Another Idiotic eBay Change - New Message Window

[frugality_inc]

New message window rolled out within the past week that is 20% the size of the original one and forces you to get a magnifying glass to read a message. Not to mention, only way to read the prior message is to utilize a useless drag feature that does not expand the 2 inch message window outer border. Whomever thought this was a good change, I question their ability to perform at their position.

Once again, eBay changes things that do not need to be changed instead of focusing on other broken parts of the website. Goes back to the saying... If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[gwzcomps]

You can also go to the buyer's profile page and use the contact button there too.  Choose the "Select an item" option then select the relevant item number.  I had to do that because on one order that was the only way I could message the buyer.

[a_c_green]

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@gwzcomps wrote:

I genuinely wish they would start firing site designers if they have so much idle time they have to break stuff and make unnecessary changes to justify their jobs.

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I agree that a lot of the revisions are pointless and counterproductive, but at the same time, I have never gotten the feeling that any of their programmers are actually on staff or on salary. It looks more like sloppily-implemented contract programming, where it takes forever to get version 1.1 released (to fix the bugs discovered in v1.0) because they can't get a return visit from whoever wrote the original code, at least not without an unnaturally long wait while he finishes up whatever he was working on for his next client. 

Aside from vague references to "teams" for various areas within eBay, such as payments, shipping, Seller Hub, etc., there are never any actual names mentioned, nor even a clue as to how many people are on each "team." New code releases show little to no sign of peer review or QA testing, with not only buggy behavior but also simple stuff like strange wording or grammar in on-screen messages, things that should have been caught and fixed long before getting released into Production.

Now that they're back to holding in-person events again, there is a possibility to confront higher-ups in person about the various technical messes that have been going on for what seems like forever. I don't see any other new ways of getting things fixed beyond what has been going for far too long already.

[frugality_inc]

Issue is still not fixed. This change makes sellers less productive.

[robert119]

Thank you so much for explaining Windows 11 to me. I'd been wondering - **bleep**?

[eburtonlab]

Thread is from 2021.

[johnrj1226]

@frugality_inc 

Can read that font  just fine with my +2.00 readers (OPTX 20/20) & am a '44 model  but  have  real hard time reading the instructions on a can of  Rust Oleum spray paint/gloss coat & my daily prop me up Rx meds & supplements - even with my readers & a 3" dia. magnifying glass also made by  OPTX 20/20 made in the USA & in the bright sunlight at high noon here in the Deep South in Dog Patch, USA.

[johnrj1226]

If one doesn't vote don't complain- best to be part of the solution..  Know one can satisfy everyone.  in one's  very best efforts to do so will only satisfy 80% of the folks = 20% will be not so happy.   The cure = PMA  

Heck in  most team sports 50% win and 50% lose every game with an occasional tie.

Utopia  hasn't been found yet.

Engineery anything at its very best is always a compromise, re: the plus & minus chart.

[sambill25]

I completely relate to your frustration with this new message window design! As a frequent eBay user myself, I've been struggling with this unnecessarily tiny interface for the past couple of weeks. It's almost like eBay is deliberately testing our patience - and eyesight!

The drag feature is particularly infuriating. What's the point of having a resizable window if it's permanently trapped in that tiny container? It reminds me of those puzzle games where you have to figure out how to escape an impossible situation.

While eburtonlab's browser zoom suggestion (Ctrl +/-) is technically helpful, we shouldn't need workarounds for basic functionality! This is clearly a case of designers implementing changes without considering actual user experience. Have any of you tried sending feedback through official channels? I've done so multiple times but agree with gwzcomps that it feels like shouting into the void.

The most concerning part is how these interface changes are affecting actual business operations - like innovatilife mentioned about not being able to contact buyers. Perhaps if enough of us complain through multiple channels (social media, direct feedback, these forums), they might actually listen?

In the meantime, I'm keeping that Ctrl+ shortcut ready whenever I need to read messages. Here's hoping they reverse this change or at least provide a proper full-screen option soon!

[fbusoni]

It's been four years since the OP wrote about his problem with the message window.

FWIW, I've gotten two new prescriptions for reading glasses since 2021.

PS: as for eBay's nonsensical changes... remember the expression:

"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."

[paleadhead]

No they aren't kidding. This is to my point. People want ease to spend their money and precious time researching stuff. I do very little anymore. Every time I get back on this platform something changed and I don't feel like googling it to find a solution

[fbusoni]

@paleadhead 

I think there are two synergistic dynamics at work here:

1.  eBay's software engineers and user-experience experts are being held incommunicado, with no contact allowed with the outside world.

2.  The complaints that we raise here on the seller forums are (mostly) ignored.

And the ultimate irony is that eBay has an announced policy that it will not compensate anyone from outside the company for having innovative ideas that might lead to platform improvements.  As if.

What's the definition of a cluster***k?

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.