The IT Nerd

eBay is bringing live commerce to Canada with the launch of eBay Live, applying more than 25 years of marketplace trust to a fast-growing format within the collectibles community.

Built on verified sellers and established buyer protections, eBay Live brings credibility to live shopping, with the Canadian launch featuring live auctions from Canadian sellers at major collector conventions nationwide, including high-demand Pokémon and hockey cards.

The rollout mirrors eBay Live’s momentum in markets such as the U.S., U.K., France, Australia, Italy and Germany, where the platform has driven strong engagement, including live events featuring Elton John, Giannis Antetokounmpo, The Backstreet Boys, Sophie Cunningham, and Pete Davidson.

Featured livestreams include:

• Fan Expo Vancouver: Saturday, Feb. 14, from 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. PT/9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ET, auctioning a 2006 Pokémon EX Dragon Frontiers Charizard Gold Star Holo Rare (PSA 7) valued at C $9,750.

o   In 2025, searches for Pokémon on eBay.ca rose 70% compared to the year prior. 

• Collectors Supershow Toronto: Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET , auctioning a 2024–25 Upper Deck Gold Spectrum Macklin Celebrini Rookie Card valued at C $6,000.

o   In 2025, searches for Macklin Celebrini increased by more than 800% compared to the year prior.

These rare and high value cards will be auctioned starting at just C$1.00, with 30-second extended bidding enabling everyone to get in on the action.

To make the events even more memorable, eBay Live is bringing fans closer to their fandom — offering the opportunity to chat and shop live with:

• Steve Aoki, internationally renowned DJ, producer, and entrepreneur
• Sean Astin, best known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Stranger Things, and The Goonies
• James and Oliver Phelps (Phelps Twins), also known as the Weasley twins from the Harry Potter films
• Doug Gilmour, Canadian hockey legend and NHL Hall of Famer
• Joseph Woll, NHL goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs

n the +20 years, it has existed, eBay has definitely become a household name. Whether you’ve heard it being mentioned in movies or on TV shows or even your daily news, you’ve definitely heard it come up over the years.

While defining eBay is easy, as it’s basically an eCommerce platform, we’re here to show you that it has actually become much more than that. Nowadays, eBay is a big part of the global culture. It’s become the go-to place for millions of sellers and buyer. From a place where people used to go to make a decision whether or not to buy something, eBay has evolved to a place where visiting means definitely buying thanks, in part, to the various eBay discount codes and savvy social marketing.

As a marketplace, the platform has grown so much, that there are millions of people who trade there on a daily basis. Some of them are sellers, some of them are buyers, and some are a little bit of both. And the beauty of a platform like eBay is that all of the items that are sold there are only worth what someone will pay for them.

This means that you can find shockingly high prices for items that are highly sought after.

Things like vintage products, collectibles, unusual items and goods that are in short supply can command some staggering price tags. You can also bid for items that you really want to have or even find things that are priced ridiculously cheap.

There have been times where sellers have posted some strange things on the platform, such as boxes of Twinkies, back when they were temporarily discontinued or a Limited edition of Coconut M&Ms. It’s also a place where people can find items that they’ve been collecting all their lives, and that doesn’t just include stamps and coins.

This infographic beautifully outlines all of the different and interesting facts that have been going on with eBay since its establishment back in 1995, all the way up to today.

With the iPhone 8 model set to release shortly, here’s some data from eBay Canada about the iPhone economy that’s created around launch time:

While eBay is a popular place for Canadians to buy and sell iPhones all year long (in the last year alone, a device was both bought and sold by a Canadian approximately every 10 minutes), an uptick in activity is noted around the release cycle of a new iPhone model.

Looking back at 2016, shortly after the iPhone 7 launch, a previous generation iPhone was bought or sold by a Canadian every 5 minute on eBay. Also, iPhone listings by Canadians increased by more than 30% from the beginning of August to the end of October last year.

Here are some additional interesting stats:

• Over the last three years, the average sale price of the previous generation iPhone available to Canadians on eBay dipped by nearly 10% the month after a new generation was released
• The conditions of iPhones Canadians are buying and selling on eBay are ~20% new, ~70% used, ~10% refurbished
• To-date, the most popular iPhone model purchased by Canadians on eBay is the iPhone 5s
• The most popular iPhone model sold by Canadians on eBay, is the iPhone 4s
• The current average selling prices for the following iPhone models available to Canadians on eBay are:
  • iPhone 7 Plus – $705 CAD
  • iPhone 7 – $616 CAD
  • iPhone 6s Plus – $368 CAD
  • iPhone 6s – $251 CAD
  • iPhone 6 Plus – $258 CAD
  • iPhone 6 – $173 CAD

For everything iPhone-related, including the latest available products and an easy-to-follow process to create an eBay iPhone listing, you can go to ebay.ca/iPhone.

The iPhone is celebrating its 10^th anniversary on June 29^th. In recognition of this milestone, eBay Canada shared some stats that are both Canada-specific and global.

After Steve Jobs’ inaugural iPhone announcement at Mac World in 2007, consumers’ love for the iPhone has steadily increased. Here are some highlights from the last 10 years of buying and selling the popular device on eBay:

In Canada

• So far this year, Canadians are buying an iPhone every 9 minutes on eBay, and selling an iPhone every 10 minutes
• Currently, there are nearly 50,000 iPhone listings on eBay.ca
• The first iPhone ever bought by a Canadian on eBay was a brand new 8GB first generation model, for more than $1,100 CAD in 2007. The buyer was from Manitoba
  •   The first pre-sale went for more than $2,500 CAD to a buyer in B.C.
• The first iPhone sold on eBay by a Canadian was a brand new 8GB first generation model, for just under $700 CAD, in 2007. The seller was an Ontarian
• Canadians in Ontario have purchased and sold the most iPhones, per capita, since they’ve been available on the site – followed by Quebec and British Columbia
• Those in B.C. spend the most on an iPhone, on average, and those living in the Territories spend the least
• Ontario sellers get the most money for an iPhone, on average, while Manitobans sell for the most competitive price

Globally

• Around the release of a new iPhone model, the eBay iPhone economy kicks into high gear with buyers looking to score a great deal on a previous generation, and sellers looking to trade in before they trade up to the newest model
  • In the two weeks leading up to the 2016 release of the iPhone 7, one iPhone 6 was sold every minute on eBay globally
  • For two weeks following the launch of the iPhone 6 in September 2014, nearly 435 previous generation iPhones sold on eBay per hour

Consumers can find every generation of iPhone on eBay. To celebrate the 10^th anniversary, shoppers can visit ebay.ca/iphone this week to get deals on some of the newest iPhone generations and check out some interesting finds, all the way back to the one that started it all. For example, you can currently purchase an unopened 1^st generation iPhone for just over $10,000 CAD.

For those looking to trade in their current phones, eBay has created an easy-to-follow process to create their listing. Visit ebay.ca/sellyourphone.  

Source: eBay

Raise your controllers and power up your consoles, video game fans.  On March 10^th, gamers across Canada will pay homage to the most-renowned video game character of all-time, Mario!

To celebrate National Mario Day, eBay Canada has taken a look at Super Mario purchasing trends from enthusiasts across Canada. Did you know that Canadians purchased roughly three Super Mario items every hour on eBay in Canada last year?

Gaming has come a long way since Mario first made his debut in 1981, but Canadians are still diehard original Mario fans. In fact, the top four most expensive Super Mario items ever purchased on eBay in Canada were original Super Mario Brothers Nintendo games released in 1985. Here’s a look at some more stats courtesy of eBay Canada:

Super Mario purchasing trends on eBay in Canada 

• There are currently over 59,000 Super Mario items listed on eBay.ca

• Last year, Canadians purchased over $725,000 worth of Super Mario itemson eBay in Canada*

• Last year, roughly three Super Mario items were purchased every hour on eBay in Canada*

• Gaming has come a long way since Mario’s debut in 1981, but Canadians are still diehard fans of the original Super Mario Brothers Nintendo game that was released in 1985

o   In fact, four of the top five most expensive Super Mario items ever purchased on eBay in Canada were original Super Mario Brothers Nintendo games

• The most expensive Super Mario item ever purchased on eBay in Canada was a 1985 Super Mario Brothers Nintendo game, which sold for $3,120 **
• The second, third and fourth most expensive Mario items ever purchased on eBay in Canada were brand-new factory sealed Super Mario Brothers Nintendo games from 1985, which sold for $3,000, $1,800 and $1700 respectively**
• Currently, there is a brand new version listed on eBay.ca for over $4,000
• A rare 19″ Super Mario Fire Statue sold for $1,500 **
• Last year, the most expensive Super Mario item bought on eBay in Canada was a brand-new factory sealed Super Mario Brothers Nintendo game from 1985, which sold for $1,800*

o   The second most expensive Super Mario item bought on eBay in Canada in 2015 was arare Mario figurine from the 1993 Super Mario Brothers film, which sold for $1,150*

* Statistics based on purchases made on eBay by Canadians in relevant categories from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.

** Statistics based on purchases made on eBay by Canadians in relevant categories

eBay, one of the world’s most vibrant marketplaces has released eBay 4.0 – a new, immersive experience for eBay core apps for iPhone and Android, as well as updates to the iPad. eBay 4.0 is designed to simplify the way eBay customers browse, buy and sell, and is another step in our journey to create a customized, personalized experience across all screens.

Features include:

• New start experience tailored to fill users’ inspiration and utility needs, and bring selling to the forefront.
• New “Activity” channel, which provides shoppers with information on Recently Viewed and Watched Items, as well as Selling activity.
• Redesigned “Shop” channel, which allows shoppers to browse each vertical (Fashion, Electronics, Home & Garden, Collectibles & Art, Motors and Deals) and access Daily Deals.
• Simplified “Sell” channel with seamless listing capabilities, Selling Tips and integration of eBay Valet.
• Updated navigation throughout the apps – the header bar with a global Search box and the lefthand navigation drawer that gives direct access to My eBay content.
• Motors P&A Fitment compatibility in Search and View Item.

To learn more about eBay 4.0, please go to: https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/introducing-ebay-4-0/

eBay has announced the arrival of the eBay app for the Apple Watch, bringing one of the world’s largest marketplaces to your wrist. Developing a frictionless commerce experience, eBay built the app from the ground-up with the goal of taking wearable commerce to a level that’s intuitive and personal, similar to the iPhone. The experience provides eBay’s buyers and sellers with timely, relevant and personal updates so that customers can stay connected to the events they’re most interested in.

Key features of the eBay for Apple Watch app include:

• Glanceable summaries of Notifications, Buying, Selling & Watching
• Ability to perform quick actions such as a quick bidding feature
• 28 content rich activities with short or expanded screens for bidding, watching, selling and messaging
• Comprehensive view of all eBay activities, including all bidding, outbids and items ending soon
• A seller summary view of items for sale, with bids and watches, seller dashboards, 30 day sales and active items with bids
• Ability to read and leverage voice dictation to reply to messages directly on Apple Watch

More details on this app as well as other key mobile updates can be found here.