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Seller News August 2011

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Electronics: List using eBay catalogues in more categories

From 23 August 2011, we’re increasing the number of Electronics categories in which you should list your item with a matching product from the eBay catalogue. If you don’t list with a matching product where it’s available, you risk your listing being removed and losing sales. Start listing and relisting with matching products now to make sure you’re prepared.

In addition, from 15 September 2011, all items in GPS Systems categories must be listed with a matching product to avoid the risk of being removed. If there is no matching product, you must create a product in a catalogue and relist your item with it.

The introduction of catalogues in May received a positive response from sellers and buyers. This more user friendly shopping experience allows buyers to find what they want more quickly and easily, making them more likely to return to eBay.co.uk and helping to increase overall sales in the Electronics category.

Which Electronics categories are affected?

The following have been added to the existing categories in which you should list your items with matching products

From 1 August 2011:

  • Apple Laptops
  • Apple Desktops
  • iPads, Tablets & eReaders
  • Printers
  • Routers
  • Hard Drives
  • Monitors
  • Televisions

From 16 January 2012:

  • Amplifiers
  • Satellite Boxes & Receivers
  • Scanners
  • Projectors
  • Home Cinema Systems
  • Blu-Ray Players & Recorders
  • DVD Players
  • DVD Recorders
  • Hard Disk Recorders & PVRs
  • CPUs
  • Motherboards
  • Printer Ink & Cartridges
  • Freeview Boxes
  • Cable Boxes
  • HiFi Speakers
  • Graphics & Video Cards

Subtitle feature

The subtitle feature will not always be visible in the search results or the product page when catalogues are being used. It will always be seen when the buyer clicks on the item.

Reasons to list with matching products

  • Maintain your sales – if your items aren’t listed with matching products in the eBay catalogue after 23 August 2011, you risk your listings being removed and you could lose sales. (In categories where this change is effective from 16 January 2012, your items must be listed with matching products in the eBay catalogue after 28 February 2012.)
  • Easier to find – buyers can find the exact products they’re looking for.
  • Quicker to find – buyers find what they want faster.
  • Save time – pre-filled product information and stock photos.
  • Best deals at a glance – the best deals from eBay Top-rated sellers show prominently in the deals box at the top of the product page, with best offers from other sellers directly below.

How to list in the eBay catalogue

  • In the Sell your item form, enter the European Article Number (EAN) or keywords that describe your item and select the product that matches your item. Learn more about how to list using the catalogue with other listings tools
  • Pay close attention to item specific details like a lens bundle in digital cameras or special edition video game consoles to make sure you've selected the right product.
  • Add your own description and photos of used items to accurately show the condition.
  • To list a product bundle, choose a matching product in the eBay catalogue, specify the bundle items in the item specific section and add details in the description.

What if there’s not a matching product to list your item with?

  1. GPS Systems – create a product in a catalogue

    In GPS Systems, a new listing created after 15 September will not go live unless it is listed with a matching product in the eBay catalogue. You also risk existing listings (including Good ‘Til Cancelled) being removed after this date. If there’s not a matching product to list with, you should create a product in catalogue and list or relist your item with it

    These tools will allow you to do this:

    From 15 August:

    • Sell your item form
    • File Exchange

    From 8 September:

    • Turbo Lister

    eBay also gives tool developers access to the catalogue via the API. Check with them directly if you have any queries.

  2. Other Electronics categories with catalogues – list as normal

    If there’s not a matching product to list yours with, you can continue to list as normal.

    If there are minor differences, for example, you removed a part that was included in the original box, list the item using the most relevant product in the catalogue and amend the pre-filled item information to take out anything that's incorrect. Highlight any differences in your item in the listing description. Learn more about listing in the eBay catalogue

Best practice tips

  • Always list, revise or relist with a matching product in the eBay catalogue if there is one available.
  • Get your best fixed price deals in the deals box. Only the best fixed price deals from eBay Top-rated sellers listing with a product in the eBay catalogue will be displayed prominently in the ‘deals box’ next to the product picture.
Take action
By when Action
Now Review the Seller Checklist for an overview of the changes
1 August List and relist your items with matching products in Apple Laptops, Apple Desktops and iPads, Tablets & eReaders, Printers, Routers, Hard Drives, Monitors and Televisions categories
15 August Start creating products for GPS systems that do have a matching product in the eBay catalogue, and list or relist your item with them
23 August Check that you’re listing with matching products in the above categories to ensure they keep showing in search results
15 September Check all your GPS Systems items are listed with a matching product or they will be automatically removed

Frequently asked questions

  1. How will I know which listings I need to update?
  2. What happens if a new product is added to the catalogue after my item is listed?
  3. When do I have to add my product to the eBay catalogue?
  4. Can other sellers list their items using the products I added to the catalogue?
  5. Which listings will qualify for the deals box at the top of the product page?
  6. What kind of information is needed to create a product?
  7. Once I’ve added my product to the catalogue, when is the information ready to use?

  1. How will I know which listings I need to update?

    Check all your existing listings (including Good ‘Til Cancelled) in Electronics categories and link them to matching products in the catalogue by 23 August 2011.

    2. Back to top

  2. What happens if a new product is added to the catalogue after my item is listed?

    As new products are added to the catalogue, you must match existing listings to the new product when you relist.

    3. Back to top

  3. When do I have to add my product to the eBay catalogue?

    From 15 September, you will have to list with a matching product in GPS Systems. While the eBay catalogue already contains many of the products available today, if you can’t find a product that matches your item, you will need to add your product to the catalogue before continuing to list your item. Once you add a product to the catalogue, you can complete your listing and it will also be available for you and others to use the next time you want to list an identical item.

    4. Back to top

  4. Can other sellers list their items using the products I added to the catalogue?

    Yes, products in the catalogue are available for use by all eBay sellers.

    5. Back to top

  5. Which listings will qualify for the deals box at the top of the product page?

    Only the best fixed price deals from eBay Top-rated sellers listing with a matching product from the eBay catalogue will be shown.

    6. Back to top

  6. What kind of information is needed to create a product?

    The information needed will vary by category. As a minimum, the title and description will be required. The more information you give, the easier it is for the buyer to find your product.

    7. Back to top

  7. Once I’ve added my product to the catalogue, when is the information ready to use?

    When you’ve added the product to the catalogue, you can use it immediately to complete your listing. It might take a few hours for the product information to display in search results.

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