Changes to item specifics for eBay.com media, jewelry categories

by Sue Bailey

If you list on eBay.com in the media or jewelry categories, some major changes to item specifics are coming next month (on a date yet to be specified).

For media categories Books, DVDs & Movies, Music and Video Games, the current “new” and “used” item specifics are being replaced with “brand new”, “like new”, “very good”, “good” and “acceptable”. Sellers should note that when relisting, current “new” will default to “brand new”, and “used” to “acceptable”: make sure this doesn’t misdescribe your item!

In Jewelry, item specifics are being added to the new categories Fine Bracelets, Fine Earrings, Fine Necklaces & Pendants and Fine Rings, and “used” will be available as a condition alongside the current “new”.

More details of the changes are available from Seller Central.

Comments

11 Responses to “Changes to item specifics for eBay.com media, jewelry categories”

  1. Chris Dawson on July 25th, 2008 10:18 am

    Hmmm “very good”, “good”…. what’s the difference? Sellers are going to need to be specific in their descriptions calling out exactly what condition their items are in.

    What I might call very good condition you might call barely acceptable

  2. Whirly on July 25th, 2008 10:26 am

    Jewerly, Jewellery, Dondition……I am confused before you started lol

    Basicly what Chris said, New or Used, if its used then describe it properly in the description,,

    I wonder sometimes about eBay I really do.

  3. northumbrian on July 25th, 2008 10:42 am

    in days gone by I could list 30 or 40 jewellery listings a day, these days I am struggling with 10 or so
    filling in item specfics for unique items is slowing things down badly,

    might be ok if your listing a skip full of tat from the far east ,
    but for antique and quality items its a nightmare

  4. the_cd_collector on July 25th, 2008 1:24 pm

    I don’t think it’s going to make any difference to be honest!

    I sell mainly second hand CDs and my gradings are in the item description !

  5. FenLex on July 25th, 2008 6:58 pm

    This wouldn’t be the same eBay that removes listings for keyword spamming because “As New” has been used in the title??? It must be another eBay in a parallel universe!

  6. Sue Bailey on July 25th, 2008 7:02 pm

    That’s right, FenLex. ;-)

    I think this is good. If you search for “new”, “as new” shows up. It’s probably not keyword spamming in the deliberate sense, but it is confusing to buyers. If I search for “new”, I want “new”, not “as new”, “like new” or “nearly new”. Now, I can do that.

  7. Richard on July 25th, 2008 9:16 pm

    Oh good grief can it get any worse, eBay’s changes are getting more rediculous by the day.

    I wonder which other well known site they’ve copied this from, further proof if it was needed that eBay will end up nothing more than a poor copy of Amazon. Thank heavens i’m winding down ebay over the next few months, it’s driving me mad.

  8. KateUK on July 26th, 2008 12:38 pm

    Oh heck, both the CDs and the jewellery I list will be affected. Already the item specifics for jewellery are a nightmare, I can list as clip-on OR Dangling/drop but not both, it’s daft. So looks like I will have to revise every single listing I have.

    Oh well, like Michelle I only sell second hand CDs and my gradings are in the item description.

    And Chris, in the CD/record world (and may other second hand items) there is an awful lot of difference between “good” and “very good”. And yes you do need to spell out to the buyer what you mean by these labels.

  9. Jimbo on July 26th, 2008 10:13 pm

    Not sure about CD’s but in vintage clothing good seems to mean totally knackered. Excellent means worn and washed 400 times but still wearable (in a dark room). Mint would be just a couple of minor snags. :smile:

  10. KeithF on July 27th, 2008 3:00 pm

    The values used for the new/used item specifics are not original.
    Just the same as Amazon.co.uk

  11. Sue Bailey on July 27th, 2008 3:02 pm

    KeithF - I think they’re rather more generic than Amazon.

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