posted on June 7, 2004 09:33:03 PM new
eBay is really sticking it to book sellers. In spite of all the complaints about the new categories, they just announced that they are changing again - they are combining the categories for fiction and non-fiction into one category. I guess the opinions of the sellers have no influence on the wizards of the auction site.
posted on June 7, 2004 09:46:57 PM new
Oh, brother.
***Changes to Books Category***
Date: 06/07/04 Time: 07:16:24 PM PDT
In an effort to improve the buying experience in the Books category, we are combining the Fiction & Literature and Nonfiction categories into one category called Fiction & Nonfiction Books for the following reasons:
1. Many searches (e.g., by title or author) yield results that span multiple subjects in both fiction and nonfiction. By combining the two category IDs, buyers will be able to view all subjects when browsing fiction and non-fiction books. For example, a buyer search for the "Da Vinci Code" will yield results in fiction, but also in "religion" and "history" in nonfiction.
2. In addition, members using Browse can still drill-down to specific subjects (such as Religion or Science Fiction). Buyers who don't shop by fiction vs. nonfiction can use keyword searches or other Item Specifics such as Format or Condition to narrow their results.
How This Affects Sellers
Beginning June 8th, sellers should list all Fiction & Nonfiction Books in category ID #378. However, for sellers who continue to list (or re-list) fiction and literature books in the old category (ID #377), eBay will automatically map that category ID to the new Fiction & Nonfiction Books category. While we recommend that sellers start using the new category ID, sellers are not required to do anything differently. In order for buyers to find your listing when they use the category/subject links, please continue to select Item Specifics such as the Subject, Condition and Format.
In the next few weeks, based on current buyer and seller usage of certain Item Specifics and Community feedback and requests, we will also add several new category/subject values. We will include more details about these additions in the near future on the Books Discussion board. We also invite you to post your questions and comments on this thread.
Regards,
eBay
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posted on June 7, 2004 10:04:39 PM new
Ebay really needs to set aside a site that deals specifically with books, and customize it so that sellers can maximize their sell through rates and profits and buyers can find what they're looking for instantly instead of looking for a needle in a haystack. To distinguish this site, it will need a unique name. The first one that comes to mind is Half.com. But I'm sure that name has already been claimed by someone.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 7, 2004 11:16:00 PM new
I am kind of hoping something comes about with the closing of half. Yes, amazon exists, but quite honestly, I've never had much success with amazon, even though I have done pretty well with half and ebay. I can't believe that the format is not viable in some form. I think by adding a small monthly fee, it would keep the people off who list a movie for $300 that someone else is selling for $5 - That would reduce the database. Maybe have a small listing fee, and a higher commission? Another thing would be to get rid of that 75 cent minimum and raise it much higher. Perhaps a $2 minimum per sale. Oh, and stick to books, cd's, video games and movies. It will be interesting to see, half.com came along when ebay was a 500 pound gorilla. When they grew to 800 pounds, they acquired half.
Friends don't let Friends say stupid things like Friends don't let friends vote Republican!
posted on June 8, 2004 08:34:18 AM new
This latest change means nothing to me. eBay has already botched book selling so badly that the categories are useless anyway. We might as well accept the fact that new modes of selling books will have to be discovered, on ebay or elsewhere. No sense in banging on a door that will not open.
Ebay's agenda for book selling (which I have yet to discern clearly) is not the same as ours.
posted on June 8, 2004 08:55:26 AM new
I think Ebay's decisions are being made by younger people who don't read books but spend all their time watching those danged reality shows and playing games.
Bookreaders don't always know what book they're looking for; they (we) like to browse in bookstores. Ebay has missed this point entirely.
___________________________________
As I've matured, I've learned . .
#2. . . that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the butt are permanent.
posted on June 8, 2004 09:01:22 AM new
the problem with a separate site where you can leave your books listed forever is that sellers tend to list their books everywhere and if the book is sold on one site,they dont bother to remove it from other sites.
a lot of frustration for buyers when they place an order and then next day they are told the book is no longer available.
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