Non-applicable Item Specifics

[portsmouthusa]

When being prompted by eBay to fill out blank item specifics in existing listings, there used to be a check box that said something like "Do not ask me about these again". This allowed the seller to fill out all those that applied and not be hounded to type something in the non-applicable fields. That check box has disappeared and I now have a bunch of listings that eBay wants me to complete non-applicable item specifics.

Anyone have a work around?

Thanks!

[reallynicestamps]

If a Suggested Item Specific is blank, leave it blank. It will not appear on your listing.

If a Required Item Specific is not applicable, mark it N/A and N/A will appear in the Item Specifics.

But do think about why it might appear in Required.

For example, an IS in Books is ISBN number, which was not used before about 1964, and took a decade to become universal.

Putting N/A in that box for an antique book works fine.

[slippinjimmy]

How are you being "hounded"?

When I create a listing I fill in the IS that I want to use (plus the required of course), I don't pay any attention to eBay's suggestion to fill in non-required ones and I hide the Item Specifics column in the grid. There is still an IS reference in the Quick Filters but that is easy to completely ignore.

FYI - I'm still seeing the "do not ask again" thing, it shows if you go to the edit mode pop-up.

[portsmouthusa]

Thanks for the reply. I just don't like to see that I have a bunch of listings that need item specifics filled in on my tasks list. I can no longer find a check box for "do not ask again". I guess I will just ignore eBay's request to fill in more IS.

[fern*wood]

I like to keep things on the hub "cleaned" up too, but once you get started ignoring that number, it's not too difficult to let it go.  I'm kind of impressed with my growing number now, I know I haven't cluttered up my listings with over a thousand useless bits taking up space.

[portsmouthusa]

Today the "do not ask again..." check box is visible for me again. Thanks everyone !

[reallynicestamps]

The Hub rows are moveable.

I put some of the more useless ones

(to me-- like number in stock which is pointless since 99% of my listings are one of a kind)

well over on the right and narrowed them down to one keystroke.

[davebearpa]

From eBay Customer Service:

How Best Match works

Our Best Match algorithm—the formula eBay uses to sort listings—considers a number of different factors. These include:

• How closely the listing matches the buyer’s search terms
• How popular the item is
• The price of the item
• The quality of your listing (description, photos, and so on)
• How complete the listing is
• The listing terms of service, such as your return policy and handling time
• Your track record as a seller

from "Optimizing Best Match" page

I interpret the 5th item to mean "how many specifics are filled in." I've been worried about this for decades and researched it. And how you "feel" about sellers who slavishly fill them all out or lazily do not or cluttered space wasters - doesn't matter. 

"It's the Cassini!"

Use the bulk edit tool and if you don't have a store subscription then you only have a few items to work on. I wonder if filling the irrelevant specifics with arbitrary important keywords get you into more search queries even it they don't match the category...