using Item Specifics

[keziak]

Do you review and use as many as you can on the SYI form but then just repeat some or all of it in the Description? I do that and right now am listing hard and getting tired of repeating. Do you think it's good to repeat in case customers do not notice the IS's? Or just a waste of precious time? I wonder if I should just use the description for terms of sale and anything not covered in the IS. For example the complete title. 

thanks

[wastingtime101]

I do not fill in as many as I can.

I fill in what is relevant.

Yes, I will duplicate info in item specifics and written description because search is more likely to pick up item specifics than description. But on the app, I can get my full description to display without extra clicks while item specifics generally require tapping to see the full list.

If memory serves, you sell mostly books / media, yes? If so, you may find using templates to be a time-saver. You still have to fill in info, but it streamlines the process.

[keziak]

I have a template but find myself just repeating information which slows down the process. I am wondering if some sellers just fill out the SYI form and call it a day.

[caldreamer]

Only fill in item specifics are needed to describe the item or required by EBAY search engine.   It is very confusing to the customer if you fill in too much information. 

Yes, good to include a short description of item (title, condition, number of pages) even if is repetitive.   

[keziak]

In what way is using a l ot of IS confusion to buyers? Too much clutter on the page?

[wastingtime101]

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@keziak wrote:

 I am wondering if some sellers just fill out the SYI form and call it a day.

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A lot of sellers fill out item specifics and don't include a description. Some buyers are put off by it and some are not.

[wastingtime101]

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@keziak wrote:

In what way is using a l ot of IS confusion to buyers? Too much clutter on the page?

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The main issue is when sellers think they have to fill out all item specifics, even ones that don't apply, either by entering N/A or by entering non-relevant data.

So yes, fill out as many relevant item specifics as possible, but don't fill out item specifics that don't matter to the product unless it's a "required" field.

[winterpalace25]

Of course, if you don't want to be nagged in your Task list, you need to go back in and check the box for not reminding you about IS.

They need to have this checkbox on the listing form. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Many of the item specifics are not really relevant and are downright useless, Others are clearly relevant and would have been included in any listing by a competent professional.

Making judgements is one of the skills a seller must have, and when you sell on Ebay you make judgements starting with what you put in the listing. It helps to know what is going to be information wanted by the buyer, and what will be included in the wording of his search.

[pickapaper]

I've spent 26 years on eBay writing what I hope were good descriptions of my items.  I guess out of habit, It's hard to give that up so I keep doing it, although maybe not as detailed as I once did,  along with filling out as much IS as I can. 

Personally, when I look at someone's listing and it has no description whatsoever, I move on because you never know if the IS are correct if the seller has used the "have one to sell?" link where the IS are auto filled in and the seller didn't bother to check to see if everything was correct for their listing.  

[keziak]

we are in the same boat in terms of this topic. I wonder about how prospective buyers view listings. I personally  mostly buy thrashed copies from Thriftbooks so I don't even care if there is no photo, just price, any condition. 

[slippinjimmy]

For me it's Yes and Yes.

I fill in all the relevant IS and about half of that info is repeated in my description......my time is not really "precious".......what is precious and rare is my ability to actually do stuff during my not precious time.

Images like there is no description or IS

Description like there are no images or IS

IS like there are no pics or description

Maybe it's overkill but the number of returns I've had in the past 10 years (not including my own glaring mistakes) remains at ZERO.