Ebay ramblings....Wouldn't it be nice if...

dgbaseball

Since ebay already breaks down its categories to PSA, GAI etc grandularity, I think it would be nice if they went one step further and had predefined templates required to list in these categories. It would remove any confusion and ambiguity and make things a lot simpler for buyers who browse through the singles categories, and also keep all the lots and sets out of those categories. The template would take a cert # and scans (required) and that's all. Ebay would shoot a quick web service request over to psa to get the card details, and build the auction title and description. Year, make, grade, qualfier, player etc. Nothing more.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if ebay did something along these lines, at minimum requiring a cert # to be part of a Singles/Graded/PSA listing, much like they try with the memorabilia/pre-authenticated category (not that they'd actually go the extra distance to verify it). But that's as far as they would probably go. Anything more, and sellers wouldn't want to list on ebay, since so many of them (including myself) think a competitive advantage can be had by hyping cards with fancy descriptions and graphics.

This would go a long way towards addressing some of the main problems we often complain about:
-ebay categories mean virtually nothing , as sellers list where they think people will search for what they're selling.
-keyword spamming in titles and descriptions
-misrepresented titles and descriptions (i.e. failing to mention qualifiers)
-getting rid of all the stupid back-stories sellers use to clog up auctions, like "Frankly, I don't know why this didn't grade higher...", "The great Ted Williams won two triple crowns...", etc
-inconsistent auction titles for searching. For instance, now when I want to sort through all "1959 Fleer Ted Williams PSA" cards I have to search for "1959 Fleer" then "1959 Williams PSA" then "1959 Fleer PSA" etc just to find them all.

dgbaseball

Of course another reason ebay would never really consider it is they would lose money. Duh. Their category breakdown encourages (often requires) sellers to list in many categories, costing multiple insertion fees. And I'm sure they make a bundle off every seller who pays that extra $.50 for a subtitle so that they can mention that there card is "1 of 10 with only 2 graded higher!"

MarkLee

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-getting rid of all the stupid back-stories sellers use to clog up auctions, like "Frankly, I don't know why this didn't grade higher...", "The great Ted Williams won two triple crowns...", etc >>



While I agree with some of your other auction complaints, I like some back story that is pertinent to the player. I love to read what people have to say about some of their favorite cards and players.

studentT206

I find it necessary to give additional info. Sometimes a card is high end or really got miss graded. If you don't think so send a card in multiple times and see what you get. You're speaking strictly from a buyer's point of view. I both buy and sell and find I can weed out the crap people write from the important. Whatever extra I include in my auctions, I try to give details they would want to know (wrinkles or small defects that warrant the grade) as well as info (true honest info IMO) that I think will help the card's price. I agree that ebay should address people misrepresenting items, but I don't think this is the answer. It is a good suggestion in principle, and I hope you respect my opinion.

Damian

TNP777

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<< <i>
-getting rid of all the stupid back-stories sellers use to clog up auctions, like "Frankly, I don't know why this didn't grade higher...", "The great Ted Williams won two triple crowns...", etc >>



While I agree with some of your other auction complaints, I like some back story that is pertinent to the player. I love to read what people have to say about some of their favorite cards and players. >>



Another reason to include a short blip or bio on the player is for people who check the "search item and description" box when searching the listings. Some of those words may help your listing pop up to people. I don't sell all that often (mostly high-dollar Heritage inserts) but when I do, a short bio on the player doesn't take all that long and IMO enhances the listing.

Geordie