eBay

ricarmic · ‎06-19-2024

I'm just posting my latest form letter wordings incase they or parts thereof are of use to others. I do get a lot of positive feedback from buyers from these....nobody so far has grumbled (until now since I've said this right!)

I have two form letters, one for new customers, one for repeat customers:

New customers:

Thank you so much for your purchase, your business is so very much appreciated! Your parcel has been shipped out today, Wednesday June 19. Note that delivery timeline is still sometimes impacted by weather events or other causes. Most parcels are moving at normal speed, but some are slowed down significantly. Once the parcel arrives, I hope you will find everything satisfactory. If you are not completely pleased with this transaction, please feel free to contact me. I will do my very best to resolve any problem you may have. Thank you very much in advance for your patience while the parcel makes the journey. Regards, RICARMIC

Repeat customers:

Thank you for your most recent purchase and quick payment. I am pleased you decided to purchase from me again. Your parcel has been shipped out today, Wednesday June 19. Note that delivery timeline is still sometimes impacted by weather events or other causes. Most parcels are moving at normal speed, but some are slowed down significantly. Thank you very much in advance for your patience while the parcel makes the journey. Regards, RICARMIC

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎06-19-2024

@ricarmic

Is it still possible to tweak the ebay version generated mail that gets sent out when you ship something. (The tracking email.). Wondering if that is another feature eBay has gotten rid of completely?!?!?

-Lotz

ilikehockeyjerseys · ‎06-19-2024

I try to avoid dates or other info in stock messages, because it adds time to the process while adding little value. I understand we might be talking about 1-2 minutes per message, but that adds up.

Here is my stock message that I send with every order. The only time I don't send it is if there is already a previous correspondence with the customer.

Most of my writing on this forum is very messy and off the cuff. I find the best way to write a stock message is to write the barebones of it, and then use something like Grammarly or ChatGPT to edit it. Ideally Grammarly, because ChatGPT still hasn't overcome the whole sounding like an alien pretending to be a human thing.

Here is my stock message:

Hello,

Thank you for shopping with my eBay store Guaranteed DVDs Canada. I am writing to let you know that your order has been shipped and is on its way to you via Canada Post.

At Guaranteed DVDs Canada, I strive to provide a five-star experience for all of my customers. If you have any issues with your order, please don't hesitate to reach out to me so I can do my best to resolve them for you.

If you are satisfied with your purchase, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave me a positive review. Your feedback is important to me and helps me know that your item arrived safely and that you are happy with the transaction.

Thank you for choosing Guaranteed DVDs Canada.

Sincerely,
(my name)

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎06-19-2024

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
@ricarmic

Is it still possible to tweak the ebay version generated mail that gets sent out when you ship something. (The tracking email.). Wondering if that is another feature eBay has gotten rid of completely?!?!?

-Lotz

Link address: https://contact.ca.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ManageBuyerCommunication&ssPageName=STRK:ME:LNLK

Message returned using link:

devon@ebay

Can we no longer send automatic customized messages to buyers?

This tab only allows you to turn on or off. Not customize or personalize. That feature was available pre MP.

Edit functionality options are turned off.

ricarmic · ‎06-20-2024

@ilikehockeyjerseys I like your wording.

Putting the date in mine only adds time to the first sending, as I put the date in then cut once and paste multiple times the "today message" into the remainder of the contacts as I go through them. (I also add wordings when CP is closed around holidays etc that delays the sending)

It does take me longer to separate messages for first time buyers vs repeat buyers, but I do have a lot of repeat buyers and I believe it is good to recognize their "repeatedness" so to speak. I also do this for feedback - repeat buyers receive a host of different messages (all stock - ebay lets us have 10 stock messages). A good number of the repeat buyers reply with customized feedback back to me, so I think it does get recognized by them. Probably doesn't create more sales but I figure it can't hurt.

I hadn't thought to AI the wordings, I'll have to give that a go and see what it does!

byto253 · ‎06-20-2024

AI wording is at least good for a chuckle a lot of the time 😁

Both posts have good messages and wording, it really comes down to what you are comfortable with.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎06-20-2024

Re: AI

In a bygone era we had the concept of plagerism. Now we get "blessed" with AI. Both really bad forms of lazy. At least when it comes to writing. Wondering if there still is a thing using the creative kind? Where actual thought is put into a listing!!!

Remember when album covers had thought put into them?

ilikehockeyjerseys · ‎06-20-2024

AI stuff as it is right now is not what people think it is.

Think of it more like spell check. Spell check is ubiquitous (except on this message board software, lol). Nobody bats an eye at someone using spell check.

It's a productivity multiplier. The person using it still needs to put in work and understand what their intended purpose is, but using AI can get them to their final destination a bit quicker. Just like how with spell check it gets you to the destination quicker than you checking the word physically with a dictionary.

For example, I could write this prompt in ChatGPT:
write me a you focused marketing outline of my shipping policies for ebay that is very easy to ready and understand. highlight the value of free combined shipping. direct buyers to my ebay store where they can find more items. shipping price is 19.99, canada post in canada, usps to usa, shipping in 1 business day, shipping time 2-8 business days, items ship safely in moisture proof poly bags.

It comes out with this:

Easy Shipping, Big Savings!

Shipping Cost: $19.99 flat rate.
Shipping Methods: Canada Post for Canada, USPS for USA.
Speedy Delivery: Items ship within 1 business day and arrive in 2-8 business days.
Secure Packaging: Items are shipped safely in moisture-proof poly bags.
Special Offer: Enjoy FREE combined shipping! Buy more, save more.
Explore More: Visit my eBay store for a wide selection of quality items.

Now that isn't a lot of time saved, but multiply something like that over hundreds of different tasks and it will add up. If you look at the above, it's not the typical AI stuff that people criticize like the current AI eBay descriptions where the tone and description sounds completely wrong and alien.

You shouldn't expect it to be able to do a job you know nothing about, but you can use it as a slight multiplier of your own production.

byto253 · ‎06-20-2024

My experience using the eBay AI that is provided to help with descriptions is not that good. The results are usually pretty funny. Perhaps ChatGP is better.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎06-20-2024

@ilikehockeyjerseys wrote:
AI stuff as it is right now is not what people think it is.

Think of it more like spell check. Spell check is ubiquitous (except on this message board software, lol). Nobody bats an eye at someone using spell check.

It's a productivity multiplier. The person using it still needs to put in work and understand what their intended purpose is, but using AI can get them to their final destination a bit quicker. Just like how with spell check it gets you to the destination quicker than you checking the word physically with a dictionary.

For example, I could write this prompt in ChatGPT:
write me a you focused marketing outline of my shipping policies for ebay that is very easy to ready and understand. highlight the value of free combined shipping. direct buyers to my ebay store where they can find more items. shipping price is 19.99, canada post in canada, usps to usa, shipping in 1 business day, shipping time 2-8 business days, items ship safely in moisture proof poly bags.

It comes out with this:

Easy Shipping, Big Savings!
Shipping Cost: $19.99 flat rate.
Shipping Methods: Canada Post for Canada, USPS for USA.
Speedy Delivery: Items ship within 1 business day and arrive in 2-8 business days.
Secure Packaging: Items are shipped safely in moisture-proof poly bags.
Special Offer: Enjoy FREE combined shipping! Buy more, save more.
Explore More: Visit my eBay store for a wide selection of quality items.

Now that isn't a lot of time saved, but multiply something like that over hundreds of different tasks and it will add up. If you look at the above, it's not the typical AI stuff that people criticize like the current AI eBay descriptions where the tone and description sounds completely wrong and alien.

You shouldn't expect it to be able to do a job you know nothing about, but you can use it as a slight multiplier of your own production.

@ilikehockeyjerseys

My confidence in anything programmed by eBay is not super high presently. I base that on how long it takes for ANY oft pointed out issues to be corrected. Or the dreaded...if ever. Regarding the current eBay spellchecker I believe it is a US version. Not so reliable to anyone who writes/thinks Canadian. I found the previous generation of the listing tool much more user friendly with great built in reliable tools. The new version....Not sooooooo much!!

ilikehockeyjerseys · ‎06-20-2024

I don't use the eBay AI tool. I don't think it is very good. It doesn't add value to the listing, and it creates possible problems because it seems to sometimes incorrectly identify facts or features that aren't actually related to the item.

It seems to be getting a bit better, but it's not very good.

Where AI will eventually shine for eBay might be with things like photo identification of items. I believe they have this on .com for trading cards. You take a picture of something, and it knows what it is without you having to search or provide info.

For people who either thrift, search garage sales, or breakup collections for individual sale a similar tool that is very useful is Google Lens. You can take a picture of any item with your smart phone, no matter how obscure, and find out what it is via googling. I sometimes buy collections of things like loose Lego pieces, and this is amazing for identifying things like mini-figures in order to determine whether they are valuable enough to merit listing individually, or should be thrown in a lot with other commons.

So there is a lot of use for this AI stuff, especially as it relates to reselling or running an eBay store. It's just that AI isn't really what people think it is.

byto253 · ‎06-23-2024

@ilikehockeyjerseys wrote:
I don't use the eBay AI tool. I don't think it is very good. It doesn't add value to the listing, and it creates possible problems because it seems to sometimes incorrectly identify facts or features that aren't actually related to the item.

LOL. Pretty prophetic. I am doing the listing for a 60s turntable that actually works pretty well all things considered, but holds the speed a bit under 33 and 45 RPM. For fun I tried the AI and on its own inserts "an easy fix".... Ah, no way I can say that.

Good point on the pictures. If you pick up Lego be sure to try Brickognize - much better than lens and really good for minifig parts.

flipistics · ‎06-23-2024

@byto253 wrote:
Good point on the pictures. If you pick up Lego be sure to try Brickognize - much better than lens and really good for minifig parts.

You can also just enter the brick's number into bricklink and it will tell you all sorts of information, including the ability to purchase any parts you're missing for the set.

byto253 · ‎06-23-2024

We could probably do a long thread on IDing Lego parts! When I am out looking for vintage audio gear I can't pass up Lego I come across. It's the darn children that play with it and swap around pieces!