eBay for iOS Gains Barcode Scanning Feature That Can Complete Listing Process 'Within Seconds'

[MacRumors]

eBay today announced a new update for its iOS and Android apps, aimed at further simplifying the item listing process. The headlining feature of the update is a new barcode scanner, allowing sellers to quickly scan the box of an item (if they still have it), select a condition, and click "list your item."

The barcode scanner will automatically populate the listing with all of the requisite details (images, description, suggested starting price), and the process can be finished "within seconds," according to eBay. If you don't have the item barcode you can still search for it by typing in a description, which should populate the listing at around the same rate as the barcode scanner.

eBay's announcement states the streamlined update is aimed at new sellers who aren't yet familiar with the service's in-depth listing options.

"At eBay, we're dedicated to delivering a seamless and efficient selling experience for both first-time and seasoned sellers alike," says Kelly Vincent, eBay's VP of Consumer Selling Product & Engineering.

"This latest update continues to leverage eBay's structured data, which helps catalogue the 1.1+ billion items on the platform, to instantaneously populate product details, pricing and shipping information in the listing flow. Not only does the catalogue facilitate a superior listing experience, it enables buyers to easily find the great deals offered by our sellers. This is one of many enhancements we'll be making this year. We'll continue to leverage structured data and new technology developments to help our sellers 'get it sold.'"

Late last year eBay updated its search function with the ability for users to find items on its marketplace by taking pictures. Using computer vision technology powered by AI, Image Search lets buyers snap a picture or upload one from their iOS device's Camera Roll to find similar results based on their image.

More recently in 2018, eBay announced major changes that will be coming to its online marketplace regarding how buyers and sellers exchange money. The company's three-year plan is to phase out its partnership with PayPal and eventually make Amsterdam-based payments company Adyen its "primary partner for payments processing globally."

Article Link: eBay for iOS Gains Barcode Scanning Feature That Can Complete Listing Process 'Within Seconds'

 

[miniyou64]

Why do I feel like eBay has a lot of work to do to compete with Amazon?

 

[jayducharme]

That could be very useful if you're selling a new item. But for used items, most buyers want to see photos of the actual item you're selling. That would make the barcode method less relevant.

 

[jabingla2810]

That could be very useful if you're selling a new item. But for used items, most buyers want to see photos of the actual item you're selling. That would make the barcode method less relevant.

The picture of the barcode doesn't replace the picture of the item. lol.

 

[cjgrif]

The picture of the barcode doesn't replace the picture of the item. lol.

The barcode scanner will automatically populate the listing with all of the requisite details (images, description, suggested starting price)

Yes, it will use catalog images of a new item, which doesn't show the condition of the actual used item being sold, meaning that having images auto populated doesn't really save time, and the description would need to be modified with notes on the condition, etc.

 

[Soba]

My experience with eBay’s product database has not been positive.

Many items I’ve sold that are in the eBay product catalog have had inaccurate specs and information. In more than one case, the buyer complained because I did not notice the errors and I had a customer situation to resolve. I quickly stopped including the eBay product catalog info in any of my listings.

If this feature is really for new sellers, my advice is to not use it. Know what you’re selling, take your own pictures, and put yourself in the shoes of the buyer as you think about your description; it’s worth taking the time because you’ll get more bids!

 

[BruceEBonus]

Ebay. Where to start ..... greedier than Apple. More intrusive than Facebook. IMHO of course!

 

[ActionableMango]

Yes, it will use catalog images of a new item, which doesn't show the condition of the actual used item being sold, meaning that having images auto populated doesn't really save time, and the description would need to be modified with notes on the condition, etc.

Admittedly it's been a while since I sold something on Ebay, but when I did, if I actually tried to use Ebay's own provided stock photo for a used product, the website had a validation check that prevented me from doing so. It stated that Ebay's stock photos were only allowed for new product. Listings for used product required an uploaded photo.

 

[mrarjr]

Yes, it will use catalog images of a new item, which doesn't show the condition of the actual used item being sold, meaning that having images auto populated doesn't really save time, and the description would need to be modified with notes on the condition, etc.

The quote from eBay does not specify that photos will be populated. Furthermore, this is simply an alternative to creating your own unique listing.

 

[Gorms]

Sounds like a nice bit of UX for Ebay's power users.

 

[cjgrif]

Admittedly it's been a while since I sold something on Ebay, but when I did, if I actually tried to use Ebay's own provided stock photo for a used product, the website had a validation check that prevented me from doing so. It stated that Ebay's stock photos were only allowed for new product. Listings for used product required an uploaded photo.

The quote from eBay does not specify that photos will be populated. Furthermore, this is simply an alternative to creating your own unique listing.

The point is that scanning a barcode to sell a used product isn't going to get the listing up "in seconds" which is the point that jayducharme was making saying this would be more useful only for listings of products in new condition. And I was mainly responding to jabingla2810 who somehow interpreted jayducharme's post to mean that jayducharme thought you were uploading a photo of the barcode in place of actual photos...??? Or something like that.

As far as the quote from eBay, it doesn't explicitly say images, though the article written by MacRumors does which is what I was basing my reply on. I actually just tested this and it will populate a stock photo when you scan a barcode, even if you select used, though it will prompt for additional photos in that case.