posted on August 18, 2001 05:54:04 PM
What catagories and/or sub-catagories MUST ebay or any other auction site have, for you to continue or consider using it?
At this point, I couldn't agree more!
Particularly because those wacky zany up-northers keep wantin' that I should lie on my custom forms...IT AINT NO GIFT Jean-Paul! HA!
I am SERIOUS here folks, I REALLY want to know.
I am conducting research here. For real!
PLEASE help me out and tell me the catagories and sub-cats. that you just CANNOT live without.
posted on August 18, 2001 09:25:43 PM
hee-hee Ok, but I've got a very long list amigo.
IMO most of the Antique & Collectible categories could stay, but some of them need some serious work on the main category names. As far as the sub categories, some could be dumped, and a few could be added.
I'm torn between satisfying the category "browsers", and keeping things short & sweet enough that the main/sub categories can still be easily found.
If eBay's stats are correct, 80+% use the Search feature to find their items, so the numerous categories don't bother me a whole lot. My only real beef is with the duplicate categories. ie: Wade has 3 freaking categories scattered from one end of the site to the other.
BTW - Let me know when you're looking to hire some raw talent.
posted on August 18, 2001 10:25:26 PM
For my purposes, the coins category (and associated sub-categories) work fine as they are currently set up on eBay.
posted on August 19, 2001 12:36:23 AM
This isn't a specific categories wish, but it would be wonderful if some categories were split into vintage (and that means older than last week of course) and contemporary.
For example, Black Americana and Headvases are categories with lots of listings. It would be wonderful to not have to wade through all the "vintage like"s to actually see older pieces.
posted on August 19, 2001 07:40:41 AM
It's probably a given that glassware is included, but like the previous poster I would like to see "antiques", "vintage" and "Contemporary" separated for manufacturers that have spanned the time periods. Pyrex is an example...there's really old "antique" Pyrex from the early 20th century, there's vintage Pyrex from the 40s-50s-60s-70s and then there's all the "contemporary" junk they have produced since. (hehe..just my opinion)
Of course, there has to be some enforcement of listing categories...none of this "Vintage-Fiesta-Like" or reproduction stuff clogging up the listings.
I am not a snob...just have limited time and would prefer to browse listings that fit the category.
Gerald
"Oh but it's so hard to live by the rules/I never could and still never do."
posted on August 19, 2001 09:06:00 AMOf course, there has to be some enforcement of listing categories..
That's the problem, there's really no way to enforce the listings. 99% of the time eBay just won't get involved.
I see sellers who on a weekly basis dump circa 1990 items into a a pre 1940 category. It pizzes me off, as I'm sure it does other sellers AND buyers, but eBay will not take action. IMO sellers who pull crap like this are simply hurting themselves, and eventually it catches up with them.
One the flip side I'm glad eBay doesn't get involved, because the last thing I want is eBay staff vetting the antique & collectible categories.
I know a lot of sellers hate the numerous categories/sub categories, but all in all I don't have a BIG problem with them. Some have been designed very well, and some could use some work.
Let's face it, eBay has become WAY too big to run on a hundred categories & sub categories.
[like in the good ol days]
If their search engine was up & running properly 100% of the time I wouldn't have a problem with the categories being cut back, but as it is I think the way they have things set up works fairly well for both buyers & sellers.
Buyers that want to flip through a bazillion pages daily can, and buyers that want to only search via the Search feature can.
posted on August 19, 2001 10:02:26 AM
I think that there are just TOO many catagories.
I agree that most people now, use the search feature, unlike the way we use to flip the pages.
There are just too many now, and that isn't really feasable.
I would like to compile a list of what catagories are mandatory for most folk, and what sub-cats are a MUST to prevent having to use search as much.
I found that the page surfers bring MUCHO more bids when they "stumble across" your listing while page surfing, when they would never have searched for it at all.
Example: I am looking for a 1940 blue wigit.
I can put it in the "search", and come up withall the listings for "blue wigits", but what if I you were selling a "rare 1925 turqois widgit", that I would have NEVER searched for, but I saw it page surfing and HAD TO HAVE IT!
That is why I would like to know what cats and sub-cats MUST stay, and which ones can be combined, or removed.
I understand what you're saying, and for the most part I agree. Half the battle with online selling is having someone find your "widgit".
I think the problem is that once *any* site starts to grow as big as eBay, you're going to end up with the same problems with categories & sub categories.
Hell, I can remember flipping through less than 5 pages of items, that now has over 50 pages, and that's under one of the sub categories.
IMO no matter where you start, IF you plan on getting BIG down the road, you're going to end up at the same crossroads as eBay.
FYI - I'd post a list of what I feel is the bare minimum, but it would take the btter part of today to put it together, and I just don't have the time.
posted on August 19, 2001 04:40:50 PM
I agree with there being too many categories or actually sub-categories, but IMHO, that is wahy ebay has given the seller to list in more than one category. Of course that is more dollars in ebay's pocket, which is why I think they keep expanding the listing categories.
posted on August 19, 2001 05:44:23 PM
I buy and sell mostly in:
Pottery & Glass
Collectibles
Jewelry
Dolls
No S&M as yet.
Yes, there are way too many subcategories, especially in collectibles and I hate it but I can see certain reasons why ebay has done it. Ebay has grown huge and they also like to make money.
Why are you conducting research? Are you planning a new auction site? Or is Meg taking you to lunch?
posted on August 19, 2001 06:11:15 PM
When, I'm buying I'm not looking in the categories. I do a search for Pink Depression Glass, Fireking Gay Fad, or a particular doll.
I sell mainly in the clothing category. And, list in various sub-categories, Women, Men, Girls, etc.
I remember when I started selling computer parts on ebay, and there was only ONE page for them. (remember those loooong pages?..lol)
I knew almost every seller, or so it seemed and we would bid on each others stuff, and it was a blast.
I remember Pierre asking ME for advice...LMAO
He use to hang out at the site and email some of us sellers thanking us and telling us his plans for the site. Who knew he was serious then? Most folks thought that PCs were sumthin' bad in the water then anyways.
Man, what would those emails be worth NOW!?
Beleive it or not, eBay is a MAJOR reason for a lot of folks owning computers right now, and the surge in PC owners pre 1998-9.
Wait a minute.. am I talking GOOD about eBay?
I better lie down.
posted on August 20, 2001 09:17:58 AM
Must have photo and movie.
For my viewing pleasure: BEADS!!!! and Equestrian. Books, who can go to ebay without finding a book on for $6 that's on amazon for 50?
I agree they have too many duplicated catagories.
Beads under jewelry and beading under crafts!!!! Doh!
I hate that Movie cameras aren't as "equal" as other cameras and are dumped under "other and specialty cameras."
In fact the hassle with this double catagory stuff is that you are tempted to double list.
Rippage, imho.
Capriole (not capriole on ebay so please don't bug 'em)
