2009 August 13

New eBay Layout Angers Buyers & Sellers

August 13th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Dear eBay Queen;

I’ve read your column for quite awhile now, and I remember you giving the advice to include lots of photos in your listings. I am primarily a buyer, selling only a couple of things on eBay; I really like photos in the eBay ads. I’ve noticed a lot of auctions lately that are just including one photo – the gallery photo at the top of the auction listing, and no photos in the auction description. Most of these auctions also have very little text in the description.

Is there a reason for this? Is it the new page format, or listing process? Maybe it’s just the items I’m viewing. I find it quite annoying to click on an auction to check out an item and find only one photo. I find myself quickly leaving that auction and continuing on my search.

Have you noticed this also, or am I just too picky? Perhaps you could share with your readers that conforming to the ways the internet (only one photo) is not good. I know I am not the only eBay buyer that likes multiple photos in the listings, right?

Glassman67

Dear Glassman;

I have also noticed this disturbing trend, I’m not sure that it’s the seller’s fault though. eBay has been working on a new design change for quite awhile now. http://pages.ebay.com/sell/newitempage/ I don’t like the new item page, and one of the reasons is what they’ve done to the photos. eBay was trying to create a smoother, more simple look to the item pages.

If you would like more photos or a more detailed description, use can always you the “ask the seller a question” button, and let them know you need more information before you buy their item. I would also contact eBay, and let them know by taking the photos out of the ad and moving them to the top of the item page, they are making the buying experience challenging for you.

Dear eBay Queen;

I received this email the other day. It made me really curious, and part of me wants to respond. I don’t know if it’s real, and what exactly are they selling? It came in on my eBay email account. Here’s the email:

Greetings to you,

I am aware that the Internet has become very unsafe, but considering the situation I have no option other than to seek for foreign partnership through this medium.

For security reasons, I will not disclose my Identity until I am fully convinced you are the right person for this business deal. I have access to very vital information that can be used to move a huge amount of money to a secured account outside United Kingdom.

We can meet in any of these locations Dubai, Spain, UK, Canada. or South Africa. Full details /modalities will be disclosed on your expression of Interest to partner with me.

I am open for negotiation; importantly the funds to be transferred have nothing to do with drugs, terrorism or money laundering.

Thanks for your anticipated corporation.

Martel Paul

They don’t say exactly how much money is involved; do you think I should contact them back?

Mike; Ottawa

Dear Mike;

This is one of those Nigerian email scams, or something like it. What happens in these types of emails is a wealthy foreign person needs some kind of help moving millions of dollars from his homeland. He promises you a large percentage of his fortune has a reward for helping him. If you agree to help him, he will send you paperwork, and once it is sent in, it will be “delayed”. The scammer will ask you for money to get the paperwork you filled out, moving through the proper channels. All of the scamming will be done with money orders or Western Union. For more information on this scam go here: http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm

I get a couple of these a day, and I usually just delete them.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 290334168983 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). It’s back to school time! Have you ever wanted your own school bus? Check this one out. SOLD:$9750.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290334168983

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.