Customer Service Representative | Melbourne, FL | Apr 17, 2015
A decent entry level job
This is the kind of job that I doubt I could stand for more than two years. Yes, it seems easy (from an outsider looks in perspective). We get to sit down for 8-hours a day and basically do nothing. (Almost) all of the information is laid out in front of you, and you just need to assist the customers in the best way that you can. It sounds great, and simple (which it honestly is) if it weren't for the people who are actually calling. I would say about 90% of the contacts you receive are because the person is experiencing some sort of problem. Many people are angry, and they are not afraid to take it out on you. It's not that I as an agent take it personally, however the negative vibes definitely wear you out. After a full-time work week of hearing people complaining, moaning, cursing at you, and basically calling you the biggest idiot they have ever had the displeasure of speaking to, you wonder how some people have done it five days a week for 5, 10, 15 years. I could never. I would literally rather do ANYTHING else than work at this company longer than I have to.
As a chat and email agent, you are also expected to take phone calls at a moment's notice, while still maintaining the email/chat productivity expectations. This is fine every now and then, but incredibly infuriating when it is an everyday occurrence. Particularly frustrating is the fact that the management of my department can't seem to get their act together long enough to realize the huge and unhelpful sched
ProsPTO and Carry-Over Holidays, Set schedules, Job security because customers are absolutely idiotic (this is also kind of a con)
ConsIncompetent management, Nasty customers, Staring at a screen all day, This company will hire ANYONE
Supportive environment, challenging but not overwhelming (dependent upon position), and many opportunities for lateral or upward movement.
eBay is a chimera--the experience working there can be whatever you want it to be. If you prefer to lay low, do your job, and leave work at work, there's a place for you here. If you have a career goal in mind and want to experience a different department or move laterally/upwards, management is supportive and works with you to achieve your goals.
The benefits are fantastic and start day one. You know when you call your health insurance company and they mention you have one of the best plans they offer, you're sitting pretty. Free therapy sessions with a therapist of your choice for you and your family. Free access to wellness programs like Grokker, Cleo, and Grand Rapids. Short and long term disability. Sabbaticals. Parental leave. Personal leave. Work from home. Employee stock plans. Retirement contribution match. The list goes on.
In the numerous positions I've held at eBay, I've always felt I was treated not just fairly by management, but truly cared about.
Downsides include the perpetual bureaucracy. Upper management is numbers-driven and it takes vocal, persistent employees who truly possess a passion for the future of the company to spark a change. Hearing common mantras filtered down by upper management such as "it's all about the member experience" and then actually seeing the numerous, asinine hoops members are forced to jump through needlessly is maddening. Performance targets constantly shift quarter-by-quarter--efficiency always being priority one--but uppe
ProsExceptional benefits, Parental leave, Work from home, Supportive direct management, Ability to pursue interests and a variety of career paths, Flexible schedules and accommodations
The company is quite large, so you need to do your part to make it small. It's best to make sure you are working within a team and organization that is important to the company though that can change from one minute to the next. Also, if you don't work in San Jose, you're at a disadvantage when it comes to career development and advancement.
You also MUST HAVE visibility and a good relationship with your organization's leadership. And they must be positioned well politically and be highly visible with the company's executive leadership. If you don't have this, then you don't have job security at eBay. Period.
And working in a technical domain area can be detrimental. Many of the senior leadership only have a superficial understanding of the more technical domains. Unfortunately, that doesn't prevent them from making misguided, impactful decisions that set the company back.
On a related note, company leadership does not know how to evaluate talent. This shortcoming is an epidemic for the company and one of the main reasons why they struggle to attract and retain top talent. They reward people who are not very well thought of by their peers. People who are focused more on managing up than on execution.
Doing good work is not enough to be successful at eBay. That makes for a very untrusting and insecure culture. Nobody is sure when the next round of layoffs is coming, who will be impacted, or why certain decisions are made.
It's also becoming very bureaucrati
ProsGreat compensation and benefits, many great co-workers
ConsNo clear direction, inept leadership, no job security, low morale
4.0
Customer Service Representative | Austin, TX | Jun 13, 2019
They're TRYING to be competitive with other corporate jobs in the area
eBay sells themselves to you quickly. You learn eventually that, as realistically expected, the amazing things you're hopeful about are really only just pretty good.
Applying for leave for medical emergencies or wellness or really any type of leave is DIFFICULT. So much so that most people end up returning from surgeries or treatments that require bed rest time without approved leave (regardless of doctor notes and paperwork submission, etc..) and are told they can't miss a single work day for 90 days or their job will be considered.
The leadership only advances their favorites. They tell you that if you are not 100% for eBay, and willing to comply without question, they can't consider you. 1930's Germany would have a heyday with that one. So as a result, the leaders don't seem to be able to think for themselves most of the time. Doesn't make it great when there are one-offs or personal things that need consideration. Also creates really terrible work environments and lots of friction in each department. You can see exactly how that affects the company by seeing turnover rates.
They do offer some free snacks one time a day Mon-Fri (sorry for you weekend peeps), and have soda, water, coffee, juice, and tea for free.
You get a gym membership for free on-site, but it's small. No outdoor anything. You don't get any R&R, so when people are screaming in your ear and threatening you and your family, the most you get is a few minutes to sit in the hallway or walk around the build
1.0
Customer Service Representative | Remote | Sep 15, 2021
Worst "leadership" I've dealt with in my 10 years of working experience.
A typical day at work - Getting yelled at by unreasonable "buyers" and "sellers" that are upset about eBay's backwards policies and messed up payment system. Management checks on and reports stats daily, questioning anything even slightly below 95% and threatening the team with write ups weekly.
Morale is LOW, team often ignores management in the team chat, probably due to the constant threats of write ups and performance improvement plans regardless if almost all of your metrics are perfect. They will always find something to pick it and belittle you over, so forget the monthly bonus you can supposedly attain.
Management - By far, the worst management I've had in 10 years of working experience. They take their job ridiculously seriously and suck any semblance of team spirit out of the job. Daily metrics shoved down your throat and threats of write ups instead of actual coaching and leadership. Management does not care about your work/life balance.
Culture - I was promised multiple "promotions" which were actually lateral moves without a pay raise, that never happened. I'm actually glad because the promotion would have been to a much more difficult position WITHOUT an increase of pay.
eBay workplace culture is the most fake positivity I've come across. After training, the experience is completely downhill. eBay's asinine policies which lead to customer frustration become your fault in the eyes of management.
Hardest part of the job - Maintaining the motivation to clock in
ProsMedical/dental/vision benefits.
ConsDaily metrics shoved down your throat, leadership is poor, low morale.
Enjoyable job and environment, challenging at times
Typical day at work involved catching up on emails and sorting work requests. I would then check my ticket queue, perform work that had a quick turn around, then plan how to perform larger projects. Some days I would get to devote the whole to day to developing applications and scripts to automate or remove human errors from the process.
I was able to learn how controls and monitoring systems work with physical devices for the support of a data center. I was also able to continue learning new things, as has been the case throughout my career, that weren't necessary for my immediate job duties, but became an asset for my team and company.
The management teams at ebay are great, i didn't have a lot of contact with upper level management team, but they did hold town hall meetings that were broadcasted to other locations and helped me feel included in the overall progress of the company, and help me see the big picture. My direct management were helpful, understanding and showed me examples of how to make decisions and help me understand why a certain decision was made.
The hardest part of my job was understanding how the more technical functions of the monitoring system would break and stop working. I would eventually find a solution, which was rewarding, but some solutions seemed to temporary fixes.
The absolute best part of my job came out of my desire to automate some job duties, which my manager encouraged me to continue, which was coding in C# and to learn and
ProsGreat benefits, stocks provided for compensation, free lunch and breakfast one day a week, company paid for phone and laptop.
ConsNone really, looking for possibilities at increasing salary.
eBay was my first call center job. It started out really great. The 8 week training was comprehensive, and fun. After 4 months of being in production, the department I was hired for was dissolved and split into several other departments.
I moved to a new department and got a raise. At first this was great, but I quickly became disillusioned as the leadership and management support suddenly didn't exist. There were all sorts of information - policies, resources etc that weren't provided in the training and without leadership/management to go to, I began to feel very overwhelmed.
This was in March of 2019 - that I began to feel overwhelmed. I left eBay in May 2020 because it finally became too much. Things gradually got worse. More department changes were made and more and more we were expected to work in areas that I wasn't trained in. For more than half of my two years at eBay I felt overwhelmed, undervalued, and stressed. With the events of Covid-19 my perspective changed. At first I was lucky. While my friends and relatives were getting laid off left and right, eBay gave us all computers and sent us home to work. As I said, this was initially good, but the only thing that kept me working at eBay and able to deal with he stress was the fact that work was so far away from my home. Once work and home were forced to be one, I couldn't continue with eBay anymore. The support of leadership and management was severely lacking while we were all working in the same building -
The hardest part of any job is feeling truly secure in it. This job was no different, even after 6 years of faithful and dedicated service, I still didn't fully feel I was a 'part of a team'.
My direct manager always preached teamwork, and unity across shifts, but then shifted negativity in his focus towards the shift that was struggling; even though he was 'absent' from our facility a lot (sometime for months on end), and had no input or direction with what was happening operationally. Teamwork in the absence of consistent, approachable and available leadership, is merely a reflection of the lack of leadership, and was for the most part a free-for-all and looking out for number one to avoid being called to the principal's office. The hardest part of the job was the 'uncomfortable' feeling and lack of communication and teamwork with/from my superiors.
Although I enjoyed my work, and was very good at it, I felt that it was most definitely time to move on. I really enjoyed the work and the people that worked with and for me. Leaving behind such a talented group of folks was indefinably hard to do.
ProsSome of the perks of the job centered around 'giveaways', award ceremonies for the associate level personnel, such as spin the wheel for a gift card, or free day off with pay. Also, the Company occasionally held summer cook-outs for the associates.
ConsCompany sponsored trips and picnics, were also held occassionally, although I never was able to attended any of them. The 3 times they had an outing, they were scheduled for the weekend when I was on vacation, not sure if that just ironic, or coincidence.
3.0
Customer Service Representative | Draper, UT | Apr 13, 2019
Watch your back at all times.
I really loved the training, it was fun and innovative.
I worked in M2M for for the first 6 months things were great, but then sadly something changed, I then had 3 TL's in as many months, lots of managers being moved around. And sadly it came clear to me that 1 TL simply did not like me, he seemed to be angry in general, and since I made friends easily, I think that annoyed him. One day out of the blue I get an email saying that I am on corrective action, this same TL went back 4 to 5 months of calls, and pulled every call I made a mistake in, and claimed I was rude our members and would not serve them. So I made the mistake of being a team player, I signed the form and then I could see my Newest TL dressed like a cheerleader, and had nick names for the agents she liked, it was like she was watching me and just waiting for me to make a mistake. I sweated bullets everyday trying to make sure I did not make an error, while she and her coach, and her fav's told jokes laughed and threw balls around. Then one day it happened, I made a small error, and was told the next day that HR says I have to be let go, but that if I signed a form saying I quit, she'd pay out 2 weeks pay for me. Not realizing what was happening, I agreed, TL's always say HR says xyz, but as the agent you never get to tell your side to HR if you're let go. EBAY is a bubble, and it becomes almost a cult mentality, so I was the dorky kid that sat up front and liked school, My TL was the mean girl cheerleader
ProsGreat Training, Great Enviornment
ConsIt's Highschool, and cult like, people try to force out, no mobility
4.0
Customer Service Representative | Remote | Sep 15, 2021
The company & people are great, just get pushed where they need you
I like the environment and the people that I work with. Most callers are fine, but right now I work in a dept that handles only the top members so entitlement plays a big factor, and that can definitely get annoying. I have been pushed to this dept even though stressing to my leads that this was not a good fit for me. It's about what the company wants and needs, not what is best suited for you. Which then makes you feel like a number and not like an individual that can contribute based on yours skills. I feel as if everybody brings a different skill set to the table, and it's the managements job to make sure everybody is where they should be to succeed, because that will in turn help their numbers out as well. What I have been asking for is totally available within the company, but it's always "well we need you here because of x,y & z" and then resulting in my numbers consistently going down because of this just not being a good fit for me. I have applied for many different positions, but the requirements do not get disclosed to me until the interview is about to end. Based on my life style and my family there are certain things that I cannot do, and that was stressed to the company when I was offered the job at the very beginning.
ProsWork from home, hours are great and pay is fair
ConsShort lunch breaks, always about company needs, never taking your opinion or suggestion into consideration
Great company, but very poor management and dead career progression!
eBay marketplaces is represented by a very small team of about 12 employees in Luxembourg. There are also about 40-50 employees from PayPal, eBay Treasury and StubHub.
Joined eBay few years ago with great energy and motivation to improve and develop our messy processes in billing and finance. This energy and motivation have gone away after a while when I realized:
1. Whatever you achieve it seems like a drop in the ocean because management cannot focus and deliver elementary goals. The culture of management is "Fire! Let's work on 100 different projects to improve our business"... after debating, long discussions and hundreds of hours of work... guess what? 80-90% of the the projects are cancelled with the excuse "are not relevant anymore" and the remaining are delivered with significantly below quality standards expectations.
2. The performance evaluation and recognition of each employee is not based on objective performance of individual. It rather depends on your connections with management. In other words, it doesn't matter if you have worked very hard and achieved great results for the business. Someone else with basic performance and good connections with management can achieve better performance rating from you. This has a result talented people to leave eBay after few months/years. For the Luxembourg office, more than 8 employees (out of a team of 12!) left the company in last few years - a really high turnover.
3. One of the benefits that management "se
ProsCompany culture and values
ConsPoor management, career progression, compensation/benefits
5.0
Customer Service Representative | Ireland | Nov 13, 2018
I've worked in several companies for 20+ years, since then I moved to eBay and its the best career move ive made
Ignore the hatters, they will rarely be happy no matter where they are.
Ive worked in a lot of sector's, travel and tourism, food and beverage, sale and marketing, pharmaceutical sales, recruitment and human resources and I can honestly tell you moving to eBay was the best move of my life let alone my career.
You work on targets, this helps you stay motivated and challenged, if you care about making a service great for others then this is your company.
The benefits of working for eBay are next to none, health care life insurance and so many social events I've never wanted to be with my colleague more in any other company.
The pay is good, you have many incentives, but it's simple if you are a good worker, and are a valuable employee you are rewarded, if you are a person who wants to get paid for doing nothing this isn't your place.
eBay strives on satisfaction both for it's members and employees.
So if your looking for an excellent work like balance, a management and training team that want you to succeed and a company you can work in with out fear or worry then join. It's the best move you will ever make. And if you do join and your struggling, be smart and ask for help before you give up, be open to improvements and you will be climbing the career ladder in life in no time.
ProsOut of office events, health insurance, career growth, yearly schedule with 8 out of 10 weekends off
ConsSalarys aren't matched when you are leaving a company, so you might have to take a pay cut but with good performance, you will be making money in a less stressed enviroment I gurantee
Questions And Answers about eBay Inc.
If you were in charge, what would you do to make eBay a better place to work?
Asked Oct 26, 2018
Not To Judge A Person During A Hiring Process By Their Background Check Because Some People Were Charged With Charges That Were Not Defined & People Do Grow Through The Years & Change.
Answered Dec 14, 2020
A little more employee appreciation.
Answered Sep 18, 2020
How long does it take to get hired from start to finish at eBay? What are the steps along the way?
Asked Dec 27, 2016
2 months. Lots of interview rounds and delays.
Answered Nov 2, 2018
As a sales person none just upload item and set up paypal account.
Answered May 15, 2018
What is the interview process like at eBay?
Asked Jul 21, 2016
Went through the interviews, as in multiples and got a congratulations lets talk about your offer!
Then NOTHING. Finally I get a call and basically they tell me better luck next time!
Answered Sep 30, 2020
I applied and video interview was requested as the next step. Unfortunately, I was not considered further in hiring process. Web/video interview is not a very fair shot as an interview; not very personable.
Answered Aug 21, 2018
Can you request to work Monday-Friday?
Asked Oct 24, 2017
You can but schedule selection is based on performance scores and every phone agent and most supervisors must work one day over the weekend. So, a M-F schedule is probably not available.
Answered Jul 30, 2019
Do it from the get-go. Spots open up. When people don't show up for training, or quit in the middle of training, or are fired right away, TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY. ALWAYS contact your leadership after someone leaves and ask for it. You get to request a new schedule twice a year, too, and generally always get your #1 pick. So you'll get it eventually. Don't let an unfavorable starting schedule deter you if everything else looks great.
Answered Jun 13, 2019
How long did it take eBay to get back to you after the hirevue interview?
Asked Jul 25, 2017
About an hour and a half after completing the Hirevue interview I was contacted by email to schedule a telephone interview.
