How eBay Live Is Shaping the Hobby with Caroline Pougnier | [E37] Behind the Breaks

Behind the Breaks sits down with one of the most important voices in the hobby today: Caroline Pougnet, Head of eBay Live. In this rare long-form interview, Caroline gives a detailed inside look at how eBay Live is transforming the trading card and collectibles market and what sellers, breakers, and collectors should expect next.Caroline breaks down how eBay moved from beta to full launch, why trading cards lead all categories in live shopping, what makes eBay’s audience uniquely valuable, and why the company is being highly selective as it expands its seller base. She explains the full onboarding process, quality standards, seller requirements, shipping expectations, live programming strategy, global growth plans, and how eBay is building the most trusted live shopping platform.We go deeper on seller economics, fee structures, price realization, collector behavior, and how eBay’s data and trend insights give live sellers a real advantage. Caroline also walks through eBay Live’s growing lineup of programs, from Dollar Watch Club to major singles events, fashion drops, Golden’s weekly shows, Pokémon releases at MSRP, and more.This interview also highlights the culture behind eBay Live — the account managers, the white-glove onboarding teams, and the company’s intense focus on seller feedback. Caroline shares new insights on how eBay leverages trends, personalization, and buyer intent to drive stronger conversions and higher selling prices.Whether you are a breaker, a live seller, a collector, or someone considering entering the hobby professionally, this conversation explains exactly what is happening inside one of the largest marketplaces in the world and where live commerce is headed next.Topics Covered:How eBay Live evolved and why trading cards lead all categoriesThe application process and how the platform chooses new sellersWhite-glove onboarding, account management, and quality standardsThe trust factor: shipping expectations, fraud protection, and buyer guaranteesFee structure, take rates, and why sellers often get higher prices on eBayLive shopping behavior vs traditional marketplace behaviorGlobal expansion and growth plansKey live programs: Golden, Vogue, Gem Nights, Dollar Watch Club, Pokémon drops, international channelsHow eBay’s trend and personalization data support sellersCommunity building, consistency, and platform expectationsCaroline’s own collecting background and connection to Formula OneEvents coming in 2026: The National, Comic-Con, and moreIf you want to understand where the hobby is going next — and what it means for collectors, sellers, and breakers — this is the interview to watch.