'eBay Tests New Paid Ads at Top of Search Results'

[momcqueen]

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2018/7/1531012692.html

[ricarmic]

Hey I noticed this in my .COM marketing section a few days ago.

I didn't realize I was special! (I got it because I've got an anchor store)

This is much like the click based things internationally a few years ago which were positive for me (especially Australia).

Something else to maybe try.....

[cumos55]

The following applies to this option.......

"Motors listings are not eligible. Pre-owned, Auction, and Auction Buy-It-Now listings are not eligible at this time."

The key word is Pre-owned.... NOT....eligible.......

Does that mean... Brand New.....  straight from a manufacturer....eligible....?

[momcqueen]

The ad placement reminds me of (ebay-owned) kijiji Top Ads which I’ve used in the past with moderate success.

[ricarmic]

So I'm not so special after all, I just noticed that mine says "coming soon"..... I can't click on anything that starts it up...

Looks like my (stamp) world isn't included at this time anyway.....

[electronicifycanada]

I actually like this feature on Kijiji and it works well. The issue is that eBay is not Kijiji and there is very important differences that need to be said. Kijiji is local only and it's free to list on. So paying extra for top ad placement is a bit more acceptable. Now that eBay is attempting this on top of their fees they have is just greedy at best.

Don't even get me started about how this makes eBay look to buyers when most of the first page will be China sellers no matter what. This could just be the nail in the coffin for eBay if their not careful.

[femmefan1946]

I agree that if the customer uses the default Best Match or even Lowest Price, that big-budget sellers (wherever they ship from) will be at the top of the page.

What happens when the more savvy customer chooses one of the other Searches, like Ending Soonest or Highest Price First?

[hlmacdon]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

I agree that if the customer uses the default Best Match or even Lowest Price, that big-budget sellers (wherever they ship from) will be at the top of the page.

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Yep, they will already have prime placement in which case spending money on an ad is a waste of money. Run of site ads like this even with prominent positioning are generally not that effective unless tied to an offer or new product. Sellers would be better off taking that ad buy money direct to price if it makes a difference positioning wise. Regardless it is more money for the coupon warchest.