eBay For Business Podcast Abruptly Discontinued - Is Host Jim "Griff" Griffith Retiring?
UPDATE 9-25-24
Griff has confirmed the eBay For Business Podcast Facebook Group is not going away, but will "evolve" and he's not retiring...yet.
Today's episode of the eBay for Business Podcast will surprisingly be the last, with host Jim "Griff" Griffith making the announcement the show will not go on with parting words at the end of this week's Fall Q&A roundup.
After answering a slew of seller questions, Griff and co-host Kayomi Kayoshi dropped the bombshell news that the podcast has been discontinued, effective immediately.
podcast_team
Griff:...and now a special announcement. Now as of this episode, the eBay for business podcast is discontinuing production.
We want to thank the many sellers and eBay employees who've been guests on our podcast since its launch in August of 2018. And we would also be remiss without recognizing our past co hosts, Alan Aizbitt, Doug Smith, Audrey Tracy, Liz Austin, Brian Burke, and of course, Kayomi Kayoshi.
Kayomi: That's me.
Griff: Yes. Our library of past episodes will remain available throughout two thousand twenty five, but I do encourage you to download those that are a special interest. We also encourage you to check out many of the wonderful eBay and selling related podcasts online. There are so many. Just search on the terms eBay selling, ecommerce. Tons of sellers out there are offering really good podcasts. So, check them out.
Kayomi: And you can still post your questions about selling on eBay to our eBay community forums at community.ebay.com.
Griff: Well, of course, the eBay community is always a great place to find answers and support.
Kayomi: Oh, yeah.
Griff: And finally, we want to thank all of you who have supported our podcast over the last six years. Your questions have helped make this podcast so interesting and often really entertaining. Sometimes I just I get your emails and I just, you know, laugh at some of the things that you guys say.
So thank you for sending them in. And they've certainly kept us on our toes. They've been proof that I don't know everything. I had to research almost every question that comes in. We hope we were always able to provide you with answers that helped you manage your eBay business.
Kayomi: And I cannot express my gratitude enough, but I'm so happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone a little to join you as a cohost, Griff. I've enjoyed every minute of it, and I now have a treasure trove of information, fun stories like you were just talking about, and fond memories from both you and also the listeners.
While Griff didn't give specifics about if he is retiring completely or just moving on to other projects at eBay, he did leave the door open for an eBay For Business Podcast reunion tour in the future.
Kayomi: Thank you all so much for tuning in, supporting us, and welcoming me with open arms as the new cohost earlier this year. And Griff, thank you so much for having me.
Griff: Kayomi, it was a pleasure. It's been such a joy watching you grow so much in just a few months. It hasn't even been a year yet. So thank you. Yeah. Well, I've enjoyed working with you and, who knows? We may work together again, so fingers crossed.
Kayomi: Yeah. You're gonna boomerang. Yeah. When you're ninety, we're gonna do twenty years from now, we'll do a reunion episode.
Griff: Okay. It's you're on. I'll put it on my calendar. And now for the last time, we roll the credits. Georgea Mpampanis has been our monthly co host and guest coordinator. Thank you, Georgea.
The timing of the announcement is interesting as tomorrow is the big annual eBay Open virtual seller conference, with kickoff parties across the country tonight.
It's also interesting that Griff specifically encouraged listeners to seek out other podcasts hosted by eBay sellers - eBay has recently stepped up their support and sponsorship for content creators with exclusive events at YouTube HQ in the UK offering expert tips for reselling influencers and direct sponsorship of the Seller Club Podcast, hosted by Anna Packer, Ken Gaitano and Glen Zubia Jr., all of whom have been previously involved in past eBay events.
Liz Morton
Skeptics have wondered if eBay is increasingly using seller partners as a buffer between the larger seller base and eBay staff, especially higher up executives, as events are increasingly hosted by sellers and the eBay Community has been left in limbo with a sharp decline in official engagement from eBay employees, most notably with the departure of community manager Brian Burke and discontinuation of the monthly community chat earlier this year.
Liz Morton
Sellers are discussing the news in the community, with some saying they were previously unaware of the podcast - which could point to one reason why it is being discontinued - and others wondering if the community forums days might be numbered as well.
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
Huh, didn't even know it exists. Sorry to anyone that enjoyed it, though.
Probably one of the reasons it is being discontinued. In typical ebay fashion, they've never really done much to promote it. It was one of the very few resources where sellers had a decent chance of getting official answers to ebay related questions.
I would not be surprised if the community boards are next on the chopping block.
Were you a loyal listener of the eBay for Business podcast and if so, what are your suggestions for replacements? Let us know in the comments below!
