See full itmem description - eBay's Summary HTML Override Not Working!

[thoseoldgames]

So, clearly eBay is intent on screwing over sellers by changing our descriptions and misleading buyers.  But they also have guidance on how to create an explicit summary using special HTML tags.  They claim that this will allow us to use up to 800 characters (-50 for every line break).  You can find it here:  http://pages.ebay.com/sell/itemdescription/customizeyoursummary.html

However...this doesn't work.  Even dropping my descriptions to under 400 characters within the span tag does not override eBay's description summary, even if I also remove any other HTML tags within that span.  So how on earth is a seller supposed to describe their item in a way that eBay doesn't strip out important details that will cause INAD returns?

EDIT:  Well, apparently this was due to eBay's poor backend design.  They first do their own terrible job of summarizing the description, then a few minutes later it updated to use the description within the span tag.

[oaklandmaryland]

They want to limit the description details but still tell sellers to include every possible detail.
Sure will be the basis for increased item not as described claims as if the buyers need any more reasons.

[nowthatsjustducky]

They need to stop this ridiculous "test" completely, and file the entire idea away in the dumpster.

They were told 2 years ago when they trotted this out the first time how it was one of their worst ideas ever, with plenty of perfectly valid reasons why they should not implement it.  That was why they abandoned it the first time.  Why in blazes do they think anyone would have changed their minds on it now.  It is not like those who clearly remember the first time are no longer here or would have had a change of heart.  So why try again?

[timemachine777]

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@thoseoldgames wrote:

So, clearly eBay is intent on screwing over sellers by changing our descriptions and misleading buyers.  But they also have guidance on how to create an explicit summary using special HTML tags.  They claim that this will allow us to use up to 800 characters (-50 for every line break).  You can find it here:  http://pages.ebay.com/sell/itemdescription/customizeyoursummary.html

However...this doesn't work.  Even dropping my descriptions to under 400 characters within the span tag does not override eBay's description summary, even if I also remove any other HTML tags within that span.  So how on earth is a seller supposed to describe their item in a way that eBay doesn't strip out important details that will cause INAD returns?

EDIT:  Well, apparently this was due to eBay's poor backend design.  They first do their own terrible job of summarizing the description, then a few minutes later it updated to use the description within the span tag.

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eBay also counts the space between rows, but I could be wrong.

[na.zdrowie]

I know most people don't do this but I print out the listing pages. I used to get it all one one side of paper (though at 50% - another Ebay screw-up) but now I have to print on both sides of the paper because the Detailed Description opens in another window. What is the point of this? Ebay just likes to make things harder for sellers, but why?

[oaklandmaryland]

2 reasons ebay wants to limit description:

open up more space due to their limited software capabilities and make it easy for buyers using mobile devices

Neither of course is to protect the seller