Sellers - Stop using 'AI' nonsense for descriptions, you are losing sales....

[leon9503]

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 descision so I don't.

I want real descriptions of the item not made up ones by a machine!

I recently looked at some Lens filters and I was informed they were circular, obviously the pics weren't a clue....LOL. What I want to know is the condition of the glass, nothing else not that they are a great item to have in my kit....Yawn.

Technology is even making websites dumb.

[chixville2]

Ebay AI descriptions are actually word-stuffed sales pitches. If you walked in to a shop with someone talking to you like that, you may well just walk back out again, and that's what I do with these daft listings that waste your time because you cannot always rely on images alone for condition, sizing etc. They're really irritating, and I'm pleased to know I'm not the only ones who's bugged by them.

[heathdweller]

Absolutely agree and I no longer bother looking at AI generated posts because I know they won't have information I need.  The last one was a wordy description of a hat with dark trimmings, I had about 100 words of waffle, except important info like the colour and the size.  No more for me.

[heathdweller]

How did they mamage before???

[tallboy860]

i find AI descriptions so frustrating i just click away and look elsewhere. 

they dont tell you anything useful at all and if not careful can get you the seller in trouble! fo example stating "fully funvtional" for a 100 year old camera that shows issues lol. 

it makes the seller look lazy and stup..... sorry "unknowledgable" and thats not the sort of seller i want to buy from.

[modnation-controllers]

I buy alot of second hand games for Playstation console and i am sick of AI descriptions and i refuse to buy from sellers who use them.

They just fill the page with unwanted content that has no reflection of the condition of the item or if its complete with all the dics, manual and box. 

Its pure laziness from the seller to use AI to describe their item,

[theelench]

I can understand desperate sellers trying AI out hoping to get a sale.  But to me the laziness is that they obviously don't bother to read the fact-free waffle AI produces, or bother to add anything to it that the buyer might find useful.

I buy vintage glass, condition is everything but AI, because its limited to the words in the title and IS, never mentions condition at all.  Its useless.

It was touted by the CEO as the new "magical listing experience" on ebay, he was correct.

AbrAIcadabra  and  HAI-presto  --   buyers disappear as if by magic. 

[vintagechinashop]

I've used it but usually tweak the wording and add things or delete. I'm not sure if this has made a difference to my sales or not.  Some buyers don't even read the description so I'm not sure if it puts buyers off. I'd say use it but use it with caution. Make sure you read and edit it and then it can be helpful 

[leon9503]

Thank you all for contributing to the original post and so glad I'm not the only one, as others have said.

I will read all the replies and glad to see it's still actively being read and added to, so thanks.

Regards

[exponential_developments]

Seems to be becoming more common to read this guff, i am no deliberately not buying from anyone who uses it.

[kath3735_wxmjn]

was looking for a specific jigsaw on e bay, found one at the right price but only AI 'guff' on it so not a chance.  (also i usually on buy ones that have been made up so you can see the condition and that all pieces are there.  I prefer to buy from fellow jigsaw nuts rather than someone who buys to sell, most of us prefer to pass on decent ones that they have done themselves.  

[lucy_farmer]

 I used it once out of curiosity and the absolute guff it produced made me laugh so much I left it it in 😆

I left it there to fill up the empty space of my description when I knew absolutely nothing about the item; but I did point out to anybody reading my listing, that this was AI twaddle, and I'd left it there for a giggle!

(and it was absolute tosh ; AI knew even less about the object than I did.....)

[zocko123]

The AI listings are a cop out for people that are reluctant to accurately describe something as it really is, theres no comebacks then if the buyer isnt happy 

[a45heaven]

theres no comebacks then if the buyer isnt happy 

Surely the good olde ISNAD kicks in, returns go thru the roof, and feedbacks of the negative nature soar.

[theelench]

Not surprising really, ebays idea of "similar" items has been a bit of a joke for years.  Once in a while, when totally stumped about the price to put on an item I've clicked on "Research Prices" where, on the listing form ebay tells me that recent sold prices have averaged(?) £x, and the items are nothing like mine.

Ebay is always telling me that "people who viewed/ bought an item were also interested in a motley selection of irrelevant items.  Or, when I've viewed an item, shown me other 'similar' items which are nothing like it.  They're hopeless.

Yet, probably without understanding how hopeless they are they've now decided to take it a step further and actually try writing descriptions of stuff they don't understand.  They are computer nerds, led by money-men, I wonder if they could even identify a piece of Art Deco glass if they were asked to find it among a random selection of six pieces of glassware ?

It's often said that as ebay doesn't employ experts in anything, apart from running an on-line site, they don't know whether the buyer or seller is telling the truth in a dispute.  One reason they usually side with the buyer in such cases.

I've read some of the AI waffle when looking to buy a piece of glass and it puts me right off.  It shows a complete lack of knowledge of the item, avoids all mention of condition and lowers my expectation of the seller. 

E.G. I was looking at a Celery Vase from an ebay seller on Google Shopping earlier today.  A.I description, no measurements and a P&P charge of £3.50 (a small parcel).  The vase is about 8 inches tall and at least 6 inches in diameter at its widest.  It won't even fit into a small parcel without packaging, let alone with any.  To me that means it'll be smashed in transit or there could be trouble when the seller asks for extra postage.  My reaction  --  don't touch it with a barge-pole.

[tommystrezures]

@theelench  Just asked ebay AI to write you a description on your Barge Pole, in the boat part accessories..... here it is!! Item title was "would not touch with a barge pole..... "

"This item is not something I would touch with a barge pole. It is a vehicle part that is essential for boats, but I would not get my hands on it unless I had to. The reason for this is that it is highly offensive to me, and I do not want to be around it. If you are looking for a reliable and efficient accessory for your boat, then this item is perfect for you. It is made from high-quality materials and is designed to withstand the rigours of all types of weather conditions. However, if you are someone who is easily offended by unpleasant smells and messy surroundings, then this item is definitely not for you."

😂😂

[bojangled]

There has been a couple of posts on the forum this week, from private sellers with INAD having used AI. 
It's been pointed out by mentors that AI has done the damage.

AI is only as good as data and input it receives, atm I'm not impressed with the offerings on here, seems half hearted, and repetitive on every listing that uses it. I've tried adding numerous item specifics, churns out the same nonsense. 

'Don't miss out on your chance to own this piece of memorabilia today.'

[theelench]

In Art Deco glass the AI's must-use phrase seems to be  "a stunning addition to any collection".  Often used in the first sentence. 

I sometimes wonder if it'll re-invent "L@@k!!!!!"

[theelench]

Amazing!!

And all done without mentioning one single fact.

Not having much idea about essential parts for boats, apart from it being quite long and possibly malodorous, I still know nothing about it 😀 

[a45heaven]

The Item Specific episode about a year back was sold to us as an improvement to the Search Function ( another 'having a laff' exercise).

As you said AI is variable in performance, and maybe ebay powered AI is lacking, as are most functions of the platform, compared to other entities?

[theelench]

I might give it a try with a Bagley vase at the week end, many are catalogued by place names which might confuse it a little.  

(As an aside, IS and the apparently necessary removal of most old categories for IS to work as intended is doing fine.  It's buried anything vintage under a mountain of new tat.  Ensuring that it won't sell without added sponsorship fees to ebay, if at all.  Job Done, it's working perfectly.)