I tend to troll a lot here but I do not remember a discussion on the change to the actual page layout. Some how I was not aware that they are planning a major upgrade to the Layout. I was browsing the boards over at Ebay and found a long thread started by Ebay asking for input on the proposed changes.
Now I don’t want to sound like an old fart who can’t stand change, and I have to say in general I had no complaint about the new look until I took a closer look. As usual, Ebay is way off the map.
Two of the major proposed changes that shock me are:
Tab Layout. They have taken all the shipping info off the main page. My experience says that this will lead to more confusion because some of my buyers can’t even find it on the main page. If they have to wait on their dial-up while another page loads, they won’t be reading this.
Merchandising Recommendations. I find this incredible. They plan to have a box with “related items” showing similar items listed by other sellers. Does Ebay think I wake up in the morning to sell stuff just for them. What moron wants to list their products on the net and have a list of competing products on the same page. Sure, all buyers have the ability to find other similar items but I can tell you I am not going to say, “here’s my great item and oh, by the way, here are some similar items for sale by other sellers, just click here and leave my auction”. WTF are we nothing but whores?
Sorry, but I have been crying a lot lately because I had hoped to start selling again this fall but these changes have created a nightmare.
Sorry if this subject has already been discussed but I think this “Related Items” on my page is far worse than having to eliminate MO and checks.
posted on August 28, 2008 08:20:55 PM new
Don, many of us don't browse the eBay boards and are unaware of unannounced changes until someone brings it to this forum. I don't want other sellers' products showing on my listings, either. I have a feeling that "my eBay listing" will soon be archaic - it will be my product in eBay's online store. If eBay's smart search was half-way competent, I wouldn't complain as much - sellers should receive as much added exposure in showing relevant matches to other sellers' listings as they lose in having competitors items shown on their listings. Buyers might benefit if the relevant listings appealed to them. But smart search and relevant are totally at odds. Every time eBay tries to show they know what you are looking for, they come up with ridiculous matches.
posted on August 29, 2008 05:10:20 AM new
If I'm not mistaken, I think the "related" items are your other items. Not the items of other sellers unless you are opted into that right now.
Not that I think they should change anything, on the contrary, but I think eBay is going for a more uniform look. They'll squash the creativity of all sellers. I like how it is now because, although I mainly sell, I can ID a seller right away by their particular template or photo style. Once eBay makes everything look the same, a lot of buyers will wrongly assume they're buying from eBay and not an individual seller.
I have a feeling that once the elections are over (isn't it kind of funny that eBay is sneaking all this in during our busiest political time?), those is the federal government will start taking a hard look at eBay and its claims of being "just a venue".
I know you have to follow some rules when you are renting a space, but since when can a landlord tell you when to take a carp and when not to? That's what this is starting to boil down to.
Cheryl
Whitman said she and McCain share a philosophy of scaling back the role of government. a point of view partly shaped by her EBay experience. "The EBay model is very Republican in its essence -- it's about making a small number of rules and getting out of the way while not overtaxing the community," she said.
posted on August 29, 2008 05:13:02 AM new
Cheryl, I don't think related items of other sellers is something we will be able to opt out of.
It's been a long time since eBay has declared that it's only a venue. I think it wants to be the online Walmart with the nameless sellers stocking its shelves.
[ edited by pixiamom on Aug 29, 2008 05:20 AM ]
posted on August 29, 2008 05:37:32 AM new
Other problems with the page: No edit, Invoice, End Now buttons. No side links to store categories (you get a couple of links across the top), some sellers are seeing advertising on the right side of their listing taking buyers OFF ebay, related items WILL include other sellers' items and you won't be able to opt out when it is finally rolled out.
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posted on August 29, 2008 05:42:45 AM new
Well, that just bites!
Most people our age (and I think we're all pretty much in the same generation) don't care for change all that much. That's for the youngsters (20-somethings). Almost all of my buyers are older and I have to wonder how they're going to like all these changes.
Looks like eBay's new CEO likes to micromanage. Thankfully, I don't work there.
Cheryl
Whitman said she and McCain share a philosophy of scaling back the role of government. a point of view partly shaped by her EBay experience. "The EBay model is very Republican in its essence -- it's about making a small number of rules and getting out of the way while not overtaxing the community," she said.
[ edited by cblev65252 on Aug 29, 2008 05:46 AM ]
posted on August 29, 2008 10:03:56 AM new
Cheryl, I think you are right about the general age of many of the old guard sellers and buyers.
Unfortunately, this company has morphed the past few years, mostly by the addition of a younger generation who are being paid lots of money so must do something to "substantiate" their position, i.e. change.
It's way more complicated than that and I am off to Waldo Lake in Central Oregon for the weekend so when I get back I might just have to throw out my two cents on why I think Ebay is floundering.
posted on August 29, 2008 11:39:12 AM new
I'm off, too. Camping in Loundonville (Mohican) until Monday night.
Cheryl
Whitman said she and McCain share a philosophy of scaling back the role of government. a point of view partly shaped by her EBay experience. "The EBay model is very Republican in its essence -- it's about making a small number of rules and getting out of the way while not overtaxing the community," she said.
