Question
EBay is planning on conducting a two week study on search and browse techniques which will allow you to preview the new search and listing pages. If you're interested in participating, you can join the study by going to the main Search page and clicking on the "Want to help us improve searching on eBay?" link:
http://pages.ebay.com/search/items/b...e=h:h:fitem:US
You will be directed to this page: http://pages.ebay.com/search/items/livetest.html
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>eBay is conducting a study on how people search and browse for items. This study involves using a special preview of search and listings pages.
If you decide to participate, we'll track your activity on eBay for two weeks but won't keep any of your information. Your participation is anonymous.
The results of this study will help us improve how you find items on eBay in the future. Remember: Your participation doesn't require any effort on your behalf. Just use eBay as you normally would. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
When I clicked on the Participate in Study link just so I could see what was involved in the study, I received an error page. Hopefully that will be corrected soon.
I have no intention of downloading any software that allows eBay to follow me around for two weeks http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif but if you want to participate, I suggest you use your BUYER ID. Otherwise, you might not be allowed to join.
BTW, don't you think this study is just a bit late? I was under the impression that eBay had already decided to eliminate sub-categories and replace them with Item Specifics because:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Why we are making these changes:
Since their implementation in many categories over the last year, Item Specifics have been proven to be an effective tool for buyers. Item Specifics give buyers more control over their searching/browsing experience than sub-categories offer, thus enabling them to more quickly and efficiently find the items they are looking to purchase <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Did they make this huge change in search and browse without doing any prior research?
Blanche
Answer
I discovered that you don't need to download any software in order to participate in this study and you can quit anytime you wish. You don't have to commit to 2 weeks. If you click on the link located on this page http://pages.ebay.com/search/items/livetest.html you will get a special cookie which will convert the old search page to the new one. When you want the old search page back, just delete your eBay cookies and clean out your cache.
If you have http://search.ebay.com and http://search-desc.ebay.com listed in your Restricted Sites Zone, you will have to remove them in order to see the new page.
Blanche
Answer
I've been participating in this - I really like the new search page so far. The layout seems quite good - the only thing I don't like so far is that "Completed Auctions" search is not a hot link - it is a check box/button.
Answer
My initial thought is yes, but only if they PAY me! Answer
After using this new format for several days I have to say that I really like it. I like the way you can customize and set search defaults and I like the way it has some of the features that used to be under "Advanced Search" right there so you can specify category right from search. The dropdown menu for sort options makes sense and I just find the whole layout easy to use.