Ebay just decided to eliminate all the doll sub categories~this is a disaster!

[dragonmate]

There were sub categories for each brand of doll, now everything is lumped into one big unnavigable mess! This will kill sales as doll collectors will never see items that are listed unless they sit and type in certain keywords. A lot of buyers, especially new ones, will either not know to do this or will just give up because they can't go to the category anymore and see everything at once without having to dig through irrelevant listings. I cannot understand the "thinking" behind this. Ebay just purposely made it much harder to find items while at the same time are stating this will make it easier. I'm about to give up on this site!

[eleanor*rigby]

Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures 

The changes were announced in the 2021 Fall Seller Update, with a linked document previewing the Category Changes.

[eleanor*rigby]

Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures 

The changes were announced in the 2021 Fall Seller Update, with a linked document previewing the Category Changes.

[aeparts1]

When I shop on eBay, I ALWAYS type in a few keywords. Never once have I searched by category. I don't know if I am like most buyers, or if I am the only buyer that types in a few keywords.

Across three selling accounts I use maybe 6 different categories, I lump everything into those categories, whether they are a fit for it or not. I've never had a problem selling items that way.

[eleanor*rigby]

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@aeparts1 wrote:

When I shop on eBay, I ALWAYS type in a few keywords. Never once have I searched by category. I don't know if I am like most buyers, or if I am the only buyer that types in a few keywords.

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Same--almost. I use the "Books" category because of specific filters it offers. That's it, though--and I've been shopping on eBay for 23 years next month. 🎂

[myescape]

I never use categorizes and I am a doll shopper

[tweetyboyd1971]

I on the other hand,  have almost ALWAYS used categories to search,   because I like to see what's being offered for sale,  and not necessarily looking for a "1995 Happy Holidays Barbie New in box".        For those looking for a very specific item,  I guess it works,   but that's not me.         

[katzrul15]

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@dragonmate wrote:

There were sub categories for each brand of doll, now everything is lumped into one big unnavigable mess! This will kill sales as doll collectors will never see items that are listed unless they sit and type in certain keywords. A lot of buyers, especially new ones, will either not know to do this or will just give up because they can't go to the category anymore and see everything at once without having to dig through irrelevant listings. I cannot understand the "thinking" behind this. Ebay just purposely made it much harder to find items while at the same time are stating this will make it easier. I'm about to give up on this site!

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Yes, it is a mess. 

I have 216 Barbies up.  Over 50 Bratz and Monster High collectible dolls. 

I really hate this site right now.  These changes now have IS that make no sense.  This will be some mountain of work to correct.   😫

[we.found.it.4u]

I agree removing most of the doll categories was not wise, especially in the Barbie category. 

As an example, I buy vintage Barbie lots. When I type that in "vintage Barbie lot" I get 33,000+ listings. Before, I could narrow it down to the "Pre-1973" category and get rid of quite a few listings. Now I have to wade through a bunch of stuff from the 80's and 90's to find what I'm looking for.   

I agree they didn't need all the subcategories that they had under vintage Barbie, but at least keep a vintage and contemporary section. 

[lifeanadventure]

I agree, I always shop by scale for model trains and now all those categories are gone, about time to leave this site.

[monroe67]

When I saw these insane changes to the dolls categories, I thought about you and your post the other day, about what words you could use to describe "ethnicities" of some of your new Barbies . . . .

It's like they're all in a giant grab-box now -- just shove your arm in and take whichever doll you grab first !!  

You wanted a 1950s Ginny doll ??  Too bad !!  You've got a 2010 Holiday Barbie !!  Lucky You !!  

[750lig90]

it's a mess too for the very antique dolls.  The fragile bisque and china should never show up in a general search with modern playsets.  They are NOT related.  Once able to filter categorize your $7000 French Bebe for adults only from the $20 modern baby doll for the 5 year old.... now it's all just DOLLS - ebay needs to educate it's software folks on the mindset of the adult antique collector who is ready to spend lots of money from the parent looking for a plaything for their toddler.

[cobnut-cottage]

I used to browse the American Girl doll category three times a day. Large buyer and casual seller. Haven't bought anything since the 12th of October, when they killed browsing. There are thousands and thousands of AG items, spanning 35 years of mfg. I often see things in browsing that I didn't even know I needed (smile). OFTEN! There's no way I'm browsing through the entire dolls/plush category, though. If I'm this frustrated with the amount of Barbie listings, the poor Barbie buyers must be just as upset with all the AG stuff. And Easy-Bake ovens. And Calico Critters. Arggghh. Anyway, I know that there are hit-and-run-specific buyers and browse-and-impulse-shop buyers. Since my sales in the AG category are hugely driven by browsers, it explains why sales have tanked in the last few days. eBay just eliminated half of its buying market. Best of luck to all of you who shop in a way that works with the new eBay. I'm very sorry for all the sellers and  buyers who don't.

[eburtonlab]

The fragile bisque and china should never show up in a general search with modern playsets.

Porcelain and Bisque dolls:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dcat=238&_fsrp=1&rt=nc&_from=R40&_nkw=doll&_sacat=0&Material=Bisque...

[eburtonlab]

You wanted a 1950s Ginny doll ?? Too bad !!

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fsrp=1&_from=R40&LH_TitleDesc=0&Brand=Vogue%7CThe%2520Vogue%2520Dol...

[eburtonlab]

I used to browse the American Girl doll category three times a day. Large buyer and casual seller. Haven't bought anything since the 12th of October, when they killed browsing. There are thousands and thousands of AG items, spanning 35 years of mfg. I often see things in browsing that I didn't even know I needed (smile). OFTEN! There's no way I'm browsing through the entire dolls/plush category, though.

50,000 American Girl doll listing results:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/262346/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=doll&_oaa=1&rt=nc&Brand=American%2520Girl&_dca...