Ebay keyword spamming rant: Please don't use "set" when it's not even close to a complete set!!!

Estil

For example, this first listing caught my eye as I need the 1996 Fleer Update insert sets to complete my 1996 Fleer insert master set (I don't yet have the regular set; and I probably would only do the Tiffany set; no not the singer) and I thought this one would get me three out of four in one purchase...nope...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-YOURE-SET-1996-FLEER-UPDATE-SOARING-STARS-NEW-HORIZONS-SMOOTH-LEATHER/382444829603?hash=item590b7cfba3:g:ZTMAAOSweI9a32H1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-Fleer-Update-Baseball-Inserts-Misc-Sets-Lot-Of-9-See-List/113832470256?hash=item1a80f1a6f0:g:1j0AAOSwCjFdO2GR:sc:USPSFirstClass!42301!US!-1

I can't even begin to tell you how keyword spamming "set" when it's not even close to being a complete set drives me bonkers...what is your main keyword spamming pet peeve? For example, I've previously mentioned the annoying "PSA ready" kind (they use PSA in the title but there's not one PSA card in the bunch). Perhaps also if they try to say "PSA 8 should be 9 or 10"

mrmopar

Keyword spamming is a problem in a lot of ways, but nobody seems to care at ebay. It is probably too hard to police now, as the site has gotten so large, but I have cited specific examples that clearly violate the policy and involve hundreds of listings at a time, but nothing is ever done to stop it and the listings remain in effect.

My opinion in your two examples would be that the seller has done nothing wrong, except maybe poor grammar in listing one (complete YOUR set, not YOURE set). They didn't even use the apostrophe with the wrong word, so technically it is not even a real word! The first listing is offering you a chance to complete a set from the items they have available. True statement. In the 2nd listing, they use "set" to describe the different types of cards, which I also feel is appropriate. Set is one of those generic terms that can describe inserts, base, parallels, etc. I think you'd have a case if they used the term "complete set" or "full set", but even using "complete your set" is not unusual.

My biggest word span peeve is the use of a generic description that includes a player's name. You will see it when people used biographies in their description and they reference other players not related to the player listed or the worst is when a set is described by mentioning a key card within it. For example, Steve Garvey is a key card in the 1971 Topps set. 1971 Topps set breaks where the same description with Garvey's name is used for every auction. and there are 700+ listings that come up in my Garvey search, when only one listing actually has a Garvey card in it! That is complete BS, but it happens all the time.

countdouglas

I understand, asI have pet peeves, myself. There's an easy solution for this one, though. Just type -your and -near at the end of your search (and any other keywords that routinely appear from your troublesome sellers) and it will weed out those "complete your set" and "near set" listings.

markj111

I have reported several listings to eBay. They have never taken any action.

miwlvrn

@countdouglas said:
I understand, asI have pet peeves, myself. There's an easy solution for this one, though. Just type -your and -near at the end of your search (and any other keywords that routinely appear from your troublesome sellers) and it will weed out those "complete your set" and "near set" listings.

also -break -choose -select

JoeBanzai

@miwlvrn said:

@countdouglas said:
I understand, asI have pet peeves, myself. There's an easy solution for this one, though. Just type -your and -near at the end of your search (and any other keywords that routinely appear from your troublesome sellers) and it will weed out those "complete your set" and "near set" listings.

also -break -choose -select

Problem solved!

NGS428

My favorite is “not PSA 10”

Yeah, if it is a BGS 8.5 I can tell it isn’t a PSA 10. But thanks for clarification

miwlvrn

@NGS428 said:
My favorite is “not PSA 10”

Yeah, if it is a BGS 8.5 I can tell it isn’t a PSA 10. But thanks for clarification

use -non and -not in your search terms

NGS428

@miwlvrn said:

@NGS428 said:
My favorite is “not PSA 10”

Yeah, if it is a BGS 8.5 I can tell it isn’t a PSA 10. But thanks for clarification

use -non and -not in your search terms

I hear ya. My search strings already max out the field in a few cases. Lots of -, (), etc... I take out non or not and they put in a like..