What are the Ramifications of Selecting NOT to use Catalog Info on a listing?

[mam98031]

This was getting discussed on a thread that got really long and had many subjects within it.  This particular portion of that thread is very interesting and we all need further clarification on both as buyers and sellers.

When a seller sets up a listing and uses a UPC or ISBN but does NOT select the box to auto fill the listing with info from the Ebay catalog, it was brought up on this other thread that even though the seller does not select that auto fill box, the information WILL display for those using the Mobile app to view listings.

I hope I got that right.  If I didn't, I'm confident some of the others that participated on the other thread will pop in and share more information with us.

@Anonymous 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Buyer-opened-SNAD-because-they-wanted-an-item-not-in-my-listing/td-p/29435365

Further the Ebay UA that we all have agreed to so that we can sell here holds the seller's responsible for the accuracy of the Ebay catalog.  Here is an excerpt from the Content section of the UA.

We offer product data (including images, descriptions and specifications) that are provided by third parties (including eBay users). You may use that content solely in your eBay listings. eBay may modify or revoke that permission at any time in our sole discretion. The product data includes copyrighted, trademarked and other proprietary materials. You agree not to remove any copyright, proprietary, or identification markings in the product data and not to create any derivative works based on that data (other than by including the data in your listings).

We try to offer reliable product data, but cannot promise that the content provided through the Services will always be available, accurate, complete, and up-to-date. You agree that eBay is not responsible for examining or warranting the listings or content provided by third parties through the Services, and that you will not attempt to hold us or our data providers liable for inaccuracies. As a seller, you agree to ensure that content directly associated with your listings is accurate.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259#9.%20Content

[millcreekrescue909]

Actually, I was responding to mam98031.  Sorry.

[gramophone-georg]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

He entered the UPC code for a bundle, but provided only one component. Then labeled it “New” because it was wrapped.

Trinton asserted the item was, indeed, misdescribed and customer was due a refund.

He also said it should have been listed “Used” and missing parts described. This of course assumes the OP realized what he had. I wonder if “New with Defects” might be a better description? It’s still factory sealed but missing the other half.

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I think we all understand that perfectly well and we are not disputing it.

What I personally want to know is what prompts would prevent this seller from making this mistake? He entered all his own info on the PC using his OWN description, title, and photos and (mistakenly, as it turns out) the UPC that the manufacturer  put on the component he was listing.

The real issue here is that someone on Mobile saw the listing and, totally unbeknownst to the seller, eBay Mobile overrode all of his title, description, and photos with eBay catalog information. Why does this happen on Mobile but not PC?

WHY AREN'T SELLERS MADE AWARE that this will happen?

Remember, EBAY seems to have not been aware it happens till just now, either.

[this*old*attic]

Now, the catalog part I’ll agree with - EBay needs to work out how to account for variations like partial pieces, creating bundles, etc.

And then make it  user friendly.

[gramophone-georg]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

Now, the catalog part I’ll agree with - EBay needs to work out how to account for variations like partial pieces, creating bundles, etc.

And then make it  user friendly.

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Thank you. EXACTLY.

[this*old*attic]

But, the mobile populating isn’t the issue.

The wrong UPC code is the issue.

I don’t think there is a prompt for that - it’s part learning curve (when should I be suspicious of a stamped UPC code?) and part cost of doing business and goofing now and then. And having to eat the result.

When I first started selling, I put up my deceased mom’s prized autograph collection, only to find out they were auto-signed on a machine.

Whose job was it to avoid that?

Mine to do more research? Or Ebay’s to prompt me, “Are you sure that’s a real hand written signature? Consider doing more research.”

[hillbillymedia]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

But, the mobile populating isn’t the issue.

The wrong UPC code is the issue.

I don’t think there is a prompt for that - it’s part learning curve (when should I be suspicious of a stamped UPC code?) and part cost of doing business and goofing now and then. And having to eat the result.

When I first started selling, I put up my deceased mom’s prized autograph collection, only to find out they were auto-signed on a machine.

Whose job was it to avoid that?

Mine to do more research? Or Ebay’s to prompt me, “Are you sure that’s a real hand written signature? Consider doing more research.”

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There wasn`t a "wrong" upc code or a "right" upc code.....there was only 1 upc code. This item wasn`t "mis-described" until ebay added pre-filled catalog information without the sellers knowledge.

[gramophone-georg]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

But, the mobile populating isn’t the issue.

The wrong UPC code is the issue.

I don’t think there is a prompt for that - it’s part learning curve (when should I be suspicious of a stamped UPC code?) and part cost of doing business and goofing now and then. And having to eat the result.

When I first started selling, I put up my deceased mom’s prized autograph collection, only to find out they were auto-signed on a machine.

Whose job was it to avoid that?

Mine to do more research? Or Ebay’s to prompt me, “Are you sure that’s a real hand written signature? Consider doing more research.”

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The prompts told the seller that a UPC was required so he used the UPC on the package, BUT used his own title, photos, description stating EXACTLY what he had.

Showed up just fine on his PC- double checked, and done- or so he thought.

Of COURSE the mobile populating is the issue... the seller (and apparently eBay!) wasn't made aware of it!

With all respect, I don't understand how that can possibly  be unclear  under any circumstances.

[hillbillymedia]

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@hillbillymedia wrote:

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@this*old*attic wrote:

But, the mobile populating isn’t the issue.

The wrong UPC code is the issue.

I don’t think there is a prompt for that - it’s part learning curve (when should I be suspicious of a stamped UPC code?) and part cost of doing business and goofing now and then. And having to eat the result.

When I first started selling, I put up my deceased mom’s prized autograph collection, only to find out they were auto-signed on a machine.

Whose job was it to avoid that?

Mine to do more research? Or Ebay’s to prompt me, “Are you sure that’s a real hand written signature? Consider doing more research.”

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There wasn`t a "wrong" upc code or a "right" upc code.....there was only 1 upc code. This item wasn`t "mis-described" until ebay added pre-filled catalog information without the sellers knowledge.

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When I am listing an item and check or uncheck a box, I expect it to STAY the way I have it set.

[millcreekrescue909]

Exactly!!!

[this*old*attic]

NO, what don’t YOU GUYS get?

The UPC code on the box was for a game with TWO COMPONENTS!

Even if the buyer had been using a PC, they could have relied on the UPC to make sure they knew what they were getting. Equally, they would expect the seller to mention outright the controller was missing.

[Anonymous]

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@mam98031 wrote:

This was getting discussed on a thread that got really long and had many subjects within it.  This particular portion of that thread is very interesting and we all need further clarification on both as buyers and sellers.

When a seller sets up a listing and uses a UPC or ISBN but does NOT select the box to auto fill the listing with info from the Ebay catalog, it was brought up on this other thread that even though the seller does not select that auto fill box, the information WILL display for those using the Mobile app to view listings.

I hope I got that right.  If I didn't, I'm confident some of the others that participated on the other thread will pop in and share more information with us.

@Anonymous 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Buyer-opened-SNAD-because-they-wanted-an-item-not-in-my-listing/td-p/29435365

Further the Ebay UA that we all have agreed to so that we can sell here holds the seller's responsible for the accuracy of the Ebay catalog.  Here is an excerpt from the Content section of the UA.

We offer product data (including images, descriptions and specifications) that are provided by third parties (including eBay users). You may use that content solely in your eBay listings. eBay may modify or revoke that permission at any time in our sole discretion. The product data includes copyrighted, trademarked and other proprietary materials. You agree not to remove any copyright, proprietary, or identification markings in the product data and not to create any derivative works based on that data (other than by including the data in your listings).

We try to offer reliable product data, but cannot promise that the content provided through the Services will always be available, accurate, complete, and up-to-date. You agree that eBay is not responsible for examining or warranting the listings or content provided by third parties through the Services, and that you will not attempt to hold us or our data providers liable for inaccuracies. As a seller, you agree to ensure that content directly associated with your listings is accurate.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259#9.%20Content

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Hi everyone, I just wanted to update that after extensive testing we were unable to recreate a situation where the prefill option was unchecked at the time of the listing being created, but the catalog details remained visible in the mobile view. They also were not visible in the desktop view. From the various listings we created to test this out, the only way these details would appear was if the prefill option was selected when the item was listed. Thank you to everyone for your patience while we checked this out!

[abfabvintage]

Hey, Hill...just like the adding of the BO on listings without seller knowledge. 

[hillbillymedia]

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@abfabvintage wrote:

Hey, Hill...just like the adding of the BO on listings without seller knowledge. 

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Exactly!!

[hillbillymedia]

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@gramophone-georg wrote:

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@tunicaslot wrote:

Just tagging - I know we do have people that have sold on Amazon. Does using their catalog cause as much confusion for sellers? There doesn't seem to be many problems with it discussed on their forums. I know this is a work in progress - but maybe a page be shown with the populated information and the seller has to affirm they read the info and their item complies with the product page is necessary before being able to submit the listing is needed.

Ebay has for years talked about how easy it is to sell here and yet there is so much more to it for new buyers that they don't know.

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A very close friend and his biz partner are HUGE collectible CD sellers (sealed OOP box sets and single discs) on Amazon. Sometimes they sell a single CD straggler from a classical set in case someone needs it to replace a damaged or missing disc. 

Both of them have never experienced any sort of quagmire even approaching this. They both say the catalog there works just perfectly for them.

They move a TON of merchandise. 

They made a foray onto eBay about 5 years or so ago and shut it down in three months due to constant scams, glitches, and other nonsense. They'd never had anybody- ever- buy a CD and claim it was "fake" until eBay. According to them, listing and selling here took over twice the time for about 1/4 the sales and even less profit by comparison.

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This has been going on for years with the catalog. About 10 years back I used to sell DVD`s and CD`s here and it was a big headache even then. In ebays defense, they are issuing many ePID #`s to help differentiate different versions of items which have the same upc code. It`s best to use a UPC code if possible just because some items don`t show up well in search without it.

[coffeebean832]

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@hillbillymedia wrote:

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When I am listing an item and check or uncheck a box, I expect it to STAY the way I have it set.

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While I do very much agree with this- it wouldn't have mattered whether the box was checked if the buyer purchased from the product catalog page without clicking on the seller's individual listing.

The big disconnect is that sellers thought unchecking the box to populate catalog info would mean their listing was not tied to the product catalog. That's not the case. You have to leave out product identifiers so your listing isn't tied to the catalog and from what I've seen- even then it's not guaranteed your listing won't be linked.