Why is eBay getting rid of antique categories? Are they trying to lose money?

[andnowitsmine]

eBay must not realize how antique collecting works. They have gotten rid of almost every category that helps antique buyers find items. It's impossible to find anything.

Example, today I woke up and couldn't search "Clothes" in Vintage Barbie category, because it doesn't exist. Everything, every single doll, is now under Dolls & Bears. So you have to go through hundreds of thousands of listings.

Example, I also search for specific words under Antique Jewelry. Gone. So now I scroll through hundreds of things that aren't even antique jewelry. 

This is exhausting. Just become Amazon then if you want to squeeze the Antique Junkers out.

[glassyide]

They have gutted a lot of category structure today.  I've seen eBay do some stupid things in the 23+ years that I've been here, but this on takes the cake.  FB groups are fuming and I suspect a lot of eBay's business will move to other sites.

[andnowitsmine]

Are you allowed to recommend other sites? I feel like the antique community is getting pushed out. 

[donsdetour]

other sites are not allowed to be said or promoted on the boards..

[velvet@ebay]

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@andnowitsmine wrote:

eBay must not realize how antique collecting works. They have gotten rid of almost every category that helps antique buyers find items. It's impossible to find anything.

Example, today I woke up and couldn't search "Clothes" in Vintage Barbie category, because it doesn't exist. Everything, every single doll, is now under Dolls & Bears. So you have to go through hundreds of thousands of listings.

Example, I also search for specific words under Antique Jewelry. Gone. So now I scroll through hundreds of things that aren't even antique jewelry. 

This is exhausting. Just become Amazon then if you want to squeeze the Antique Junkers out.

---

Hi! We're in the process of adjusting that category from concept-based categories to more dynamic product-based categories (we announced this last month here if you'd like to read more about it). The end-goal is actually less disruptions like this, and as we shift towards utilizing Item Specifics more and unique subcategories less, we're confident in that outcome. 

Things may look a little off while the move is in process, but rest assured, we expect everything to be back to running as you'd expect within a few days. Thanks for your patience @andnowitsmine!

[andnowitsmine]

Will I be able to search under specifically Antique Jewelry when you fix this? Like "Ruby", instead of having 5 trillion modern ruby rings come up?

Will I be able to search other Antique and Vintage items the same way in a few days?

Just like what happened to the comic collectors, who cannot search under specific age ranges now, this structure only works for modern items. 😕

[thecatscache]

You (ebay) deleted my item specifics on most of my jewelry categories and I can't move jewelry back to the right category (see bracelets in necklaces) without my old item specifics removing themselves. Do you have any timeline when this is going to be fixed? 

[eleanor*rigby]

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@andnowitsmine wrote:

Will I be able to search under specifically Antique Jewelry when you fix this? Like "Ruby", instead of having 5 trillion modern ruby rings come up?

Will I be able to search other Antique and Vintage items the same way in a few days?

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Have you read any of the announcements concerning this change over?

Like the changes announced in the 2021 Fall Seller Update, or the Category Changes with a linked document previewing the changes?

Or the thread pinned at the top of this board? 

Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures 

[andnowitsmine]

Yep. Still doesn't answer any of my questions regarding antiques.

[donsdetour]

you can have all them announcements and messages you want.

It will not change the out come of the cruising category buyer: they are going to be upset.

Upset buyers will look were they can find items. A new learning curve this time of year is going to lose buyers.

But such is eBay...time will tell.

[collectfest]

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@andnowitsmine wrote:

eBay must not realize how antique collecting works. They have gotten rid of almost every category that helps antique buyers find items. It's impossible to find anything.

Example, today I woke up and couldn't search "Clothes" in Vintage Barbie category, because it doesn't exist. Everything, every single doll, is now under Dolls & Bears. So you have to go through hundreds of thousands of listings.

Example, I also search for specific words under Antique Jewelry. Gone. So now I scroll through hundreds of things that aren't even antique jewelry. 

This is exhausting. Just become Amazon then if you want to squeeze the Antique Junkers out.

---

Good post, appears to be their plan doesn't it.

[collectfest]

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@andnowitsmine wrote:

Are you allowed to recommend other sites? I feel like the antique community is getting pushed out. 

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I know shows are on fire. Use eBay the best you can. I have not listed for 11 months and doing fine. Honestly, would love to get back to selling here but it appears they have no interest in what I have to offer....

[collectfest]

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velvet@ebay wrote:

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@andnowitsmine wrote:

eBay must not realize how antique collecting works. They have gotten rid of almost every category that helps antique buyers find items. It's impossible to find anything.

Example, today I woke up and couldn't search "Clothes" in Vintage Barbie category, because it doesn't exist. Everything, every single doll, is now under Dolls & Bears. So you have to go through hundreds of thousands of listings.

Example, I also search for specific words under Antique Jewelry. Gone. So now I scroll through hundreds of things that aren't even antique jewelry. 

This is exhausting. Just become Amazon then if you want to squeeze the Antique Junkers out.

---

Hi! We're in the process of adjusting that category from concept-based categories to more dynamic product-based categories (we announced this last month here if you'd like to read more about it). The end-goal is actually less disruptions like this, and as we shift towards utilizing Item Specifics more and unique subcategories less, we're confident in that outcome. 

Things may look a little off while the move is in process, but rest assured, we expect everything to be back to running as you'd expect within a few days. Thanks for your patience @andnowitsmine!

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cut and paste same answer. We are not machines.

[redmodelt]

It is happening in eBay Motors too! I did go look at the update, no help there for the changes on eBay Motors, not that I could see anyway.

[collectfest]

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@eleanor*rigby wrote:

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@andnowitsmine wrote:

Will I be able to search under specifically Antique Jewelry when you fix this? Like "Ruby", instead of having 5 trillion modern ruby rings come up?

Will I be able to search other Antique and Vintage items the same way in a few days?

---

Have you read any of the announcements concerning this change over?

Like the changes announced in the 2021 Fall Seller Update, or the Category Changes with a linked document previewing the changes?

Or the thread pinned at the top of this board? 

Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures 

---

Yes I have. The changes are being challenged as evidence by the feedback given by a multitude of wonderful sellers that pay to use eBay. They have and will express themselves. I read them and know the outcomes they suggest have not come to fruition for me. Apparently not for others also as the evidence shows in the multiple post today.