eBay

mczombies · ‎09-12-2018

I received a warning from eBay that they had taken down one of my listings because I used the word "unworn" in my listing title--apparently now you are only supposed to use that word in the description section of your listing--seriously? WTH is this garbage?

I sell a lot of vintage items, and quite of few of them are "unworn" however, they are not NEW. They are 40 years old--so I certainly can't say that they are NEW--but it is easy to tell if they are unworn, as many of them still have the tags attached. I actually learned here on the forum not to say that vintage items were new--one of the Senior posters here (sorry, I can't remember which one right now) made a point that you shouldn't call old items new, and I agreed with that idea, and listed my things accordingly. But what do I do now? I want the buyers to know that what they are buying has never been worn--there is HUGE difference in worn items and unworn ones....and it really seems to help sell those items too.

I just can't believe this honestly. I have no idea what to put in the title to convey the same message, and since when is this not allowed? What is the reasoning behind it? I understand not being able to put "like new" in the title because that is confusing to buyers, but why not unworn? This is a serious issue for me because I have about 200 listings I need to change asap--any ideas anyone?

It has gotten beyond ridiculous around here--the vindictiveness is astounding--people reporting each other for ridiculous things--it needs to STOP. We have enough animosity and struggle here just dealing with the platform and the real buyers--the armchair police really need to get a life. My guess is that someone looked at my account and got jealous--reported my listing because they are a small minded, bitter, and petty person--but I got a personalized message from eBay--detailing exactly what I did "wrong." Does that mean that someone had to call and report me? It seems really strange, like someone must have really gone out of their way to explain what exactly I did wrong--for me to get a warning like that--and I don't quite know what to do here--has anyone heard of this before, or am I the only lucky one dealing with this?

Anonymous · ‎09-12-2018

@mczombies wrote:
What is this you speak of? Never heard of such a thing. See, this is exactly why I come to these boards--I pretty much learn something new just about every time--sometimes I even learn positive and useful things! Thanks!

The bulk tool makes quick work of mass editing descriptions, but I don't see the "find and replace" option to edit titles.

You can still make the process quicker by using the bulk tool. Go to your Active page and check the box to select your entire first page of listings, then at the top click the big edit button.

When the bulk editor opens check the box to select all of the listings. Then click edit, and select edit title and subtitle. When the edit box pops-up change the drop-down to "edit listings individually". From there you can swap out unworn with NOS click "save and next" until you go through all of them, then save and close the pop-up, then save all changes. It will save a lot of time.

I recommend working batches of about 100 listings at a time.

Anonymous · ‎09-12-2018

@mczombies wrote:
This is part of the message I received, with the explanation:

Please limit the use of search terms or item details to those that directly describe the item for sale. Examples include brands, item condition and specifics, model names, pop culture terms, product names, style, and type.

Including unrelated terms or comparisons (such as "like new") in your listing or product isn't allowed.

Using unrelated keywords to drive traffic to a listing or product can make it harder for buyers to find what they're looking for. This can result in an unsuccessful transaction and may also lead to a buyer filing a claim.

For more information on our search and browse manipulation policy, go to:

Please understand that you used the unrelated keywords "UNWORN" in the title of the listing. We understand that you might have used these keywords to describe your itemin a better way; however, these keywords can affect the search result which eventually may lead to poor buying and search experience on eBay. If the information is required for better understanding of potential buyer(s), you can include it in the listing description.

We want you to be successful. Please be sure your future listings follow our guidelines. If they don't, they'll be removed.

This supports what I posted above.

When you select the pre-owned condition and put unworn in the title the bots see it as a contradiction of condition and violating the search & browse manipulation policy.

When you select the new condition and put unworn in the title the bots are picking up on the word worn and see it as a contradiction.

dinpavent0 · ‎09-12-2018

Yup couldn't agree more, my husband got warning on a listing I did for him that said "not painted", obviously someone reported it for some reason. There were only 3 other items like mine except on our listing you got more in quantity for your money and they were better shape. Ridiculous, happened today and I told him it was probably a competitor.

pjcdn2005 · ‎09-12-2018

That is very odd! It is my understanding that you can’t use ‘Like new’ because your listing will appear to buyers searching for ‘new’. How on earth could the word ‘unworn’ affect search results?

ifyouloveit · ‎09-12-2018

I've done that as well, but the problem with NOS is most buyers have no clue what it means. They have written to me before to ask what NOS meant.

What about 'vintage new'?

mczombies · ‎09-12-2018

bigger.fish.to.fry:

This supports what I posted above.

When you select the pre-owned condition and put unworn in the title the bots see it as a contradiction of condition and violating the search & browse manipulation policy.

When you select the new condition and put unworn in the title the bots are picking up on the word worn and see it as a contradiction.

Mczombies:

Vintage doesn't have a drop down box with "new" or "pre-owned" options.

mczombies · ‎09-12-2018

bigger.fish.to.fry

I respect that you are honest in your listings, but this is about what the bots are picking up.

What are you selecting as the item condition? Are you selecting new or pre-owned? If you select pre-owned, then put unworn in the item title eBay bots will see that as a contradiction. If you're selecting new as the condition and putting unworn in the title then it's possible the bots are only picking up on the worn part of the word - another contradiction to those really smart bots. (sarcasm)

I use a similar practice as you - if I have a new in box item but the box is damaged I list it as used then in the condition notes area I say the item is new but the outer box is damaged. However I steer clear of putting "new w/ damaged box" in the title because the bots don't like the contradiction of new in the title and used as the selected condition.

Mczombies:

Yes, I am attempting to basically "undersell" (not sure if that is exactly the word I am looking for here...) by NOT putting NEW in the title. However, I also really do want the buyers to know that the item is unworn--I have sold hundreds of items with this in the title--never had a problem--not with a buyer of eBay before. In a situation like you are describing--an item with a heavily damaged box, I would probably do the same--because the box is part of the item, in my opinion.

This actually raises some more questions here--like, would putting "unused" in the title (of your listing example) not be allowed then? Even if it is TRUE? I swear--anything eBay can do to tie our hands, and create LESS sales for us....God, this is getting old. Every time I turn around--a new road block.

Anonymous · ‎09-12-2018

I didn't realize vintage clothing doesn't have a condition box. I guess it's all considered pre-owned condition, so it's still possible the bots see unworn as a contradiction. I'm done with my new listings for today. C-ya!

Anonymous · ‎09-12-2018

@mczombies wrote:

This actually raises some more questions here--like, would putting "unused" in the title (of your listing example) not be allowed then? Even if it is TRUE? I swear--anything eBay can do to tie our hands, and create LESS sales for us....God, this is getting old. Every time I turn around--a new road block.

last post

It does raise questions, but I air on the side of caution when choosing keywords for titles. I give myself more slack with descriptions and condition fields because I've had bots come down on me in the past for titles.

Your predicament could also be a competitor reporting you.

ted_200 · ‎09-12-2018

@mczombies wrote:
This is part of the message I received, with the explanation:

Please limit the use of search terms or item details to those that directly describe the item for sale. Examples include brands, item condition and specifics, model names, pop culture terms, product names, style, and type.

Including unrelated terms or comparisons (such as "like new") in your listing or product isn't allowed.

Using unrelated keywords to drive traffic to a listing or product can make it harder for buyers to find what they're looking for. This can result in an unsuccessful transaction and may also lead to a buyer filing a claim.

For more information on our search and browse manipulation policy, go to:

Please understand that you used the unrelated keywords "UNWORN" in the title of the listing. We understand that you might have used these keywords to describe your itemin a better way; however, these keywords can affect the search result which eventually may lead to poor buying and search experience on eBay. If the information is required for better understanding of potential buyer(s), you can include it in the listing description.

We want you to be successful. Please be sure your future listings follow our guidelines. If they don't, they'll be removed.

LOL!

Thanks. That doesn't really explain much of anything though. They're basically saying it's keyword spam (search and browse manipulation), but it's not IMO. The problem with "like new" is it would return searches with "new". This isn't that. They say it's an "unrelated keyword", but it's not that either, and they just said "examples include... item condition and specifics,..." were things that should be used as search terms.

I can't figure it out. I think someone reported it (incorrectly), and CS went ahead and pulled it and sent out the standard form letter.

The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.

ted_200 · ‎09-12-2018

This supports what I posted above.

When you select the pre-owned condition and put unworn in the title the bots see it as a contradiction of condition and violating the search & browse manipulation policy.

Ah-ha! The ol' Used New England Patriot Hat dilema.

Perhaps they consider all vintage as "pre-owned", and perhaps "unworn" means "new" to them... I don't know. But I also hear there's lots of "new" stuff in the vintage categories.

It's hard to imagine why they'd have a bot looking for "unworn" though, I think someone likely reported it (maybe a Barney Fife, maybe a competitor) and CS just rubberstamped the report as a violation. Since you say you've used this a long time without incident, that rules out the bot unless someone at eBay just decided to add it recently.

The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.