topic Re: Your preference? in Buying

Your preference?

bridiestreasures4680 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:06:50 GMT

Which do you prefer Multi Variant or Individual listings with size stated in title?

Re: Your preference?

2012happychap — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:30:39 GMT

size in title helps

Re: Your preference?

bridiestreasures4680 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:33:19 GMT

Yep, for me when I'm buying I don't like multi variants. I just thought I would put it out there to hear others opinions.

Re: Your preference?

2012happychap — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:37:06 GMT

I prefer the pertinent info in the title, for example for vintage watches, not working in the title saves a lot of wasted time, for hats sizes also saves time

Re: Your preference?

amber-eyed-girl — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:42:18 GMT

Individual listings with size in the title.

with multivariants, it can be annoying to find the size you want is sold, but you see in the listing title

" shoes size 6 7 8" week after week after week...as the multivariant is relisted without the seller amending current stock in the title.

Re: Your preference?

digital*ghost — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 07:56:40 GMT

@amber-eyed-girl wrote:

with multivariants, it can be annoying to find the size you want is sold, but you see in the listing title

" shoes size 6 7 8" week after week after week...as the multivariant is relisted without the seller amending current stock in the title.

I never put sizes in the title when I listed multi-variants for that exact reason.

The names you give variations are fully searchable keywords, but they function a little differently to title keywords, in that if a variation is out of stock, it won't show in search results.

eg If I had a black dress in sizes 8-20, sizes stated in the variation names but not the title, and was out of stock of the 12, the listing wouldn't show up in a search for 'Black dress size 12'.

I usually refine by multiple specifics rather than use them in a keywords search, and I prefer variation listings if stock levels are maintained, individual listings if the items will only be available until the current amount sells.

Re: Your preference?

bridiestreasures4680 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 08:01:53 GMT

Thanks DG. I sell childrens clothes, to me, it is very frustrating to find clothes you want, go into the listing to find the size you want is sold out. Where as listings eg. Peppa Pig Size 3 and in quantity = 4 much easier than the other.

Re: Your preference?

bridiestreasures4680 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 08:02:41 GMT

Thanks Amber, some of the titles never get amended. Which is a pain.

Re: Your preference?

phorum_junkie* — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 01:15:57 GMT

If a seller has 100 of the same item in various colours, sleeve lengths, style of neckline and sizes it could use up an awful lot of their free listing quota for the month which means to keep the same number of listings they would end up having to pay fees for many of them if they listed individually. Would you really want to pay more just to save the few seconds it takes to see if the variant you want is available?

Re: Your preference?

putney32 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:07:27 GMT

once you have sold somethig from the listing you cannot change the title or descriptions......

Re: Your preference?

thecatspjs — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 05:08:19 GMT

IMO sellers spamming categories when I am searching by brand with multiple listings is frustrating when the only variation is size or color. Do one listing with variations please.

I don't mind a seller putting sizes in listing title, it takes but a couple of seconds to check if they have your size or a particular color in stock and it does not clutter up search results.

I thought it was against ebay policy to do multiple listings for the same item if there was no more than one variant. I thought there had to be least two variables to list individually.

Re: Your preference?

sonya0576 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 10:07:17 GMT

As a seller I prefer to use the multi variant listing for the exact reason put up above. It costs me less so in the long run it costs my buyers less.

BUT, with the increase in buyers using the ebay app on phones etc, it has led to a massive number of people sending messages asking what size the item is. I do not know if it is more difficult to look at options on a phone or not but it has led me to list each size seperately. The messages have cut down and my sales have gone up because of it so I guess it is what I will be sticking to.

Re: Your preference?

bridiestreasures4680 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 11:01:54 GMT

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply.

Re: Your preference?

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 05:56:18 GMT

Sonya, a lot of details when viewing an item on a mobile, or a "mobile device" such as a tablet, are simplified.

The eBay app is unreliable, and mobile view (active by default) restricts information to the bare minimum.

So it does make a difference to list individually for buyers using them 🙂

I have seen sellers both on .ebay.com.au and overseas who list garments and shoes separately, when there is only one variable.

If this is a policy violation, it should not be, with the increased use of mobiles and the app, it may be limiting sales to buyers who cannot see all of the description or options.

Re: Your preference?

sonya0576 — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 10:58:48 GMT

Thanks for that amber. I had assumed by listing different sizes in seperate listings it would make it easier, and with the amount of "mobile" customers nowadays I wonder how many buyers are put off when they view a multi variant listing.

Re: Your preference?

thecatspjs — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:25:37 GMT

Its pretty straightforward on a mobile app to select color and size.

I reckon the buyers that don't or won't take the time to make a selection are the ones that don't bother to read descriptions in anycase.

Never had any trouble buying from a mobile eBay indeed I would even venture to say that it has significantly less glitches than the ebay site when using internet explorer.

Re: Your preference?

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 15:19:40 GMT

Glad it works for you on the mobile platform you are using.

Buyers will be using a variety of software.

Having designed mobile apps myself, I know how difficult it is to test a new app, or updates, on every single mobile software release in popular use.

There are common eBay app problems noted, if you browse the boards or Google.

If you are having glitches with IE, update to the latest browser and add ebay.com.au to compatibility view. This solves most problems.

Addressing the question, anything that makes it simpler for the buyer to search, look and buy on any device, with a short attention span or otherwise, should be the seller's preference.

so Sonja, stick with what is working the best for you 🙂