Circling the drain - Customer Support eBay Employee Review

2.0
Oct 15, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I work in customer support, which for any internet-based company is basically an armpit that that head office wish they could get rid of. At eBay, that sentiment is even worse simply because from day one, they have tried to avoid putting customer support in place. Pierre's vision was "members helping other members" AKA "figure it out yourself, morons." And don't forget that eBay's first customer service representative was Uncle Griff, who toiled on the boards for free until they offered him a job (although I wish I had done the same since he's a multi-millionaire now). ANYWAY, customer support at eBay is (or was until recently) maybe the easiest job you can do in your pajamas.

Cons

There are few opportunities for advancement, plus the layoffs lopped off the recent promotions so I'm glad I didn't get that promotion. Speaking of layoffs: thought this round was bad? JD has basically pulled the plug on the business and we get to watch from the sidelines while it circles the drain! My prediction is that customer support will move to a 100%-outsourced model in 2009 which means another 6000 or so pink slips. Think getting an answer from eBay was tough now? Wait until that answer has to come from the lowest bidder! They can barely tie their own shoes.

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5.0
May 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

good culture friendly people and good benefits

Cons

leadership direction politics tenured individuals who do not change their ways of working

5.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work, lots of AI experiments, AI innovation, latest tech stack, Co-workers are very co-operative and helpful. Most AI tools are still unlimited.

Cons

Some teams are over-working due to smaller teams as a result of recent layoffs. Office perks (like catered food, snacks) are dwindling every quarter even though company wants every employee to be 3 days a week in office. Company wants 80 percent code to be generated by AI but no clear guideline how to achieve that.

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