eBay Split Screen Coming to an Auction Site Near You!

[The Tavern Wench]

By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
February 29, 2008
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eBay may have found a solution that will make both auction and fixed-price buyers and sellers happier: a split-screen results page that shows auction listings on one side and fixed-price listings on the other.

While eBay has been showing a prototype of a split-screen search results page to investors for at least a month, AuctionBytes saw the split-screen live on eBay.com on Thursday, likely as part of a test randomly shown to a small number of visitors to the site.



Searches for the terms "McCoy Vase"; "Apple Macbook"; and "Anne Klein shoes" all resulted in the split-screen display of results. On the left side, the auction listings were displayed in order of time ending soonest, while the fixed-price listings on the right side were shown with Best Match as the default sort order.

In the results we saw, listings showed up in both columns if they were auction-format with BIN. A pair of size 12R Mickey Mouse - Bunny boots showed up in a search for Anne Klein boots in both columns. The listing was displayed in the left "auction" column with a current bid price of $19.99, and the same listing was displayed in the right "Buy It Now" column at the BIN price of $29.99. eBay charges sellers an extra fee for using the BIN format.

eBay introduced the fixed-price BIN option to its site in 2000. Eight years later, fixed-price sales comprise 42 percent of total gross sales on the site. As eBay evolves into a more mature marketplace, it often makes policy and feature changes that long-time auction users feel hurt the traditional eBay experience. Many have suggested eBay segregate fixed-price "commodity" listings and auction "collectibles" listings. In fact, eBay's attempt to provide a fixed-price marketplace for new in-season items, eBay Express, has not fared well.

While a split-screen results page is not likely to address all of the concerns sellers have over the changes that have been rolling out since last year (and continue to roll out in 2008), it may be viewed as a positive step - particularly if auctions retain the "time ending soonest" sort default. And right now, eBay could use some positive feedback.

[Dixie_Collections]

Lure those sellers back eBay.

[2boysandtoys]

You know though.....the more they 'tinker' the more screwed up search becomes.  2 years ago, you would not have gotten Mickey Mouse Boots if searching for Anne Kleine or Fred Flintstone boots.....

The screw up search more than it is already and more buyers will walk away!!!!   

[The Bar Keep]

You know though.....the more they 'tinker' the more screwed up search becomes.  2 years ago, you would not have gotten Mickey Mouse Boots if searching for Anne Kleine or Fred Flintstone boots.....

The screw up search more than it is already and more buyers will walk away!!!!   

I agree BUT show me one alternative where the search works exact. All sites have problems with search. The one I like the best is at www.thetraderspost.com so far there is not a search that works as good as the one at our classifieds site.

What amazes me is that everyone will complain about eBay for whatever the reason BUT show me a site where somebody can make an honest living now a days other than eBay, Amazon or your own website. IMO if it wasn't for eBay, ahhh some things are better left unsaid.


Joe - The Bar Keep

[2boysandtoys]

Joe - remember....when it comes to ebaY, my comments are often as a 'buyer'.  It is highly frustrating (as a buyer) to search at ebaY.  And yes....I agree ----- search sucks across the board.  For me, the reason the search bothers me at ebaY is it used to be very, very good and intuitive!!

Agree TP has great search!  I also believe that Amazon has one of the best, if not the best search and drill down that I've used regularly.  They have issues too - don't get me wrong - but I do like how there search/sort/drill down works!!

[The Bar Keep]

Joe - remember....when it comes to ebaY, my comments are often as a 'buyer'.  It is highly frustrating (as a buyer) to search at ebaY.  And yes....I agree ----- search sucks across the board.  For me, the reason the search bothers me at ebaY is it used to be very, very good and intuitive!!

To me search is always going to be a tool that undergoes constant changes. Look at Google, they are always messing around and trying to adapt changes (Froogle-Products-Shopping-who knows what next). You are always going to have people who the search works great for and people who the search doesn't work at all for. That is why smart businesses adapt to changes.

[DeeCan]

I went and played with the new search tonight.  I found that it was actually a neater, more organized search.  From a buying POV, I liked it.  Of course, I am versed in how to search based on how quickly I want it (ie Auction or BIN format).  A less savvy buyer may be a little lost in the beginning, but it won't be difficult to learn.

I, OTOH, could see that in categories with numerous sellers and product listings, this could be a headache and a bit down-heartening.  (My category is small, and it will have little to no affect on me)  But with a bit of creative listing, this is easily overridden.  Quite frankly, the resourceful sellers will actually use this to their benefit.  The not-so-ingenious sellers will fall to the bottom; one more way to weed out.  I, quite frankly, have no problem with this.  eBay has allowed to many dumbasses to sell (see PSU members...lol) and, have in a sense, made eBay unpleasant with their silly antics and insistence on being demanding and foolish.

Ok, there's my 2c worth for today.