item specifics from completely wrong, to not enough choices. to way too many choices with duplicates

[lasantino]

ok.. I just realized.

 ebay recently changed the item specifics to give sellers more relevant and correct options for when they are listing items.

previously, the choices were so limited and incomplete  it was probably turning off buyers left and right.

now there are duplicates, with variations in spelling or punctuation. i'm incredibly frustrated.

I would assume that ebay would make available the different options to a buyer when they are filtering listings down. then combine the different spelling of the same attribute into one group.

However,, i just did a search as a buyer and now realize. ebay has separated out each item specific choice into a different group, even if the specific is fundamentally the same thing..

This is basically hiding all the other listings that may have selected another spelling or descrition specific that means the same thing..

I hope i'm making sense.

here is my example

If i list a pair of women's pumps.

under item specifics.  for style.. there are several choices.. one of which is "open toe", the other is "open-toes"..

the same thing goes for toe style.. im going to include a screen shot to hopefully make it clear..

obviously,, the second third and fourth choices are all indicating the same attribute.. however,, 

if i go and do a search as a buyer.. and use the left hand column to whittle the results down.. instead of ebay putting all of the closed toe options in one group,, they have separated it into 3 different groups..   thus,, unless the seller happens to have guessed which option a buyer would choose,, they will not appear in the whittled down listings... 

does this make sense..

This has got to be a huge reason why sales and questions and views are way down!...  omg,,i'm so mad.

can  someone flat the blues to find out what sellers are supposed to do about this.. 

the same kind of dupilcate descriptors under different item specifics are all over the clothing ,shoes and accessories categories.

[abfabvintage]

@mcdougle4248 

Hey! saw your posts on the Ebay Open thread with you on site at the Open! I know it hasn't been too long, but were you given a timeline when they will able to "fix" Your concerns. I remember your concerns from threads on this Seller Board....forget about the eBay choices for IS that are more than a bit off kilter, but what about a seller using the choice where sellers can add  their own "Custom" Item Specifics to get around the "wrong" choices promoted by ebay?, particularly since the ebay "choices" many times do not apply? And the Custom IS will not be found in search? Maybe the Blue can also address that issue. Still love your listings. 

[mcdougle4248]

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@abfabvintage wrote:

@mcdougle4248 

Hey! saw your posts on the Ebay Open thread with you on site at the Open! I know it hasn't been too long, but were you given a timeline when they will able to "fix" Your concerns. I remember your concerns from threads on this Seller Board....forget about the eBay choices for IS that are more than a bit off kilter, but what about a seller using the choice where sellers can add  their own "Custom" Item Specifics to get around the "wrong" choices promoted by ebay?, particularly since the ebay "choices" many times do not apply? And the Custom IS will not be found in search? Maybe the Blue can also address that issue. Still love your listings. 

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At Open, I did not get any kind of "timeline" or even a promise to "fix".  It seemed more like I was only reporting the issues I am having with IS. 

It was also my understanding that custom IS will not be found in search.  I am still adding a couple of custom IS to my listings.  It probably is a waste of time because they will not be found in search and are of no use to buyers since the same specifics are in the description.  

[lasantino]

hi, I have a question,

you may know the answer.

if i were to list a pair of shoes.. brand christian dior..

as i go to the dropdown for possible brands, i don't see christian dior..

so i enter it manually.( ebay actually uses the brand name as just DIOR. instead of christian dior"

does  this result in my listing not showing up when a buyer searches for christian dior high heels.   ..

lets say, that's what they typed in,, and then are given lots of results..so they use the filters on the left.

in the drop down for style.. the buyer see the Dior. so they select that.. ..   where exactly are my shoes shown?? are they categorized with all the shoes that have no brand specified..?? even though i manually entered the text christian dior... 

[this*old*attic]

You will be searchable with Christian Dior in the title.

You need to only choose Dior to be part of any left navigation or category drill down.

Put full name in the title, and the IS EBay offers.

[this*old*attic]

@Anonymous 

We really need you to read and answer this thread, please. I think we’ve been tagging you incorrectly.

[lasantino]

@this*old*attic    thanks for you info, it is helpful.. I spent a couple hours reading really old message board archives,, 

then came and did some test searches.

basically.. 

the use of the plural "boots" in a search for cydwoq ankle boots returns only 27 listings

if i use the singular "boot" in search of cydwoq ankle boot , i get 48 listings..

however.. when i do a search for cydwoq "boots" i get 80 results.. the same number i get when i do a search for cydwoq "boot"...   so  I was thinking,, ok, just don't use plural  every??    have you concluded the same kind of thing?? if you've done that kind of search?

[denim-topia]

I love that eBay now has (sometimes, not always!) the ability for me to choose cleaning instructions for clothing. I've included cleaning instructions from the label in my description since I first began selling. 

HOWEVER the choices are not complete and can be misleading. Sometimes my only option is to only showing cleaning instructions in the description. 

CHOICES; 
.Machine Washable
.Dry-clean Only
.Hand-wash only
.Enter your own 

What's up with the "Only"? 
Some labels do add "only" but most do not. 
Many labels are "machine wash or dry clean" or "hand wash or dry clean" and some labels show dry clean as one word "dryclean". 
Actually, now that I've brought the subject there are labels that state "surface wipe only" such as for pleather pants or vinyl raincoats. 

And then there are leather item's labels "Professionally leather clean". 

[joesoucie22012]

Item specs in the book catagory are completely ruined. Book catagories are ruined too. I listed a model Rocket building book and the only catagory that I can put it in is Dolls and Bears. Also the item specs in book catagories should be completely scrapped and redone and not by a Monkey Either. 

[abfabvintage]

@denim-topia 

Thanks for your post...you are more than correct. So there is an "enter your own" yet reading through this thread and the concern I posted here that the "custom" Item Specifics (which is the "enter your own") are not seen in search...so what is the point to even have "enter your own" referenced? 

[Anonymous]

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@mcdougle4248 wrote:

@lasantino 

I do not sell shoes, however, I have noticed some of the new item specific choices in the category I use the most (Home & Garden>Holiday and Seasonal>Ornaments) leave me wondering what choice to select.

I discussed my concerns with a member of the item specifics team at eBay Open this past week and right on the spot she sent a email to the appropriate team member.  So, there are eBay team members who are looking into what sellers are reporting.  Where it goes from there, I do not know.

@Anonymous  would you please look at the OP and get it sent over to the appropriate team for review?  

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Hi @mcdougle4248, I recommend that details be emailed to sdsupport@eBay.com for review; the OP can include item numbers, item specific examples, or any other information they feel is important on this topic. I'm happy to follow up if appropriate changes aren't made, but wanted to share the email here for everyone to utilize when this kind of issue arises 

[Anonymous]

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@lasantino wrote:

@Anonymous   ?    can you please review the messages and responses in this post and help get this info to the right department..   

my views are down 50%  since the latest changes in the specifics and categories

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Hi @lasantino, I ask that you send these details to sdsupport@eBay.com so they can review for adjustments. In the meantime, I recommend you select the most commonly used option (Closed Toe in this example shows the most related listings). As a buyer, when I am using the left hand filters to refine my search, I would be selecting all related specifics (Closed, Closed Toe, Closed-Toe, Close Toe) to capture everything I want to see. 

This likely has arisen due to sellers adding custom item specifics to their listings without consistency, but our catalog team can review for adjustments. It may be possible to simply change this item specific for every listing to use the same terminology. Let me know once you reach out to the email provided if you still need assistance and I'll be happy to follow up.