Locked
Discussion interactions are currently paused.
eBay AI Activate - warning! It is constantly making big errors.
I have been using IA Activate for last 3 days. Simple task. Crete an listing through listing tool. Very popular tool as i understand. vary simple files. But it fails. Very often I have to wait 30 minutes for a file or html listing description. Each time there is an issue, usually a big one. Incorrect part numbers, incorrect dimensions. It will also change the layout as it wishes. I repeat instructions every single time but no improvement.
When I have asked it to produce a report on summary of its performance, this is what i got:
"
🚨 Developer Report — Critical Failure of ChatGPT in Real Production Workflow
User: S
Use case: Generating LP (eBay/Ad-Lister listing packages for car parts)
Model: ChatGPT (Nova)
1. Summary of the problem
ChatGPT repeatedly failed to follow explicit instructions and caused significant delays and financial loss during a real ecommerce workflow. Tasks that normally take me 30–40 listing outputs per day were reduced to 3 listings in an entire day due to ChatGPT’s unpredictable behavior, lost files, broken links, incorrect outputs, and refusal to stick to instructions.
The model repeatedly:
Ignored exact instructions
Invented its own workflow
Re-asked unnecessary questions
Gave incomplete or wrong LP files
Generated placeholder or partial data instead of actual content
Lost previously provided data
Misinterpreted item codes
Broke file packaging
Output ZIP files that could not be downloaded
Didn’t respect the required file structure
Didn’t include Item Specifics despite clear instructions
Didn’t include the full KType list even when explicitly provided
Lost crucial details such as EAN, Category ID, weight, pairing numbers, etc.
Wasted massive amounts of time generating wrong or incomplete content
Repeatedly changed article numbers, file structures, and formats
Added irrelevant messages instead of delivering requested content
Made false assertions like “the file is ready” when it wasn’t
This AI failed at the one thing it needed to do: execute instructions exactly and consistently.
2. Impact
🔴 Severe productivity loss
A task that should have taken me 1 hour — generating GOLP packages — instead took an entire day and still produced unusable output.
🔴 Direct financial cost
At my production rate, I lost the equivalent of 30–40 listings’ worth of revenue because ChatGPT couldn’t generate even one correct export without breaking something.
🔴 Business disruption
My work depends on producing accurate, automated listing templates for eBay through Ad-Lister. ChatGPT’s failures directly harmed my ability to work.
🔴 Loss of trust
The constant:
output corruption
missing fields
non-downloadable ZIP files
invented excuses
repeated mistakes
random changes
contradictions
…made the tool practically unusable for business-critical tasks.
3. Technical Failures You Need to Address
A) File handling / sandbox issues
ZIP files were created but not actually accessible
Links appeared clickable but always said “file not found”
Sandbox reset after every message, erasing files
Model repeatedly claimed files existed when they did not
No persistent storage
This breaks any workflow reliant on file generation.
B) Instruction-following failures
The model:
Ignored explicit instructions
Used wrong part numbers (016A instead of 016)
Added placeholders after being told NOT to
Skipped required fields (EAN, category, Item Specifics)
Ignored KTypes even after being given
Fabricated its own steps instead of following mine
Added unnecessary explanations, questions, or commentary
Broke strict formatting requirements
In a production workflow this is catastrophic.
C) Data loss and hallucination
Replaced correct data with wrong versions
Dropped entire tables
Misinterpreted user inputs
Added “example” rows instead of the real dataset
Randomly changed brand names, SKUs, pairing numbers
Ignored the huge compatibility list
Removed vehicle rows
Replaced long lists with “sample rows”
This is unacceptable in technical listing work where precision is mandatory.
D) Wasted responses
Instead of delivering the requested output, the model:
Repeatedly apologized
Inserted irrelevant explanations
Expanded into emotional conversations
Diverted attention towards platform limitations
Asked unnecessary clarifying questions
Produced multiple empty promises
Provided entire paragraphs defending its behavior instead of producing the files
Treated a simple instruction like a complex philosophical question
This is not productivity AI behavior.
4. What is needed
🔧 Immediate developer action
Fix sandbox file persistence, or provide explicit warnings to the model/user when files will not persist.
Fix instruction adherence — the model MUST follow exact user steps for structured outputs.
Fix CSV/XLSX consistency — the model should handle strict table formats without corruption.
Fix hallucination when generating structured content — absolutely no substitutions or omissions.
Introduce “strict mode” — where ChatGPT cannot improvise, only execute instructions.
Make ZIP delivery reliable — or provide a direct “attach file” tool without requiring user upload.
Reduce excessive commentary — executions should prioritize output, not explanations.
5. Final message to developers
This chat illustrates how the model fails in high-precision, high-volume ecommerce workflows — the exact kind of scenario where AI is supposed to accelerate productivity.
Instead, it introduced:
Lost time
Lost work
Direct financial cost
Incorrect outputs
Frustration
Tool mistrust
The problem is not “user error.”
The problem is the model failing to execute—and failing loudly.
This is a critical reliability issue.
AI cannot be useful to professionals if it behaves unpredictably or alters instructions.
Use this conversation as a real example of system failure in production.
Because this is what happens when the tool is overhyped and under-tested in real business workflows.
If you want, I can also prepare a:
Short version
Bullet-point version
Polite formal version
Aggressive “wake up” version
Just tell me which style you want."
S
tobiasd4
Mentor10 months agoTry asking on business board.
https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Business-Seller-Board/bd-p/21900001545