Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

--Final Update, October 28--

 

The category changes announced in our Fall Seller Update have been completed.

 

Now that all category changes are complete, while you might still see some adjustments to searches, it is okay to update or edit your listings without concerns of losing data or having it moved again. 

 

We appreciate your feedback on this roll-out. We'll continue to adjust the process based on the input we’ve received here, and we'll take all of these suggestions into consideration for future updates.

 

As this project is now complete the post is being locked from further comments. 



Resources and observations

 

We’ve heard from you that updating your Item Specifics in time for the February 2022 requirement date may be a challenge. 

 

A useful tool that may help is located in the Seller Hub under Listing>Active. There is a drop-down box labeled ‘Download’ which will generate an Excel document for ‘Missing Required or Recommended Item Specifics’. You can read more about this tool here.


Should you come across any inaccuracies within the new Item Specifics we ask that you report those directly to sdsupport@ebay.com so our team can investigate. Outside of that, please share suggestions as to changes you'd like to see going forward here, selecting the Categories and Item Specifics option.

 

---Update as of October 19th---

 

We apologize for this delayed update. Thank you for your patience while our teams worked to finalize category changes. 

 

All listings have been moved to their final destination categories. You may now proceed with checking your categories, revising items, and updating item specifics where needed. 

 

Some item specifics have been renamed, and the value you originally provided has been copied over to the new item specific, so you don’t need to re-add these item specifics. We encourage you to update your listings with item specifics that are showing as “Required Soon.” These will become required on February 22, 2022. 

 

All other item specifics are either Recommended or Optional. Learn more about item specifics. 

 

Some categories were retired and replaced by product-based categories. You and your buyers can still find the items you’re looking for. Simply browse to the product category of your choice and use the filters to refine your search.

 

More information about key category changes:

 

  • Dolls & Bears. The categories based on Brand/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type of doll have been retired. Former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the new Dolls & Doll Playsets category. You can access the filters by browsing to the product category of your choice and using Brand/Vintage/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type filters to refine your search. 

 

  • Pottery & Glass. The categories based on Brand/Origin/Production Style/Production Technique have also been replaced by filters. You and buyers can now filter by the Brand/Origin/Production Style/Production Technique/Time Period Manufactured.

  • Postcards. The categories based on Location/Theme/Subject have been retired and replaced with two main categories for Topographical and Non-Topographical postcards. The former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the two new main categories. For example in Topographical Postcards, you can filter by Country and Region.

 

  • Jewelry & Watches. The categories based on Main Stone and Metal Type have been retired and replaced by product-based categories under Fine Jewelry. Use the filters for Main Stone and Metal to refine your search. 

 

 

---Update as of October 14th---
The work continues on this move and is progressing according to plan. We are on track and anticipate all category changes for your listings to be complete by end of day tomorrow (10.15). Thank you for your patience while our teams implement these changes.

 

---Update as of October 13th---

We continue to work through this change and thank you for your patience as our teams work through it. We wanted to provide answers to some top concerns and questions:

 

Why are Gallery Plus fees being charged for items that were previously free?

We determined that a technical issue impacted a small number of listings, which resulted in incorrect charges (including Gallery Plus, subtitles, and insertion fees) for some sellers. The issue has been fixed and we will be crediting impacted sellers as quickly as possible. No calls to Customer Service are necessary as credits will be issued automatically.

 

Should I edit my listings if they’re in the wrong category, have been moved to another category, or have wrong or missing item specifics?

No. Recent category changes require updates to many thousands of servers and data changes to nearly every aspect of our platform. This level of adjustment takes time, which is why we asked for your patience while the process runs. We expect most data updates to be completed within 48 hours, but can they take up to a week (i.e., through Oct. 19). After that, if you have an item specific in mind that you think would work well for your listing, please consider adding it as a custom item specific.

 

Why isn’t my item coming up in search?

The category change update is still in process. We anticipate search issues will resolve when we complete most data updates during the next 24-48 hours. 

 

There are more item specifics now than ever before. Do I need to fill in all of them?

No. Item specifics that you have already filled in will be maintained as the category moves are completed during the next week. In addition, new soon-to-be-required item specifics are being added and will become required by Feb 22, 2022. As always, the more item specifics you fill out, the better visibility your listing has to buyers. 

 

For Parts & Accessories, when will fitment/compatibility charts start working again?

There was an issue with parts compatibility not working properly as the category changes rolled out that has been resolved. You should now be able to see the options to add fitment compatibility when editing your listings.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

 

We’re updating some of our categories and item specifics to make your listings easier to find. 

 

Starting October 12th, you’ll see updates to the following categories. Learn more about category changes →

 

Collectibles & Art

Jewelry

Musical Instruments

Parts & Accessories

Sporting Goods

 

As these updates go into effect, you may see temporary impacts to your listing experience or to the visibility of listings in the affected categories.

 

This is a result of listings transitioning to the updated item specifics and category structures. Your affected listings should return to normal within 48 hours, though you may see irregularities on some listings for up to a week. We recommend checking your item specifics and categories in affected listings after these updates are complete.

 

These updates also include new item specifics in the above categories, which will be required February 22, 2022. Starting today, these item specifics will be available as you list, with the “Required Soon” tag. Learn more →

 

We appreciate your patience while we work to make eBay a simpler, easier way to both list items and find them, and are confident that these refinements to our structure accomplish this. 

 

As always, thank you for selling on eBay

Message 1 of 29
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28 REPLIES 28

Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

@seller_news_team 

 

All that has been done by these listing changes (Category A to Category B) is corrupted listings that were created correctly originally and made mega work for sellers to fix and in the process made everything more difficult to find as buyers are reporting in droves!!!

 

-Lotz

Message 21 of 29
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Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

Similarly, hubby sells in the model train category...now that that category is such a mess; it's now a wait and see... and most likely no listing happening anytime soon...may just avoid listing this holiday season and wait for post-Christmas season...

Message 22 of 29
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Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

Right at the start of Q4, timing couldn't have been better...

 

My main category is rather time agnostic (Car parts) but I feel very bad for Toys & Collectibles sellers who make most of their revenue during Q4, having to dealt with that !$?!?%$ at their busiest time. 

Message 23 of 29
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Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

topguncdn
Community Member

Well that might be the nail in the coffin...for me to use Ebay... after 21 years as a user the 2 CAT I use are military models and N scale Model Trains... both are gone and screwed up... easier for who...

 

Way to go

Message 24 of 29
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Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures


@seller_news_team wrote:

We’re updating some of our categories and item specifics to make your listings easier to find. 

 

Starting October 12th, you’ll see updates to the following categories. Learn more about category changes →

 

Collectibles & Art

Jewelry

Musical Instruments

Parts & Accessories

Sporting Goods

 

As these updates go into effect, you may see temporary impacts to your listing experience or to the visibility of listings in the affected categories.

 

This is a result of listings transitioning to the updated item specifics and category structures. Your affected listings should return to normal within 48 hours, though you may see irregularities on some listings for up to a week. We recommend checking your item specifics and categories in affected listings after these updates are complete.

 

These updates also include new item specifics in the above categories, which will be required February 22, 2022. Starting today, these item specifics will be available as you list, with the “Required Soon” tag. Learn more →

 

We appreciate your patience while we work to make eBay a simpler, easier way to both list items and find them, and are confident that these refinements to our structure accomplish this. 

 

As always, thank you for selling on eBay


@seller_news_team 

tyler@ebay 

 

Hello Tyler,

 

Can you clarify why the updates that were passed on the dot com board were not passed on to dot ca sellers? See post 1. Just as applicable to Canadians. And will there be any specific addressing of sellers concerns on this topic considering the uproar it has caused to the sellers it is directly affecting? Especially Vintage  OOAK or sellers who sell mixed lots.

 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Updates-are-happening-to-some-item-specifics-and-category/m-p/...

-Lotz

Message 25 of 29
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Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

Oh, sorry @lotzofuniquegoodies - you had shared the .com link so broadly I considered the word spread. 🙂

 

.Com's updates to their post are applicable for .CA as well. I can get that copy moved over to this thread too, just a moment.

 

 

Tyler,
eBay
Message 26 of 29
latest reply

Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

tyler@ebay 

 

Thanks Tyler,

 

Fortunately the bonfire on dot ca is not as large as dot com so I guess that's a bonus. The answers/any followup are very relevant because of how many this will substanially affect on both. Thought it best be officially.  🙂

 

-Lotz

Message 27 of 29
latest reply

Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures


@seller_news_team wrote:

---Update as of October 14th---
The work continues on this move and is progressing according to plan. We are on track and anticipate all category changes for your listings to be complete by end of day tomorrow (10.15). Thank you for your patience while our teams implement these changes.

 

---Update as of October 13th---

We continue to work through this change and thank you for your patience as our teams work through it. We wanted to provide answers to some top concerns and questions:

 

Why are Gallery Plus fees being charged for items that were previously free?

We determined that a technical issue impacted a small number of listings, which resulted in incorrect charges (including Gallery Plus, subtitles, and insertion fees) for some sellers. The issue has been fixed and we will be crediting impacted sellers as quickly as possible. No calls to Customer Service are necessary as credits will be issued automatically.

 

Should I edit my listings if they’re in the wrong category, have been moved to another category, or have wrong or missing item specifics?

No. Recent category changes require updates to many thousands of servers and data changes to nearly every aspect of our platform. This level of adjustment takes time, which is why we asked for your patience while the process runs. We expect most data updates to be completed within 48 hours, but can they take up to a week (i.e., through Oct. 19). After that, if you have an item specific in mind that you think would work well for your listing, please consider adding it as a custom item specific.

 

Why isn’t my item coming up in search?

The category change update is still in process. We anticipate search issues will resolve when we complete most data updates during the next 24-48 hours. 

 

There are more item specifics now than ever before. Do I need to fill in all of them?

No. Item specifics that you have already filled in will be maintained as the category moves are completed during the next week. In addition, new soon-to-be-required item specifics are being added and will become required by Feb 22, 2022. As always, the more item specifics you fill out, the better visibility your listing has to buyers. 

 

For Parts & Accessories, when will fitment/compatibility charts start working again?

There was an issue with parts compatibility not working properly as the category changes rolled out that has been resolved. You should now be able to see the options to add fitment compatibility when editing your listings.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

 

We’re updating some of our categories and item specifics to make your listings easier to find. 

 

Starting October 12th, you’ll see updates to the following categories. Learn more about category changes →

 

Collectibles & Art

Jewelry

Musical Instruments

Parts & Accessories

Sporting Goods

 

As these updates go into effect, you may see temporary impacts to your listing experience or to the visibility of listings in the affected categories.

 

This is a result of listings transitioning to the updated item specifics and category structures. Your affected listings should return to normal within 48 hours, though you may see irregularities on some listings for up to a week. We recommend checking your item specifics and categories in affected listings after these updates are complete.

 

These updates also include new item specifics in the above categories, which will be required February 22, 2022. Starting today, these item specifics will be available as you list, with the “Required Soon” tag. Learn more →

 

We appreciate your patience while we work to make eBay a simpler, easier way to both list items and find them, and are confident that these refinements to our structure accomplish this. 

 

As always, thank you for selling on eBay



Most recent update from Dot Com
additional information at "learn more"
 

‎10-12-2021 09:00 AM - last edited on ‎10-20-2021 08:24 AM by  velvet@ebay

---Update as of October 19th---

 

We apologize for this delayed update. Thank you for your patience while our teams worked to finalize category changes. 

 

All listings have been moved to their final destination categories. You may now proceed with checking your categories, revising items, and updating item specifics where needed. 

 

Some item specifics have been renamed, and the value you originally provided has been copied over to the new item specific, so you don’t need to re-add these item specifics. We encourage you to update your listings with item specifics that are showing as “Required Soon.” These will become required on February 22, 2022. 

 

All other item specifics are either Recommended or Optional. Learn more about item specifics. 

 

Some categories were retired and replaced by product-based categories. You and your buyers can still find the items you’re looking for. Simply browse to the product category of your choice and use the filters to refine your search.

 

More information about key category changes:

 

  • Dolls & Bears. The categories based on Brand/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type of doll have been retired. Former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the new Dolls & Doll Playsets category. You can access the filters by browsing to the product category of your choice and using Brand/Vintage/Material/Theme/Character/Franchise/Product Line/Type filters to refine your search. 

 

  • Pottery & Glass. The categories based on Brand/Origin/Production Style/Production Technique have also been replaced by filters. You and buyers can now filter by the Brand/Origin/Production Style/Production Technique/Time Period Manufactured.

  • Postcards. The categories based on Location/Theme/Subject have been retired and replaced with two main categories for Topographical and Non-Topographical postcards. The former categories have been replaced by left-hand navigation filters in the two new main categories. For example in Topographical Postcards, you can filter by Country and Region.

 

  • Jewelry & Watches. The categories based on Main Stone and Metal Type have been retired and replaced by product-based categories under Fine Jewelry. Use the filters for Main Stone and Metal to refine your search. 

 

Message 28 of 29
latest reply

Re: Updates are happening to some item specifics and category structures

In doing some random testing for Postcards one of the options is by City. The city of Alberta is an option.  Last time I checked Alberta was a province but don't want to split hairs. The cities of Calgary/Edmonton and or Banff/Jasper are not available. Going forward anyone creating listings in this category may need to consider additional regional information to show up in search. 

 

Similarily country of manufacture can also muddy search results bringing up totally unrelated items.

 

-Lotz

Message 29 of 29
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