Question about your items being "watched" when they really are not- and how Ebay determines this
As a seller, how do I know if someone is actually watching my item, or they just clicked on my auction... let me explain... I noticed a few months ago maybe is when this started to happen, I would get "offers" sent to me for items that I did not watch, rather had only viewed. I found this to be annoying because it clogged up my ebay inbox, sent me annoying alerts( which I've since turned off) and also- potentially makes the seller look desperate- and also annoyed me to get randomly solicited.
I also have been noticing that a lot more of my items are getting "watched" than they used to before this all started. So what I've gathered since it happens to me on the buying AND selling end, is that ebay has changed it so that if a person clicks your auction that it gets flagged as "watched" when it really isnt. What is the metric to make this happen? I don't think just one click on the auction will do this- I think the person maybe has to scroll through the pictures? And then Ebay flags it as "Watched?"
Regardless, I personally don't like this because it's a false representation of my items being watched, and if I personally Send someone an offer, it might drive away potential buyers out of annoyance... Like why should they get solicited just because they clicked and viewed an item or its pictures... People don't like to be solicited..... now... if they genuinely clicked "watch item" that's a different story.
So what is going on here?
simply-the-best-for-you
·8 months agoYup, you got it & although I've never seen it in print, in addition to the reasons @my-cottage-books-and-antiques posted, I believe that interest can also be defined by looks that last a certain period of time. I know I get offers on items I've only viewed once (for research) & that I've left the screen up for a long time. I can't prove that one though, but most online retailers do that one.
27teamswords
OP8 months agoOh- I see now- thank you everyone. So watch counts ARE actually watch counts- but the difference is I will be able to send offers on items that aren't actually watched. Got it!
PS- I agree with the seller sentiment asking ebay to change this.
Thanks again
a_c_green
·8 months agoNo. The watch count only shows prospective buyers who have actually marked your listing for watching. Sellers do have the option of sending offers only to actual watchers, or to anyone who opened the listing.
You can verify this yourself by logging out of your selling account and then viewing your listing either while logged out or while logged in via a different account. The view count should go up but the watch count will not.
tobaccocardyahoo
·8 months agoEbay is sending messages, emails and or app notifications for items which you have viewed even once.
I see no false watchers counted, there is no connection between this attempt at sales promotion and the watch function. The messages received are different.
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·8 months agoFor quite a while now, items have been eligible for seller initiated offers if they are 1. On the buyer's watch list, 2. if the buyer has the item in his cart, and 3. if the buyer has shown "interest" (which ebay has occassionally defined as at least 3 clicks, but I think I've also seen ebay say 2 clicks, and many people complain that it is only one click. So, is it is not and has not been the rule that ONLY watch listed items are eligible. Sellers have asked ebay to change this, or at least identify whether an item is on a watch list, cart of just been clicked and give us the option to send only to the ones we approve.
These requests have gone no where.