Anyone watching on ebay?

[AndyT]

I just popped over to ebay to see if there were any interesting old tools or not (there weren't, don't bother) and I noticed that they've made another tweak to the workings.

It used to be the case that if you were selling something, only you could see how many people were 'watching' it (ie had added it to their 'watch list').

Then they added lists of the most-watched items in the category you were browsing.

But now, it seems that every listing shows the number of people who have added that item to their watch list.

So, if you happen to have spotted a valuable Norris or Preston plane in amongst a pile of RB10s and Silverline doorstops, if you add it to your watch list you automatically draw other people's attention to it!

I suppose this could help sellers, but not buyers - unless they have mastered the art of keeping a reminder list some other way (such as bookmarking the specific page). What does anyone else think?

 

[Tom K]

Never use the watch list just click on "add to favourites" quick and easy except swimbo can easily check up on you :lol: It also makes it quick to check on those pesky 7 day auctions

 

[Graham Orm]

Doesn't show on mine. Good for sellers, bound to pump prices up.

 

[andersonec]

Andy, are you sure you are not getting mixed up with how many people have put a bid on said item?

Andy

 

[AndyT]

It doesn't show up on every item (most of them aren't being watched!) but appears to the left of the button that you click to add to your watch list.

 

[Graham Orm]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350687225022?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I see no watchers on this do you?

 

[carlb40]

I noticed the new look yesterday, and also the amount of watchers on the items. I guess it can be helpful if you want something. This way you will know how many other parties are also interested in the same item

 

[henton49er]

I don't see anything like this.

 

[carlb40]

For those who haven't been 'upgraded' yet. This is the new look

 

[AndyT]

For those who haven't been 'upgraded' yet. This is the new look

That's what I meant! I'm glad someone else can see it too as I've been struggling to find any numbers of watchers since my posting. Even some of the 'most watched' items don't show the numbers - though most do.

 

[MickCheese]

My eBay doesn't look like that. Not on the computer on Chrome or the ipad app or safari. I'm confused.

Mick

 

[carlb40]

This is from last november. I guess they are in the 2nd stage of testing it out on more members, just before they make it permanent


06 November, 2012 | 04:37PM GMT

Hello

We’re testing a new page design for the item page with some UK users.

The new design features:

Larger images
More prominent product information
Cleaner layout
More concise wording
Locked header, visible as you scroll down the page

We’ll be testing this new layout over the next few weeks. Once we’re confident that the new page provides a better buying and selling experience, we’ll make it available to more users.

Regards,
The eBay Team

 

[Eric The Viking]

Before eBay got silly, you used to be able to add "watched" counters to your listing. I hadn't seen that for a while.

You also used to be able to research other buyers - what they'd bid on, etc. That was handy too.

I occasionally use it, but to be honest, it's really diminished in usefulness over recent years. It's expensive to sell that way, and rare to win a bargain. The hand tools stuff is useful for my education, but not to buy. I'd rather spend my money with a tool dealer directly, as at least they get the benefit. eBay are too greedy and unfair to sellers.

 

[AndyT]

I'd rather spend my money with a tool dealer directly, as at least they get the benefit.

...and some of us have the sense to live in a city with a good one!

 

[Webby]

I'd rather spend my money with a tool dealer directly, as at least they get the benefit.

...and some of us have the sense to live in a city with a good one!

Tell me more :|

 

[AndyT]

I'd rather spend my money with a tool dealer directly, as at least they get the benefit.

...and some of us have the sense to live in a city with a good one!

Tell me more :|

Bristol Design, Perry Road, Bristol. Run by Charles Stirling who has been in the old tool trade since the early 80s. A well-stocked shop with old woodworking tools, new green woodworking tools, their own range of chisels and planes, loads of good stuff. Never really got going with selling on-line though there is a minimal (abandoned) website at http://www.bristol-design.co.uk/ which only really serves to show you this tempting (but accurate) picture:

 

[The Bear]

Is this the shop at the bottom of the hill leading up to the oncology dept at the BRI? If so have driven past it numerous times and wanted to go in. Unfortunately always had a more important appointment with a relative at oncology.
Unfortunately I have few reasons to go back to Bristol now as the family there are all passed away now.

Definitely looked like it was worth a visit if it's in striking distance to anyone


Mark

 

[AndyT]

Is this the shop at the bottom of the hill leading up to the oncology dept at the BRI? If so have driven past it numerous times and wanted to go in. Unfortunately always had a more important appointment with a relative at oncology.
Unfortunately I have few reasons to go back to Bristol now as the family there are all passed away now.

Definitely looked like it was worth a visit if it's in striking distance to anyone


Mark

Yes, that's the one!

 

[graduate_owner]

Ebay has it's faults but I still find it really useful. I tend to select .Business, Office. etc (or just woodworking), then get rid of the 'best match' in favour of 'distance nearest', and finally I select 'used'. Then I just trawl through and see what's available and what it's going for. I may not be looking for anything in particular, but it's interesting to compare prices. I stop looking when the distance gets too far, so if there's anything I fancy then I know it's feasible to view / collect without costing a small fortune in fuel.

K