Celebrating eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary

As Dublin started to celebrate eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary, we honestly didn’t know much about the country site. We’ve done some digging with a bit of help from the eBay Ireland team and can today publish some numbers on eBay’s 12th country site which first opened its doors in Blanchardstown in 2004 with a staff of just two… so welcome to our celebration of all that is eBay Ireland:

The first item to sell on eBay.ie

We thought we’d kick off eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary by going back to where it all started – The first ever products sold on eBay Ireland were Four Golf Club Vouchers for Edenderry Golf Club, which sold for €102.50.

The most expensive items sold on eBay.ie

The most expensive item bought by an Irish customer during eBay’s first year in Ireland was a Lincoln Town Car costing €17,900 but that’s since been eclipsed by a €64,000 beautiful, Coach-built Rolls-Royce as the most expensive item ever sold on eBay.ie.

The most expensive item bought by an Irish buyer so far in eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary year is a two-door, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupé, which sold for €14,400.

In 2006, the leather trousers of a well-known Irish singer sold on eBay for a jaw-dropping €6,000.

The post popular items sold at launch in 2005 and today on eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary

The iPhone 6 is the most searched-for item in eBay.ie’s history. In 2005, iPods and Nokia phones were among the most popular items sold on eBay.ie and today, buyers are looking for Microsoft Windows 10 and Bluetooth headsets.

Auctions are still adding excitement for Irish buyers

Whilst 89% of items are sold on eBay at a fixed price, the thrill of bidding is still well and truly alive. There have been some amazing and intriguing pieces listed over the past month including:

• A new, Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer 10030 Ultimate Collector Series (sold for 1,500)
• An Original Walt Disney Unique Hand-Signed Autograph (sold for €372.59)
• Irish Whiskey John Jameson™ Coin Operated Vending Machine Dispenser (sold for €1,339.05)

The size of the Irish marketplace on eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary

Today, eBay Ireland has almost 1 million active Irish buyers (out of a population of around 4.8 millions so roughly 25% penetration including children too young to open an account). There were some 3.6 million live listings from professional sellers based in Ireland in 2018.

The top categories, in terms of quantity sold by Irish professional sellers on eBay over the last year are: Mobile phones & Communication; Sound & Vision; Computers/Tablets & Networking; and Home, Furniture & DIY.

68% of professional sellers in Ireland export to an average of 12 countries. Top export countries are: the UK; USA; Germany; Spain; and France. Top exports to the Uk are Vehicle Parts & Accessories; Home Furniture & DIY; Computers / Tablets & Networking; Sporting Goods; and Garden & Patio.

eBay Ireland’s 15th Anniversary

“We have come a long way in our short but dynamic 15-year history in Ireland and this is due not only to our investment in technology, but our investment in people, who are central to the company’s growth and success. eBay is the world’s first e-commerce site and people in Ireland were quick to embrace what was, back then, an unusual concept. But the Irish are ‘early adopters’, and eBay quickly became a household name. For me and indeed for all of us at eBay who are celebrating 15 years, it’s hard to imagine a world without eBay.”
– Derek Allgood, Vice President of Global Customer Experience, eBay