Removing All Auto-Inserted Marketing Copy

[bookatron]

I've got a theory that the marketing gunk eBay auto-inserts into listings is just distracting. No one reads it.  

I'm a decent writer, and I want prospective customers focusing on my pitch. So I'm thinking of purging all that stuff and making my listing nothing but the personal pitch.

Has anyone tried this, or have thoughts?

Also, I suppose the way to accomplish this is by choosing HTML editor so I have deeper control of the copy, right?

[ittybitnot]

Also, I suppose the way to accomplish this is by choosing HTML editor so I have deeper control of the copy, right?

The "auto insertion" of eBay data apparently is a function of using a UPC or MPN number that is related to something in the eBay catalog.  There was a time when listing that you could select NOT to have this information applied to your listing at least for books, but do not know if that is still the case. 

If you find a way to get rid of it, and it is not reinserted shortly afterward,  please let us know.

[bookatron]

Hmm. UPC. Right.

I suspect if UPC isn't hard-coded into my listing I'll have lower search visibility , so it may be zero sum. But I'll try.

[slippinjimmy]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

Also, I suppose the way to accomplish this is by choosing HTML editor so I have deeper control of the copy, right?

The "auto insertion" of eBay data apparently is a function of using a UPC or MPN number that is related to something in the eBay catalog.  There was a time when listing that you could select NOT to have this information applied to your listing at least for books, but do not know if that is still the case. 

If you find a way to get rid of it, and it is not reinserted shortly afterward,  please let us know.

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The pre-filled information from the Catalog is optional, there should be a box to check to include or not. This option might only be available with the Advanced (or Business?) listing form.

I've never tried but I would guess that you can revise the listing to remove this information.

While I personally never use the pre-filled info there are lots of products where the info is always correct and useful. There are some products where there are slight variations using the same UPC or MPN and the info may not be accurate for all.

[bookatron]

My problem isn't with the accuracy. It's that no one reads it. It's a distraction from my pitch, which (because I'm not a monosyllabic misspelling knuckle-dragger) actually tells people what they need to hear and encourages them to buy.

I don't want them distracted by stuff they don't want and won't make them buy. I want them to focus as closely and easily as possible on The Message.

There may be product sectors where eBay's canned info helps. But I don't think many users buy, say, iPhones or DVDs or books here with a browsing "that-looks-interesting" mentality. They know what they want, and look for condition, price, and a sense of the seller's vibe. I want to give them ONLY what they want, and not distract them from it.

[bookatron]

Interesting forum software bug. If you're editing a posted reply and your editing time window closes, the posting's totally lost. Cool.

Accuracy isn't my issue. In most product sectors, customers know what they want. They're (impatiently) looking for condition, notes, and a sense of seller's vibe. I want to give them what they're looking for with minimal distraction and impediment. 

Hassling customers with tons of verbiage is never a great move, and yet we passively accept it. I'm thinking that opting out of this might give a seller an edge.

[mvls1]

Could be the K.I.S.S. of success! I know that mess is really bad on a cell phone which most younger generations use.