Company executives predicted that this trend would continue and that the fourth quarter of 2008 was likely to be the weakest quarter of the year. While John Donahoe attributed this downturn to a general economic slowdown in its key markets around the globe, some analysts and eBay customers believed it was indicative of deeper problems.
Habang John Donahoe maiugnay ito downturn sa isang pangkalahatang pang-ekonomiyang paghina sa kanyang key merkado sa buong mundo, ang ilang analysts at eBay customer naniniwala ito ay nagpapahiwatig ng mas malalim na problema.