OH AI SAY
eBay makes big AI change to its app leaving buyers and sellers baffled
Read on to find out what the change could mean for you
EBAY has made a huge change to the way customers list items using its app which will affect buyers and sellers.
The secondhand platform has introduced a feature that uses AI to create a listing description for you.
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To use it simply click “use AI description”.
It will generate text describing your item, which you can then make edits to or use as inspiration to write your own listing.
Ebay said the feature will make it quick and easy to list items, which will help you save time and sell items faster.
But sellers in the eBay community have complained that they are struggling to opt out of the feature and control what buyers may be shown when looking at their items.
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Others have said that they can only see the AI summaries on some items but not others.
The change has prompted fears that items could be listed incorrectly, which could lead to an increase in demands for returns or refunds.
One buyer said: “I would like to know if anyone knows if there’s an opt out because it can make some listings challenging if working on phone!”
Another said: “On the app, some of my listings now have the description highlights summarized with ebay.ai with a paragraph they created, then the link to See Full Descriptions.
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“Not all of my listings have this (maybe just the newer ones??) Is there a way for me to turn this off or opt out?”
Users also raised concerns about AI descriptions when they were first phased in last year.
One said: “Sellers - stop using ‘AI’ nonsense for descriptions, you are losing sales….
“It might seem an easy option but I won't buy from sellers who use the lazy option for descriptions, it's sometimes completely wrong or just nonsense and does not tell me want I want to know to make a buying decision so I don't.
“I want real descriptions of the item not made up ones by a machine!”
Ebay was approached for comment.
How to spot valuable items
COMMENTS by Consumer Editor, Alice Grahns:
It’s easy to check if items in your attic are valuable.
As a first step, go on eBay to check what other similar pieces, if not the same, have sold for recently.
Simply search for your item, filter by “sold listings” and toggle by the highest value.
This will give you an idea of how much others are willing to pay for it.
The method can be used for everything ranging from rare coins and notes to stamps, old toys, books and vinyl records - just to mention a few examples.
For coins, online tools from change experts like Coin Hunter are also helpful to see how much it could be worth.
Plus, you can refer to Change Checker’s latest scarcity index update to see which coins are topping the charts.
For especially valuable items, you may want to enlist the help of experts or auction houses.
Do your research first though and be aware of any fees for evaluating your stuff.
As a rule of thumb, rarity and condition are key factors in determining the value of any item.
You’re never guaranteed to make a mint, however.
What other changes has eBay introduced?
The sell with AI feature is the latest update in a series of changes eBay has introduced.
Last month the secondhand platform updated its delivery options for all its buyers and sellers.
From April 15 private sellers on eBay can only list items on the platform using the Simple Delivery shipping method.
The change meant that sellers can no longer arrange their own shipping and must pay for the item to be delivered via eBay.
The update made it harder for sellers to choose the courier they want to use to deliver items to their buyer.
The service was also applied to eligible listings from April 7.
But last week eBay made a major change to the policy, just days after it was introduced.
The secondhand website quietly updated its terms to allow items under £10 in some sub categories to retain the custom postage option.
Previously there were few exemptions, including for Authenticity Guarantee, bulky objects and items that are £10 or under that weigh 100g or less.
The secondhand website has since expanded its exemptions.
A page on its website reads: “Simple Delivery will be optional for items priced £10 and under, letter-sized, and in certain sub-categories within the following areas.”
The list includes more than 30 categories including antiques, books, cameras, coins, furniture and stamps.
Simple Delivery also changed when sellers receive their profit after they have posted an item.
For tracked deliveries, funds are released two days after the carrier confirms delivery.
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If there is no successful delivery scan then the funds are available eight days after the order date as long as the item was shipped within three days.
If not, it defaults to 14 days.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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