posted on June 6, 2001 08:03:21 PM new
Hello guys. Someone posted on another board that when they viewed their recently closed auction on their MY EBAY page there was a new entry called SEE SIMILAR ITEMS. The link apparently doesn't work yet but I'm wondering if this is something eBay is working on implementing and if it's only going to be on the MY EBAY page. If it's just a tool for each user to view similar items to get an idea of what they sold for and is only on their MY EBAY page then that would be good. However, if eBay is planning on putting this new link on everyone's closed auction pages, for the general public to view when searching closed auctions, then it's very, very, bad.
posted on June 6, 2001 08:35:26 PM new
Hi Blanche,
I placed a bid tonight and got the message "Click No if you do not want to receive a list of similar items if you do not win this auction" or something like that. I clicked the NO box, and got another message that said I could make it yes at another time.
Ticked me off...finally got rid of eBay spam and they want to send me more. Labrat4gmos
[Edited to say while this isn't exactly what you are talking about, I think it is the same thing, but sent while placing a bid instead.]
[ edited by labrat4gmos on Jun 6, 2001 08:38 PM ]
posted on June 6, 2001 08:39:04 PM new
The only thing I saw on SOME of my closed auctions was a new link under where it says bidding is closed for this item, and it was a link to "view sellers other auctions". I could not find anything referring to similar items.
posted on June 6, 2001 08:40:16 PM new
I saw that "click NO" of you don't want the SPAM the other day. Today, on my browser at least, it says "click YES" if you do want the SPAM. At least now you don't have to do something to prevent their garbage from showing up in your mailbox
posted on June 6, 2001 08:47:28 PM new
OK. This seems to be a hit and miss thing because not everyone is seeing it but a number of folks have seen it. Someone posted a screen capture and the SEE SIMILAR ITEMS is on the top left side in red. The VIEW SELLERS OTHER AUCTIONS is on the top right side in blue/purple. Both are located just under BIDDING IS CLOSED FOR THIS ITEM. I would love to show you the screen capture but it isn't mine so I can't do that.
posted on June 6, 2001 08:54:45 PM new
I doubt it's hit or miss, Blanche. They probably can't implement it system-wide all at one time. They're probably rolling it in a piece (category) at a time.
posted on June 6, 2001 08:54:49 PM new
What's really weird is that sometimes it says "click yes" and sometimes "click no"...like it can't make up it's mind. I have bid on a few things lately and have to really pay attention to make sure that NO is my choice!
______________________________
posted on June 6, 2001 09:01:44 PM new
Well I got one of those spam mails from not clicking "no" after I placed a bid and lost the item. Not one thing on the list was what I had bid on. Some of the items were way off base. Interesting thing was that there are 5 items up on auction with the exact same title. Also, the email only had 3 sellers items on it.
posted on June 6, 2001 09:02:09 PM new
Hello CleverGirl. Yes, I think that's exactly what's going on. Everyone will most likely wake up tomorrow and find that new link on their MY EBAY page. I just hope to God it stays there but I have some concerns since their recent SPAM recommendation emails are sending our bidders elsewhere.
posted on June 6, 2001 09:28:59 PM new
At the moment, the "view similar items" link can be seen by doing this:
Go to My eBay
Click on Selling
Click on View Details
The link doesn't work.
I'm not quite sure why somebody at eBay thinks a seller would want to look at similar items after their item has closed - logically, a seller would be looking for the same, not similar, items, and they should be doing that before even listing their item.
I have no idea if they intend to make the "view similar items" link show up anywhere else, such as anywhere a bidder might be able to use it.
--------------
The other thing is the "recommendations" email, which will send the underbidder a list of similar items 24 hours after the auction closes. That button shows up on the bid confirmation page, immediately after you place a bid. By default, it's "no" (as in, it's really "yes I want the emails" but if you click on the "no" next time it becomes "yes" (which is really "no I don't want the emails".
posted on June 6, 2001 09:42:13 PM new
Hello Glenda. Is that kind of like "yes, we don't want no bananas"?
I have a very, very bad feeling about this new SEE SIMILAR ITEMS link and I won't be at all surprised if it doesn't end up on the main search for closed items so the buyers can go to our ended auction and view all the similar items that other seller's have listed. I'm sure those auctions won't be closed either.
Gee, how nice to have a sign post leading to other seller's auctions on OUR auction page that WE PAID FOR!!
I wonder why eBay hasn't made any announcements about this new and wonderful feature?
posted on June 6, 2001 11:00:54 PM new
I have little doubt this will show up on all closed auction pages before long.
Hopefully, a petition site will be in palce soon ... to sign up in protest of 1) using OUR PAID SPACE with OUR titles, descriptioins and pics to 2) post links to other seller's auctions by 3) a site that is supposedly only a VENUE!
This feature is not the same as the recommendations emails.
Will post more info about the petition site if/when it is in place .. for those interested in keeping their customers looking for more of the same thing on THEIR OWN auctions!
posted on June 6, 2001 11:04:34 PM new
Have you all noticed on your feedback page beneath the box that sums up your feedback it used to say "auctions by ____"
Now it's "Items for sale by____"
methinks there are a lot of changes coming down the pike.
posted on June 6, 2001 11:41:48 PM new
Hi Neil. I'm surprise you're still up because I know you've been a very busy boy today.
What's next you ask? I don't think you want to know right now.
BTW, an eBay power seller sent a number of emails to eBay complaining about the new SPAM feature and they told her NOT TO EMAIL THEM AGAIN. Can you believe that?
They have no intention of reversing their policy decisions because these very decisions are essential to their vision of the new, all powerful eBay. They wish to be in the same power bracket as Microsoft and they just may get there with the new alliance.
I'm tired of the whole thing and I'm going to bed. TTYL
posted on June 7, 2001 12:17:21 AM new
I guess I'm missing something here. What's the problem? Yes, it's opt-out but eBay is notifying losing bidders of similar items available. It's sort of spam, but it seems to me to be to sellers' advantage, no? This doesn't work against you, considering it also directs customers who bid on your competitors' items. Okay, what am I missing?
posted on June 7, 2001 05:50:21 AM new
Okie Doke. I'm gonna take my lumps for this one.
If you choose to get the spam, in addition to receiving auctions of similar items, you also get a list of the seller's current auctions.
C@@L!!
IOW, if a buyer bids on one of my auctions and checks the box, they will get spammed with all of my current auctions!
I've got Great Stuff at Competitive Prices!
Been around a while and have Awesome Feedback (99.6% postive)!
I don't fear my competition AND
this will raise my hits and bids.
What's so bad about that?
Pro's and Con's to everything.
The Pro's win for me on this one!
only ZOOMIN here
posted on June 7, 2001 09:13:18 AM new
I think we're talking about two different issues in this thread. The first one relates to your personal auction listing page, the one you're paying for to describe your items, put in your photos, mention your TOS and shipping info, etc. This is what I'm talking about with the thread title "Check Your Closed Auctions On MY EBAY Page".
EBay is in the process of adding a new link to your MY EBAY page called VIEW SIMILAR ITEMS which is located to the left of VIEW SELLER"S OTHER AUCTIONS and is under the ITEMS I"M SELLING tab. So far, this is only showing up for the auctions that have already closed.
Here are my concerns. If eBay puts this VIEW SIMILAR ITEMS link on your closed auctions on the MAIN SEARCH PAGE under "search closed auctions" this will allow the general public to click on your closed auction and from there click on the VIEW SIMILAR ITEMS link that will show them other seller's similar items, NOT yours. In effect, eBay is using your closed auction page to advertise other seller's merchandise - to direct your customers to your competitor. This is being done on the page that you basically own because it's the page YOU designed.
I don't have any doubts that eBay is going to do this and not just keep the link on your own MY EBAY page. Also, I'm concerned that this SHOW SIMILAR ITEMS link isn't going to just stay on the closed auctions. What's going to prevent eBay from putting the link on your current auction page?
If you allow them to add any links or info on your own auction listing page that you think are detrimental to your sales then you're opening a huge door for them to fill your page up with a bunch of advertising garbage. If you don't want to use your auction listing as an advertisement for other seller's merchandise then you can't allow eBay to put this link on your CLOSED auction page.
I think this issue is EXTREMELY important and I believe eBay has crossed over the legal line because the descriptions on the actual auction page have been composed by each individual seller, in their own words and are, therefore, protected by Copyright Laws.
The other issue is the embedded data mining program that eBay refers to as their ReconEngine and, if you get a chance, please read through this thread to see some of the problems associated with this program. I would be happy to summarize the points made in that thread but I am pressed for time right now and have to go offline soon. http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=379361
posted on June 7, 2001 09:13:59 AM new
Good Morning Blanche,
It looks like the new "view similar items link" is on the closed auctions pages, not in My Ebay, per say.
It appears that, if from My Ebay, you click on "view auction details" from any closed list or individual auction that is closed: selling, bidding, won, watching, etc, you get a screen with the closed page that has the link to view similar items under the title.
If you do a search of closed auctions and look at the closed auction page the link is there too.
So it appears that the link is on the closed auction page itself, and will be available to anyone who can access closed auction pages from My Ebay, or Completed auction search, or by clicking on the auction number on a feedback page, or any of the ways it is possible to access the closed auction pages.
I am sorry if I haven' been able to explain this very clearly, but when you see it you will know exactly what I am trying to convey.
posted on June 7, 2001 09:32:30 AM new
Hi switch. Yep, I believe you're right and this ISN'T a good thing for the sellers. Just think about the implications. If you list an item that isn't unique and it either sells or doesn't sell, the bidders who were interested in YOUR item can now check for other seller's similar items and bid on theirs instead from YOUR auction listing page. How is this going to help you if you want to relist your item?
This is just one detrimental aspect of this new link. Think about it!! There are many more. Also, why would a possible buyer ever need to contact the seller if the item didn't sell? He doesn't need to do that now because he can find more items like yours by clicking on the VIEW SIMILAR ITEMS link. Sure, he could use the main search engine to do that but many buyer's don't do this and now they don't even need to. EBay has found a way to direct your bidders to someone else's auctions or storefronts and at the same time, stop any communication between the losing buyer and the seller.
posted on June 7, 2001 09:42:57 AM new
Hello Susan. I understand what you're saying. I had trouble trying to express my thoughts about the new link as well. I wish I could show a screen capture but I haven't listed or bid on anything recently so I don't have a page with the link to show everyone.
Last night eBay was in the process of implementing this new link and it was only showing up intermittently on people's MY EBAY page but I really didn't have any doubts that it would be accessible to the general public.
posted on June 7, 2001 10:09:26 AM new
This is NOT a separate feature from the eBay "recommendations" spam.... it's part of the SAME roll-out. (just thought I'd mention that for a bit of clarification) *sigh*
Now... UNDERSTANDING how this part of the "marketing feature" works, might help us to determine the ways it is beneficial OR detrimental to us as BIDDERS and as SELLERS.
How this particular feature works:
If the item SELLS, the "SIMILAR" link appears on the ended items listing page.
If the item Does NOT sell, and the seller uses the RELIST feature, then the link to THAT SELLERS relisted item ONLY appears.
In this way, eBay is hoping to encourage losing bidders to find something similar right away to bid on.
The only question here is WHAT HAPPENS on the ENDED AUCTION item listing page when the item sells AND the Seller uses the RELIST feature to list another SAME or SIMILAR item?
Does the "SIMILAR ITEMS" link appear... on the ended item page, possibly taking that sellers underbidders to OTHER sellers items?
OR does it negate the "similar items" link and replace it with a link to THAT SELLERS item only with the "This seller has relisted, you can GO TO it here" link?
BIG DIFFERENCE on that last situation... as the first scenario could actually penalize a seller attempting to maintain their own "niche" with a fair market value for their items by listing them one at a time (not even competing with themselves)... and the second scenario would enhance THAT SELLERS opportunity to "upsale" to the underbidders from the first auction by using the relist feature immediately following the close of the first successful auction.
(make sense?)
I'm waiting for some clarification on that one now...
REGARDLESS, I hate this roll-out and as a seller would much rather be given the opportunity to Opt-In or OUT of these types of "marketing tools" at the time of listing. *sigh*
posted on June 7, 2001 10:14:37 AM new
Hiya toke. Some folks on another auction forum are suggesting that everyone send emails protesting this new link to the following email addresses:
The more protesting emails that are sent, the better. I sent one to every one of the above addresses. I don't know if it'll help but I think we need to make every effort to stop this.
BTW, AdAware 5 is out and it's been totally revamped with new features and more spyware definitions.
posted on June 7, 2001 10:20:12 AM new
Hey, Blanche...
Thanks, I'll do it. I wonder if they're ballistic yet on the DNF? When I get a chunk of time, I'll check it out. I really hate posting on eBay though...
And thanks for the heads up on Ad-Aware...so far, I'm clean...
posted on June 7, 2001 10:25:42 AM new
I clicked yes on one item that I bid on. I received one reply so far from ebay showing me other items of similar interest. God only knows how many times I'll get this till I shut it off if possible.
posted on June 7, 2001 10:29:42 AM new
Hi dottie. EBay is intruding on our paid for web page and this isn't a good precedent to set. What's going to stop them from eventually adding the VIEW SIMILAR ITEMS link to the current auction page or adding any other content? They certainly didn't ask for our permission or our input on this new feature and I don't have any reason to expect them to ask us about adding this link to our CURRENT auction page or adding anything else in the future.
The point is, once they get away with adding things to our individual auction listing pages, they can add ANYTHING. I don't think the distinction between closed auctions or current ones is even relevant because both pages were paid for and composed by the individual seller and they have the right to determine the content of that page as long as it's within the legal boundaries and eBay's listing rules.
At least that's what I think.
Blanche
[ edited by bhearsch on Jun 7, 2001 10:30 AM ]
posted on June 7, 2001 10:40:15 AM new
Hi Blanche, I completely AGREE with you.
I just thought there might have been some confusion about when the "Similar" link was showing up on SOME ended auctions and then on others the link to THAT sellers RELISTED item appears.
- was just trying to help folks understand why there were "conflicting" reports... ya know?
Personally, it's NOT o.k. with me, and I don't like this any more than you do. *promise*
but if you click on the "no" next time it becomes "yes" (which is really "no I don't want the emails"
