Question
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/marketing.shtml
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Update on Upcoming Changes to the Movies & Music Categories
Date: 03/12/04 Time: 08:55:45 AM PST
Within the next few days, eBay will simplify the category structure in the Movies & Music categories by replacing the lower levels of the existing category structure with Item Specifics. These changes were previously announced at the beginning of February.
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.
In turn, sellers who use Item Specifics see higher sell-through rates than those who do not use them. By removing sub-categories that overlap with Item Specifics, sellers will not need to choose the same information twice. (While Item Specifics are not required, listings that do not use Item Specifics will not appear to buyers who use the Product Finder.)
These changes will occur at the same time the Music, Movies, and Video Games categories will be made into their own top-level categories, accessible from the home page (www.ebay.com) and the SYI form.
There are two ways to select item specifics when listing an item in Movies & Music:
Listing with Pre-Filled Item Information automatically populates most Item Specifics. Sellers will still need to select the "Condition" Item Specific (i.e. New/Used) to better assist buyers in finding products. More information about Pre-Filled Item Information can be found by clicking here.
Manually selecting Item Specifics in the Sell Your Item or other listing process.
For More Information:
For further information on how to list with Pre-filled Item Information and/or Item Specifics through eBay Seller Tools, click on the appropriate link below:
Using Pre-Filled Item Information and Item Specifics with Turbo Lister
Using Pre-Filled Item Information with Seller's Assistant Pro
Using Item Specifics with Seller's Assistant Pro
For developers using eBay APIs, go to eBay's Developer site, select "API Documentation" and search by "Item Specifics" or "Pre-Filled Item Information" for full details on API implementation.
If you are using an eBay Preferred Solution Provider (PSP) or other 3rd party listing tool, please contact them to understand how to list with Item Specifics.
Details regarding Item Specifics and these category changes will be discussed in the Entertainment Webinar on March 25th. Sign up today - space is limited.
Regards,
eBay <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Link to the Entertainment Webinar discussion (web conference call) : http://www.ebay.com/booksandentertainment/
Blanche
Answer
I guess it may be easier to start listing which categories are not using item specifics.
Have there been any studies regarding how sales are doing in item specific categories versus before?
Answer
I know of one seller who was doing steady business in one of his products and the day the subcategories went away in favor of item specifics - sales stopped. Not slowed, not declined, STOPPED.
I am NOT looking forward to them coming to my categories.. if they're as bad updating Item Specifics for new lines as they were adding subcategories it'll be a bloody nightmare to deal with.
*shudder*
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I list at many different sites : My Ebay Storefront and My Ioffer Storefront
Or perhaps you'd prefer to visit SYI Listings and finally My Website
Answer
Has anyone seen any evidence that item specifics have enhanced any form of sales in any category on Ebay?
Can anyone give a link to a testimonial of a buyer that indicates that they want it, they use it and that it works properly for them, provided that the reason for them liking item specifics is beyond them causing a downward trend in price or competition?
Who here at here does or knows buyers that use (by preference) item specifics when buying?
I have sought positive opinions on item specifics here for some time, but gotten very little, whereas most areas of Ebay changes and policies get varying levels of support from here users (even policies that drive down prices by their very nature have been supported here as being correct market forces). The few positive comments I have received, have been qualified by the feeling that the specifics are faulty, through either insufficient/incomplete options or areas of innappropriate options.
Kind Regards, Kevin