Updates coming to eBay.com.au Discussion Boards

[michelleoz@ebay.com]

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing a number of changes to the eBay.com.au Discussion Boards.

What are the changes?

We’re introducing new ‘Rules of Engagement’ similar to the  eBay.com Community. You can review the new Rules of Engagement below.

We’ll also be making some changes to the current structure, aimed at simplifying the experience and ensuring the Discussion Boards are dedicated to eBay related discussion. These structural changes mean that the Community Spirit and Fun & Games Boards will move to Groups. Having said that, it’s important to understand that both Community Spirit and Fun & Games will still be Discussion Boards with the exact same functionality as exists right now.

Eventually, we’ll look at a ‘makeover’ of the platform which includes a responsive design for a better mobile experience, again similar to eBay.com.

The new structure is outlined in detail below.

Why?

We have an active group of users already using our discussion boards for engagement, education, insights, knowledge and friendship. We also have new users every day seeking guidance, clarity or help from experienced users and/or eBay.

By simplifying the structure and ensuring conversations are dedicated only to eBay related topics we hope to encourage more eBay members to visit and engage in conversation on the Discussion Boards. We’re also looking forward to using the Discussion Boards to better engage with hear from, educate and inform customers.

We’ve seen great results in the both the US and UK on the back of structural and/or engagement changes they’ve made so we’re taking those insights and introducing similar changes here.

Please feel free to ask questions and share your thoughts about these changes in this thread. I won't be posting every day but I will check back a few times a week.

Regards 

Michelle

[michelleoz@ebay.com]

Community Rules of Engagement

The eBay Community is a place where eBay Community members can connect, learn and share experiences and best practices with one another.  By participating in the eBay Community, you agree to act in accordance with these Community Guidelines as well as the Community Content Policy and the eBay User Agreement.  These principles exist to ensure that the Community continues to provide the support you need as you sell and buy on eBay. As a Community, we are committed to creating a useful, respectful, and enjoyable destination for all members.  

Most importantly, we hope you enjoy taking part in the Community and we're glad you're here!

Community Guidelines

1. Community is a peer to peer support community. While eBay employees will be on the discussion boards from time to time, the Community is not a dedicated customer service channel.  This is a peer-to-peer support community – inclusive of sellers, buyers and eBay employees. It is a place to get tips and advice from Community members.  If you require assistance directly from eBay Customer Support, please visit our Customer Support portal via the Help & Contact link.
2. Help keep the Community clean. It’s up to Community members to report inappropriate behaviour. If you see any offensive, abusive, or otherwise inappropriate content (including posts, pictures and videos), please use the “Report Inappropriate Content” link that is attached to the post or private message.  This will alert the moderators and they can look into the issue. We do ask that you only submit one report per post.  eBay will not discuss actions taken on a user with any other user. The reporting function is anonymous.
3. Only persons aged 18 or over may post to the Community boards, even in cases where the account is owned by an adult.  This is related to eBay’s Underage Users policy.
4. Be respectful.  Content that is harmful, hostile, threatening, abusive, baiting, vulgar, defamatory, harassing, or includes hate or racist speech, name calling, or profanity will be edited or removed.  More information regarding eBay’s guidelines about appropriate content can be found in both our Profanity policy and our Member-to-Member contact policy.
5. Spam. eBay does not allow spam to be posted to its discussion boards. Spam is an email (or part of an email) that is both unsolicited and commercial in nature. Unsolicited means the message was sent without the explicit request of the person who received it. Commercial means the message discusses buying, selling or trading of goods or services. More information regarding eBay’s guidelines about appropriate content can be found in both our Profanity policy and our Member-to-Member contact policy.
6. Do not post obscene, vulgar or pornographic content.  his includes media and text. 
7. Each of the discussion boards has a defined purpose, or topic. This is to help ensure that the discussion boards are a useful and productive forum for discussion about eBay. For example, the “Buying” and “Selling” boards are places where people can discuss tips and experiences surrounding those eBay activities.
8. Avoid duplicate, repetitive or disruptive threads and posts. Members should only post one thread per topic on the most relevant board for the issue or question.  Topics or posts that are duplicative or disruptive including the use of active code or JavaScript within posts that interfere with site operations may be removed without notice.
9. No naming and shaming. We will not tolerate posting member details or listing information for the purpose of shaming another member.  Additionally, a members’ ID or contact information may not be published.  Any posts containing such information will be edited or removed.  More information regarding eBay’s guidelines about appropriate content can be found in both our Profanity policy and our Member-to-Member contact policy.
10. Keep private interactions confidential.  We assume that email and private message content is intended only for the recipient(s).  Do not post the contents of private emails, private messages or chat transcripts, including the ones of the moderators or any other community member.
11. Messages posted to the eBay discussion boards are solely the opinion and responsibility of the person posting the message. eBay is not responsible for material posted by eBay members. You are solely responsible for the material you post.
12. Do not post copyrighted content without the permission of the copyright owner.  This includes posting images that depict persons without the permission of the depicted person.  Review the Copyrights, Trademarks and your Listing policy.
13. Do not discuss or post about moderation actions. Discussion of moderation actions, reposting of deleted posts or discussion of suspended or no longer registered members. It is not permitted to discuss or repost removed content. It is inappropriate to talk about others who are suspended from the community or eBay.
14. Do not advertise items, listings, services, or commercial websites, including offers to trade, "wanted" posts, or solicitations.  This is related to our Fee Circumvention policy. Members are not permitted to tell others to stop selling on eBay or to leave eBay for any reason to include naming or posting links to off-eBay sites, groups or forums, for more information, review the Avoiding eBay Fees Policy and the No Item Listing policy. 
15. Reporters and third party representatives need permission from the eBay Legal Department prior to posting or emailing members in their official capacity.  This rule helps assure that the eBay community is made aware if they are speaking to someone who is acting in a professional capacity, rather than as a fellow member.
16. Do not post or encourage posting that seeks to campaign or petition against eBay or its related services. This includes posting deliberately false, misleading or inaccurate information about eBay or its related services, material posted with the intent to impersonate eBay Staff or another member through the use of similar IDs or any other method or device.
17. Do not encourage others to breach eBay policies or the eBay User Agreement. It is against the spirit of the Community to suggest to other members that they do something that may be in breach of eBay policies. 

Behaviour contrary to these guidelines may result in temporary or permanent suspension of activity on the eBay Community platform. eBay reserves the right for itself and its moderators to edit or remove any thread, post, signature, image or video that we consider inappropriate or offensive to the Community.  Breaches of the eBay User Agreement these Community guidelines or any policy referenced above may result in warnings, board sanctions and/or suspensions from the site.  eBay reserves the right to remove any post without warning or further notice.   

[michelleoz@ebay.com]

New Discussion Boards Structure:

Rename ‘eBay news and information’ to ‘Inside eBay’, include:

• Seller Release (s) and Topical News 
• Technical Issues (for eBay technical issues)
• Chat with eBay staff (for regular eBay hosted discussions)
• Community Feedback

Rename ‘Trading on eBay’ to ‘Buying & Selling’, include:

• Buying
• Selling
• New to eBay
• Ask a member
• PowerSellers (with current requirements still in place)

Rename ‘Connect & Share’ to ‘Categories’, include:

• Clothing, Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
• Coins, Stamps, Collectables & Antiques
• Computers & Electronics
• Sports, Books, Movies & Music
• Motors

Community Spirit and Fun & Games will remain as discussion boards with all the existing discussion board functionality (and threads) but as they are discussions unrelated to buying or selling on eBay they will be moved to 'live' on the Groups page.

New boards and the renaming of categories will happen over the next two weeks. Boards that are being moved (Motors, Community Spirit and Fun & Games) will be moved in just over a month from now on 10 July 2017.

The existing Recent eBay News Board will be moved to Inside eBay next month, however, we will lock it from having any new threads created. Active threads will be moved to an appropriate board.

[*tippy*toes*]

---

michelleoz@ebay.com wrote:

Community Rules of Engagement

The eBay Community is a place where eBay Community members can connect, learn and share experiences and best practices with one another.  By participating in the eBay Community, you agree to act in accordance with these Community Guidelines as well as the Community Content Policy and the eBay User Agreement.  These principles exist to ensure that the Community continues to provide the support you need as you sell and buy on eBay. As a Community, we are committed to creating a useful, respectful, and enjoyable destination for all members.  

Most importantly, we hope you enjoy taking part in the Community and we're glad you're here!

Community Guidelines

1. Community is a peer to peer support community. While eBay employees will be on the discussion boards from time to time, the Community is not a dedicated customer service channel.  This is a peer-to-peer support community – inclusive of sellers, buyers and eBay employees. It is a place to get tips and advice from Community members.  If you require assistance directly from eBay Customer Support, please visit our Customer Support portal via the Help & Contact link.
2. Help keep the Community clean. It’s up to Community members to report inappropriate behaviour. If you see any offensive, abusive, or otherwise inappropriate content (including posts, pictures and videos), please use the “Report Inappropriate Content” link that is attached to the post or private message.  This will alert the moderators and they can look into the issue. We do ask that you only submit one report per post.  eBay will not discuss actions taken on a user with any other user. The reporting function is anonymous.
3. Only persons aged 18 or over may post to the Community boards, even in cases where the account is owned by an adult.  This is related to eBay’s Underage Users policy.
4. Be respectful.  Content that is harmful, hostile, threatening, abusive, baiting, vulgar, defamatory, harassing, or includes hate or racist speech, name calling, or profanity will be edited or removed.  More information regarding eBay’s guidelines about appropriate content can be found in both our Profanity policy and our Member-to-Member contact policy.
5. Spam. eBay does not allow spam to be posted to its discussion boards. Spam is an email (or part of an email) that is both unsolicited and commercial in nature. Unsolicited means the message was sent without the explicit request of the person who received it. Commercial means the message discusses buying, selling or trading of goods or services. More information regarding eBay’s guidelines about appropriate content can be found in both our Profanity policy and our Member-to-Member contact policy.
6. Do not post obscene, vulgar or pornographic content.  his includes media and text. 
7. Each of the discussion boards has a defined purpose, or topic. This is to help ensure that the discussion boards are a useful and productive forum for discussion about eBay. For example, the “Buying” and “Selling” boards are places where people can discuss tips and experiences surrounding those eBay activities.
8. Avoid duplicate, repetitive or disruptive threads and posts. Members should only post one thread per topic on the most relevant board for the issue or question.  Topics or posts that are duplicative or disruptive including the use of active code or JavaScript within posts that interfere with site operations may be removed without notice.
9. No naming and shaming. We will not tolerate posting member details or listing information for the purpose of shaming another member.  Additionally, a members’ ID or contact information may not be published.  Any posts containing such information will be edited or removed.  More information regarding eBay’s guidelines about appropriate content can be found in both our Profanity policy and our Member-to-Member contact policy.
10. Keep private interactions confidential.  We assume that email and private message content is intended only for the recipient(s).  Do not post the contents of private emails, private messages or chat transcripts, including the ones of the moderators or any other community member.
11. Messages posted to the eBay discussion boards are solely the opinion and responsibility of the person posting the message. eBay is not responsible for material posted by eBay members. You are solely responsible for the material you post.
12. Do not post copyrighted content without the permission of the copyright owner.  This includes posting images that depict persons without the permission of the depicted person.  Review the Copyrights, Trademarks and your Listing policy.
13. Do not discuss or post about moderation actions. Discussion of moderation actions, reposting of deleted posts or discussion of suspended or no longer registered members. It is not permitted to discuss or repost removed content. It is inappropriate to talk about others who are suspended from the community or eBay.
14. Do not advertise items, listings, services, or commercial websites, including offers to trade, "wanted" posts, or solicitations.  This is related to our Fee Circumvention policy. Members are not permitted to tell others to stop selling on eBay or to leave eBay for any reason to include naming or posting links to off-eBay sites, groups or forums, for more information, review the Avoiding eBay Fees Policy and the No Item Listing policy. 
15. Reporters and third party representatives need permission from the eBay Legal Department prior to posting or emailing members in their official capacity.  This rule helps assure that the eBay community is made aware if they are speaking to someone who is acting in a professional capacity, rather than as a fellow member.
16. Do not post or encourage posting that seeks to campaign or petition against eBay or its related services. This includes posting deliberately false, misleading or inaccurate information about eBay or its related services, material posted with the intent to impersonate eBay Staff or another member through the use of similar IDs or any other method or device.
17. Do not encourage others to breach eBay policies or the eBay User Agreement. It is against the spirit of the Community to suggest to other members that they do something that may be in breach of eBay policies. 

Behaviour contrary to these guidelines may result in temporary or permanent suspension of activity on the eBay Community platform. eBay reserves the right for itself and its moderators to edit or remove any thread, post, signature, image or video that we consider inappropriate or offensive to the Community.  Breaches of the eBay User Agreement these Community guidelines or any policy referenced above may result in warnings, board sanctions and/or suspensions from the site.  eBay reserves the right to remove any post without warning or further notice.   

---

Regarding point number 10, particularly the part I have highlighted green, private messages SHOULD be private from everyone, but they are not. Moderators should not be able to read private messages, yet they can and they do. If the moderators are allowed to read them, then they aren't really that private are they? I know I'm risking my membership in this forum by saying so, but it had to be said. Members are being forced to disguise their email address through eBay messages so they can talk to people in true privacy. It shouldn't have to be that way.

I like the sound of some of the other changes. I don't like the sound of it turning into the US site. Make the proposed changes, but leave the layout as it is. It's easy to navigate and new members can easily find what they want most of the time. The mobile site is easy to use. Only downside of the mobile version is all replies are to the OP, not the message/person you are replying to. 

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

Chat with eBay staff (for regular eBay hosted discussions)

This is should work well depending on one's definition of regular

[go-tazz]

Chat with eBay staff (for regular eBay hosted discussions)

That's been stated before and it's never happened in a similar vein as the UK and US boards,(eg:

there has never been a regular discussion by an eBay member that has lasted more than a few weeks).

Also I went to put a new message on last week and it took me through 3 separate steps to get the message

posted,(any "newbies" to the boards may give up before getting to the final step).

It was a simple one step procedure,so has it changed or was it a "glitch"?

Is that part of the new setup?

Technical Issues (for eBay technical issues)

Will that be looked at by eBay technical staff or just for members to respond too?

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

Spoiler

 just having a bit of a laugh here, please do not take this post seriously

---

k1ooo-slr-sales wrote:

Chat with eBay staff (for regular eBay hosted discussions)

This is should work well depending on one's definition of regular

---

at last . . . . . all those posters that have accused me and the other regulars of being eBay employees might finally get it right for a change if they post on an eBay hosted discussion!

Spoiler

example only, mickoz is a made up eBay employee, numpty is a made up eBay ID

<numpty> I haven't sold anything for a while and have a problem with the eBay fee on postage. After all, eBay don't provide the postage service so why should they get a fee?

<mickoz> the fee on postage has been in place for years now.  It means an even playing field for all sellers as many now see the benefit of offering free postage and incorporating the postage cost into their asking price.  Sellers can access postage discounts through using eBay postage labels to minimise the impact of the fee on postage.  Thanks for selling on eBay.

<numpty> you must work for eBay


just fell off my chair!

[lyndal1838]

I am surprised at how few members have noticed this thread and commented.

It just shows how quiet the boards have become in the evenings.

[maranock]

I hate the look of the .com boards. They are counter-intuative and hard to navigate. 

[padi*0409]

maranock, it never ceases to amaze me that eBay over the years has been hell-bent on fixing things that aren't broken in the first place. The boards as they are now work pretty well, sure there's a few things that could be improved (such as locking threads after 12 months or so) but to totally revamp the boards to the US model not only makes no sense, but I suspect will make them harder not easier to navigate as you have said.

I also suspect that a few of the regular reponders may well give up trying to help others, if that's the case them I hope that eBay will be employing CS reps that actually know their jobs to take up the plethora of questions that members are likely to be asking of them.

I also suspect that most of the regular responders are most certainly not in favour of the wholesale changes, but will eBay take any notice of them at all? I doubt it.................

slr posted a few links to the US boards on my thread on the selling boards, I'll post them here again so that our members can see the reaction by their members to it.

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Community-Platform-Feedback/bd-p/CommunityNews/page/3

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Community-Platform-Feedback/eBay-Boards-Going-Round-in-Design-Circles/m...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Community-Platform-Feedback/FIX-FOR-THIS-CHILDISH-MESS/m-p/26757005#M25...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Community-Platform-Feedback/WHEN-WILL-THE-quot-ENHANCEMENTS-quot-STOP-A...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Community-Platform-Feedback/Instead-of-coming-out-with-version-2/m-p/26...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Community-Platform-Feedback/Disenchantments-of-the-Community/m-p/267478...

Needless to say I am NOT in favour of these changes that it would appear are to be forced upon us.