EventHorizon1984 Log

From eBay Stores Forum - July Brown Bag Lunch on 7/31 @12noon PT

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

FYI apologist itspostingtime posts spin and damage control for eBay ...

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From eBay Stores Forum
July Brown Bag Lunch on 7/31 @12noon PT
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000406402&tstart=0&mod=1185914136596

[email protected]        Jul-24-07 10:23 PDT
Host: eBay Stores Staff

Date: Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Time: 12-1:30PM PT

Location: Stores Discussion Board

Hello,

Please join us for our monthly discussion on the eBay Stores board.

We look forward to your participation and will attempt to answer all of your eBay Stores questions as quickly as possible. Based on your questions, we'll also offer tips to ensure that you're using Stores to maximize your business.

We are committed to answering your questions as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish this equitably, we ask for your cooperation -- please limit your questions to two (2) per user.

We look forward to seeing you here at 12 noon PT on Tuesday, 7/31.

Sincerely, eBay Stores Team

Previous   1 | 2   Next See last post
45 replies     Date posted     Reply #

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:00 PDT     1 of 45
Hello,

Thank you for joining our July Brown Bag Lunch discussion. This is your opportunity to ask questions, and post your comments about Stores.

We're committed to answering all of your questions as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish this equitably, we ask for your cooperation -- please limit your questions to 2 per user.

All questions posted prior to 1:00 PDT will be addressed by one of the staff. Our responses to questions near the 1:30 mark will appear after the thread has been locked.

If this is your first time using the discussion boards, please see the following tutorial on how to post messages and view updates. http://forums.ebay.com/thread.jspa?threadID=200066500&tstart=0

We will be joined today by the regular members from the eBay Stores Product and Marketing Teams.

We will be unlocking the thread shortly; we look forward to speaking with you!

Regards, eBay Stores Team

golfingaddict  (11495 )     Jul-31-07 12:02 PDT     2 of 45
Thank you for adding a stores link at the header (BRAVO)

However, I feel that the search at that page is not always intuitive. The search on the left hand side defaults to "search by store name" which really doesn't give the potential buyer much information. I don't think buyers think to search by store name.

Would it be possible to change that default to Search by Item?
Thank you.

golfingaddict  (11495 )     Jul-31-07 12:04 PDT     3 of 45
To go along with that question, I like the new store hub, but I also would like to see more emphasis on BUYERS to that page, rather than sellers.

The large picture of the Woman that shows now includes links on how to sell in stores. I would really like to see that changed to how to BUY in stores, particularly now that the link is in the header.

A link to selling on stores and marketing and branding is important, I just don't think it should be front and center.

Thank you.

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 12:05 PDT     4 of 45

ebay is making many changes. Are any of those changes designed to SPECIFICALLY benefit store owners who want to list exclusively in store format and who do not want to list anything in core?

To be clear: I realize that store owners CAN list that way now,but my question is: do any of the changes take into account the different needs of a store/core listing model and a store only listing model?
I find more products than glitches

 

golfingaddict  (11495 )     Jul-31-07 12:06 PDT     5 of 45
I'm not sure those two counted as "questions" but I have one more comment.

I'd like to be able to advertise my store on that page. I understand that you have some formula as to when a store would show up there, but I would like to see you feature stores that are doing well, or that would like to advertise there. Please consider doing some contests to have your store featured there or perhaps some sort of advertising (By level) so that we can get our store listed there.

Thank you.

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:06 PDT     6 of 45
Dear golfingaddict (re: 2),

Hi. We like that idea, too, and are looking into possible timing for making that happen. We'll let you know.

Thanks.

Gene

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:11 PDT     7 of 45
golfingaddict (re: #3),

Thanks for joining us today and for providing your feedback.

There are several versions of the Stores hub – 2 buyer versions (male, female), 2 seller versions (existing, potential Store owner) and a generic version. The buyer versions include a promotion about why to shop eBay Stores -- that landing page (http://pages.ebay.com/storefronts/shop.html) then outlines how to shop with Stores, but I like your suggestion of making info on how to Shop more prominent.

Thanks,
Darlene

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 12:14 PDT     8 of 45
perhaps I should be even more clear. I believe that the MAXIMUM value for a store owner is confined to certain types of products, what I call an "ipod store" (since Meg usually uses ipod sellers as her example of an ebay store.

That is: a store that sells fast turnover core items (like ipods) with store inventory consisting of items with such a very close relationship to the core item (ipod accessories)that a buyer is likely to buy a core item and store items at the same time, thus ensuring fast turnover even of the store items. In addition, such a seller gains the enormous benefit of eBay's listing policy which allows store sellers to list multiple identical items in one listing at one price.

To me, that's the "ideal" type of store.

But many of us do not sell that type of merchandise. Now, I'm not saying there are no other benefits to having a store: the ability to brand, custom pages, newsletters....there are many good things about stores.

But it does not seem to me that ebay has really distinguished very much between the "ipod" type store and the other type of store.

Many sellers want to use their stores to sell admittedly slower turnover items, and they don't even want to use core. Is ebay planning anything to SPECIFICALLY benefit such stores, which obviously have somewhat different needs?
I find more products than glitches

 

gluegal1  (66 )     Jul-31-07 12:14 PDT     9 of 45
I know this isn't a Stores question, but am hoping that you'll pass along to whatever department is responsible for this -

the change that has taken place on the counters within our listings is very disturbing. eBay pages are "junked up" enough - if I WANTED Experian advertising within my listing, I'd put it there myself!

Secondly - again, I know this isn't under Stores jurisdiction, but....

The recent problems with the SYI form were incredibly frustrating. Whenever I had to edit an item, the form lost my combined shipping information. Fortunately, someone on a discussion in a private group posted how to work around this, else I'd have torn my hair out. As it was, it took twice as long to relist or edit any listing because of the glitch. It took over 2 weeks to get this problem fixed, and I noticed yesterday it is still happening intermittently.

And yes, I spoke to Live Help numerous times about the SYI problem; half the time the person wasn't aware of it, the other times I got the "we're working on it" response. If eBay wants people to list more, they have to make sure their tools work correctly!

Sue

gluegal1  (66 )     Jul-31-07 12:18 PDT     10 of 45
P.S. - I do find it fascinating that Paypal partners with Equifax, but eBay has Experian advertising in its counters. Kind-of funny!

chopsueysisters  (2117 )     Jul-31-07 12:18 PDT     11 of 45
I'm only here for a few minutes but here is my questions I wrote out the other day. Will come back this afternoon and read up. Also stores team I wrote to you about the custom pages, no one replied back to me. I'm not getting support from customer service so can u please let me know can u help me troubleshoot it?

I would like to know if the scrolling image banner we can use in our stores can be looked at as far as compression so it loads fast. I heard from some other people that they back out of it because it takes too long to load. Would like to know if its something that can be done to the code because I thought once ebay pulled it in they compressed the images.

I would like to know if the scrolling image banner we can use in our stores can be looked at as far as compression so it loads fast. I heard from some other people that they back out of it because it takes too long to load. Would like to know if its something that can be done to the code because I thought once ebay pulled it in they compressed the images.

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood
I have superpowers!

 

.

chopsueysisters  (2117 )     Jul-31-07 12:19 PDT     12 of 45
2nd question!

I'd like to know if we can have more presence with the stores marketing team. Fall and even Christmas will hit us very fast and some of us plan to get much more products than before. I asked many months ago about having a stores marketing person help advise & brainstorm with us on ways to help tap into stores exposure during those peak points. Y'all didn't listen to me so I want you to listen this time because last year for back to school you guys were marketing victoria's secret undies. What kind of kid needs a thong? I think it would be a win-win if we give some promos regarding back to school savings on used clothing or other items. People will be hunting for bargains. Maybe even a promo that lets power buyers for school go through the "best offer" features in stores?

Funny huh? But true! No thongs!

Bye Boardies!!

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood
I have superpowers!




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[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:22 PDT     13 of 45
golfingaddict:

In response to your post #5. We think your ideas about different means of advertising on the Stores Hub are very interesting to us. We are currently evaluating how we can make the Stores Hub better and this feedback is very valuable. Please feel free to post more of your ideas of how we can make the Stores Hub work for you and create greater buyer engagement. Thanks for your ideas.

Thanks,

Raj

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:24 PDT     14 of 45
itspostingtime (re: #4 and #8),

As you note, a lot of the changes on the site are meant to drive buyer excitement across Auction-style listings (e.g. Bid Assistant http://pages.ebay.com/bidassistant/) but we are also working on improvements for fixed price as well. For example, we are looking at providing more tools to help you promote your Fixed Price and Store Inventory listings and storefronts (e.g. more functionality for Markdown Manager, Stores To Go http://pages.ebay.com/storestogo/, etc.) and working with the Finding team to improve the way buyers search for items across all formats. I don’t have anything to announce today, but we are working on this area.

Regarding your question in post #8 about doing anything to specifically benefit sellers want to use their stores to sell slower turnover items, I want to point out that the pricing structure for Store Inventory is set up for this exact need (e.g. low insertion fees which make it more of a pay-for-performance model). Other than altering the fee structure even more, I would like to better understand from you what could help you be more effective at selling slower moving inventory. Please post any thoughts.

Regards,
Darlene

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:29 PDT     15 of 45
Dear chopsueysisters (re: 11),

Hi there.

1) I had forwarded your question and will ask someone to follow up with you directly on the custom page issue.

2) Just to confirm, are you referring to the slideshow-style promotion box? If so, we can definitely ask our engineering team to take a look at it.

Thanks. Mew.

Gene

golfingaddict  (11495 )     Jul-31-07 12:34 PDT     16 of 45
I've been asking for this for years, but I thought I would throw it out here again today.

I'd really like to offer buyer/seller specific coupons to reward frequent buyers. (my buyers) While I like Markdown Manager, that is a generic sale that is offered to everyone.

I'd like to be able to offer coupons that could be used for things like Free shipping or a 10% discount to specific buyers and they could use it on store listings.

Is this something that the stores team could work on please?

And/or could the stores team think of a way for us to offer markdown manager functions that would work only for repeat buyers. For example, I could set up a sale for "former customers" and that sale would only show if you have purchased from me in the past.

(fantasy maybe, but I have faith that the wiz kids could figure out a way to write a program that would work this way)

Thank you.

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:34 PDT     17 of 45
chopsueysisters (re: 12),

Glad you could make it today. I love your suggestion and will commit to you right now that the Stores marketing team will host a workshop to discuss tips for effective marketing during the holidays. We’ll post more information to the boards as we get closer to the date.

Regards,
Darlene

golfingaddict  (11495 )     Jul-31-07 12:34 PDT     18 of 45
And now I am sure I used up my two posts ;)

chopsueysisters  (2117 )     Jul-31-07 12:34 PDT     19 of 45
Gene, yes, #2 is that slideshow box, its on my store homepage and i use it ALOT, a whole lot and I LOVE IT. And other people do too! But load time & compression that is super important too, more important than having the slideshow if it causes buyers with older machines to go away


OK, now I'm going, I won't be late as long as I don't use my brakes!

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood
I have superpowers!

.

.

.

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:35 PDT     20 of 45
gluegal1 (re #9),

Thank you for your comments regarding the Experian advertising on your listing. I know that the team responsible for this promotion is monitoring the boards and has heard the community’s reaction to this placement. I will also send the team a note reiterating your concerns with the program.

Secondly, I am sorry to hear about the trouble you are having with SYI, I will let the SYI team know about your issue with the product as well as with Live Help.

Regards,
Brian

grandmabenny  (17 )     Jul-31-07 12:37 PDT     21 of 45
Where do most of the successful store owners get their inventory?
grandmabenny

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:39 PDT     22 of 45
Dear golfingaddict, (re: 16)

Hi. We are very interested in finding ways to help Store sellers drive more frequent purchases from their buyers.

Those are both good ideas. We've spent more time looking at the couponing issue, and I'm hopeful we're going to find a way to get that done. I like the Markdown Manager suggestion, and I'll forward that to the person thinking about updates to that feature.

Thanks. Keep 'em coming.

Gene

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:41 PDT     23 of 45
Dear chopsueysisters, (re: 19)

Thanks for verifying. Glad you like it; we definitely want it to work broadly for buyers. I'll ask our engineering team to take a look at the issue.

Be safe.  Wear a helmet. 

Gene

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 12:45 PDT     24 of 45
Thanks for the response Darlene. You say:

Regarding your question in post #8 about doing anything to specifically benefit sellers want to use their stores to sell slower turnover items, I want to point out that the pricing structure for Store Inventory is set up for this exact need (e.g. low insertion fees which make it more of a pay-for-performance model). Other than altering the fee structure even more, I would like to better understand from you what could help you be more effective at selling slower moving inventory. Please post any thoughts.

I will probably be flamed for this, but I'm not sure I'd be in favor of a substantial insertion fee reduction for stores, as I think that there must be some sort of bar, otherwise I fear the stores will be awash in items that have virtually no chance of ever selling. Perhaps free gallery for store format listings instead? That would not do much to increase the no-turnover items, but would reduce the number of store listings with the little camera logo where the gallery pic really should be....I suspect store sales would improve if ALL store sellers used gallery ALL the time.

The thing is, I think insertion fees effect listing numbers more than they do sell through...low insertion fees increase listings, but buyers don't care about low insertion fees, so I don't think sell-through is much effected.

I only asked the question because I was curious as to whether you guys had anything specific in mind. Sad to say, I don't have any specific ideas. Maybe a workshop to help sellers understand the challenges they face if they sell primarily slow turnover items rather than , say, a mix of slow and fast?
I find more products than glitches

 

owen*and*emma  (3901 )     Jul-31-07 12:47 PDT     25 of 45
eBay stores are a bit behind the times with their inability to offer the customer the ability to choose color, size, (and perhaps personalization) when they checkout.

Every other mainstream website on the planet allows their buyers this easy shopping experience, yet eBay seems to make buyers jump through hoops to find the correct size, color.

Any chance of you hooking up with the Policy team to re-work this archaic policy?

~Ann~

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 12:48 PDT     26 of 45
BTW, I do want to lend my support to the coupon idea and the markdown for selected customers idea. And, while it isn't exclusively a stores idea, I'd also like to see something in MyeBay that flags repeat customers, so that I know they've bought from me before. perhaps you could pass that on to the appropriate team?
I find more products than glitches

 

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:48 PDT     27 of 45
Hi grandmabenny (re #21),

Successful Store sellers have multiple inventory sourcing strategies. Here's a workshop from June that highlights seven essential elements of successful sourcing: http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000503163&ov=002NY.

Seller Central also has additional recommendations for sourcing here: http://pages.ebay.com/sellercentral/techniques.html#invsou

Thanks and here's to your future success!

Brian

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:51 PDT     28 of 45
Dear owen*and*emma (re: 25),

Hi. The short answer is yes; we're exploring a number of different solutions to that issue. But we get that we need to make it easier for folks to sell those sorts of items on the site.

Thanks.

Gene

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 12:55 PDT     29 of 45
Do you know how store merchandise will be effected by the new finding system? Will the Rule of 30 be retained, along with the Stores in BIN Rule?

And, speaking of search, the Hub default item search brings up ALL store merchandise, both core and store format listings. Some on the Stores Board have suggested that this should be changed to ONLY store format. I just want to say I would oppose that change. I list items in core in part to draw people to my store, and I believe that strategy is effective whether as part of a core search or a store search from the Hub. I don't want to have to have two strategies for the two different searches.
I find more products than glitches

 

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 12:55 PDT     30 of 45
itspostingtime (re: #26),

We share your interest in providing you with more insight into your repeat buyers and have been talking to the other selling teams about making progress here. Thanks for bringing this up!

Regards,
Darlene

golfingaddict  (11495 )     Jul-31-07 12:59 PDT     31 of 45
Thanks to the stores team for holding this Brown Bag lunch and listening to our suggestions.

katiyana  (3952 )     Jul-31-07 13:00 PDT     32 of 45
Ditto Ann's comments in #25

The technology is available in Paypal shopping carts as well as Prostores (both of which eBay conveniently owns). Give store owners who sell customized items, or stock items with options, tools to allow us to sell more effectively.

Yeah, I know you guys like that we have to do 100 listings instead of 10 because its extra $ for you - but some of us can't afford to keep doing that for you.

***********

Question #1: When are the text-version of Email newsletters going to be fixed so they look halfway decent, and aren't tossed away immediately. Item showcases and item listings don't show up. I've had lots of problems and little success with the Newsletter package, so I think work needs to be done on that.

Question #2: When can we do coupon codes for our repeat buyers? These would be GREAT repeat buyer driving items - we need tools like this!

Personally, sales here are WAY DOWN compared to last year - the fee increase almost did me in last year, and now the poor sales are trying to finish the job this year. Again - the inability to have a fully stocked store (due to higher fees) limits our ability to draw in off-eBay traffic, which then restricts sales, which further limits our listing capabilities. Its a darn vicious circle, and one its hard to get out of once you're in it!

Katiyana's Collectibles

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 13:01 PDT     33 of 45
Seems pretty quiet here, so I'll go ahead and ask a bit more. I know it's very early, but do your metrics indicate that the new stores tab is getting much use? And the Hub?

I think store sellers like to understand their own traffic flow, and so can you tell us if there's any way to determine whether any of our traffic is coming from the Hub when we look at our Omniture reports?
I find more products than glitches

 

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:04 PDT     34 of 45
golfingaddict (re: #31,

Thank you for the message. We really enjoy spending this time each month with the Stores community; answering your questions and listening to your suggestions.

Best regards,
Brian

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:11 PDT     35 of 45
Dear itspostingtime:

In response to Post #29. Store Inventory Format merchandizing in the updated core finding system is planned to retain the 30/30 rule.

In regards to defaulting all store merchandise within the Stores hub. We agree that giving potential buyers the ability to search from a selection of all listings by Store sellers is more effective than relegating results just to Store Inventory Format. We plan on continuing to be consistent with this approach as statistics demonstrate that buyer's find and convert better with all listings by Stores sellers being returned vs. just returning SIF listings. This helps return abundance and drive incremental traffic back to your storefront.

I hope that is a clear answer to your questions.

Thanks,

Raj

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:11 PDT     36 of 45
Dear katiyana (re: 32),

Hi.

1) The newsletter feature is one that we think is very valuable to Store sellers, so we want to do everything we can to help this be effective. I'll ask the team to take a look at updates to the text version of the emails.

2) We want to deepen our focus on repeat buying going forward, so we're very interested in this and other tools to help make that happen. I honestly can't give you a specific timeframe yet, but we know it's important and we're working to find the best path to getting this done. It's a more challenging feature behind the scenes than it may seem. But we're very interested in this and other ways to help drive repeat buying for our Store sellers.

Thanks!

Gene

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:16 PDT     37 of 45
Hello there,

Please submit your questions and comments as soon as possible. We'll be locking this thread promptly at 1:30 PM PDT. Any questions that are posted close to the end of the session will responded to after the thread has been locked.

Thank you for joining,
eBay Stores Team

itspostingtime  (2 )      Jul-31-07 13:19 PDT     38 of 45
Raj, yes, thanks!
I find more products than glitches

 

owen*and*emma  (3901 )     Jul-31-07 13:21 PDT     39 of 45
Repeat buying is an interesting topic. What incentive does a seller have to bring customers back to eBay versus sending the customer other place for future purchases?

I've said on more than one occasion that the SRC is useless as built. Perhaps that can be revised to work like this:

1. ALL repeat customers whether from a year ago or a day ago result in automatic SRC issued to the seller. No jumping through hoops with silly "&refid" stuff.

2. If a buyer purchases more than one item in a sitting the seller pays full FVF on the first one and the SRC automatically kicks in on all additional items.

3. Monetary rewards for the dollar amount of items sold to repeat buyers.

Just some thoughts.

~Ann~

[email protected]       Jul-31-07 13:24 PDT       40 of 45
itspostingtime:

In response to your question about traffic from the Stores Hub: Post #33:

We are definitely beginning to see uptick in traffic being driven to the Stores Hub from the Global Header. We are just starting to lay the tracking infrastructure to help us analyze and quantify the traffic to this page and user interactions, so we do not have any precise data to share.

Unfortunately, Omniture is not currently tagging the Stores Hub page so it does not appear as a referring page in your page view reports. This is definitely a good idea, and we'll investigate specifically tagging this page so it appears explicitly in your path reports as a referring page.

Thanks,

Raj

owen*and*emma  (3901 )     Jul-31-07 13:26 PDT     41 of 45
Speaking of Omniture. Why doesn't eBay dump them for the Store Reporting tool and go with Google Analytics a much more comprehensive program?

Or at least allow stores owners the ability to install Google Analytics?

~Ann~

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:29 PDT     42 of 45
owen*and*emma (re: #39),

You’ve touched on a topic that the Stores team is particularly passionate about – repeat buying. Over the years we’ve built tools and programs to help and reward sellers’ repeat buying efforts (e.g. Email Marketing, Store Referral Credit, etc.) but we want to do more. Thanks for your suggestions – we’ll take these into account as we work to do more here.

Regards,
Darlene

grandmabenny  (17 )     Jul-31-07 13:32 PDT     43 of 45
Thank you for the referral. I hope some day to understand all this and become an intelligent contributor to the forum.
Thanks again.
grandmabenny

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:33 PDT     44 of 45
Stores Community,

Thank you for participating in this month’s discussion. The thread is now locked to new posts.

We will be going through the entire thread to make sure all questions are answered. Please check back for the completed thread.

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Thank you again for joining us today. Stay tuned for details about the September Stores Brown Bag Lunch event.

Regards, eBay Stores Team

[email protected]     Jul-31-07 13:35 PDT     45 of 45
owen*and*emma:

In response to your post #41 regarding Omniture vs. Google Analytics:

I think this is a very good question. Omniture's Sitecatalyst tool is very robust application and is one of the industry's leading traffic reporting tools. When we decided to bring this product to market, Omniture was the market leader in this space, and we still believe they are. We also leveraged alot of infrastructure used for Site reporting to bring a wealth of data to you, our end users. There is alot of back-end tracking and technology built into these tracked pages. Also, in order to log into the tool we have built out a 3rd party authentication mechanism, which we would need to build for other reporting tools.

We definitely look into other product offerings such as Google Analytics which was bought from Urchin, as they emerge. We still believe Omniture has the more robust reporting tool and tracking infrastructure.

Thanks,

Raj

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From eBay Search Forum - EBAY IS RUINED!!!

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

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From eBay Search Forum
EBAY IS RUINED!!!
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000405068&tstart=0&mod=1185292335012

denizappleby  (68 )        Jul-22-07 07:57 PDT
Let me start by saying how Ebay is a part of my day. I search for my items, and shop. Not a big buyer,but a heavy duty shopper. That is now gone, due to this ridiculous search process! It may work better for the techy who wrote the program, but in turn ruined it for the shoppers! I am truly disappointed in Ebay. Now I have gone back to my local papers, and yard sales. Still just shopping, but disappointed that I can't use Ebay any longer!!

touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-22-07 11:02 PDT     1 of
HA! I was searching for Birki's -cork using search title and description. Best match tells me that Harley Davidson boots are a better match than Birki's. HUH? This is beyond stupid.

.

[email protected]      Jul-22-07 11:15 PDT     2 of
Hi denizappleby,

We'd love to hear specifics on how you use search. Can you post your queries etc and we'll do what we can to respond and/or resolve the issue you're seeing.

touch*my*toes,

I tried birki's -cork on both the current search and the playground. http://playground.ebay.com
I get identical results on each and neither are showing any harley davidson results. Would you mind posting your queries and or URLs so we can investigate?
Title and description search isn't complete yet for the playground but on the current search, even using best match from the dropdown I'm seeing women's shoes at the top.

Thanks,

Jeff

.

touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-22-07 11:32 PDT     3 of
Here is the identical search I ran, same results.

Search terms: birki's -cork

Searching title and description.

Harley Davidson boots are #4 on your "Best Match" results:

http://tinyurl.com/2dhdmn

There are also more HD boots that show before Birki's on other pages. I understand WHY they show up. I don't understand how they would be in the top 10 of a best match search result. What exactly is the criteria for best match?

fairly_dinkum  (6 )      Jul-23-07 08:34 PDT     4 of
touch, this may actually NOT be a problem with any of the new search functions. OTOH - it does illustrate how "gaming the system" is even easier with the new search.

It appears that the seller of those items is Keyword Spamming within all listings. Besides an internal search/browse that utilizes various brand names...

...there's several keywords that are being used under the guise of a FAQ page.

Quite ingenious. But, definitely a rule breaker.

fair treatment for Stores - just do it
~me

glenda  (1349 )      Jul-23-07 10:34 PDT     5 of
            Hi fairly_dinkum

I think the issue isn't that the listings are coming up, and I think touch*my*toes understands that they're coming up because of the keyword spamming.

I think the issue is that they are coming up high in the results as a Best Match for birki's -cork.

 
Glenda

--
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It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

zag001a  (1708 )      Jul-23-07 11:30 PDT     6 of
Pink: I have not been able to get rid of the location by miles part of the search results. Today I even lost the shipping cost section and when I go to customize (for the 10th time) it says everything I want is OK. Help please. zag.

zag001a  (1708 )      Jul-23-07 12:34 PDT     7 of
Also it "APPEARS" that all of my searches have the Title & Description box checked as well as Best match. Very frustrating. Just cuts down on the time I spend searching to change everything back. zag

zag001a  (1708 )      Jul-23-07 12:37 PDT     8 of
I Rarely put in my opinion to this boards, but since no one else is responding, I would like to say I feel like that Twilight Zone episode where all the people n the neighborhood are worried and upset about new situations going on in their block and at the end, the camera pulls away to a little girl playing with her dollhouse people. ebaY is yanking our strings...zag

glenda  (1349 )      Jul-23-07 14:42 PDT     9 of
Hi zag001a

You're in, I believe, one (or more) of the unannounced tests. I know that some people have experienced the title w/description checked off situation, and some people have experienced the shipping column disappearing situation. You're the first one who's commented on having the Location by miles displaying all the time when you don't have it specified to do so, though.

You might try deleting cookies and clearing your cache, though I'll be honest that it hasn't worked for some of the people who have been dropped into those particular tests.

 

Glenda

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V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
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zag001a  (1708 )      Jul-23-07 16:25 PDT     10 of
Exactly Glenda, although it has happened at two different computers now. I can live with it. Thank you for your reply. I still feel like I am in the T.Z. tho. LOL:_|

touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-23-07 17:20 PDT     11 of
Title and description search isn't complete yet for the playground but on the current search, even using best match from the dropdown I'm seeing women's shoes at the top.

Thanks,

Jeff

Oh, there is definitely women's shoes at the TOP.  Is there only ONE best match result?  LOL! 

BTW, those Harley boots are now the #2 best match result ebay provides.

touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-23-07 17:23 PDT     12 of
I think the issue isn't that the listings are coming up, and I think touch*my*toes understands that they're coming up because of the keyword spamming.

I think the issue is that they are coming up high in the results as a Best Match for birki's -cork.

Exactamundo, and thank you very much! 

BTW, you were right. I was obviously being subjected to some sort of random test as my search results have now reverted back to the ones I had set. Thanks!

touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-23-07 17:28 PDT     13 of
It appears that the seller of those items is Keyword Spamming within all listings. Besides an internal search/browse that utilizes various brand names...

...there's several keywords that are being used under the guise of a FAQ page.

Quite ingenious. But, definitely a rule breaker.

That PS should, and probably does know better.  Disgusting.

I hope Jeff takes a look at the link soon. Those listings might be gone shortly. That is if ebay is fair and even handed. We'll see.

8270elizabeth  (197 )      Jul-23-07 17:57 PDT     14 of
I agree that the new search leaves much to be desired. I do not have time to weed through all of the stuff I wasn't even searching for. On top of that I tried to enter a new search in my favorites today and after the fifth attempt, I gave up. This is ridiculous.
8270elizabeth

fairly_dinkum  (6 )      Jul-24-07 08:52 PDT     15 of
touch, I wasn't sure if you knew it was due to KWS, or thought that it was part of the category/auto-linked-words feature.

I will offer my opinion as to why those items come up so high w/in BM. Since those listings are doing some major KWS, they come up in more searches.

Since they come up in more searches, more peeps are likely to click on them. With those "more clicks", comes a higher placement in Relevancy.

In the words of Esteban Kozak, "with Best Match, what buyers do on the site will affect the order in which listings are displayed. In other words, if buyers running a particular search often end up viewing, bidding on, or buying a certain type of item more often, this will be factored into our relevance calculations. The Best Match scores for these types of items will be higher, and might display higher on the page because they are similar to items that have been more relevant for that search in the past."

It is a direct result of the BM search functionality that listings engaged in KWS will benefit with higher placement. It is simply a matter of logic.

Ebay will (again) be rewarding the rule-breakers. They have NEVER stated that they are even aware of this situation. It would appear that the end of their collective noses is the extent of their vision.

I hope Jeff takes a look at the link soon. Those listings might be gone shortly. That is if ebay is fair and even handed. We'll see.

Now I know you're just kidding. Right?

fair treatment for Stores - just do it
~me

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From eBay Search Forum - My sort option changed to Best Match?

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

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From eBay Search Forum
My sort option changed to Best Match?
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000404928&tstart=0&mod=1185131701613

.

touch*my*toes  (12 )        Jul-21-07 19:33 PDT
Hello? Don't be messing with MY CHOSEN sort method. WTH?

.

glenda  (1348 )      Jul-21-07 23:44 PDT     1 of
Hi touch*my*toes

You know you can change it back, right?

 

Glenda

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V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

.

touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-22-07 10:54 PDT     2 of
Yes, thanks. However, I have to change it back EVERY time. When I choose a preference for search, I would assume that would be the default for every search I do. Not just the one I am doing when I change it. This is BS.

Didn't one of those pinks post and say they would NEVER force Best Match on us? Liars.

.

glenda  (1348 )      Jul-22-07 11:01 PDT     3 of
            Hi touch*my*toes

Hmmmm... I recall discovering that my sort had been changed to Best Match at one time as well. But I changed it back to Ending First for search, and Newly Listed for category browse, and it stayed that way.

Maybe you're in one of those "little tests" they talked about in Sneak Peak that supposedly won't last very long.  http://pages.ebay.com/sneakpeek/ (down at the bottom, under Testing Testing)


 
Glenda

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V3  You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

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touch*my*toes  (12 )      Jul-22-07 11:12 PDT     4 of
            Oh, LOLOLOL!!  From that page:

"If disruptive technology is a passion of yours, follow along at eBay innovation."

I think I just hurt myself.

.

*sirfelix*  (1719 )      Jul-22-07 12:15 PDT     5 of
Even when signed in, using the search field at the top of any ebay page forces the listing to be sorted by "Best Match", not by my preferences.

So eBay, again, is forcing buyers to use extra "clicks" to search items. This is making my buying experience a pain and I'm tired if it.

I have a 1700+ feedback, about 50% of that from buying anbd 50% from selling. I have already gave up on selling due to increased fees, a confusing system and poor inventory exposure to buyers. Now eBay is threatening MY buying experience with more nonsense like "Best Match".

Fix this problem and stop changing something that worked for everyone. Keep going like this and you'll only succeed in making a marketplace for chinese products from importers. Is this what eBay was originally about?

Goodluck,
SF

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naugagirl  (909 )       Jul-23-07 19:38 PDT       6 of
Ditto. This is an involuntary change to the default behavior and no amount of changing my prefs via customize' stick: every single new search (and saved search!) is now sorted as 'Best Match' by default. Dreadful.

.

webpaper  (1554 )     Jul-24-07 01:56 PDT     7 of
Dreadful hardly begins to describe how ticked off I am.

.

sko74517  (593 )     Jul-24-07 06:10 PDT     8 of
Glenda: You have your work cut out for you this time!! I gotta tell you that if it wasn't for you, I suspect the board would have exploded by now. We sure don't get any rational answers from pinks or whoever is responsible for this mess. Here's the problem: users shouldn't have to "opt out" from eBay's bizzaro experiments. No one should be put into a test scenario without being asked. There should also be a clear path out for those who decide to try it and don't like it. No one has time to fool around with this stuff. It's not easier at all. It just wastes our time.

They tried that same crap on Paypal recently....requiring buyer credit users to "opt out" from Paypal's decision to unilateraly switch from mailed invoices to paying on-line only. They learned quickly that only I control my finances.....not them :) I will never use that service again.

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glenda  (1349 )     Jul-24-07 08:45 PDT     9 of
Hi sko,

Users shouldn't have to "opt out" from eBay's [search] experiments.

I've rephrased your statement slightly and I agree. I think search is too important to be messing around with in a public setting. It's impactful enough that listings take longer and longer to even be searchable, but then to change settings and displays and sorts and categories on the fly, at random, is unacceptable.

eBay said they learned last time that people don't like to be dropped into tests, so they added an opt-out. Hopefully what they learn from this round is that people still don't like being dropped into tests and that they should have an opt-IN at the top of search results pages, instead of an opt-OUT at the very bottom.

What really irritates me, however, is that they announced it was only going to last 6 weeks, and here it is going on 11 weeks and there has been no further explanation of why they ignored their own statements. Judging from the number of new complaints, they have also increased the "small percentage" of people being dropped into various searches.



Glenda

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V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
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From eBay Search Forum - New Search SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

From what can be read from eBay, they have no intention of NOT changing how searches are done.

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From eBay Search Forum
New Search SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000404259&tstart=0&mod=1185169347167

.

friendtomananddog  (54 )       Jul-20-07 10:21 PDT
This new search SUCKS. I can't find what I want without a lot of crap included that should be excluded based on my search parameters. I will not be using ebay with this type of difficulty. Why should I have to find this forum to vent when all I want to do is USE ebay to shop. Get your crap together EBAY!

babydoll0000000000000  (345 )     Jul-20-07 10:28 PDT     1 of
Well said my friend!

amethistle  (559 )     Jul-20-07 12:08 PDT     2 of
My God, what a disaster the new search is! I didn't get what I wanted, and I got a lot of stuff I didn't want!! It's unbelievable that, apparently in order to keep all their programmers busy, they come up with this unnecessary, unneeded, and useless change!! Please please please don't screw with something that works!!!

oldgoatplanes  (806 )     Jul-20-07 17:20 PDT     3 of
What are they thinking????? I'm leaving, this isn't fun anymore. :(

vanlohd08em  (23 )     Jul-20-07 18:08 PDT     4 of
Yup, I agree...the new search is terrible. The filters on the left aren't all laid out in one view...you have to click on things & open menus to get to them. Terrible!!

I found a link at the bottom of the page after a search. It said something about an experimental new search. Click here to opt out. I clicked "Opt Out" and go the good 'ol search we all like!

webpaper  (1554 )     Jul-20-07 18:46 PDT     5 of
I QUIT!

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[email protected]     Jul-21-07 16:51 PDT     6 of
Hi All,

If you'd like eBay to consider your feedback on changes to the new search system including the layout, items returned or other, we need more information from you.

When providing feedback please provide detailed informaiton about what queries you're using and what you're expecting to see vs. what you are seeing.

Thanks,

Jeff

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gillz  (578 )     Jul-21-07 22:05 PDT     7 of
Attention eBay. I'll make this real simple. Do NOT change the search engine results page. This is not about fearing change. The new results page is difficult in so many ways as have already been discussed in the other posts here.

rushinto  (223 )     Jul-21-07 23:39 PDT     8 of
What do I want to see?

Every damn auction, Store item, eBay express item, half.com item, eBay motors item, and overseas item (if I choose) that matches my keyword(s) and none that don't. No hierarchical or contingent separators based on the source of the item. All items from all sources intermingled based on my sorting criteria. (Criteria, that's plural, I want to be able to sort by more than one column, should I choose.) I don't care what part of the eBay empire it comes from, I just want to know if someone is offering it to me.

All items presented with vital data in (easily customizable) columns so I can scan down them rapidly.

Multi-select of categories as I drill down. Keep the current format of offering sub-category matches on the left, but add check boxes so one search can cross multiple sub-categories.

Direct editing of all Saved Search parameters right on the saved search page. Using the subset of search tools on the results page can be frustrating and inefficient. As an alternate, clicking on "edit" in Saved Search will bring up a split screen view. The advanced search options are displayed at the top, pre-filled from the saved search and the search results are displayed at the bottom, so changes can rapidly be verified.

Separate search boxes for titles and descriptions in advanced search

rushinto  (223 )     Jul-21-07 23:43 PDT     9 of
Also, Jeff, do your search developers even do live, over-the-shoulder, testing with regular users driving the tool? When I sit in front of the test version of search I see the signs of cave-dweller development. Let your developers out into the wild with real users so they can see the frustration points and fix them. Now!

webpaper  (1554 )     Jul-22-07 02:45 PDT     10 of
Jeff,
99 percent of the users that take the time to come to these boards do so pleading to leave search the way it is because it works.
If you can't understand that there is no hope for ebay. Ebay does not know what we want to search for - we have been using search for years and understand how it works.
We do not want our time wasted by you, or anyone else. We want to see all of the items we are searching for and NO OTHER ITEMS. We want to be able to search categories and set priorities without ebay making assumptions about what we want to see and favoring large accounts over small accounts.
LEAVE IT ALONE - we have told you, and told you, and told you what the problems are in numerous threads on these boards and to date you have not acknowledged our complaints - this is absolute garbage. No company can survive ignoring their customers.

buystuff35235  (27 )     Jul-22-07 05:13 PDT     11 of
"LEAVE IT ALONE - we have told you, and told you, and told you"

And I will tell you, and tell you, and tell you, too. LEAVE IT ALONE! Do NOT make the new search method mandatory. It is HORRIBLE in EVERY WAY.

denizappleby  (68 )     Jul-22-07 08:04 PDT     12 of
Please,Please,Please, bring back the Ebay we all love!Please!!! This is like the NEW Coke Idea, we don't want change!! PL?EASE.!?

denizappleby  (68 )     Jul-22-07 08:07 PDT     13 of
Jeff, why don't you let your members vote with a little HTML box on the main screen after signing in? Don't try a force feed us! Let the members decide!

greatoldstuff2  (89 )     Jul-22-07 13:42 PDT     14 of
Jeff, I can customize columns of data now. Choose which order I feel most comfortable viewing. And, which data. With your "test," I don't seem to be able to do this. Why? Instead, the "test" has data stacked on top of each other, which I find extremely impossible to scan with any speed.

I know this isn't the first time anyone has stated this.....yet you continue to ignore this. Instead, you persist in taking away features that make searching more fun and pleasant.

greatoldstuff2  (89 )     Jul-22-07 15:46 PDT     15 of
Jeff, how many positive comments have been posted to the Search Board, about your "test?"

Inprovements should be a positive thing. And, nothing that I've seem posted is positive about the changes that you are moving forward with.

oldfrog1  (138 )     Jul-22-07 17:59 PDT     16 of
If you'd like eBay to consider your feedback on changes to the new search system including the layout, items returned or other, we need more information from you.

I may just be a stupid customer of ebay buying items etc but the changes you at ebay made make absolutely no sense at all. My Favorite searches were set up to give me a limited and set pattern of results with a manageable number of items. Now amazingly I get the entire inventory of my search items. I want the concise searches that gave me what I was looking for back. I do not want to go through all that nonsense and junk you have added. the system you had before was easy to use and could be modified at the click of a mouse. Was/is it your intention to drive even more buyers from the site from with such an ill considered and stupid decision?
Is that clear enough feedback from me?

oldfrog1  (138 )     Jul-22-07 18:11 PDT     17 of
When providing feedback please provide detailed information about what queries you're using and what you're expecting to see vs. what you are seeing.

My first favorites search was set up as follows
category:jewelry and watches/wristwatches
Men's: pre 1940 :US only: paypal only: keyword automatic
Items ending within 1 hour. my typical results were limited to no more than 10 items. I could look at a longer time frame on the left of the page with just two mouse clicks.

Now it tells me that my search parameters are too broad and the search returns over 4,000 items and there is no I repeat no logical way to return to my comfort level.
Please tell me how there was an improvemant made, sincwe if it continuies to be this difficult to find what I want it will nmot be worth my time or effort to visit ebay anymore.

member_amx  (33 )     Jul-22-07 18:30 PDT     18 of
I was "selected" to participate in the "test". I was not warned my Ebay would start sucking. The new search is aweful! It took me some time to figure out what was happening... I first went to my preferences to see if it could be turned back into a powerful and easy to use interface. No luck. Then I went back to the search page again to see if it was my computer messing things up. (Getting desperate...) Nope still sucking. Then, waaaaay at the bottom of the page I find the "opt-out" link. Success! Now the suction ceases... I'm afraid that the cookie or whatever opted me out will be erased when I close my browser and I will have to endure more awefulness.

More specifically I didn't like:

1. Always resets to "Ending Soonest" with a new search.
2. Hard to switch to "Completed Auctions" view.
3. More scrolling due to wasted screen real estate.
4. Totally unfamiliar feel. You might want to try incremental changes so us Ebay veterans aren't totally lost/alienated.

I will not enjoy my experience as much with the new search.

Of course I've only been here since shortly after the start of Ebay.

Please abandon this, or make the old search a preference choice in my Ebay.

I appreciate the chance to participate. I'm sorry I didn't like the changes.

JB

yellowstonelove  (201 )     Jul-22-07 18:50 PDT     19 of
I'm sorry Jeff, but you're post is really patronizing. Don't talk down to us. You know darn well that the new search stinks. It's very simple. We ALL know it. What ebay is not telling us is WHY they are trying to cram it down our throats.

The smug attitude of ebay is sickening. And anyone who says we should be nice to pinks, well.... that's like saying be polite to someone who is shooting you with a bb gun. No, if someone is hurting you, you fight back.

Jeff do NOT ask us for more details -- there are none to give. We cannot possibly give you a simpler response than, DON'T CHANGE IT.

yellowstonelove  (201 )     Jul-22-07 18:53 PDT     20 of
ugh, i meant "your" post, not "you're" post. and when I said "it's very simple", i meant, the solution is very simple (i.e. don't change the search)

sorry... it's just that i'm so angry. but hey it's just a website.... i won't let it get me down... lol

jaddwhat  (33 )     Jul-22-07 21:17 PDT     21 of
What was eBay thinking? This new search is NOT an improvement.

Where did the completed listings go? That was a great feature to see what the price range may be for a like item.

Each item now takes up to many lines with wasted space on the right hand side.

Before you could eliminate listing by using the "space-item word", which helped weed out items that were close but not really what you wanted.

Some heads should roll over this piece of crap.

.

[email protected]     Jul-22-07 21:53 PDT     22 of
Hi oldfrog1,

Thanks for the great detail here. I'll have the team investigate what's going on here & get back to the board.

member_amx,
also great feedback.. thanks!
1. Not having the sort order 'sticky' is a bug. We'll fix it..
2. Completed items isn't done yet. It will be released in a few weeks
3. 'real estate problem' We're not happy with the layout of the search results. The current layout shown in the test is leftover from the experiment we did last fall that we're changing dramatically. The new layout will be much more like the existing search with a real cleanup of the stores expansion and other needed updates.
4. We did push some of the page designs in the test 'to the extreme' a bit to get a good understanding of how users could interact with new elements. (for example Top Navigation instead of left side) We're learning a lot from the test and I expect that the designs closer to existing will perform well.

yellowstonelove,
My apologies. It was not at all my intention to come across patronizing. We really want your feedback. The team is very committed to improving search on eBay and understanding specifcally where you are having issues is important to us.

Jeff

.

rec78  (1065 )     Jul-22-07 22:42 PDT     23 of
UGHHHHHH !! This is simply awful. How come when i click on one of my favorite catagories now-i get 7000 listings where i used to get 20-30? eBay is losing money with this system-i can't find anything without a great waste of time. If i can't find what i want-how can i bid on it? Please go back to the old system and leave well-enough alone. I also use completed listings a lot as references. PLEASE -Please-PLEASE- do not implement this system-It is useless. Thanks for your consideration. It is your bottom line. Bob

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laska_2006  (82 )       Jul-23-07 01:23 PDT       24 of
I'm still in shock!!! WOW!! Why would anyone in this world would do something like this??????? They just destroyed a lots of good things! And e-bay representatives just look not very smart by asking :"oh, give us more details, give us description what you didn't like....." Huh, let me think.. !!EVERYTHING ABOUT NEW SEARCH!!! I'm really pissed off! This is awful!!! E-bay will loose tons of customers.. Seriously. I think most ppl rather would go to Wal-Mart then come back to poor, ugly, pittyful, confusing, messed up NEW SEARCH. I'm afraid to think even about "Selling" portion of e-bay! Tht should be disaster!!! If simple search became sooo unattractive, imagine how hard it will be post item for sale?
Today i tried to look for something on E-bay, and when I saw new search results I felt sick in my stomack. Then I thought it was my computer. Then i went to MY ebay and tried to play with preferences. Didn't help. And then I got brightest idea to check discussion board. I've had hope till the last moment, but when I read all the post on new search everything just collapsed..
I think it is against all the rules. People who use Yahoo mail not long time ago noticed invitation from yahoo to try new and improved interface view. BUT THEY HAD CHOICE TO SWITCH BACK IF THEY DIDNT LIKE IT!!! Thts what I call freedom of choice and ability to run business with respect to your customers, ppl who makes world of e-bay turns. PLEASE SWITCH IT BACK!! PLEASE!...

webpaper  (1554 )     Jul-23-07 01:50 PDT     25 of
"My apologies. It was not at all my intention to come across patronizing. We really want your feedback. The team is very committed to improving search on eBay and understanding specifcally where you are having issues is important to us."
If you are not trying to come accross as patronizing then I don't know what to tell you, because you certainly do. The reason so many of us who have been here 8 to 10 years are leaving is because of the arrogance and contempt displayed by the "pink" posts. Do all ebay employees get a crash course in how to tick people off?
Ebay belongs to the stockholders, yes. But ebay will not survive without customers and if you implement this piece of trash in core it will absolutely collapse.
Please hire someone with just a trifle bit of courtesy and common sense to tell us what is going on.

roadviewer  (3592 )     Jul-23-07 06:06 PDT     26 of
This is beyond belief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

roadviewer  (3592 )     Jul-23-07 06:07 PDT     27 of
Will someone please tell me how to get to COMPLETED AUCTIONS??????

glenda  (1349 )     Jul-23-07 07:47 PDT     28 of
            Hi roadviewer

Bookmark this link:  http://search.ebay.com

 

Hi laska_2006 and roadviewer

There is an opt-out at the bottom of each search results page.

 
Glenda

--
V3  You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

fairly_dinkum  (6 )     Jul-23-07 08:53 PDT     29 of
            I am so afraid that all of these "new search" complaints simply fall upon deaf ears. Once ebay makes up its mind...

Something that Bill Cobb said in his introduction email, way back when, was just so telling of the way they think. It was either uber-condescending, or else it foretold our future (now, our present).

"We have heard you say that you want the ebay site to be simple, to return to those simpler functions and to stop changing it. We have heard you and we will work on that."

Sorry, but in returning things to an earlier function, the small amount of effort involved should not be referred to as work.

fair treatment for Stores - just do it
~me

fflustred  (139 )     Jul-23-07 13:05 PDT     30 of
"If you'd like eBay to consider your feedback on changes to the new search system....we need more information from you.....Thanks, Jeff"

Hi Jeff and how about more information from YOU?!

How about a summary of what your trying to achieve with the new search that the old one failed to deliver?

Convince us that this is not change for the sake of it...

book_and_music_mover  (901 )     Jul-23-07 17:01 PDT     31 of
Jeff, you're unbelievable. Your answer to most of the complaints is that there are layout problems and the final version will closer to the existing version. How about resolve the layout problems internally before bringing to the users to test?

What he hell was so wrong about the old version that the whole system needed to be changed? Always room for a few tweaks but there was no need for a major overhaul.

Everybody knows this is about Ebay shoving sponsored links and items onto users who aren't interested enough to specifically search for them.

SELL your Ebay stock NOW, boys and girls. Revenues are going to plummet and the programming managers are going to lie to upper management about the real reason (screwed up Search) in order to protect their jobs. They have sunk so much time and money into this new format that to cancel it now would lead to heads rolling.

oldfrog1  (138 )     Jul-23-07 18:08 PDT     32 of
Everybody knows this is about Ebay shoving sponsored links and items onto users who aren't interested enough to specifically search for them.

Couldn't agree more if the new system is implemented then definitely I will not stay around to use the cumbersome and illogical nonsense that I saw the other night.

greatoldstuff2  (89 )     Jul-23-07 19:57 PDT     33 of
The Search Board is quickly filling with threads saying how much folks HATE the "test" search.

Some want to find COMPLETED LISTINGS.
Some DON'T WANT best match as a default.
etc. etc. etc.

Jeff, are you reading and listening?

As a seller, I am reading and listening. Am I getting my money's worth for my listing/gallery fees? Are my items getting the exposure in the Searches that I expect from eBay? I'm beginning to think that I'm crazy for paying full price to list items on a TEST SITE. That's some very specific things to consider, Jeff.

fraer_at_work  (11 )     Jul-23-07 22:04 PDT     34 of
In addition, the advanced search is now broken. When I specify my location, and check the box "Items near me" the search returns items from all locations. Instead of the usual ~100 items I got ~21,000, and the number is exaxtly the same as when the box is unchecked.

Am I supposed to waste my time looking through 21,000 ads?...

Alex

webpaper  (1554 )     Jul-24-07 01:55 PDT     35 of
As a seller I quit over a month ago -probably forever (down from 40 items per week).
As a buyer I will soon be leaving, even the unannounced "tweaks" are making it difficult to find things and IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy.

scotchorama  (60 )     Jul-24-07 02:20 PDT     36 of
Just to echo what has been said: I can't find anything anymore. I've just wasted 10 minutes of my life trying to figure out this new search, and it is plain rubbish. Ebay will lose out a lot here, as there will be less bids. I just can't find anything anymore!

Rubbish.

scotchorama  (60 )     Jul-24-07 02:28 PDT     37 of
Ok, to be constructive:

My main complaint for the "antiquarian & collectible books" category:

1) I can't search by date anymore;
2) I can't search for words in description;

As it is, ebay is useless in this category.

sko74517  (593 )     Jul-24-07 05:58 PDT     38 of
Get rid of "Best Match" as a default....period. The "best match" is a joke. Let people search the way they want.....make it an option, but not a default. I also want to see everything that contains my search keywords.....not someone elses idea of what they think I want. It is not easier when I have to click on extra links to find the stuff I want.....not easier at all.

I seem to get this new search sporadically......not for every thing I search for. Maybe they finally figured out that it just doesn't work for most vintage items.....the things I buy and have sold.

Right now, I'm not selling or buying. Between eBay trying to control my search and making tons of other silly decisions and Paypal making a unilateral decision about how I receive my buyer credit invoices, I've about had it with this place.

sean-q  (864 )     Jul-24-07 07:31 PDT     39 of
Today was the third time I was opted into this test. I actually tried to use the new format like I use the current one and after ten minutes I just gave up and opted out again. I'm not trying to do anything crazy, just the following:

1) Search across the entire US Coins category: the new system is forcing me to search in either individual coins or group lots.

2) Dig down to subcategories within the Individual Coins category. I want to look at commemmoratives. The old system has a separate subcategory for them, even divided into Early and Modern. In the new system I can't access those at all. Searching for "Commem*" only gives me items with that string in the title - if I'm a seller putting my item in that category, why would I waste space repeating it inthe title? instead of 6,000 coins the search returns about 1400, all mixed between early and modern.

3) When I finally get to an auction in a subcategory, and I click on it, it returns me to the main Individual Coins page. No matter what I tried, I could not access the subcategories from any page. That's when I gave up. If that functionality is there somewhere, it wasn't at all obvious to this longtime eBay user.

If you could just allow users to access the existing subcategories again I would almost be willing to give the new system a try. They are the most effective way of organizing search results and rendering them inaccessible makes everything else useless. I don't come to eBay and I don't use the search function to have to surf through 5,000 tangentially related items with no organization. I come to eBay to look in the handful of categories in my specialty. I'm not going to buy more if you dump a huge pile of stuff in my lap, it's only going to obscure the few things I'm really interested in.

I've been on eBay as a buyer and seller for almost ten years, and the new search in its current construction is by far the worst "improvement" you've ever proposed.

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From eBay Search Forum - New Search brings up fewer items

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

"we are always considering ways to advantage sellers that provide great buyer experiences"
Jeff King, eBay

//

From eBay Search Forum
New Search brings up fewer items
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000402453&tstart=0&mod=1184692212840

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qfi**        Jul-17-07 06:08 PDT
I just tried a search I do regularly (couple of times a week) that ususally returns between 300 to 500 items. Using the new format I only got 51 items back (using the same words). Sellers -- you should be concerned as I am not seeing your items. Ebay -- where did they go???

.

[email protected] View     Jul-17-07 10:10 PDT     1 of 1
Hi qfij1l50,

If you post your query we can look at the details.

The design of the new Finding technology that you can see on the Playground is actually intended to increase the number of relevant items that are returned ('search recall') not reduce it. For example, we return items using attribute data as well as title keywords (Title: "Great Red Air Jordan Basketball High-tops" with the attribute brand=nike and size=12 will get returned with a buyer keyword search for "nike shoes size 12"

There are areas where search recall may appear to be lower than core search due to some incomplete features or classification work. For example, we haven’t added cross border items, Title and description or advanced search. These features are coming soon.

Also, I've seen some postings on the chat boards about feedback stars and search. There is currently no technology on eBay or the Playground site that uses feedback stars to control visibility of items. That said, we are always considering ways to advantage sellers that provide great buyer experiences and this is something we may invest in the future.

Thanks,

Jeff

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kar**     Jul-17-07 21:24 PDT     2 of
Great input Jeff.

Still want to know why:

Men = Mens

but

Women does NOT = Womens

PLEASE fix that oversight


K³

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gre**     Jul-18-07 04:41 PDT     3 of
[email protected] View Listings | Report  Jul-17-07 10:10 PDT  1 of 2 
Also, I've seen some postings on the chat boards about feedback stars and search. There is currently no technology on eBay or the Playground site that uses feedback stars to control visibility of items. That said, we are always considering ways to advantage sellers that provide great buyer experiences and this is something we may invest in the future.
Thanks,
Jeff


Jeff, You may want to do your homework. Many, many sellers have been prevented from even "listing" their items, due to detailed star ratings. I'd say that definately "controlled visibility of items."

.

gle**     Jul-18-07 08:53 PDT     4 of
            Hi greatoldstuff2

A Finding issue would be where the item couldn't be found once it had been listed. If it isn't there at all, then it's not the Finding process that is controlling the visibility.


 
Glenda

--
V3  You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

.

low*profile  (0 )     Jul-18-07 10:24 PDT     5 of
            Don't really know where to say this. Chose this thread because a Pink posted here.

The design of the new Finding technology that you can see on the Playground is actually intended to increase the number of relevant items that are returned

And who defines "relevant"? If you re-interpret my search criteria via "artifical intelligence", there's now no guarantee I won't be missing things I might want to see. EBAY cannot now nor ever will be able to READ MY MIND, despite arrogant claims to the contrary.

The description of this new "feature" and the awful comments I am reading about this are making me simply dread the day the new technology goes live (mercifully, I am not in current "test" group), and anticipate it as possibly the last straw for trying to buy on ebay, MUCH LESS sell. Things I an reading are truly ALARMING me.

The "Improving the Buyer Experience" concept has been over-emphasized. Appears it amounts to dumbing it down for the masses to the extent that anyone not satisfied to be a member of the lowest common denominator will simply have drop out from utter frustration. But I suppose Ebay views this according to the law of diminishing returns, and will continue to do whatever they believe will generate the most revenue for them, so too bad for those of us who don't fit their model of the "typical" buyer.

I fervently hope that, if/when this new technology is instituted, it is offered as an OPT IN alternative for buyers who DO want ebay to do their thinking for them.

PLEASE allow those of us who know WHAT we want to search for and HOW we want to do it to CONTINUE finding and qualifying our own results.

Please, please, please...Just return everything that matches, and let ME decide how to manage my searching, as needed, to narrow/expand and to make it more effective for ME. I realize that some people are too hurried/lazy/dumb/whatever to want to do this OR learn how to do it. Please give those people a "LET US ASSIST YOU" preference or option, leave the rest of us alone, and stop claiming you know best what **I** WANT. Only **I** know that.

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From eBay Stores Forum - Basic TWO word search not working - Why is "+" added in space?

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From eBay Stores Forum
Basic TWO word search not working - Why is "+" added in space?
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=2000388427&start=0

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randomgoods  (1449 )       Jun-19-07 15:14 PDT
I type in a two word search and cannot find any items listed (or very limited).

Example:

I type: Baseball Cards (3900+ auctions listed

It spits out: Baseball+Cards (3900+ auctions listed)

I have manually remove the "+" to get: Baseball Cards (171,000+ auctions).

This is only an example, not the item I was searching for. Why does it add the "+" sign where a space should be? This seems to be happening irregularly when I performed searches today. Sometimes the + shows up, other times it doesn't.

Can someone from Ebay explain if this is a system problem and when it will be fixed? This was not an issue when I performed searches yesterday. This is affecting peoples' ability to find my auctions... even I couldn't find my own auction by doing a basic word search because of this problem. I tried this in both IE and Firefox browsers.

Who else is having this problem also?

.

Previous   1 | 2   Next See last post
74 replies     Date posted     Reply #

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cydonian  (2214 )     Jun-20-07 09:51 PDT     1
I am having the same problem here. The added "+" symbol is throwing off the search results and actually returning NO results...Have to remove the + and search again to get results. This only just started happening today.

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-21-07 15:40 PDT     2
This is happening to me also. My ebay keeps changing my setting to advanced search on all words and is adding the plus symbol.
I change it and it changes back. I am getting so p.o.!
I can't even search on completed listings.
Stacy

cydonian  (2214 )     Jun-21-07 18:50 PDT     3
This is still happening here today. I want to list auctions but there's no sense listing if no one will find them. I don't think people will know right away to remove the + symbol to get all the results they're supposed to. I sent eBay a message about it, but you know how that goes...just waiting for them to send me a canned response saying its my fault or my computer's fault.

randomgoods  (1449 )     Jun-21-07 19:17 PDT     4
This only a guess, I'm not a tech guy, but it might be because it's not recognizing an older version of MS Windows correctly. I have Windows XP at home and it works fine. But when I'm at work (where this "+" problem shows up), I think it's Windows 2000. As I said before, it showed up on Firefox and IE on my Windows 2000.

If you manually delete the plus marks, then it will search normally. I know, pain in the you know what. EBay must've upgraded/updated something in the system this week to cause this to happen. What Windows are you guys running, could that be the problem?

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-21-07 19:31 PDT     5
I have windows xp media and just started seeing this problem today. Live help was no help. I too found that just deleting the + symbols works. What a pain!
Stacy

touch*my*toes  (12 )     Jun-22-07 13:34 PDT     6
Wonderful. This just started happening to me today as well. Christmas barbie brings up only "Christmas Barbie". Barbie Christmas brings up only "Barbie Christmas". Words must be next to each other.

When I remove the +, I get more results....but most of them do not have both of my search words in the title.

touch*my*toes  (12 )     Jun-22-07 18:31 PDT     7
At home now and the problem I had with EXACT search at work is gone. I use I.E. at work and Firefox at home. Going to try I.E. here and see if it still happens.

touch*my*toes  (12 )     Jun-22-07 18:35 PDT     8
Ok, so....I.E. at home....no problems with the + added to the search. Both computers are Windows XP. What gives?

cydonian  (2214 )     Jun-23-07 04:52 PDT     9
Day 4, still happening. I did get a reply from them and they acknowledged a problem:

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to being unable to search an item.

We are aware that some members were facing this difficulty. Occasionally
these unfortunate situations do arise and we work our hardest to reduce
the frequency of these events.

Please note taht when our system experiences problems such as these, it
is of great concern not only to our community, but also to the entire
eBay Corporation.

The information you've provided has been sent to our engineers for
further investigation. I am sorry for any additional delay in getting
this resolved for you.

Our engineers are on the site 24 hours a day troubleshooting and fixing
things as needed. They are working diligently to diagnose and repair the
problems, but sometimes it takes time and they are not able to predict
what the next problem will be.

However, I can assure you that when these situations do arise we always
work as quickly as possible to solve the problems.

It is my pleasure to assist you. Thank you for choosing eBay.

Sincerely,
Issac A.

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jun-23-07 17:19 PDT     10
I have the same problem: I type in 2 words and I get word+word = 0 or few results (for an item with lots of results if I take the + out. Which I know lots of people won't know to do) I'm not listing until they fix it. It's hard enough to sell but if someone gets 0 results for an item I do have listed - forget about it.

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jun-24-07 14:38 PDT     11
I've been having the same problem for at least a few days. MAJOR frustration both as a seller and a buyer!!! Pinks, can we get an update??

frantichippie  (15 )     Jun-25-07 04:41 PDT     12
I came here looking for answers to this same problem. Someone needs to explain to us what is going on here. Is it a glitch? Is it part of one of the search tests? Is it just the way things are now? If there is an issue, is it being addressed?

A couple of days ago, when I first noticed this issue, it only added the +'s when I searched from the search box at the top in the header. Now today it seems to be adding them no matter how I initiate my search.

This has nothing to do with our computers, which operating system or browser we're using or anything else. This is an issue on eBay's end, their system is adding the +'s.

Susie

 

postcardsandmore  (4341 )     Jun-25-07 09:54 PDT     13
Susie,

Silence speaks volumes. It's the wonderful new improved search we will all be seeing in the not so distant future.

We are as helpless to stop it as we were to stop the SYI form change. Remember Ebay says the sellers LOVE all the changes.

.

[email protected]     Jun-25-07 12:46 PDT     14
Hi All,

We have a team investigating this, but arent' able to reproduce it yet.
If you're still experiencing this, please provide the query, OS and browser information.

Thanks!

jeff

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webpaper  (1553 )     Jun-25-07 14:24 PDT     15
"can't reproduce it" Gee, I bet if you sent out an email to all of your customers you could get thousands and thousands of screen shots.
Ignore the masses, they will go away. And they are going away much faster than you anticipate........
Perhaps you could hire "a few good programmers"??

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jun-25-07 16:18 PDT     16
This is happening to me on every search, not just 2 word searches. A "+" is added between all words.

I am using IE. OS is Windows XP.

This has been happening for several days on all of my searches.

mygift2u  (6558 )     Jun-25-07 16:37 PDT     17
Sorry - if eBay can't reproduce it -- it doesn't exist.

I might remove my helmet when we get the Stores Tab!

 

glenda  (1343 )     Jun-25-07 16:43 PDT     18
To be fair: eBay did not say that the problem doesn't exist, just that they can't reproduce it.

I haven't been able to reproduce it, either.

As I've said before, they have to replicate a problem before they can backtrack and find what caused the problem and fix it.

 

Glenda

--
V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jun-25-07 18:33 PDT     19
IE - Windows XP for me and it's still going on. I search for Escondido Postcard and I get back Escondido+Postcard with 0 auciton results and 1 Store hit. I take out the "+" (which I didn't add in the first place) and I get 3 aution hits and 14 store results. Scary - no way am I listing until this is fixed.

cydonian  (2214 )     Jun-25-07 19:17 PDT     20
I'm using IE and Windows XP Home.

This has been happening for about a week now. I believe I first noticed it on June 18.

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-25-07 20:48 PDT     21
I have windows xp media. This problem started immediately after opening some sort of upgrade in TL2. Now I can not search and I can not upload any listing from TL2. My laptop searches just fine. I have also been hit with a trojan and 2 other viruses in the last two days while doing nothing but listing and searching completed listings. I only use this computer for ebay.
I tried searching off of my work computer and no problems.
Is there some Ebay virus out there?
Stacy

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jun-25-07 20:55 PDT     22
Stacy, Your situation sounds similar to mine. I noticed the problem at about the same time as doing a TL2 upgrade. I haven't been able to launch any auctions from TL2 since the upgrade. It says it can't retrieve my pictures or something like that.

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-25-07 21:07 PDT     23
I tried live help and the rep did not know anything about this problem. I will not use TL2 anymore. A complete waste of time. I get nothing but errors.
I research completed listings on most of the stuff I list and can not do that effiently now becuase of this search glitch.
I truly believe I downloaded something and it has screwed with my pc. I luckily have antivirus that has caught several viruses over the last two days and also removed 33 malicious files.
I have heard of ebay listings containing viruses but I immediately had the problem once I did that Tl2 upgrade.
Stacy

glenda  (1343 )     Jun-25-07 21:44 PDT     24
Hi schatzfarms and adorable*and*affordable

Are you two experiencing the + sign being added to your search results?

 

Glenda

--
V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-25-07 22:10 PDT     25
Yes but just on my main computer. All 3 are windows xp.
Stacy

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jun-26-07 06:01 PDT     26
Yes, I'm still experiencing it. It's driving me crazy when shopping and doing research.

jje9  (344 )     Jun-26-07 06:45 PDT     27
Everyone ~ You're not alone! I also have been experiencing this problem with the "+" symbol inserting itself in every search for the past week, and it is very frustrating. It happens with each and every search I attempt ~ no matter how many words I enter into my search string. I submitted my concern to eBay yesterday (6/25), per Glenda's request, and received the following response (I appreciate the fast response, but it appeared that this customer service rep thought this issue was only related to the one search string I submitted as an example, and actually suggested that I try it once again ~ wow, not quite the response/suggestion I was hoping for)...

eBay's response:
Thank you for writing eBay in regard to the search that you are unable to make.

I understand your concern and would like to tell you that I tried to search for the item that you have stated and I was able to search succesfully. I suggest you to try it once again.

However, the information you've provided has been sent to our engineers for further investigation. I am sorry for any additional delay in getting this resolved for you.

Our engineers are on the site 24 hours a day troubleshooting and fixing things as needed. They are working diligently to diagnose and repair the problems, but sometimes it takes time and they are not able to predict what the next problem will be.

I can assure you that when these situations do arise we always work as quickly as possible to solve the problems.

Okay, now, back to my comments ~

I am hopeful that eBay realizes that this is a troublesome and frustrating issue affecting numerous users, and is not limited to just one specific search. It is happening on each and every search. I am running IE on Windows XP Pro Version 2002.

I'm sorry that we're all having to deal with this, but I am grateful for this discussion board because I know I'm not the only one with this problem, and I know that the problem is not "user-created". Let's all keep our fingers crossed for a quick resolution from eBay engineers!

cydonian  (2214 )     Jun-26-07 08:44 PDT     28
After you guys suggested a possible virus and/or a Turbolister issue, I ran a virus scan but came up clean. Then I uninstalled Turbolister and the problem is NOT happening anymore! No more + symbol.

Seems like it's definately a problem with Turbolister.

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jun-26-07 09:01 PDT     29
I don't have Turbolister and it's been happening to me

baseg35  (11835 )     Jun-26-07 09:10 PDT     30
Ok it is worse now, I type in baseball cards and I get 7 items, it is removing the space between baseball and cards and running it together baseballcards, but I'm positive the space is there, this is scary, no wonder I have hardly any bid/sales in the past 4-5 days.
Firefox on Vista

jje9  (344 )     Jun-26-07 09:13 PDT     31
I do not have Turbolister installed, and I run clean virus scans daily, and I am still experiencing this problem with every search I attempt.

baseg35  (11835 )     Jun-26-07 09:24 PDT     32
try babe ruth, adds them together baberuth and gives you one result

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-26-07 09:24 PDT     33
I just remember getting some pop up from ebay while using turbo lister and it required me to allow active x. I don't know very much about computers but anyways I allowed it and that is when it started for me. A norton window popped up and said a trojan was detected.
Stacy

randomgoods  (1449 )     Jun-26-07 09:25 PDT     34
When I click on from an outside link (like from an email from ebay) to this discussion and do a search the problem comes up with the +'s. If on that second page (the one with the +'s) I retype the same search in the box with the + words in it, then the search comes out normal.

On front page of Ebay, when I type in search words the + appears. Now on the 2nd page (1st results of my search) two search boxes appear... the one with the + words, and then there's the small advanced search box at the top. If I retype the same search in the box with the existing + words, then search turns out regular. If I retype the same search in the top "advanced search" box, then the search comes out flawed again.

I do not run Turbolister on my work computer so that is not an issue with me. My home computer is fine (once again, no Turbolister either). This was not a problem on 6/19, but began appearing the morning of 6/20. Whatever programming or system changes were made during that period, I think that's where the bug lies.

Everyone on this forum looks like an experienced Ebayer. If it's happening to us, then think of all the first time or casual users that are coming to the site looking for something and can't anything because the search comes out wrong. That's where the concern is.

fields011  (320 )     Jun-26-07 09:32 PDT     35
I'm very frustrated as a seller and a buyer. How many people aren't going to see my listing because of this glitch? I noticed that to pull up my listing, I have to search with the same word sequence as my title. For instance, search for Stephen king and get 2890 return listings. Search for King Stephen and get 12 return listings. Its far worse on other things I've searched for.

baseg35  (11835 )     Jun-26-07 09:34 PDT     36
6/20 is exactly when sales and bids took a nose dive, might be a good time for an experience buyer to get some deals out there

cydonian  (2214 )     Jun-26-07 09:35 PDT     37
baseg35, I am getting the same thing here. It is combining two words into one, but only on a few select phrases. It combined 2 words into one for these searches: Babe Ruth, Baseball Cards, Barbie Dolls, Comic Books

Other searches came out ok though.

But the + symbol definately disappeared for me immediately after the TL uninstall.

glenda  (1343 )     Jun-26-07 09:37 PDT     38
Hi fields011

If I might make a suggestion for your listings, unrelated to the + issue you are experiencing: leave out the ~ and just use normal spaces in your titles.

eBay is currently ignoring special characters such as that in search results, but in the past, it would have affected how your listings came up. The engine have treated FLATBUSH~DVD~STALLONE~WINKLER~ as one word, and would not have brought it up if someone had searched on Flatbush or Stallone or Winkler.

 

Glenda

--
V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-26-07 09:41 PDT     39
I just read this:
In some cases, eBay will automatically expand your search to include items based on the intent of your search rather than matching the exact keywords. This is why for certain searches, when you enter keywords, additional items appear in the search results, even though all the key words you entered are not in the title. For example, when you type in the key words audiobook, eBay automatically includes the items from the audio books category even those items without the keyword audiobook in the title. The following tables list the key words and their corresponding category expansion.

Go to Keyword Category Expansion List for eBay.com
Go to Keyword Category Expansion List for eBay Motors

so, it appears Ebay is limiting the normal search to only certain catagories. If this is true, why does it only happen on certain computers and to only certain users?
Stacy

glenda  (1343 )       Jun-26-07 10:53 PDT       40
            Hi schatzfarms

I believe you've misinterpreted what it says. Normal search is available in every category. But for some categories/searches, eBay will ALSO search the category name as though that name was in the title of the listing.

If, for example, I search on 56 department, department 56, 56 dept or dept 56, eBay's search engine will bring back listings that have those two words in the title, but it will ALSO bring back listings that are in the Dept 56 subcategory under Collectibles, even if they don't have either of those words in the title.

(This generally works quite well, unless a seller lists a few hundred Dreamsicles items in the Dept 56 subcategory. Then a search for dept 56 would get those Dreamsicles listings as well.)

In addition, by the way, those four particular sets of words have been specified internally as meaning the same thing. Therefore, if I do a search for department 56 I will also get listings with the word dept but not department.

This is unrelated to the + issue being discussed, of course.

 

Glenda

--
V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-26-07 11:00 PDT     41
Thank you. I understand what you are saying. I do hope it gets fixed soon. If anyone else comes up with any info plz post.
Stacy

fishingdecoy  (182 )     Jun-26-07 12:36 PDT     42
This is happening to me too...and it's driving me crazy. I tried 'live help' and it was a complete waste of my time. I'm using Safari OS 10.4.9...I've been using this computer/software for about 2 years and never had a problem until a week or so ago. Everytime I do a keyword search with more than one word, a '+' sign is added in between the words. If I search 'fishing decoy', the search returns 'fishing+decoy" and has about 10 items. I than have to go in and manually remove the '+' and search again, roughly 200 items will come up. Believe it or not, it's a drag to have to manually remove the '+" and re-search. I'm not going to list any new items for sale until this is fixed. Bizarre. :(
If anyone's interested, I can post Jpegs of the screens -

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jun-26-07 12:57 PDT     43
I uninstalled TL2 but it didn't help my search problem as it did for a previous poster.

fields011  (320 )     Jun-26-07 13:59 PDT     44
Glenda,
Thanks for the tip!

atbat  (1402 )     Jun-26-07 14:15 PDT     45
I've been having the same problem and it's started to really tick me off so I decided I'd give E-Bay a try and see what kind of response I would get. And I actually got a response, that addresses the issue. Apparently we are part of "A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE" that's being tested in a new site called PLAYGROUND. I think their experiment stinks and I'm going to let them know what at least one person thinks about it. I don't understand how they think this is a better way to search for an item. Just go to the General Announcements area under the News section of Community and click on the message from Jeff King. Or you can go to the link below:

"Thank you for writing eBay in regard to the new Search or Find.

It will probably be very advantageous for you to visit the
Announcement Board posting at:
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200706251438452.html

That explains a lot about the new Find.

If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reply to this
email and let us know."

stoneware3  (2451 )     Jun-26-07 15:14 PDT     46
If this was a result of the "playground," wouldn't Mr. Jeff King have known about it?

He posted earlier in this thread, and said that he wasn't able to reproduce the issue.

Someone doesn't know what they are talking about. Live Help, or Mr. Jeff King?

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-26-07 15:28 PDT     47
This problem at least for me is not the playground thing. I entered the playground and had no problems searching there. WHen I left and came back to normal Ebay search the darn plus signs were back.
Stacy

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-26-07 15:38 PDT     48
Now my search is messed up in SMP. When I search my active listings for "fig" as there are 3 listings it says there are 514 listings found with fig in the item title so basically it doesn't bring up squat.
Active Listings (1-200 of 514 listings)
Once a listing ends, it will move into Sold or Unsold listings depending on whether you have a buyer. Print Customize Display

Item title Item number Product name Custom Label | Show Search Options | Clear Search
Store Category
All - AVON - BARBIE STUFF & DOLLS - BATH & BODY WORKS - BOOKS - bracelets - clip earrings - COLOGNES & PERFUMES - dog toys - gift baskets - GLASS/CERAMIC COLLECTIBLES - HALLMARK ORNAMENTS - HERBEGER'S ORNAMENTS - JEWELRY - MAKEUP, HAIR & NAILS - necklaces - pierced earrings - pins & brooches - rings - VHS VIDEOS & DVD'S - vintage - VINTAGE AVON - Other
Status
All (514) With Bids/Reserve Met (4) With Offers Without Bids/Reserve Not Met (510) With Leads Without Leads Format
All (514) Auctions (26) Fixed Price (14) Store Inventory (474) | Hide Search Options | Clear Search

514 listings found for fig in Item title

How do I do a screen shot copy?
Stacy

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jun-26-07 15:56 PDT     49
why are they screwing around with the Search function anyway? If I type in Giant Robot in Search I want to see every single auction and store listing with Giant Robot in the seller's title. SIMPLE.

atbat  (1402 )     Jun-26-07 16:51 PDT     50
I went back & checked and it looks like Jeff King posted his announcement about 2 hours after he was in this Discussion Board. It would have been nice if he would have gotten back to this discussion and provided that information.

atbat  (1402 )     Jun-26-07 17:01 PDT     51
Schatzfarms

You're right. It only shows up on the regular search because the regular search page is part of the test. When you go into the Playground it's showing how the system will work if they decide to implement this stupid idea.

frantichippie  (15 )     Jun-26-07 18:14 PDT     52
Doesn't matter what search query I use or how many words it has, all the spaces are replaced with +'s.

Searching from the header and the main search gives me this result, however if I go into Advanced Search and type in keywords there, it doesn't add the +'s.

I've been to the playground, but clicked out of it. I've also been to shop.ebay.com which seemed to put me into some search test at one point maybe? Not sure either of those are related, but can't think of anything else I might have done.

I'm using Firefox 2.0.0.4 on WinXP Pro SP2.

Susie

 

postcardsandmore  (4341 )     Jun-26-07 19:08 PDT     53
why are they screwing around with the Search function anyway? If I type in Giant Robot in Search I want to see every single auction and store listing with Giant Robot in the seller's title. SIMPLE.

If only the search team would realize that! And, stop messing with search.

Unfortunately, we are on a runaway train. The more they mess with search, the less items sell...the less items sell, the more concerned Ebay becomes, so the more they mess with search...which mean even LESS items sell and then they.(get the picture)??

They have this site so messed up there is very little chance it will ever recover.

I quit shopping with one major online office supply company for nearly 2 years because I couldn't find anything I was looking for. The search led me to a drop down list which led me to another search and then items that didn't match what I wanted in the first place.

I went back last week to see if they still had some of the huge size rubber bands I bought from them years ago and low and behold...the site worked perfectly.

There was a search box and when you enter your key word you get EXACTLY what you asked for. No drop down with mfgr, no "other sections to check" JUST the item you were asking for!

So, I spent over $300 on office supplies and enjoyed doing it! For the last two years I had been just going to Office Depot locally. With free shipping I hated to give up the online shopping but the search was too big a mess to bother with.

Trust me, lot's of buyers here are feeling the same way and lots more will feel that way when this monstrosity rolls out for everyone!

mygift2u  (6558 )     Jun-26-07 19:46 PDT     54
postcards - I think we are going to have to get used to things if we stay here. We are not in Kansas any more.
I just wish we could get BACK to Kansas. Things were so nice there.

 

mygift2u  (6558 )     Jun-26-07 19:46 PDT     55
Postcards -

Please do send me a pretty Post Card if you ever get back to Kansas! LOL

regards,

.

[email protected]     Jun-26-07 20:01 PDT     56
Hi All,

The problem with the + in searches has been discovered and a fix will be released tonight.

Thanks for your patience,

Jeff

.

mygift2u  (6558 )     Jun-26-07 20:05 PDT     57
Hi Jeff and THANK YOU for droppin in! :-D

.

[email protected]     Jun-26-07 20:05 PDT     58
Oh and by the way, the problem turned out to have nothing to do with Turbo Lister 2. It was related to a problem with a cookie setting for customized search options.

Jeff

.

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jun-26-07 20:08 PDT     59
Thank you!

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-26-07 20:17 PDT     60
Yeah! Thank you.
And can you also fix SMP search? Please, please, please??????
Stacy

fields011  (320 )     Jun-27-07 02:08 PDT     61
Thank you! Life can now return to normal.
(I wonder why more people weren't up in arms about all of this?)

jje9  (344 )     Jun-27-07 07:04 PDT     62
Jeff King ~ Thank you so much for resolving this matter quickly! My searches run perfectly now, and I am thrilled! I'm very appreciative of the efforts, communication and fast resolution from you and your team! Wonderful customer service! Jodi

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jun-27-07 07:07 PDT     63
thanks - fixed for me too

schatzfarms  (2949 )     Jun-27-07 07:07 PDT     64
I am amazed! Search is working correctly this morning! Thank you Ebay for fixing this promptly.
Stacy

fishingdecoy  (182 )     Jun-27-07 09:33 PDT     65
My searches are back to working again!!! Thanks Jeff.

randomgoods  (1449 )     Jun-27-07 09:52 PDT     66
To Jeff King & the Programming Team,

Thanks for your attention to this and finding and fixing the bug!

Howie

frantichippie  (15 )     Jun-27-07 16:08 PDT     67
Thank you Jeff :)

Susie

 

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jun-28-07 22:16 PDT     68
Problem is resolved but I only just now received a reply to my e-mail to support about the problem that I sent a few days ago. They told me to clear my cache and cookies. Isn't that the standard answer to anything when they have no idea what to do? They really are out of the loop...

touch*my*toes  (12 )     Jul-06-07 18:07 PDT     69
This problem returned for me today.

glenda  (1343 )     Jul-06-07 18:40 PDT     70
Hi touch*my*toes

They did scheduled maintenance last night - maybe they undid something. Click on Help then Contact Us and follow the menu through the site issues path to report it.

 

Glenda

--
V3 You can write to eBay support by clicking on Help then Contact Us.
It's hard to tell where the road will lead, just looking at it from the one end.

adorable*and*affordable  (1559 )     Jul-06-07 18:48 PDT     71
It is doing it again!! Ebay is going to drive me insane!!

atbat  (1402 )     Jul-06-07 22:25 PDT     72
My search is working again. Let's hope it stays that way!

world_securities  (4925 )     Jul-07-07 08:05 PDT     73
The "+" is being auto inserted again; Finding 2.0 remains broken.

1) Type "tachikoma organic".
Finding 2.0 changes this to "tachikoma+organic"
and returns
"0 items found for tachikoma+organic"

Replace the "+" with a space " ".
Finding 2.0 returns
"0 items found for tachikoma organic" and
"3 items found for tachikoma organic in eBay Stores"

2) Type "tachikoma 8".
Finding 2.0 changes this to "tachikoma+8" and returns
"0 items found for tachikoma+8" and
"1 items found for tachikoma+8 in eBay Stores"

Replace the "+" with a space " ".
Finding 2.0 returns
"0 items found for tachikoma 8" and
"11 items found for tachikoma 8 in eBay Stores"

Another excellent way to kill off eBay Stores?

ninkasi  (3515 )     Jul-07-07 08:10 PDT     74
what the he**?! - Doing it again! Hope they take less time to acknowledge / fix than they did last time - I wante to list more stuff (but, I prefer it when people can find it)

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From eBay Seller Forum - WAIT 24-48 HOURS FOR RESPONSE ON DEATH THREAT????

For new newsgroup readers, these are not our forum posts. Any comments to the posters below should be made on the applicable thread, marked in bold below.

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From eBay Seller Central Forum
WAIT 24-48 HOURS FOR RESPONSE ON DEATH THREAT????
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000395288&tstart=0&mod=1183438482747

.

e8a**       Jul-02-07 20:17 PDT
WAIT 24-48 HOURS FOR RESPONSE ON DEATH THREAT????

YEP, thats what live help just told me ABOUT TRUST AND SAFTEY. Is ebays customer service really this bad???

.

Previous   1 | 2   Next See last post
47 replies     Date posted     Reply #

.

mel**    Jul-02-07 20:18 PDT     1 of 47
In a word ..... yes.

jen**     Jul-02-07 20:20 PDT     2 of 47
A Death Threat! You must have really ticked someone off. Offer to mail them a 6-pack.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:21 PDT     3 of 47
I offered the live help guy one to fix the problem. =)

myb**     Jul-02-07 20:23 PDT     4 of 47
Ok, so tell us what happened. We're usually more helpful than Dead Help.

cra**     Jul-02-07 20:23 PDT     5 of 47
WOW! That is horrid advice from Live help! :(

Don't Mess with Me~I'm Cranky Today!

LIFE IS GOOD!
Work smarter~not harder!

hou**     Jul-02-07 20:24 PDT     6 of 47
eBay's customer service is terrible. Esp. Trust and Safety. Absolutely worthless. People told me that PowerSeller phone support would be much better and after becoming a powerseller and using it, in the words of Shania Twain "That don't impress me much".

These forums are much more helpful. Use them and then go to eBay only when you must. Like a fee credit.

jen**     Jul-02-07 20:24 PDT     7 of 47
OP Raise your feedback rating to at least a 99.6 and them Ebay may care about your life. Either that or lower your feedback to 90 and start selling 1000 things a week and then Ebay will send some personal body guards.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:25 PDT     8 of 47
This is really bad, i have been a proud ebay user a long time under multiple id's. I talked with a lady at live help and she wouldnt put 2+2 together to figure out that a death threat requires swift action. She ended up refering me to her supervisor, he said he would escalate the process, whatever that means. I am not a happy ebay camper anymore.

mid**    Jul-02-07 20:26 PDT     9 of 47
Can you give us more info please.

Happy 4th of July ~ Be Safe!
Why are you looking here?

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:26 PDT     10 of 47
Im a power seller, you would think that would make a difference.

myb**     Jul-02-07 20:26 PDT     11 of 47
I repeat - what happened? Why is somebody that angry with you?

jen**     Jul-02-07 20:27 PDT     12 of 47
Yes I am curious. The worst I ever got was called a D*ke

vin**     Jul-02-07 20:27 PDT     13 of 47
If you got a true 'death threat' you need to report it to the POLICE - not dead help.

mid**    Jul-02-07 20:29 PDT     14 of 47
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/rfe-unwelcome-email-threats.html

Happy 4th of July ~ Be Safe!
Why are you looking here?

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:29 PDT     15 of 47
Buyer sent me 3 messages today after recieving his item. Went from bad to death threat very fast. I offered full refund for return. This is by far the worst buyer i have ever dealt with.

I reported each message as harassment to trust and saftey and the most recent as harassment (death threat).

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:32 PDT     16 of 47
He didnt like the condition of the item even though the item was well pictured. It was a used 50+ year old car part, that condition should be expected, it was all noted in the auction.

mid**    Jul-02-07 20:32 PDT     17 of 47
What vintage said too.
You have his name and address. Report it to his cities police dept.

Happy 4th of July ~ Be Safe!
Why are you looking here?

mel**    Jul-02-07 20:33 PDT     18 of 47
Call your local police. Death threats are a chargeable offense and this yak needs to learn that.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:34 PDT     19 of 47
At first i said no return since condition was obvious in the listing. Then he started harassing me so i gave in and said i will accept return for full refund, then he went off on me with a death threat in his most recent message, i dont get it.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:35 PDT     20 of 47
I had no return policy in the listing because its a used item that needs restoration anyway for a show vehicle or good as is for a daily driver.

mel**    Jul-02-07 20:35 PDT     21 of 47
Sounds like he wants to keep the item AND get a refund - so resorts to bullying and intimidation. Have the jerk arrested.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:36 PDT     22 of 47
This buyer dosent live in the usa, but he said he has some friends that are going to look me up.

vin**     Jul-02-07 20:38 PDT     23 of 47
Where does the jerk live? Ask him for his 'friends' names - so you can file them with the police. ;)

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:38 PDT     24 of 47
my friends in the states are not far from you they want to drop by and sort you out for me but i have told them to go and view you and get back to me nobody pisses with me. the only way this will stop is if you send me the money back. make no mistake we will meet and you will be sorry.......... you have bin worned!!!!!!!!!!!!

word for word

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:39 PDT     25 of 47
They will run home crying like babies after they view me.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:42 PDT     26 of 47
you are right, he wants a refund and no return, he is threatning me harassing me and trying to fraud me. Item must be acceptable since he dosent want to return.

vin**     Jul-02-07 20:43 PDT     27 of 47
Tell him you are a cop or a lawyer -- everyone else on ebay is! ;)

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:44 PDT     28 of 47
NAME IS BOND, JAMES BOND. I sleep with a gun under my pillow. :^O

myb**     Jul-02-07 20:44 PDT     29 of 47
He's a blowhard, and you know it. Nothing will come of it.

Print off his emails to laugh at and be sure to keep them on your computer. You can write a book someday.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:46 PDT     30 of 47
Make more money on the book than i make on ebay. B-)

vin**     Jul-02-07 20:46 PDT     31 of 47
Or send him a photo of some obscure pro wrestler - so his friends will know what you look like!

vin**     Jul-02-07 20:47 PDT     32 of 47
Or, who is that guy - Dogg the Bounty Hunter? Find his photo and send him that - tell him that is you!

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:48 PDT     33 of 47
I should have copied the text of the chat i just had with live help, pure entertainment

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:49 PDT     34 of 47
I do somewhat look like, the rock, but without the steroids.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:51 PDT     35 of 47
When is ebay gonna get a clue about customer support? seems like it is going downhill fast

3d_**    Jul-02-07 20:53 PDT     36 of 47
send him a pic of chris benoit--tell him not to bother because you already killed yourself.

e8a**     Jul-02-07 20:53 PDT     37 of 47
buyer has private feedback by the way

ful**Jul-02-07 20:54 PDT     38 of 47
WOW, it's strange you should post that framous Bond line, I just had a strange dream about it just last night.

myb**     Jul-02-07 20:55 PDT     39 of 47
You said they were from another country? Some countries have privacy laws that require all their citizens have private feedback. You should still be able to see the numbers.

sha**      Jul-02-07 20:55 PDT       40 of 47
You got a death threat and you expected eBay to do something about it? What can they do?

mel**    Jul-02-07 20:58 PDT     41 of 47
He's a blowhard, and you know it. Nothing will come of it.

I bet that's what those ebayers in TX thought until that kook showed up on their doorsteps!! I'm glad he's in jail now and hope he stays there.

3d_**    Jul-02-07 20:58 PDT     42 of 47
what EXACTLY were the buyers words?

myb**     Jul-02-07 20:59 PDT     43 of 47
meluvsaints? I must've missed that one - can you explain or give me a link?

mel**    Jul-02-07 21:06 PDT     44 of 47
It was discussed on the SC last year and was on CNN. I think he was a seller, not a buyer. He would intimidate his buyers if they dared to complain, tell them he knew where they lived (obviously), call them and make threats. Ebay did nothing! He finally got arrested and made the news. Does anybody remember what thread that was? I don't have a link for it.

mel**    Jul-02-07 21:10 PDT     45 of 47
Here's a link for another one that got arrested but it's not the first one I mentioned. I'm hoping one of the other regs will have a link to that one.

http://news.com.com/Police%20blotter%20Upset%20eBay%20buyer%20makes%20house%20call/2100-1028_3-5809277.html?part=rss&tag=5809277&subj=news

pix**     Jul-02-07 21:18 PDT     46 of 47
Tell your buyer you have his address and your coming to get your part back and give him what he deserves - and it won't be a refund !!

or

Tell him if his friends are coming - they should be there by tomorrow - the moving truck is full and you'll be leaving.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

src**      Jul-02-07 21:54 PDT     47 of 47
You said he was out of the country I hope not Italy .. ;)
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

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