posted on November 17, 2006 11:41:07 AM
Wow, you are right, I do have the first 4 # the same on all of my auctions. The 5th # was the same until recently and is now one higher. I absolutely did not know that. I thought it was random, moved up as each new aution was listed and the item count had not moved up past the first 4 #s. Looking back into June is appears more random, but still many of the first 4 #s were the same. You learn something new every day on this board. Now I have to see if my number is an advantage or disadvantage to me by doing more research.
posted on November 17, 2006 11:41:48 AM
She prices her postcards a few pennies under the price of the majority.
Instead of $7.95 she has $7.94. That makes hers show up first regardless of this numbering system.
Otherwise, people would see all the others before they saw hers because she has a higher beginning number.
And, if we can figure out the other things Ebay does with the numbers we might be able to come up with other work-arounds.
[ edited by myfavorites4u on Nov 17, 2006 11:42 AM ]
posted on November 17, 2006 11:51:06 AM
When eBay transitioned to the 12-digit format, we were seeing item numbers starting 2200 and 3200. The 22s and 32s were assigned randomly, making a mess of my sequential filing system.
That only lasted for about three weeks, thank heavens. We have had only numbers starting with 3200 ever since. But then, so have lots of other sellers. So we're not "assigned" a block.
My husband speculated that the first two digits correspond to a server number and that for whatever reason, server 22 was eliminated or redeployed.
However, we don't know. But it doesn't seem to matter.
I understand that sellers are always trying to find meaning in the inexplicable. Theories about how Search favors this or that seem to be popular but not based on any evidence. Part of the problem is that many people just don't understand how computing works. Another part is that eBay is always trying to decide how best to allocate numbers. 12-digit auction numbers are already unwieldy. Can you imagine what it will be like when they're 20 or 30-digit? I'd bet money they are trying to find a better numbering system, and that when they do, there will be an uproar. Personally, I think the best way to put off the day of reckoning number-wise is to raise Stores fees again and again until even the idiots who list 25 cent items with 75 cent shipping get the message and go away.
posted on November 17, 2006 12:31:46 PM
Well, if there is anything at all to the "regional" number selection, eBay could begin their sequence with the state abbreviation, then add the numbers. (Mine would be UT16000xxxx, etc.)
However, I think Fluff has suggested the most reasonable solution to this mystery. It is probably nothing more than the server on which the item was posted/listed. When your server is down your items simply won't show. We ALL know about those missing listings!
posted on November 17, 2006 12:35:03 PMMy husband speculated that the first two digits correspond to a server number and that for whatever reason, server 22 was eliminated or redeployed.
What happens if server 1500 is one of the crash & burn servers? Do you think that instead of having our items spread over several servers, we now have them on one server?
posted on November 17, 2006 12:39:19 PM
HMM..after my last post I decided to check which numbers jayandmarie have - 1500xxxxxxxx.
I am pretty sure that if Fluff is right about servers, and jayandmarie were having visibility problems, 1500xxxxxx would get fixed real fast.
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posted on November 17, 2006 12:40:09 PM
I did say "redeployed". For whatever reason, if indeed there is a server 22 (you can drop the zeroes) it is no longer available to me for listing.
When you consider that as a practical matter there is a finite -- though large -- quantity of available auction numbers, it would make sense to eliminate the most worthless auctions. You guys should be happy; probably the $1 postcard sellers you despise will be among the next to go.
posted on November 17, 2006 02:02:50 PMFluff...why don't you tell us what you really think about store sellers.
Oh, you don't really mean that.
But just in case you do...
I think that the Stores concept encourages sloppy, inefficient and wasteful businesses.
I have always thought that "List It and Leave It" was a bad idea, for the same reason that antique malls are bad ideas for individual sellers. Dust collects, either way. Collectors who browse eBay on a regular basis learn to ignore those dusty Stores relics.
I think that it allows hobby sellers to each waste hundreds of hours putting up items that no one will ever see, in the vain hope of making some money, and that those items take up finite resources that could be put to better (read: more profitable) use by those hobby sellers and by others.
And I think that it gives some Stores owners a sense that they are entitled to gripe endlessly even though they still pay peanuts compared to eBay sellers who do core listings and FP. Wanna see my eBay bill?
In short, I think that if you're not willing to pay the freight to make sales, you should find a different endeavor. Don't expect sympathy or commiseration from me if items aren't flying out of your Store. It costs money to make money. Always has.
posted on November 17, 2006 03:52:48 PM
I live near Chicago. July 11th I started to see a mix of 1100 and 1200 series numbers and since about July 25th, I've been solidly in the 1100 block. I sell in a range of categories but mostly Collectibles. A friend about a mile away is in the 2200's and one 15 miles away in the 2900's. Both sell in mostly the collectibles category.
posted on November 17, 2006 04:27:06 PM new
My old numbers were 72's
Now my main selling id is all 1300 and 1400
My second selling ID is all 1500s
I do notice that sales appear in clumps with these numbers and with parts of the country. I'm sure some of you have seen this too.
Now, it may be random and I am applying a pattern. That is a pretty common mistake. However, I will get sales in blocks: for example 10 sales in the old 72's from 6 buyers; 5 of which are in California.
Then, no 72's but a bunch of 1400s. East Coast.
The content is unique so it's not like they are all buying the same thing.
posted on November 17, 2006 05:03:38 PM new
Gosh, I've never paid any attention to the item numbers, but now that I look, I see that currently all of my recent sales are 2200s.
Someone definitely needs to ask Bill about this next time there's a chance. Inquiring minds want to know!
posted on November 17, 2006 05:09:43 PM new
Not a real solution, but if buyers sort from low to high price, $7.94 item will be above all $7.95 items, regardless of number
