Question
[begin rant]
Is there ANYTHING I can do to change an item's bid page??? The eBay stuff takes up the whole screen when you get there. My beautiful template with everything you ever wanted to know about the item (patting self on back) isn't visible unless they scroll down.
This is resulting in a rash of stupid questions from stupid buyers who didn't bother to see if there was more info on the item on that page. (I guess the right scroll bar is invisible to most people.)
I spent a lot of time and money getting my item template JUST RIGHT and it seems NOBODY is seeing it!!!!!!!
Short of upping my subscription level so I can get the small version of the eBay header, what can I do about this??
I am SO frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[end rant]
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Lisa
Answer
Lisa,
are you talking about a normal auction page where folks will bid on an item?
that page has always had the upper portion completely taken by eBay.
the only thing the "smaller header" does is help with the store front headers (I think)
If you are having customers who don't realize they have to scroll down then you really don't want them to bid on your stuff.
can you imagine how the end of auction stuff would pan out?
just be happy to know that 90% of the lookers are scrolling down.
Answer
The other thing to keep in mind is that when you are logged in and viewing your own auctions, the beginning stuff is MUCH deeper than it will be for your customers/potential buyers. Log out and then look at your auction.
Do you have a link for us to look? Maybe some folks here will have helpful ideas....
Answer
Tanya, I guess you're right - I wouldn't want those people as buyers. But I'm gonna go steal some source code from those beautiful stores, not to copy it but to see exactly how they did it. I have a few days before the next rash of new consignment contracts come in so I'll have time to play.
Goodworks, if you click on someone's name at the top of their post, the one in big blue letters like "ravenscroftceo" you'll be given some choices. One of them is to visit the person's homepage. In my case my homepage is my About Me page on eBay. It's fine; well, it's constantly being revised, but that's another subject. There's a big ole' link that says "See All of My Listings" or some such; then click on any item I'm offering and you'll see what I mean. If the potential buyer clicks on ANY of eBay's links in the top portion of the item bid page, they're taken to the BOTTOM of the page, completely bypassing my template.
Thanks, folks. I'll let you know what I figure out.
Lisa
Answer
Originally Posted by ravenscroftceo
...then click on any item I'm offering and you'll see what I mean. If the potential buyer clicks on ANY of eBay's links in the top portion of the item bid page, they're taken to the BOTTOM of the page, completely bypassing my template.
Lisa
I don't think you'll be able to get around that as long as you use your template and bypass all the sections that ebay would be pointing to with their links.
The gallery photo goes to the pic at the bottom. But obviously ebay's shipping info link won't go to your shipping info.
I guess I don't see it as such a big problem. If people end up at the bottom, they'll scroll up if they want to know more.
I think you'll have way more problems with people who won't bid because they've never heard of Kyozou and/or hate checkout systems...
We accept payment transactions via Kyozou Checkout only. At no time does Kyozou nor RavenscroftArt collect passwords or credit card information from you - it's all done with PayPal. Our checkout process is designed to notify RavenscroftArt when payment has been made and cleared. We accept credit cards among other methods - you'll get to choose when you check out.
I read this at least 5 times and didn't notice the mention of paypal until I pasted it here. I'm curious, why do you use Kyozou? And why don't you mention the 'other methods' in your auction?
Also in reading your auction I have to admit that I don't understand this: "Note: Many countries impose their own customs, duties, tariffs, taxes, etc. on items being shipped from a foreign country. I do not cover these costs for any of my United States customers." Why do you say this? Aren't you in the US? Aren't you aiming this at your NON-US buyers/customers? Color me confused.
I do like your basic idea of being a representative for artists works.
Elaine
Answer
I suggest dropping the duties, tariffs, etc. spiel.
Also the following:
If payment has not been received within 7 days of auction close, the item will be relisted and a report will be made to eBay. This report may cause eBay to cancel your buyer's account!
No good will come from threatening potential bidders. Keep your listings positive with nothing that could be considered negative.
Answer
Mandatory third party checkouts are also a turnoff. I don't want to be put in some unknowns data base. I know it's easier for a seller but why should I be required to do the sellers job by entering all the information?
I occassionally win one using them and simply bypass by going directly to Paypal and paying there.
Answer
Wow, you guys gave me some terrific feedback! I appreciate it very much.
I can certainly fix the references, elaborate on the payment methods, and delete the negatives. But since I've used Kyozou since my inception, um, I don't know anything about eBay's checkout procedures. It's not a problem to delete the Kyozou checkout process, so I'm going to go investigate eBay's procedures.
Keep that advice coming, folks! You have my undying gratitude!
Lisa
Answer
Originally Posted by maybe
...I know it's easier for a seller but why should I be required to do the sellers job by entering all the information?
What kind of information do you have to enter that you consider to be a seller's job? I need to know!
Thanks,
Lisa
Answer
Regarding your original concern, your auctions are set up like everyone elses. Buyers have to scroll down on all of them.
I do agree with Maybe; third party checkouts turn me off too.
What kind of information do you have to enter that you consider to be a seller's job? I need to know!
The problem is, I don't know what information Kyozou is going to want from me, what I have to fill out, or what they are going to do with it unless I bid.
And I wouldn't bid because at the minimum I would have to fill out my email address, my snail mail address, and paypal information and I won't give all that to a third party for someone elses convienence.
If it was a checkout system for your own webpage it would be different, but with eBay you will probably be better off sticking with what buyers are familiar with, and dare I say, trust.