seamless.” Pinterest in May launched a new app designed to make it easier for creators to live stream.

The live shopping announcement comes just weeks after eBay announced that it is partnering with Web3 platform OneOf to launch its first collection of NFTs. EBay’s new Genesis NFT Collection “will feature 3D and animated interpretations of the iconic athletes featured on Sports Illustrated covers over the years,” TechCrunch notes, adding that “eBay said the surge in the collectibles market has led to its first-ever collaboration in the NFT space.”

Related:
Roku and Walmart Partner Up to Bring Shoppable Ads to Streaming, TechCrunch, 6/17/22

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