I Hate AI Generated eBay Descriptions
A few months ago eBay added a wonderful new feature for sellers - automatically generated AI descriptions for listings. And by wonderful, I mean shit.
eBay descriptions have always been pretty bad. It appears to me that the majority of descriptions on the site written (or not written as the case may be) by private sellers are of little to no value to potential buyers.
'Nintendo Switch Console - Good condition'
'2008 Nissan Note - Drives great, no faults'.
'iPhone 12 - Full working order'.
These descriptions provide next to no insight as to the condition of the item you are looking at. 'It works' can describe both an immaculate, barely used item and a heavily used item nearing the end of it's usable lifespan equally as well As a potential buyer, the more information available to you about an item allows you to make a much more educated judgement on whether you should make a purchase. Would you buy a car that had the description 'good condition'? I need more information!
The AI description function on eBay makes this phenomenon worse. People that were never not inclined to spend time writing useful descriptions can now smash that 'Generate AI description' button and call it a day. Instead of the above single sentence examples we now get -
Nintendo Switch -
This Nintendo Switch OLED Model is a fantastic addition to any gamer's collection. With a sleek Neon Red and Neon Blue design, this handheld system and home console combo offers a high definition resolution of 720p (HD) and 1080p (FHD), making sure your games look amazing on any screen. Connect easily with HDMI and take advantage of Wi-Fi capability for a seamless gaming experience. With a storage capacity of 64GB, you'll have plenty of space to store all your favourite games. This Nintendo Switch Model is perfect for anyone who loves gaming on the go or at home.
Nissan Note -
This Nissan Note 1.6 Acenta offers fantastic value for money and would make an ideal car for anyone looking for reliability, comfort, and practicality. It’s priced to sell quickly at £2,495, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
iPhone 12 - For sale is a used but well-maintained iPhone 12 in excellent condition. This iPhone 12 comes with a sleek design, fast performance, and all the premium features you expect from Apple. It's the perfect choice for those who want a high-quality smartphone without the premium price tag of newer models.
I bet you skimmed through this slop and didn't read it all. These passages are words for the sake of words, meaningless filler; a paragraph with the pretense of meaning. It's worthless. The Switch description is already in the detail fields. AI can't tell me if this particular Nissan Note is reliable, and it says that all cars are comfortable and practical, so that statement is worthless.. The iPhone description is entirely fluff.
Here's what I want from an eBay description.
- How old is the item?
- Are you the first owner?
- Where did you buy it from?
- How much have you used it?
- What parts of it don't work?
- Has it ever given you any problems, or has it been repaired?
- What is the cosmetic condition?
When I list something I include all this information. Not only does it help buyers fully understand what they will receive, it reduces the risk of complaints from a dissatisfied customer that didn't understand what they buying. Listings with poor descriptions cannot instill confidence in prospective purchasers. If they do make a purchase, they're more likely to complain that it is not as they expected.
I'd much rather buy a Switch that says =
I bought this Switch two years ago from Currys. I've used it to play three games and then it has sat in the cupboard. As it has been adult owned it has been cared for and is in mint condition. It has never given me any problems. Includes all original accessories.
Than one with a description that only contains -
Nintendo switch fully working
In fact I would pay a premium for the first item over the second for the full picture of the item's description, plus if the item arrives and it is not as described, their description will serve as proof it was missold. The second one's condition could be anywhere between mint and totally knackered and you have less comeback!
I find it quite zen to write a lot of information about a physical thing that I'm selling. Writing a full, honest and detailed description provides a lot of respect to the item and potential buyers and I think it gives them comfort to know exactly what they're buying - I know it does to me. Write an essay on eBay!