posted on July 23, 2008 07:23:35 PM new
Has anyone figured out the benefit item specifics holds for sellers or buyers? I thought it would increase the number of items found in title searches- if you included the word postcard in product type, you wouldn't need to include it in the title for it to be found in a title search. Now I find this is not the case. Why take the extra effort to include item specifics?
posted on July 23, 2008 08:27:10 PM new
Every item that I have revised has an Item Specific designation called "Dealer" and my business name placed as the item specific. When a search is done using Kozersky, all my items with that item specific is pulled up.
posted on July 23, 2008 09:38:48 PM new
I sort of ignore the "categories" in item specifics and throw in all the zingers I couldn't include in the title, little extra bits so the buyer sees them before going any further. Other than that, no, I don't see any value in it. I'd love to be proved wrong.
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posted on July 24, 2008 07:47:13 AM new
Listings that have Item Specifics keywords will show up for searches, at least for some categories. (words don't need to be in title)
posted on July 24, 2008 08:48:59 AM new
I believe it somehow helps in the best match search. Not that I understand best match...it's just what I've heard on the ebay boards.
posted on July 24, 2008 09:03:00 AM new
I'm admittedly a cynic, but I've always believed item specifics were implemented to make auction information more valuable for sale to data aggregators like Terapeak.
Consider this auction title: Sterling silver chain bracelet. Now throw in Item Specifics like type of chain (rolo, figaro, wheat), gender (man, woman), gemstone (diamond, emerald, ruby or no stone) and so on. The more specifics, the more qualified this data is and therefore is worth more.
eBay early on realized historical auction data could be sold. When you use item specifics, you're enriching eBay.
fLufF
--
The Fourth is over but we've still got Fireworks...
posted on July 24, 2008 12:07:13 PM new
Fluff may be right - I think they don't use IS in all categories yet - probably trying to see what ones come to the top in terms of frequency. I see it as an opportunity to add more keywords when/if they are included in BM search sorts. I don't think they are used in the ending times and price sorts.
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posted on July 24, 2008 01:36:20 PM new
Everyone has missed an important function of Item Specifics - the opportunity to place your most valuable asset, which is your brand name, into ebay product search.
I just did a search for clearance*clarence, neglus, moody-mommys-marvelous-postcards, pixiamom, and kozersky using all categories with title and item description checked.
Home> Buy> Search Results for 'clearance*clarence'
Since my revisions are not complete, only 190+ items were displayed for kozersky, 0 items for fluff, 0 items for pixiamom, i item for neglus.
It's simple. Just use a blank IS descriptor, label it Dealer or whatever, and place your store name or whatever in the IS.
posted on July 24, 2008 03:30:18 PM new
Bill, I just did a title/description search for kozersky and found nothing. I kinda think that if someone can spell my ID correctly they'll probably do a seller search or a search showing items only from this seller.
Branding is way less important under the July 2008 eBay regime ( who knows, the whole thing could change again next month ). Old established sellers are creating new IDs because a spotless record gets you the top position in Best Match. Clearance*clarence is having a going-out-of-business sale. No foolin'.
fLufF (tm)
--
The Fourth is over but we've still got Fireworks...
posted on July 24, 2008 04:28:31 PM new
I don't see the advantage of putting in your ID either. If a buyer knows you, they probably have you book marked anyway or on their favorite list.
I don't know how these item specifics work. They give you pre-filled options - do these come from the last time you used that category?
Much of it appears to be redundant such as with jewelry it shows time period twice on most of mine.
posted on July 24, 2008 04:41:09 PM new
If you search t&d for "Moody Mommy", my auction items come up in search (without item specifics). Are you sure it's the IS that's bringing yours up, Bill?
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posted on July 24, 2008 07:29:49 PM new
They have a place over on the side like where you hit completed auctions where you can type in the sellers name.
posted on July 24, 2008 09:34:24 PM new
Item specifics for U.S. Easter Seal Collection 1934-56
Item Specifics - Item Condition
Condition: Unused
Shipping : Worldwide Type : Back of Book
Exact Topic : Collection Country : United States
Dealer : William J Kozersky Stamp Co. Specific Topic : 1934-56
Condition : MNH Topic : Easter Seals
Many are treating IS the same as they did with a Refund Policy, etc. I think you are making a mistake by not fully using.
posted on July 25, 2008 06:56:54 AM new
It can't hurt to try to put your name in the specifics, would only take a minute to add it to future sales. Thanks for the advice!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
Caroline