AI descriptions
Can everyone stop using the AI feature to describe the item being sold? I get it , it’s easy and I use it too. But I also add the items true condition to the bottom of the add. If see a description that does not tell me the condition or weather it works etc, I won’t buy it. eBay needs to add section that everyone must give a true description after using AI for the big pitch. Or add a check list to select. Cheers! Thank you. If you want to sell that old tape player that doesn’t work, tell us. You might actually sell it.
11 comments
mr_lincoln
·8 months agoHi @basem_4965
It is obviously a good feature for brand new never opened commodities like T-Shirts and Toilet Paper but probably useless for collectible categories and OOAK items where use and wear have to be described and Item specifics can vary.
simba6
·8 months agoI never used it. Just a lot of drivel no one will read. Or worse yet, it adds things that are not true about the item. Next stop, not as described cases.
owlofminerva
·8 months agoYes, agreed, I have looked at 40 listings since july trying to pick up some old analogue audio equipment and every single AI generated listing is wrong - ADAT when it isn't, Audio Interrface when it isn't, and paragraphs of nonsense about how its going to be lovely in your studio - we all know what the items are, we all research them on SoundinSound and the manufacturer's website - all we need are three things in the listing - how long have you had it, why are you selling it, and its honest description - if a mic has been used in a studio for drums then that is what we need to know, and the finer points of specification for aspects that were optional. The number if times Rode NT1 microphones are being listed as Rode NT1-A or Rode Signature or the other way around is about three a week at the moment - the only way to actually tell what the item is, is to look at the pictures - AI descriptions serve no purpose for second hand technical equipment. I just bought a microphone that looked a state and was twenty years old but the seller was honest and I got what I paid for and its a £500 mic for £40 and works, no AI involved - the AI treats the items as if they are new and the people buying them on eBay have a choice - if we could afford to buy it new we would not be shoppibg for audio equipment on eBay. What I am hoping for is that some lazy idiot lists a £500 bit of kit and the AI makes it out to be a later cheaper or alternate version so that no one realises - I live in hope. To be very fair I do point out to people when their listing is wrong and it could get them in trouble by listing features not on the model they are selling which is a waste of my time but ultimately ebay is a community, and if we treat as such it will serve us well, AI just erodes that personal selliy aspect and kills the point.
mudshark61369
·8 months ago@owlofminerva ,
Since you mention older analog audio equipment, I doubt the info is AI generated but is instead copied from old Mfr. advertising. Chances are the items are being listed by people who really do not know what they have. They they do any investgating at all, its probably just couple of quick searches. I will agree with one thing, and that is that A.I, info should not take the place of a Seller's description especially for used items.
In case you did not know it, you have posted your reply on the U.S. based site's community, Since you're located in the U.K. you might reach more sellers from your country by posting on the U.K. site's community www.ebay.co.uk
cloverthefox88
·1 year agoAI descriptions on eBay are always the same and get a lot of information completely wrong and should easily warrant "item not as described", they never mention any damage, and are written like this: "This is a very unique and highly collectable item that would be a great buy for any collector. Here is your chance to add this unique piece to your collection." and mention some inaccurate nonsense about the item, some times completely naming it something that it isn't, like a carded star wars figure being described as a playing card, etc. If an item has an AI description, I avoid it. Why? The same reason I avoid anything that presents itself first with AI garbage rather than something made by a human; If you can't put effort into making a good first impression, why would I assume you would put effort into anything after?
If a book has an AI cover, why should I assume the contents of the book will not also be AI?
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoI think part of the problem is that alot of people are functionally illiterate and rely on AI because their reading and writing skills are bad.
I'm 71 years old and there were kids who graduated high school when I went that were boderline illiterate. I can only imagine the percentage of people coming of age without basic reading/writing skills is even higher in the years since then.
At one time 20 to 30 years ago I was astonished that over 50% of the job applicants in the state I lived in couldn't fill out a job application without help.
When I see an AI description I am wary of buying from that seller thinking there might be problems with the transaction due to their possible lack of reading/writing/comprehension skills. Right or wrong that's just the way I feel about AI descriptions............................
pastimpressions
·1 year agoNo way.
I encourage as many sellers as desire to do so to persist in using Artificial Ignorance.
As a buyer, it refines my searches for potential purchases as I won't buy from a seller that routinely uses it.
As a seller (quite selfishly), it helps refine likeminded buyers searches for items to buy & increases my chances of a sale.
kathiec
·1 year agoOne thing not mentioned yet is that AI descriptions are a panacea for sellers who speak poor English, for whatever reason. The danger for buyers is trying to communicate with someone who speaks poor English.
buyselljack2016
·1 year agoCan everyone stop using the AI feature to describe the item being sold?
--------------------
Simple answer is ................ no, not "everyone" can stop, and then again that is not a fact.
Everyone "can". It is factually an option that everyone "can", but some never will.
As simba6 posted................. some will live and learn. Some never will.
I have tossed up a couple of AI description listings but deleted and added to get it to be a correct representation of what is being sold.
simba6
·1 year agoThe big problem with it other than it's just wordy is adding incorrect info about the item. Some not as described returns often will " cure " a seller of that. Never found that pablum to be of any help when choosing an item.
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@basem_4965 ,
Most experienced sellers will add info to the Seller's Description if an item is used/preowned. Those that do not fall into two categories. China based sellers whose Seller description is taken from the Mfr.'s info, and lazy and/or inexperienced sellers. In either case I would just find a seller who does use the Seller's description properly and buy from them, if their photos do not give a good indication of the item's condition.