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Missing antiques categories

I have hundreds of listings in the antique cups and saucers category. They all appear to have been shifted to a new category called  Collectibles > Kitchen & Home > Dinnerware & Serveware > Cups & Saucers. New listings also default to that category, which appears to be appropriate for modern cups and saucers but full of listing details that are irrelevant for antiques. The old category still appears in the list of categories but it's almost empty and clicking on an item shows that it is actually now in the Collectibles category.

 

This also appears to be the case with other antiques categories: figurines, plates and chargers, and creamers and sugar bowls among them.

 

Anyone know what's going on?  Thx

Message 1 of 20
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19 REPLIES 19

Missing antiques categories

@tucker5654;

 

eBay made a lot of changes to the category structure that took effect May 1, 2021. Here's information about the new categories and changes:

https://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/categorychanges.html

 

There are two available categories for "Cups & Saucers", and the one under "Collectibles" would be most appropriate for vintage, antique, collectible china pieces. The second category would be for pieces that are more recent or currently in production:

 

Collectibles > Kitchen & Home > Dinnerware & Serveware > Cups & Saucers      #63525

 

Home & Garden > Kitchen, Dining & Bar > Dinnerware & Serveware > Cups & Saucers      #36029

Message 2 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

Other options for antique, vintage or collectible china tableware would be:

 

CollectiblesKitchen & Home  Cat #
  Dinnerware & Serveware 261667
   Dinner Service Sets261668
   Bowls261669
   Butter Dishes162999
   Cream & Sugar63524
   Cups & Saucers63525
   Egg Cups14898
   Gravy Boats261670
   Jugs & Pitchers261671
   Mugs261672
   Open Salts580
   Plates261673
   Platters261674
   Teapots & Tea Sets68662
   Trays68671
   Trivets151724
   Tureens63536
   Other Dinnerware & Serveware261675
Message 3 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

First, thanks very much for providing this information. At least I know know what happened.

 

But it's unfortunate that the antique cups and saucers category is gone. It would have been helpful if the two categories you list were added as additional options but I suspect that losing a dedicated category for antiques will make selling these items more challenging. 

 

Thanks again.

 

Message 4 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

@tucker5654; most buyers search by keywords, not categories. Most of the time, the category is irrelevant, as long as the item is in an appropriate category. If you put the word "Antique" in the title (when appropriate) then you should reach the buyers who are looking for antique china.

Message 5 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

I have been selling antique lace for years, have just found that my valuable 18th Century baby bonnet has been shoved into Collectables > Kitchen Textiles.  I was trying to work out why I wasn't getting much traffic, only to discover that all my listings are now in the wrong category and Ebay are going to charge 13p for the pleasure of altering each listing.  Absolutely furious!!

 

 

Message 6 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

They've also removed the Antiques > Periods and Styles > Mid Century Modernism category and shoved everything under "Other Antiques" now, which is practically a useless category for people who want to browse Mid Century Modern items in one place, as it was before. This new category contains mid century modern items, as well as a ton of other random items that make the category virtually useless for browsing purposes. It's a very pronounced step backward and not useful at all.

Message 7 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

I know what you mean. If a buyer is looking for something specific, they use the search.  I do too. But I am a porcelain collector as well as a seller and I often scan the antique porcelain categories without a specific item or maker in mind, and sometimes end up buying something unexpected. So I guess this will save me money.

 

 

Message 8 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

And now I have discovered that my antique porcelain plates - many of them quite valuable - have been shunted into the "collector's plates" category. Collectors plates are a modern phenomenon; they're mass produced to appeal to the bottom of the market, and most are almost worthless. I have never listed a plate in that category because knowledgeable porcelain buyers are unlikely to browse there. So I now have to try to find another category where a more discerning buyer is likely to find them. 

 

In fact, I now need to revise each of my more than 1000 listings to get them into appropriate categories.

 

I recognize that ebay is trying to enhance the buyers' experience but it appears that little thought has gone into these new categories, especially in the specialist field of porcelain. I hope the company will take feedback seriously and attempt to address these concerns. 

 

Message 9 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

Ebay is destroying itself. I have been with Ebay since it had about 50 items listed, right from the start. Over time, they gradually added specific categories such as Van Briggle, Royal Doulton etc. and you could go directly to that category to see what was listed. Now we are forced to type in searches, ending up with a ridiculous amount of items to sift through. As a buyer and seller, it is having a negative affect on both. Antique dealers need to take a stand regarding this issue. Ebay is making their site a "Wal Mart" style site; Wal Mart already has their own; they need to return it to the way it was. 

Message 10 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

Ridiculous and frustrating! Ebay is destroying itself!

 

Message 11 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

i complain every single day, when you list an item there is an option to leave feedback, so i bombard ebay saying everyone is losing money since they removed all the categories, no one can find anything anymore, i also email ebay customer services with same complaints, everyone should do the same. i absolutely hate ebay since they removed all maincategories, its one big jumbled up mess now, everyone is losing money as no one can find anything anymore

Message 12 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

i complain every single day, when you list an item there is an option to leave feedback, so i bombard ebay saying everyone is losing money since they removed all the categories, no one can find anything anymore, i also email ebay customer services with same complaints, everyone should do the same. i absolutely hate ebay since they removed all main categories, its one big jumbled up mess now, everyone is losing money as no one can find anything anymore

 

Message 13 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

i complain every single day, when you list an item there is an option to leave feedback, so i bombard ebay saying everyone is losing money since they removed all the categories, no one can find anything anymore, i also email ebay customer services with same complaints, everyone should do the same. i absolutely hate ebay since they removed all main categories, its one big jumbled up mess now, everyone is losing money as no one can find anything anymore

Message 14 of 20
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Missing antiques categories

Agree, they have ruined Ebay for selling antiques by removing the categories. It's a complete mess buying or selling. If you do any search for specific antique items, the first thing you get is new items. I've been selling here for 25 years, antiques only, and getting zero views now, even if I promote. Moving to other platforms, but very disappointing. 

Message 15 of 20
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