eBay

community_team · ‎10-12-2021

--Final Update, October 28--

The category changes announced in our Fall Seller Update have been completed.

Now that all category changes are complete, while you might still see some adjustments to searches, it is okay to update or edit your listings without concerns of losing data or having it moved again.

We appreciate your feedback on this roll-out. We'll continue to adjust the process based on the input we’ve received here, and we'll take all of these suggestions into consideration for future updates.

As this project is now complete the post is being locked from further comments.

Resources and observations

We’ve heard from you that updating your Item Specifics in time for the February 2022 requirement date may be a challenge.

A useful tool that may help is located in the Seller Hub under Listing>Active. There is a drop-down box labeled ‘Download’ which will generate an Excel document for ‘Missing Required or Recommended Item Specifics’. You can read more about this tool here.

Should you come across any inaccuracies within the new Item Specifics we ask that you report those directly to sdsupport@ebay.com so our team can investigate. Outside of that, please share suggestions as to changes you'd like to see going forward here, selecting the Categories and Item Specifics option.

---Update as of October 19th---

We apologize for this delayed update. Thank you for your patience while our teams worked to finalize category changes.

All listings have been moved to their final destination categories. You may now proceed with checking your categories, revising items, and updating item specifics where needed.

Some item specifics have been renamed, and the value you originally provided has been copied over to the new item specific, so you don’t need to re-add these item specifics. We encourage you to update your listings with item specifics that are showing as “Required Soon.” These will become required on February 22, 2022.

All other item specifics are either Recommended or Optional. Learn more about item specifics.

Some categories were retired and replaced by product-based categories. You and your buyers can still find the items you’re looking for. Simply browse to the product category of your choice and use the filters to refine your search.

More information about key category changes:

Dolls & Bears. The categories based on Brand/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type of doll have been retired. Former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the new Dolls & Doll Playsets category. You can access the filters by browsing to the product category of your choice and using Brand/Vintage/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type filters to refine your search.

Pottery & Glass. The categories based on Brand/Origin/Production Style/Production Technique have also been replaced by filters. You and buyers can now filter by the Brand/Origin/Production Style/Production Technique/Time Period Manufactured.
Postcards. The categories based on Location/Theme/Subject have been retired and replaced with two main categories for Topographical and Non-Topographical postcards. The former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the two new main categories. For example in Topographical Postcards, you can filter by Country and Region.

Jewelry & Watches. The categories based on Main Stone and Metal Type have been retired and replaced by product-based categories under Fine Jewelry. Use the filters for Main Stone and Metal to refine your search.

---Update as of October 14th---
The work continues on this move and is progressing according to plan. We are on track and anticipate all category changes for your listings to be complete by end of day tomorrow (10.15). Thank you for your patience while our teams implement these changes.

---Update as of October 13th---

We continue to work through this change and thank you for your patience as our teams work through it. We wanted to provide answers to some top concerns and questions:

Why are Gallery Plus fees being charged for items that were previously free?

We determined that a technical issue impacted a small number of listings, which resulted in incorrect charges (including Gallery Plus, subtitles, and insertion fees) for some sellers. The issue has been fixed and we will be crediting impacted sellers as quickly as possible. No calls to Customer Service are necessary as credits will be issued automatically.

The eBay Standard Envelope shipping option is grayed out and I can’t select it. When will the issue be resolved?

The eBay Standard Envelope shipping option issue resulted from the category changes update and has been resolved. eBay Standard Envelope is now available in applicable categories if your item meets the established criteria.

Should I edit my listings if they’re in the wrong category, have been moved to another category, or have wrong or missing item specifics?

No. Recent category changes require updates to many thousands of servers and data changes to nearly every aspect of our platform. This level of adjustment takes time, which is why we asked for your patience while the process runs. We expect most data updates to be completed within 48 hours, but can they take up to a week (i.e., through Oct. 19). After that, if you have an item specific in mind that you think would work well for your listing, please consider adding it as a custom item specific.

Why isn’t my item coming up in search?

The category change update is still in process. We anticipate search issues will resolve when we complete most data updates during the next 24-48 hours.

There are more item specifics now than ever before. Do I need to fill in all of them?

No. Item specifics that you have already filled in will be maintained as the category moves are completed during the next week. In addition, new soon-to-be-required item specifics are being added and will become required by Feb 22, 2022. As always, the more item specifics you fill out, the better visibility your listing has to buyers.

For Parts & Accessories, when will fitment/compatibility charts start working again?

There was an issue with parts compatibility not working properly as the category changes rolled out that has been resolved. You should now be able to see the options to add fitment compatibility when editing your listings.

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We’re updating some of our categories and item specifics to make your listings easier to find.

Starting October 12th, you’ll see updates to the following categories. Learn more about category changes →

Collectibles & Art

Jewelry

Musical Instruments

Parts & Accessories

Sporting Goods

As these updates go into effect, you may see temporary impacts to your listing experience or to the visibility of listings in the affected categories.

This is a result of listings transitioning to the updated item specifics and category structures. Your affected listings should return to normal within 48 hours, though you may see irregularities on some listings for up to a week. We recommend checking your item specifics and categories in affected listings after these updates are complete.

These updates also include new item specifics in the above categories, which will be required February 22, 2022. Starting today, these item specifics will be available as you list, with the “Required Soon” tag. Learn more →

Keep an eye on this page over the coming days—we’ll be sharing up-to-date information on affected categories and listings, and answering any questions you have.

pennpicker · ‎10-24-2021

Makes sense as I was wondering why they are now calling banks "money boxes" in the Decorative Pottery & Glassware category. Welcome to eBay UK.

somanypostcards · ‎10-24-2021

Three combined sales of 3 or more items today, and ALL have 2 errors that I reported previously. My store offers the Seller Hub promotion of price discount of 20% off if 3 or more fixed price postcards are purchased. The errors are:

1) All the fixed price postcards should show "Extra 20% off 3+ items." However eBay has randomly removed this from some of my 293 listings.

2) eBay is not giving the buyers the 20% discount. That is inexcusable!

eBay is overcharging my buyers by not honoring the eBay price discount promotion, and eBay is overcharging me final value fees of 0.117% on the amount buyers were overcharged. eBay does NOT give sellers refunds of FVFs paid on partial refunds, even though it is eBay's error causing these overcharges.

Now I have to contact 3 sellers, apologize for this egregious error, and send them partial refunds. eBay has yet another error in that it does not allow removal of partially refunded sales from Orders awaiting shipment when Mark as shipped is clicked.

I think its time for eBay to remove the penalty for closing or down-sizing stores due to the havoc they have caused. I am so disgusted with all the errors and unanswered questions that I have no desire to list or update listings at this time.

a_c_green · ‎10-24-2021

@pennpicker wrote:
Makes sense as I was wondering why they are now calling banks "money boxes" in the Decorative Pottery & Glassware category. Welcome to eBay UK.

That's happened in the past too. It looks like they repurpose a lot of site code that's originally developed in other countries. I remember one early draft some years ago of... I think it was the Shipping form, maybe... that showed some odd instructions referring to costs in Pounds instead of Dollars, things like that. One of the eBay employees at the time conceded that they had grabbed the eBay UK source code and were basically trying to Americanize it for use over here.

somanypostcards · ‎10-24-2021

I'm now issuing partial refunds for eBay NOT honoring the "extra 20% off 3+ items" price discount, so of course I've run into yet another eBay "glitch." The buyer bought 4 postcards at $1.00 each, and since she didn't get a discount she was overcharged $.80. However, eBay does not let me issue a refund of less than $1.00. Yet another ugh from me.

mjhysom · ‎10-24-2021

I cannot believe someone did this to the Doll category:

Dolls & Bears. The categories based on Brand/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type of doll have been retired. Former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the new Dolls & Doll Playsets category. You can access the filters by browsing to the product category of your choice and using Brand/Vintage/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type filters to refine your search.

Did any of those who made this arbitrary decision actually TALK to anyone who collects or sells these items? I've been a loyal buyer on eBay for something like 18 years, and I've always loved that I can search so easily within the categories to find dolls or accessories when adding to my collection or customizing a doll. With this one change you've made that all but impossible not only for me, but for thousands of other buyers to do so. And on top of that you've seriously hurt the sellers who make a living finding and selling items to people like me.

I seriously hope someone who can make an actual decision will undo this egregious mistake, or the company will find that those same buyers and sellers will migrate to another platform that accommodates them as eBay no longer seems willing to do. What had made eBay special was the ability to find rare or unique items for whatever a person's interest happens to be, with clear categories that made sense to those who collected and were easily navigated by those who were casual buyers as well. I'll be looking at Mercari and Etsy, and even the Goodwill online auction site, for my future purchases if these changes stay.

nilis13 · ‎10-25-2021

Exactly...I just had another no sale weekend. All these changes plus the new PLL is hurting small sellers.

mightymouse · ‎10-25-2021

Not only that but rare and hard to find items my not be plates, bowls, teapots, etc. I shop and list by brand so large dinnerware sets take 3 to 4 times longer to list. Then trying to fine the right item specifics going through 35 of them and finding pattern is not in some of them, Why???

Next I have just about 1200 items still "requiring" item specifics put when I check on them non are required just the recommended ones???

I have a large set of Red Wing dinnerware that is now listed under Red Wing Shoes???

Best answer I have gotten is we will past it along.

velvet@ebay · ‎10-25-2021

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

velvet@ebay wrote:

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

velvet@ebay wrote:

@dhbookds wrote:

@jamsionline wrote:

When are they going to fix the problems with multi-variation listings? Ever since the category changes we have been unable to edit the variations in our multi-variation listings. This is not due to receiving an error message or page - the link and page to edit variations is simply gone. We cannot change prices and we cannot change inventory levels. Already we have had items that we needed to mark as out of stock but couldn't that subsequently sold. Our suppliers have also increased prices, but we are unable to adjust the prices of these items. At best, we are making a fraction of the profit we should be making on these sales. At worst, we are losing a significant amount of money. And again, our hands are tied because it isn't even as though we can put these listings out of stock because we cannot edit them!

I have contacted customer service by phone and by chat multiple times in the last 10 days. Each time they insist that the problem will be fixed soon and yet here we are. I have been told that the volume of complaints is what will determine when this will be fixed. If anyone else is experiencing issues with multi-variation listings, please send customer service a chat or give them a call and let them know including a listing number. I know it may not make any difference, but it is the only thing we can do at this point.

velvet@ebay

We are getting more than a few "problems" like this one reported........could we get a pinned thread for Revision Problems to see how widespread stuff is? I started to start one.......but Khoros will move it to the Tech board.......and the traffic there is minuscule compared to the selling board.........and sellers are the ones who will encounter the problems........

I appreciate the idea @dhbookds and I've passed it on. I'm also reaching out about the multi-variation issues @jamsionline noted and I'll follow-up with whatever I can find out.

velvet@ebay

Is the team working on addressing Mixed lots and how they are affected by item specifics with all the recent changes? It makes creating a mixed lot listing next to impossible.

-Lotz

Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies! If you can give me some details about what you're specifically running into, including the category and a few example listings (item numbers if you don't mind sharing a few here) so they can attempt to recreate the issue, I'd be happy to pass this on for a closer look.

velvet@ebay

Hello Velvet,

I have all different types of mixed lots listed(Store > Unique Lotz). From magazines, Book, hardware, scrapbook supplies, automotive etc. Each one is different. eBay in the past had lots as an available option. Now it is very hit or miss and sellers are having to choose "close enough" to make it work them. It was very seamless in the past. Now, definitely a challenge. Unfortunately, many of these changes are NOT one size fits all. As a seller, if we can't list easily, buyers will have the same problems.

-Lotzofuniquegoodies

PS. Until this issue with user names (discussion area>listings) is resolved it even makes it difficult to check a sellers id to see what kind of issues they are running up against and be truly helpful.

I appreciate you following up @lotzofuniquegoodies but I know they're going to want specifics. I can send you a message to reply to if you don't want to share things like that here (just let me know). They're going to want the category, URL's and screen shots of you trying to create a listing where options are now missing that were once there for 'lots', etc. They'll want to be able to recreate what you're describing so they can determine a fix, or let us know that it's a purposeful change/update to the listing flow.

Velvet,

greatstuff80 · ‎10-25-2021

So now when I list or re list vintage items, I get the category options for NWT, NWOT, etc. lol

So do I list new old stock vintage as new or used? You can leave it blank for vintage jewelry but I wonder how this affects searches. smh

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-25-2021

velvet@ebay wrote:
@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
velvet@ebay wrote:
@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
velvet@ebay wrote:
@dhbookds wrote:

@jamsionline wrote:
When are they going to fix the problems with multi-variation listings? Ever since the category changes we have been unable to edit the variations in our multi-variation listings. This is not due to receiving an error message or page - the link and page to edit variations is simply gone. We cannot change prices and we cannot change inventory levels. Already we have had items that we needed to mark as out of stock but couldn't that subsequently sold. Our suppliers have also increased prices, but we are unable to adjust the prices of these items. At best, we are making a fraction of the profit we should be making on these sales. At worst, we are losing a significant amount of money. And again, our hands are tied because it isn't even as though we can put these listings out of stock because we cannot edit them!

I have contacted customer service by phone and by chat multiple times in the last 10 days. Each time they insist that the problem will be fixed soon and yet here we are. I have been told that the volume of complaints is what will determine when this will be fixed. If anyone else is experiencing issues with multi-variation listings, please send customer service a chat or give them a call and let them know including a listing number. I know it may not make any difference, but it is the only thing we can do at this point.
velvet@ebay

We are getting more than a few "problems" like this one reported........could we get a pinned thread for Revision Problems to see how widespread stuff is? I started to start one.......but Khoros will move it to the Tech board.......and the traffic there is minuscule compared to the selling board.........and sellers are the ones who will encounter the problems........
I appreciate the idea @dhbookds and I've passed it on. I'm also reaching out about the multi-variation issues @jamsionline noted and I'll follow-up with whatever I can find out.
velvet@ebay

Is the team working on addressing Mixed lots and how they are affected by item specifics with all the recent changes? It makes creating a mixed lot listing next to impossible.

-Lotz

Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies! If you can give me some details about what you're specifically running into, including the category and a few example listings (item numbers if you don't mind sharing a few here) so they can attempt to recreate the issue, I'd be happy to pass this on for a closer look.
velvet@ebay

Hello Velvet,

I have all different types of mixed lots listed(Store > Unique Lotz). From magazines, Book, hardware, scrapbook supplies, automotive etc. Each one is different. eBay in the past had lots as an available option. Now it is very hit or miss and sellers are having to choose "close enough" to make it work them. It was very seamless in the past. Now, definitely a challenge. Unfortunately, many of these changes are NOT one size fits all. As a seller, if we can't list easily, buyers will have the same problems.

-Lotzofuniquegoodies

PS. Until this issue with user names (discussion area>listings) is resolved it even makes it difficult to check a sellers id to see what kind of issues they are running up against and be truly helpful.

I appreciate you following up @lotzofuniquegoodies but I know they're going to want specifics. I can send you a message to reply to if you don't want to share things like that here (just let me know). They're going to want the category, URL's and screen shots of you trying to create a listing where options are now missing that were once there for 'lots', etc. They'll want to be able to recreate what you're describing so they can determine a fix, or let us know that it's a purposeful change/update to the listing flow.

The following listing was added for requiring updates. 95% is blank. Not sure which category it was in originally but now shows as Camping Furniture.

154505983625 Byers Folding Camp Stool

As stated previously listings were correct and filled in in their entirety when originally created. Anything that is without original packaging takes major research to re-create. In many cases some required fields are not known. N/A is not always acceptable.

-Lotz

a_c_green · ‎10-25-2021

@greatstuff80 wrote:
So now when I list or re list vintage items, I get the category options for NWT, NWOT, etc. lol
So do I list new old stock vintage as new or used?

Just my $.02, but if my vintage item is New Old Stock, I categorize it as New. The question is not when it was made, but whether it's been used by anyone yet.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-25-2021

@a_c_green wrote:
@greatstuff80 wrote:
So now when I list or re list vintage items, I get the category options for NWT, NWOT, etc. lol
So do I list new old stock vintage as new or used?
Just my $.02, but if my vintage item is New Old Stock, I categorize it as New. The question is not when it was made, but whether it's been used by anyone yet.

I've seen the gamut of what options are available now when one goes to list. I've even seen option is not required with an area below to fill in. Example: Antique books. As noted in the past. There is no consistency when it comes up to most expected consistencies when its anything eBay.

-Lotz

a_c_green · ‎10-25-2021

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
@a_c_green wrote:
@greatstuff80 wrote:
So now when I list or re list vintage items, I get the category options for NWT, NWOT, etc. lol
So do I list new old stock vintage as new or used?
Just my $.02, but if my vintage item is New Old Stock, I categorize it as New. The question is not when it was made, but whether it's been used by anyone yet.
I've seen the gamut of what options are available now when one goes to list. I've even seen option is not required with an area below to fill in. Example: Antique books. As noted in the past. There is no consistency when it comes up to most expected consistencies when its anything eBay.

Right, I list in some categories where I'm not even asked to specify New vs. Used, and I've never found out why that is, but as for the New vs. Used distinction where I do have to fill it in, I can generally make the choice pretty quick.

wrong66 · ‎10-25-2021

I think it's "passed along" to the nearest garbage can or trash file.

somanypostcards · ‎10-25-2021

@a_c_green wrote:
@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
@a_c_green wrote:
@greatstuff80 wrote:
So now when I list or re list vintage items, I get the category options for NWT, NWOT, etc. lol
So do I list new old stock vintage as new or used?
Just my $.02, but if my vintage item is New Old Stock, I categorize it as New. The question is not when it was made, but whether it's been used by anyone yet.
I've seen the gamut of what options are available now when one goes to list. I've even seen option is not required with an area below to fill in. Example: Antique books. As noted in the past. There is no consistency when it comes up to most expected consistencies when its anything eBay.
Right, I list in some categories where I'm not even asked to specify New vs. Used, and I've never found out why that is, but as for the New vs. Used distinction where I do have to fill it in, I can generally make the choice pretty quick.