HTML update not working when creating Similar Listing

[4hearts]

Using an existing listing, I select Sell a Similar Item. I replace the title and photos and then the description. Since I use html code I click Show html, remove it and replace it with the html for this item. I save the listing but when I look at it, it still has the old description from the existing listing.

I tried creating a template first - the html code just disappears. There's another issue creating a template - it doesn't remember the shipping service I select, but that's for another time. I have a lot of listings to do today and I really need something to work.

I tried creating a brand new listing but although I've been an eBay seller over 20 years, I find the new listing tool impossible to use or understand. Who did this? Why???

[hartungcards]

I'm pretty sure this was done by Larry and Curly while Moe was on vacation.

[4hearts]

Found the problem with the shipping service - my error. So when I was finally able to List It, the description just shows my html code.

Here's a link to the listing 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205508081144

[hartungcards]

It's fine, nobody reads the Item Descriptions anyway, they just look at the price and the pictures.

[chapeau-noir]

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@4hearts wrote:

Found the problem with the shipping service - my error. So when I was finally able to List It, the description just shows my html code.

Here's a link to the listing 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/205508081144

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It's not really necessary to replace the existing HTML with new - just write the description in plain English, it already formats in HTML. I used to have to use HTML but its been years - the only time I even have to correct it is when I'm updating old templates.

IAC, you have a stray tag at the top: img{max-width:100%;height:auto;}

(Antique Tintype Photo - Cordelia Rathbun Lambert

One of 37 photos from an old album I purchased from an eBay seller in Florida.
Most of the identified photos were taken in Iowa, Michigan or Wisconsin.
To see all the photos from this group, search for G25-1316.

Writing in album "Aunt Cordelia".
No photographer or location info.
Writing on back "This was taken the 22 of February 1881, my 40th birthday.
I have another that is handsomer than this if it is possible. Do you think it is?
Cordelia Lambert"

Cordelia is the daughter of Thomas Rathbun and Sally Belknap,
wife of Joseph Lambert, mother of Walter, Arthur, Lillian, Franklin and Charles.

See above the 1850-1860 Census records for Thomas Rathbun, living in Owen, IL and Bloomfield, IA
with his wife Sarah and children Amauder/Adolphus, Walter, Sydney,
Eunice, Dolphus, Bradshaw, Betsey, Cordelia, Mary, Lima and Laura.
See also the 1870-1880 Census records for Cordelia Lambert, living in Bloomfield and Le Mars, IA
with her husband Joseph and children Walter, Arthur, Lillian, Franklin and Charles.
And the Geneanet record for Cordelia Rathbun.
When I provide this genealogy info, it's my best guess that it's a match for the person in the photo.

Good condition. Writing at bottom is mine, copied from the album.

Actual size is about 2 1/2 x 4 inches.)

[4hearts]

Thanks for your reply - I guess the reason I still use it is because I want to show the photos in the description. But you're both right, the description is usually ignored and the photos are already at the top. I guess I'll take your advice and make my life easier. By the way, the stray tag was  recommended by and eBay support person who once helped me with another problem.

I'd still like to know why it's suddenly not working, but I don't have time to worry about it.

[mam98031]

You can always create the listing not using the HTML and then go back to the HTML and add the pics you want.  

Pics in your description are not likely as important as you think they are.  But your titles IMHO do need some work.  It is important to always put what the item is in the title.  Keywords are so important.  Think like a buyer, what words would you put into the search if you were trying to find the item?  

G24-1291 Baby in Bonnet is one of your titles.  What is it?  Remember, the title is high value real estate.  

The search engine pays attention to the title and the ISBs [item specific boxes].  But in neither place do you say this is a picture.  

Categories are important, but often buyers don't search in specific categories, they just do the entire site.  

I would encourage you to revist your titles and see how you can improve them in the hopes of increasing sales as your items would be easier to find.

Good Luck !!!

[4hearts]

Thanks for your reply and your suggestions. I primarily sell identified antique photos, and the title shows the name of the person and where they lived. You're right, I haven't given enough info for the miscellaneous unidentified photos I list.

Also, html gives me the ability to do other things, like choose a colored background for my text and write comments under each photo when there are multiples. I just tried to update the html generated by eBay and it didn't work - likely my error.

I would not want us to lose sight of the fact that using html code is a method they offer as a way to create customized listings and it has stopped working!!!

[mam98031]

I realize taking pride in your listings is important.  But it is likely more important to you than it is to the buyers.  

When designing a listing years ago ebay use to offer us boarders and a few other things so we could make our listings look fancy.  Come to find out the buyers simply didn't care.  Which is why we don't have those options anymore.

For the few buyers that actually review our descriptions.  Clean, easy to read is the best.  What I did was create my TOS [terms of sale] in MS Word.  I use some color to make things easier to read and locate certain things.  I keep it brief and to the point.  

I get it why you are doing what you are doing, but it is likely work that isn't going to pay off for you.  Putting the word picture in your title when selling a picture is likely far more important.

Just some thoughts to consider.  Below is a link to one of my listings so you can see what I've been trying to explain.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/396646015573

[chapeau-noir]

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@4hearts wrote:

Thanks for your reply - I guess the reason I still use it is because I want to show the photos in the description. But you're both right, the description is usually ignored and the photos are already at the top. I guess I'll take your advice and make my life easier. By the way, the stray tag was  recommended by and eBay support person who once helped me with another problem.

I'd still like to know why it's suddenly not working, but I don't have time to worry about it.

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Depending on when they recommended that, it may have to do with the old necessity for scaling to mobile (similar with the viewport tag) - I recall back then using an app that helped me scale to both Android and IOS. That's not necessary now.

What is better is to have a plain description without templates, photos, etc., as that scales better.  I used to have one photo in my description, also, because it's actually better to have graphics and text together, but that's way gone by the board so I stopped doing it. eBay really struggled with that mobile app and still does.

Not sure why this problem just cropped up, but I do know that eBay is always tinkering under the hood. It could be that somehow the HTML to text translation is wonky.

ETA: @4hearts  I fiddled around with one of my listings and found that the HTML option was also "sticky" - that's new. When I refreshed the browser page (I'm using web), it reverted back to text. 🤔   A couple of people here can probably explain what's going on (my skills are pretty rusty). 

[4hearts]

Yes, thanks - I see what you mean. I'm an old dog and guess I have to learn some new tricks!

[4hearts]

Thanks! Good to know I'm not losing my mind. Yes, I do think that code had something to do with scaling for the mobile app now that you mention it.

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

Hi @4hearts . This is a known bug with Firefox. Use another browser for now. Click the ? icon on the bottom right of the page to file a tech report.

Read more about this current bug here.

[4hearts]

Thank you! Sorry - I meant to mark your post Best Answer and got my reply by mistake. Hopefully someone else will mark yours Best Answer

[wastingtime101]

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@4hearts wrote:

Thank you! Sorry - I meant to mark your post Best Answer and got my reply by mistake. Hopefully someone else will mark yours Best Answer

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That's fine - does not bother me either way. You can make the adjustment yourself if you want.

Go to your current 'best answer' and click the little arrow in the upper right corner.