eBay

selling_team@ebay · ‎10-05-2023

We’ve heard from our sellers that item specifics is one of the most complex parts of our listing experience.

As a part of simplifying the listing flow, we are testing a reduced set of item specifics, optimized for the selling and buying experience. As a result, in select categories, some sellers may see fewer item specifics to fill out when creating a new listing on web or mobile. We’re actively monitoring performance and taking seller feedback into consideration.

We’re constantly evaluating how to make listing on eBay easier and will keep you informed about any site-wide listing changes. Feel free to leave feedback in a comment below or via our survey during the listing process.

As always, thank you for selling on eBay.

Update as of 10/16/23:

Thank you to all sellers who shared their feedback. We have listened to your concerns and ended the test. We will continue to work on improving item specifics and keep the community informed of any site-wide changes.

The full list of item specifics will automatically reflect on your account for future listings. If you wish to add more item specifics to your previously published listings, the full list of item specifics is available when you revise your listing.

a_c_green · ‎10-08-2023

@evelyb30 wrote:
I've been actively discouraging people from selling on eBay. The on-ramp has gotten too steep and slippery for new sellers. Between the chargeback protections (laugh here) and eBay's own foul-ups I tell them to try elsewhere first. And to stay out of electronics and fine jewelry no matter what. Both are fraud magnets if you're a new seller.

Anytime someone has asked me if I would recommend that they sell something of theirs on eBay, it's invariably a used smartphone. 🙄

bryo_3145 · ‎10-08-2023

"If it's not broken don't fix it."

z96 · ‎10-08-2023

Is the listing tool not working now?

siamjane8 · ‎10-09-2023

Unfortunately we are in another ebay test loop that causes more issues and less sales.

To reiterate- for years ebay said IS are the #1 thing that helps search and conversion. They told their search algorithm teams to design the whole platform around them....... now they realized what we said all along- they are killing the listing process and 80% of them had nothing to do with what what being listed.

The problem is- as usual- no doubt nobody told the "algo" team about this test so if you are now listing with the new test tool that gets rid of the item specifics...... then the search determines that your listing is a poor example of listing quality so your listings are shoved down onto page 13 of the results. Left hand has no idea of what right hand is doing and sellers suffer....again.

For years - ebay has been built on "bad" ideas and changes so its almost impossible to untangle it to something that works again. Of course you could just show people what they search for and let them buy the items without all the AI interference and manipulation........just saying- that is how it was was ebay was king and growing month over month instead of the steady decline since Cassini search was implemented and sales started to plummet. I believe the Cassin search engine has already been replaced but the new one is no better- kinda the ebay motto- double down on what is not working becuaese "know better"

worldwide_ship · ‎10-09-2023

Last time they did this it didn't get fixed until right before black friday. I am a full time eBay seller and I actually had my worst day in 4 years this weekend. Pretty frustrating

steve_stuff · ‎10-09-2023

"in select categories" - Would be nice, not to mention useful, to know which ones.

"creating a new listing" - Again, it would be nice to know which of the four ways that we know of to 'creating a new listing' -

The sell button and staring from scratch. a template, a sell similar of someone else's item or a sell similar of your own item -- is affected by this test.

For us, if the sell similar from own items isn't affected then we're not affected.

nuclearomen · ‎10-09-2023

@steve_stuff wrote:
"in select categories" - Would be nice, not to mention useful, to know which ones.

"creating a new listing" - Again, it would be nice to know which of the four ways that we know of to 'creating a new listing' -
The sell button and staring from scratch. a template, a sell similar of someone else's item or a sell similar of your own item -- is affected by this test.

For us, if the sell similar from own items isn't affected then we're not affected.

Sell Similar is the only thing NOT affected, create from scratch and templates the specifics you need are removed and the add custom feature is rather useless, easier and faster just to use sell similar and change the specifics for the item your creating listing for.

The great truth is there isn't one
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.

atlasesattic · ‎10-09-2023

Wow....damned if they do and damned if they don't....I'm glad they are getting rid of these IS, tired of having to fill in diamond clarity and other stuff that has nothing to do with what I'm selling....better then putting N/A in every box... how many buyers search for N/A? Titles is what's important anyway, stop finding blame for no sales, some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope, no matter what you will never make them happy, thanks Ebay for saving me aggravation and time.

nuclearomen · ‎10-09-2023

@atlasesattic wrote:
Wow....damned if they do and damned if they don't....I'm glad they are getting rid of these IS, tired of having to fill in diamond clarity and other stuff that has nothing to do with what I'm selling....better then putting N/A in every box... how many buyers search for N/A? Titles is what's important anyway, stop finding blame for no sales, some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope, no matter what you will never make them happy, thanks Ebay for saving me aggravation and time.

@atlasesattic depends on the category - and for what you sell, clothing, there are quite a few specifics that should be required, though they do have a bunch in that category that should be eliminated. That is the difference discussed here, the specifics they decided to get rid of for many categories are the specifics that are needed and should be required, while they kept ones not as important. Don't think anyone is or ever have said "Keep all the specifics" - it's more a matter of what specifics stay and what ones can be without.

The great truth is there isn't one
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.

steve_stuff · ‎10-09-2023

Thank you.

Sell similar - We started here back in 98, don't remember is sell similar was 'there' or added later, but by now very listing we have was created from the first listing that had the sell similar option.

We understand why some sellers use template - basically a sell similar of their own item.

We have never understood why all seller don't do own item sell similar or template.

wastingtime101 · ‎10-09-2023

@atlasesattic wrote:
tired of having to fill in diamond clarity and other stuff that has nothing to do with what I'm selling....better then putting N/A in every box... how many buyers search for N/A?

Jewelry is one of the categories with a zillion IS, but here's what's important @atlasesattic :

If the item specific is not under the required section, and that IS does not apply to your item, you are supposed to leave it blank. Do not fill out N/A just to fill it out.

Recommended is not the same as required. Recommended can be ignored when the IS doesn't apply to your item.

GLORIOUS!

whiteyswrecking · ‎10-09-2023

No it's NOT

buyer's Don't read the listing anyway, so why have more for them to skip over

evelyb30 · ‎10-09-2023

@wastingtime101 wrote:
@atlasesattic wrote:
tired of having to fill in diamond clarity and other stuff that has nothing to do with what I'm selling....better then putting N/A in every box... how many buyers search for N/A?
Jewelry is one of the categories with a zillion IS, but here's what's important @atlasesattic :

If the item specific is not under the required section, and that IS does not apply to your item, you are supposed to leave it blank. Do not fill out N/A just to fill it out.

Recommended is not the same as required. Recommended can be ignored when the IS doesn't apply to your item.

So they said.... but a lot of jewelry sellers don't believe them. Keep going until the proverbial blue circle fills in and get rid of the nag messages. Or? Leave the irrelevant ones blank and you may get pushed down in what's left of the search. Then again, if you don't promote you're getting pushed to the bottom anyway. On the other hand if you did promote you were cutting eBay in for an even bigger slice of your single-serve pie.

One more reason I quit selling. Shrinkflation at its ???finest????

She who dies with the most toys still dies; when's the estate sale?

coastaltreasureoffl · ‎10-10-2023

Determining the size of something on eBay can be a hassle because of how diverse the internet is. Even when measurements are apparent in photos, complaints and return request about sizing issues are still received. A digital ruler or some form of measurement option for the buyer to display on the item listing to show the "actual size" may help resolve these issues.

This feature could be displayed in the description area or in one of the first photos. An action like this would protect eBay users from receiving negative feedback on misunderstood items and guide those who are technophobic. Maybe even make it fun by using digital fruit or animals to help show off the size. 🍌🐝