As the company tried to grow the eBay marketplace from a simple online auction business to a fully-fledged online retail business, there were growing concerns from sellers that eBay was losing its focus on its founding principles, and hence its culture on which the success of the marketplace was built. Omidyar and Whitman had recognised the importance of eBay’s culture in its success, and were aware of the potential impact that rapid growth and the evolution of the product line could have on this valued asset.
Kama kampuni alijaribu kukua eBay soko kutoka online mnada biashara rahisi kikamilifu-fledged online biashara ya rejareja, kulikuwa na ongezeko la wasiwasi kutoka kwa wauzaji kwamba eBay alikuwa kupoteza mtazamo wake juu ya kanuni zake mwanzilishi, na hivyo utamaduni wake ambayo mafanikio ya soko iliyojengwa. Omidyar na Whitman alikuwa alitambua umuhimu wa utamaduni eBay katika mafanikio yake, na walikuwa na ufahamu wa madhara yanayoweza kuwa ukuaji wa haraka na mageuzi ya mstari wa bidhaa inaweza kuwa juu ya mali hii thamani.