Request by potential buyer to add or change my title

[bathwater12]

I’ve received strange questions but this one member contacted 3 times in 24 hours asking me to add something (a name) to my item’s title. I replied that the name they were asking for showed in the photo. They wanted it added into my listing title. I felt it was a little manipulating. Yes I want to sell items but it didn’t sit right especially when they didn’t have a reason why I should revise it at their request, other than asking if I added it yet. Anyone come across similar? 

[rosachs]

I've come across a lot of weird requests, but that's a new one on me.  If the name was already in the listing, then it was already part of the purchase contract, should they choose to buy.  I can't see any reason for needed to change a title like that.  If I missed the brand name, and it wasn't in the description... that would make sense.  And I have had a lot of requests for additional details (we used a lot of part-time/temporary help thru the pandemic), which tells me I need to update the listing and -then- answer the request, usually by thanking them for pointing out the missing details and that the details have now been added to the listing.

If your potential buyer doesn't have a reason for the change, I would say there is likely no reason for the change.  If it adds nothing, or extremely little, or would require removing current title content, then I would pass, thank them very much, and simply not respond to further requests.  There is no rule on eBay that you -must- respond to a shopper request - at least not yet.

Just me 2 cents worth....

-Bob.

[bamorris]

Without knowing which item specifically they're asking about, unless it puts you in a VERO risk, or the risk of some other type of eBay violation. I don't see what harm adding a keyword to your listing title would be.

eBay doesn't do any type of OCR search of photos. So if the keyword would help you find buyers, why not add it? You are in the business of selling stuff right? 

Is there a reason you aren't adding a keyword to your item title that is in the photograph? Did you run out of 80 characters?

Without being super critical, your item titles are not excellent.

For instance:

"Easton Mako Torq softball bat 31”, 21 oz, (-10) USSSA, new grip tape "

Too many special characters. And is the bat wood or aluminum? I'm not a bat expert, but I can see people searching for "Easton Aluminum Bat".

Title Case Is Something To Consider When Making Effective Item Titles

Keywords help too.

Why would they be manipulating you? What word was it? Is it a bad word?

[ghost_goods]

My only guess that maybe the person wants to include the item on an expense report or something, and, as is, the title doesn't sound like an eligible purchase?

For example when I worked in film production, weather-proof clothing was tax deductible, so I where I might have been worried about including the following listing:

Such-and-such Brand Black Boots | size 8

The following would have been fine:

Such-and-such Brand WATERPROOF Black Boots | size 8 

Just a thought.

[luckythewinner]

---

@bathwater12 wrote:

I’ve received strange questions but this one member contacted 3 times in 24 hours asking me to add something (a name) to my item’s title. I replied that the name they were asking for showed in the photo. They wanted it added into my listing title. I felt it was a little manipulating. Yes I want to sell items but it didn’t sit right especially when they didn’t have a reason why I should revise it at their request, other than asking if I added it yet. Anyone come across similar? 

---

It sounds to me like your buyer is worried about a counterfeit and believes that if you explicitly name it in the title, they will have a better case in the event you are scamming them.

[coolections]

It is strange that a buyer would ask you to do that but IMO, you should. Not sure why you would not have the name in the title in the first place. Maybe the person is just helping you get views and is really not even interested in buying the item.

[or_dehun_aqccp8ymj]

I just had a request like this today to change ann item title for a plush I’m selling and it has me scratching my head. They requested “Hi. Can you change the words from "Stuffed Character" to "Soft Cuddly"? Thanks.” I asked why and they said “Just for updates. And can you remove the word "Character" too?” which I did but that was it… they didn’t purchase… it was just all around bizarre… felt scammy or manipulative… any insight into this?

[rugerskick]

For cripes sake block them.  Save yourself a really bad buyer experience.