Over the past few decades, the antiques trade has undergone seismic shifts. As someone who has lived and breathed this business for nearly 30 years, I’ve watched first-hand as markets changed, buyer behavior evolved, and technology reshaped everything. One name comes up more than any other when people talk about these changes: eBay.
But has eBay ruined the antique trade? Or has it, in some twisted irony, actually saved it? In this article, I’m going to walk you through the highs and lows of what eBay has done to our industry, sharing real-life examples, experiences, and insights I’ve picked up along the way. If you’re in the trade, a collector, or just love antiques, this is for you.
You can also watch my full video on this topic here: https://youtu.be/JOurK02N_Wk
Who Am I To Say All This?
My name’s Walter O’Neill, and I run AntiquesArena.com, a large, privately owned antiques website. This isn’t a hobby or side hustle for me. This is my life. If I get it wrong, I don’t get paid. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t just sell antiques. I live them. I love them. I wake up thinking about them. They’re not just items to me; they’re pieces of history that need preserving and passing on.
The Rise of eBay: A Revolution in Selling
Back in the early days, if you wanted to sell antiques, you had a few limited options:
- Car boot sales
- Antique fairs
- Antique shops (if you were lucky)
- Auction houses (and pay their fat commissions)
There was a charm to it. A sense of exclusivity. A thrill in the hunt. And then came eBay. Suddenly, anyone with an attic full of grandma’s old china could list it and sell it globally.
And that changed everything.
The Positives of eBay
Despite my grumbles over the years, it’s only fair to start with what eBay got right.
✅ Global Reach
Once upon a time, if you wanted to reach an American or Australian collector, you needed to attend the big fairs like Newark or Swinderby and hope you caught their eye. Now? Your item is visible worldwide 24/7. eBay never sleeps. That’s powerful.
✅ Learning Opportunities
When I started, I learned the hard way. Watching dealers. Reading the tags. Buying items just to study them. I’m dyslexic, so books were tough. Now you can learn so much just from eBay.
Want to understand current prices? Look at sold listings. Want to know what’s trending? Watch what gets listed and what doesn’t sell.
eBay became the best learning tool out there for antiques, hands down.
✅ Accessibility for All
Whether you’re a top-end dealer, a part-time reseller, or someone clearing out granny’s house, you can use eBay. That openness gave so many people the chance to be part of the trade.
✅ Market Transparency
Back in the day, you never really knew what something actually sold for. With eBay, it’s all out in the open. You can compare asking vs. sold prices and get a clear picture of market value.
But Here’s Where It Went Wrong…
It wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t highlight the cons — and there are plenty.
❌ Oversupply Has Killed the Market
When everyone can sell, everyone does. Items that used to be rare are now everywhere. I remember when you had to scour fairs to find Clarice Cliff or decent Nankin porcelain. Now you’ll see a hundred listings on eBay at any time.
It’s not rare anymore. And if it’s not rare, it loses value. That’s Business 101: supply and demand.
❌ eBay Owns Your Business
If you build your whole business on eBay, you’re at their mercy. A couple of complaints, a lost parcel, and bam — your account is frozen. I know people who lost years of work overnight.
That’s why I left eBay years ago and built my own site. I own it. I run it. Nobody can take it from me.
❌ Flooded with Fakes
The sheer amount of fakes on eBay is shocking. Chinese porcelain? You have no idea what you’re really getting. I’ve seen scammers sending out photos of phones in boxes instead of real items. I’ve seen returns come back with house bricks instead of antiques. It’s madness.
Real collectors are starting to avoid eBay altogether.
❌ The Fee Structure Is Unfair
Private sellers now list for free. Businesses still pay subscriptions, promotions, commissions on sales and postage. At my peak, I was losing 25-30% of my gross to eBay. That’s a massive chunk for any small business.
A New Way Forward?
eBay opened the door for all of us, but in doing so, it also took away a lot of what made antiques special: the chase, the rarity, the connection.
We’ve gained access, speed, and global reach. But we’ve lost mystery, discovery, and value.
I’m not anti-eBay. I’m anti-dependence. If you’re in this business, my advice is simple:
- Use eBay to learn, but don’t rely on it to survive.
- Build your own brand. Your name should matter more than the platform.
- Offer trust, service, and quality — and people will keep coming back.
Let’s Talk More
I’m hosting a live discussion on this very topic on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at 1PM (UK time). Whether you’ve been scammed, made a fortune, or just have a strong opinion — come join in.
You can also watch my video version of this article here:
https://youtu.be/JOurK02N_Wk
I want to hear your story.
Final Thoughts
eBay hasn’t ruined the antique trade. But it has transformed it beyond recognition. Whether that’s good or bad depends on how you adapt.
As for me, I’ll keep sharing my love for antiques, one piece at a time. And hopefully, help others navigate this wild, changing world we call the antique business.
Thanks for reading, and please leave your thoughts below.
Stay passionate. Stay informed.
— Walter
