posted on August 8, 2008 06:07:21 PM new
The eBay police strike again! eBay just now pulled an auction that's been running almost a week...I used the words "Like New" in the title and apparently, that's a "key word manipulation" no-no. It's SO hard to keep up with all the forbidden descriptions these days...I hope it's OK to say "A+ Condition". I'll soon find out, I guess!
posted on August 9, 2008 11:06:24 AM new
Yes, it certainly is! The item I had was purchased in the 1970's (so it's definitely NOT "new"...but I never used it (it's a deck of cards)...so I foolishly thought "like new" was an accurate description of the item. So much for thinking. I was going to use the descriptor "Mint" but am being paranoid...The edited auction starts tomorrow so we'll see what happens.
[ edited by blueyes29 on Aug 9, 2008 11:10 AM ]
posted on August 10, 2008 08:19:02 PM new
"A+ Condition" is OK (the re-listed auction just went on)...but "Like New" isn't. I don't understand the diference but "ours not to reason why" I guess.
posted on August 10, 2008 08:23:12 PM new
I understand this one. "Like new" is considered keyword spamming because "new" will appear in searches for new items. I know when I am searching for a new item I don't want any "like new" items appearing and I am sure I am not alone in this.
I guess "new" was receiving high placement in Best Match searches and it didn't take long for some sellers to figure it out - loading the titles with NEW NEW NEW etc. put them at the very top. I think eBay has since installed a filter for that kind of gaming the system.
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posted on August 10, 2008 08:28:29 PM new
If you consider for a moment how Search works, it's not that hard.
A search for "new iPhone" will also bring up auctions with "like new iPhone" in the title -- which is an unfair advantage for the sellers of so-called like new items.
An experienced searcher could just use the search query "new iPhone -like", it is true, but eBay's goal is to continue to bring new people to the marketplace.
Don't even get me started on people who would use "like new Treo not iPhone" in their title deliberately.
fLufF
--
It looked like she had that dreaded neurological disorder that lets you browse and bid on eBay all day long but won't let you push the "Pay" button.
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Aug 10, 2008 08:29 PM ]
posted on August 11, 2008 02:30:14 AM new
I think the "like" triggers the police too. Many sellers would use it with a designer name to get people to their auctions. Such as "like Coach"
posted on August 11, 2008 09:55:03 PM new
The rationale makes sense so I'll chalk my experience up to "lesson learned"...and for similiar items, use "Mint" or "A+ Condition".
...but I never used it (it's a deck of cards)...so I foolishly thought "like new" was an accurate description of the item. So much for thinking. I was going to use the descriptor "Mint" but am being paranoid...The edited auction starts tomorrow so we'll see what happens.