Promoted Listings - Corrupt - Sellers Misled

[classicsiderailhinges]

I recently selected a few of my listings for standard promotion - extra fee on sales in return for moving listings up in search results. I'm more than disappointed.

Prior to promoting the items I searched Ebay using two seperate terms to see where one of my items appeared in the search results. One search term produced a result of 47th, and the other 37th in the list of results. I did the same searches following promoting the items and got the same results. H'mm.

Contacted Ebay and had an online chat with an agent to advise my dissatisfaction. During the chat my listings mysteriously moved to the top of the search results. H'mm?

Searches the next morning saw the listing still well up in the search results (5th & 7th), but to check the consistency of these results I logged out of my account and in to another account that I have access to and conducted the same two searches. Imagine my surprise when my listing appeared 46th and 43rd in the results!

Contacted Ebay and arranged a call back from an agent. The agent was unable to explain the discrepancy in the results to me, he even did a search using his own account and got the same 46th and 43rd result. The agent attempted to give me the usual algorithm clap trap as an explaination, but I wasn't having that. I'm awaiting a call back regarding the matter.

So, what's going on here? Is Ebay deliberately misleading sellers? It would seem so. I know that Ebay is a poor reflection of its former self these days, but to have their systems set up to deliberately mislead sellers is nothing but dishonest and corrupt behaviour. When even their agents don't find their actions transparent what hope does the average seller have?

The promoted listings option would appear to be nothing more than a cynical move by Ebay to ratchet up their income from sales while providing nothing to sellers in return.

[lezned-toycollector]

There are more things to consider than just the fact that you promoted your listings.

For example... are you a top rated seller... is your account in good standing... are you a new seller (i.e. do holds apply to your payments)... how many other sellers have promoted their listings... are they top rated sellers... have your sales increased since promoting your listings

Personally, my overall sales volume is up by 35-40% when my listings are promoted. I couldn't give a rat's where they show up in a search - as long as I see the increased sales numbers, the promotion is doing its job.

[classicsiderailhinges]

I'm not a top rated seller as I don't have enough listings to qualify these days, BUT I've been a seller for over 20 years and have 100% positive feedback. I've seen no increase in sales. Happy that you believe that promoted listings is working for you, but your reply doesn't answer my concerns. You seem more interested in having a shot at me?

[*casey*]

"Imagine my surprise when my listing appeared 46th and 43rd in the results!"

 "The agent attempted to give me the usual algorithm clap trap as an explaination"

It  also depends on what you're selling and if you're competing with Chinese sellers who  have dozens of  accounts.

Did you check to see   how many  were Chinese sellers who have lied and cheated their way to the top of a search page ?

Have a look at this thread:

https://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Selling/chinese-seller-spam/m-p/2612109

[lezned-toycollector]

I see no feedback on your account for over 90 days - although it does show 1 within the past month. Based on that information, you are a new seller - which is why I asked.

Your listings will obviously appear below promoted listings of the same promotional rate from top rated sellers, and established sellers... and of course any listings with a higher promotional rate.

Again, where they appear in the search is totally irrelevant. The point of promoting listings isn't to raise them up the search results, but rather to increase your sales. If this is happening, there's no issue. If it isn't, then stop promoting as it's not working for you.

[classicsiderailhinges]

I've been an Ebay member since 25/6/02, ie. about 6 years longer than you. During that time I've made 3,600 sales on Ebay. This information is publicly available on Ebay, I'm sorry if you're incapable of finding it to satisfy your own curiosity. I've recently been away for about 6 weeks during which time my items weren't offered to buyers.

You have again failed to grasp and address the point that I've raised. I don't feel the need to explain myself to you and, if you have nothing to contribute on the issue other than the negative, undermining and derogatory stuff you've come up with so far I'd be grateful if  you could refrain from further comment. Thanks.

[classicsiderailhinges]

I agree that China based sellers have totally corrupted Ebay Australia and, yes I am competing directly against them. However, that doesn't explain why, when I search for products that I sell using my Ebay account my product listings appear in the first few entries, but when I use another entity (different user account) my product listings appear way down in the results. I'm beginning to believe that the only explanation is that Ebay have set up the search results when I use my own account to deceive me in to believing that they are promoting my listings in the search results for all potential buyers.

[lezned-toycollector]

I have not posted one single thing which is negative, undermining or derogatory. Nor have I failed to grasp and address your point.  In fact, grasping and addressing your point is exactly what I have done.

You wanted to know why your listings appear down the order, and I told you some of the possible reasons. I also told you that the purpose of promoting your listings is to generate increased sales, rather than getting your listings to jump up higher in the search results.

I apologise if the truth offends you, or I'm not telling you exactly what you want to hear.

Since you don't seem to believe me, here's a screen shot of your feedback page. It clearly shows nothing within the last 90 days. This is why I said it shows nothing within the last 90 days - because that's exactly what it shows.

As you should already be aware, the length of time you've been a member has absolutely nothing to do with being regarded by eBay as a new or infrequent seller.... and FYI, I actually opened my eBay account prior to you - just saying 😉

This is my last post on this thread, so don't bother replying. I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

 

[classicsiderailhinges]

Back to the point. I've now had 3 discussions with an agent at Ebay regarding my concerns. He promised to ring me back this afternoon, I haven't heard from him. He grasped what my complaint is, but was unable to explain why the search results from my account are so different to the result from the account of other users. He did assure me that he would get me an answer. We shall see.

[twyngwyn]

yes, a giant race to the bottom.....if we all pay for 'promotions' on our listings....what then?

I refuse to do it