What are your thoughts on the AI generated item descriptions?

[whiteparrot2003]

As a buyer (and sometimes seller) I find the AI generated descriptions either irritating or at least unhelpful.  Seems like most of those descriptions treat me like a buyer who can't think for themselves or don't really know what they want or like.  Almost no actual information in them.  As a seller, AI doesn't talk in my voice.  In the past, sellers have been encouraged to be direct and brief because apparently when seen on a cell phone, the listing can be truncated or buyers don't scroll down.  I haven't used the AI descriptions.  Just wondering if you have and what your opinions are on them; or if you don't use them and why.

[whiteparrot2003]

That made me laugh!  And let's not forget the "just pay a separate fee"!

[chapeau-noir]

---

@lakefor94 wrote:

If a seller has trinkets or items that are not needs, I could see the AI input as being helpful to entice sales. 

No way would I use it for computer room or voice and data related items that I sell.  I write my own or get them from the manufacturer's site.

---

Well, it's marginally better than the ultimate lazy description which is just repeating the title, but eBay's AI is pretty primitive - if one is trying to flog their tchotchkes here, they can probably do better just with a small amount of human effort (i.e., complete item specifics and a pleasant sentence or two) - one has to be more persuasive to sell a want rather than a need.

[anjofak]

Not helpful, sometimes ok, sometimes no good, I think the adding random things to the header was pretty lame when it costed us 20$ for canceling after bids and seeing the error addition..

[gurlcat]

If you're reading this conversation, eBay didn't adopt AI description software for you, because you don't need it.  But I reckon it's a godsend for people with limited English fluency/literacy, dyslexia, etc.  That said, I don't understand why there are suddenly so many American sellers using it.  I agree it's really off-putting to scroll down hoping to learn something beyond what's in the item specifics, only to see those exact things put into sentences, invariably followed by, "a great addition to any collection."  

I can't say I won't buy from anyone using it, but it's definitely a demerit.  

[jodieblue57]

Cannot stand it! I like to give item details in my own words.

[treschic53]

As a seller, I never use the AI descriptions. They are not accurate, are wordy and fancy-sounding, without the necessary information about the item for sale.  They have a repetitive format and are easy to spot.

As a buyer,  if the seller cannot write a clear description, I would likely not buy because I won't know what I will get.  If the seller is too lazy to write a description,  I probably would not want to deal with them.  If language is the issue, there are plenty of free translation and grammar aids available.

[brightlightbookseller]

We avoid them at all costs as a seller; we sell used items, and they're especially harmful there because there's no way it can get the condition description right (which we duplicate into the Description field). I can maybe see it being helpful for brand new items, but like you've said, it doesn't sound natural, and if I were looking to buy I think I'd be put off by it.

[whiteyswrecking]

Use it and you will be real busy losing money for NAD request's. 

[reallynicestamps]

it's a godsend for people with limited English fluency/literacy, dyslexia, etc.  That said, I don't understand why there are suddenly so many American sellers using it. 

... there are suddenly so many American sellers using it.  it's a godsend for people with limited English fluency/literacy...

Unfortunately.

[reallynicestamps]

@whiteyswrecking 

Use it and you will be real busy losing money for NAD request's.

This is the best and most accurate reason not to use AI descriptions.

[brightlightbookseller]

It's not a godsend, it's a recipe for disaster.  Yes, the people you described would have trouble writing good descriptions themselves.  They still likely would provide more accurate descriptions than the AI.  With anything other absolutely brand new items that don't need any condition description, of types that are very easy for AI to understand what the item is, it's likely to just screw things up for those sellers more than anyone else because they'll have a harder time realizing what is wrong with it.

[quicksilverdiecast]

as a rule if they are pushing it....I run from it...so far for 30 years it has kept me from getting caught up in never ending headache...only a few.

[postfiftymodern]

They're crap.

[sunshineroad]

They are very annoying. I have not bid on items that use only AI because the seller isn't saying anything about the item, condition, etc. The AI description states things that anyone would already know. I don't need that information. I I know all of that. I need specifics about the item listed.  I wish sellers would not simply rely on AI.

[squinkercat59]

I don't use it, and I never will. It is easy to spot, and it's hilarious. I just looked at an item with an AI description and it didn't even mention the damage and wear shown in the photo.  More trouble than it's worth.