a.i. descriptions are rubbish

[mr.mxyzptlk99]

So 'A.I' (so-called artificial intelligence) has found its way into ebay listings - but it's rubbish! It tells you nothing about the condition of an item, or its function - it just puts together a load of waffle based on the item specifics. Nothing 'intellegent' about it at all - just a quick fix for lazy sellers!

[portsi33]

Totally agree with that statement,  I buy a lot of coins over 3 or 4 different ebay sites and I find the AI descriptions utter nonsense any mistake made by the seller is amplified by the AI, this coupled with the poor photographs of some items and vague replies from sellers makes me wonder who buys these's items.

From my point of view as a buyer the condition part of the description should be compulsory and not left blank as in most listings,  Circulated or Uncirculated, New or Used etc.

I don't think sellers are doing themselves any favours using AI particularly with coins, and you're right it's laziness.

[martin_katscan]

It's so ironic that the AI description completely go against the guidelines eBay themselves set for how sellers should write descriptions.

There's no useful detail, no specifics of condition etc.

I'm willing to bet they are worse than useless and are actually counter productive and harmful to sales.

I buy and sell a lot of secondhand music and music production equipment, where details and condition are really important.

Whenever I click on a listing and immediately clock one of these pointlessly vague AI descriptions I actively avoid the listing.

To me it's as much of a turn off as one of those listings that has uses someone else's existing photos and description without any edits.

I definitely wouldn't ever use an AI description in one of my listings either.

[toomanyparrots4]

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@martin_katscan wrote:

To me it's as much of a turn off as one of those listings that has uses someone else's existing photos and description without any edits.

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Those are the same person with multiple accounts, usually Chinese.

[stevenseagalisking]

Agreed. Embarrassingly awful. Absolute waffle that tells you nothing about the actual item for sale. Therefore it's not even accurate to call it a "description ". It doesn't describe the item. This is just a very sad admission that mankind is slowly dying out! 

[jonno_tt]

 How is this marked as solved?  How do we escalate this - to remove or improve the feature?

I agree the AI description feature is ridiculous to the point where it renders the description completely useless. It's frustrating for buyers and causes some fundamental problems with the function of buying and selling. As a buyer the AI description does not provide any useful information to attract interest in the listing. In my experience it actually deters potential buyers due to the lack of critical information and perceived laziness of the seller.   Another example of companies jumping on the AI 'bandwagon' without thinking about it.

To make the feature useful, it would need some guided questioning to prompt the seller to add useful information to attract buyers instead of the flowery but utterly meaningless story telling that we currently see.   

[toomanyparrots4]

You can contact Ebay directly and make suggestions, but they never listen.  They've still to fix the bug of a long address line not getting printed completely on a postage label, which I reported to them months ago.  Fine if it ends in Pa instead of Park, but if the end of the line is a number....

[iluvneighbours]

I used to use the sadly defunct Turbolister. For all it's flaws - it could be unstable at time - it was very tight when it came to ensuring certain details were entered before a listing could be uploaded.

[scorpza]

Absolutely couldn't agree more, the description forms part of the sale and therefore agreement, and a description of the goods must  e accurate and descriptive and in the sellers own words that then form part of a contract and agreement between the seller and the buyer, so i just bought something that was inaccurately described by ai, the item had been sold as used but was used and a repair attempted, ie motorbike levers bent then bent back, making them weaker, i could have done this myself but the seller enployed ai which waffled on about a whole lot of sales talk. And can ebay be contacted about it, nah.

[sp834]

When I list an item I now state "This description was written without AI so it's accurate" lf we take the easy way out and let AI write it it increases the likelihood of false statements being included in the description. This will lead to increased returns and bad feedback.

[ntpntp]

Yes the AI descriptions are absolute garbage.  If I see this in a listing it very much puts me off bidding on the item if I need to spend time messaging the seller to ask for info that's actualy relevant and useful which they should have put in the listing in the first place.
One of the worst ideas ebay have introduced I'm afraid.

[haroldycaroldy]

and that it would enhance every home...

[philnikhan]

I like that 🙏🏻 going to copy and paste that 

[sp834]

Hi, thanks to all who liked my post. Just to develop it a little further I think that eBay should withdraw the AI description option for used items, the AI version of a description should only apply to items listed as "new" Used items will vary by so many factors it must be left to us accurately to describe them.

[zepp2010]

Excellent suggestion. Can't see eBay listening but still a logical and intelligent comment.

[nexbfd]

Ebay need to put this to the public - would you rather have AI descriptions, or seller description even if it is sparse or missing completely. Because I would rather the latter.
The problem with AI descriptions is that it could easily misrepresent the product. I would literally rather have no information than information that could be erroneous.

[poldice3]

Agreed. I despise the guff it churns out which contributes nothing meaningful. I am actually discouraged from buying an item "described" by A.I. as not only am I not better informed about it I also lack faith on a seller who lacks the ability to string a few of their own words together in a credible way. And for my part, in my selling, I can not be substituted by a computer algorithm.

[ampeacock]

My answer is simple: I do not buy from sellers who who can’t be bothered to
put in a decent description either. If you want to sell your item/product
take the trouble to write a meaningful description. It doesn’t have to be
an essay. Just describe what you are selling honestly and accurately. If
you can’t sell your item, it’s not my problem. It’s yours.

[joelonsdale]

I would say that is WORSE than rubbish, it is actually deceptive and deprives the buyer of a key part of the buying information they use to inform a purchase. I'm a musician and if I want to buy a guitar from eBay, I want to read about the guitar from a practical perspective, not a marketing perpective. I want to know details about the history and condition, I want to know how long the seller has had it, and I want to make judgements abbout the honesty and standard of knowledge of the seller from how they write and what information they offer - the AI hides this behind a layer of BS.

For instance, there is currently a bass guitar for sale for well below market value and the "full description" says:

"This Fender Jazz Bass Guitar is a must-have for any serious musician. With its sleek design and powerful sound, it is sure to impress on stage or in the studio. Crafted in the USA, this bass guitar is made with the highest quality materials and built to last. The brand's reputation speaks for itself and this instrument is no exception.  Ideal for those who want to take their bass playing to the next level, this Fender Jazz Bass Guitar is perfect for professionals and beginners alike. Whether you're looking for a new addition to your collection or just starting out, this bass guitar is sure to exceed your expectations.|"

There is nothing here to explain why the selling price is low, what age the instrument is etc. My assumption is that the seller is hiding something and that the guitar is a fake/clone/replic and the AI hides the human element that might allow me to make a judgement.

AI would be helpful if directed at the seller, asking them to complete commonly asked questions and filling in gaps in their description to give buyers accurate information and allow them buy with confidence. I will not buy anything on eBay that has an AI description - it is dishonest, unhelpful and a scammers dream.

[haroldycaroldy]

A recent AI description of a reducer ring that fits (invisibly when in use) inside a lampshade holder ...

"A sophisticate and elegant addition to any room in the home"

This is describing a plastic ring! and having lampshades in bathrooms (which are "a room in the house" would definitely be dangerous.. so ludicrous all round!

[sp834]

Yeah, exactly right. I also would never buy from a seller that uses AI. Most of the AI descriptions are just laughably ludicrous and should only be used for brand new items with manufacturer verifiable product information.