VOGONS


eBay is getting worse.

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Reply 20 of 52, by Law212

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keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-05-20, 17:11:

One of the worst offences bad sellers commit is using AI to write their descriptions. It always reads like a 6th grader trying to meet a word count, while saying absolutely nothing about the item.

I use Ai for mine and im a good seller. Never had a complaint about any item I sold.

Reply 21 of 52, by keenmaster486

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Law212 wrote on 2026-05-20, 17:26:

I use Ai for mine and im a good seller. Never had a complaint about any item I sold.

I assure you, the AI is not helping. You have had no complaints likely because the items arrive in the condition implied by the images, and buyers are mostly ignoring your descriptions.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 22 of 52, by Law212

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keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-05-20, 17:32:
Law212 wrote on 2026-05-20, 17:26:

I use Ai for mine and im a good seller. Never had a complaint about any item I sold.

I assure you, the AI is not helping. You have had no complaints likely because the items arrive in the condition implied by the images, and buyers are mostly ignoring your descriptions.

You can assure me all you want, random stranger on the internet. But If it works , it works.

Reply 23 of 52, by badmojo

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I hate the AI descriptions - I want to read words that describe that specific item, not some generic blah blah about how it revolutionised home computing on release.

There that's 2 random strangers now 😋

Life? Don't talk to me about life.

Reply 24 of 52, by Big Pink

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If the seller isn't going to be bothered writing the description it may as well be left blank for all the good it does to have a machine spew a bunch of uninformative verbiage.

I think I saw this on Slashdot:

eBay is 50% AI now too. You're trying to buy a used socket wrench and you get a description like "This innovative tool exudes a stylish design and charming performance. With a length of 0-99" and modern rugged design it will give you years of powerful service in your undefined business."

I thought IBM was born with the world

Reply 25 of 52, by Law212

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badmojo wrote on 2026-05-21, 11:25:

I hate the AI descriptions - I want to read words that describe that specific item, not some generic blah blah about how it revolutionised home computing on release.

There that's 2 random strangers now 😋

Lol

Reply 27 of 52, by Law212

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Shponglefan wrote on 2026-05-21, 18:55:

Descriptions of used items that don't describe their condition are basically useless. Same with stock photos of items that aren't the actual item in question.

This is true.

Reply 28 of 52, by gerry

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i'm ok with AI use if its well prompted - ie includes actual conditions of the product being sold - but then by the time that prompt has been written you may as well write the description

For others who use generic ai text its mostly useless and if items are being sold might appears to the seller as having contributed to the sale but actually it just has no effect either way

I'm looking forward to a combo of irritations... "This box is opened but not used and has spacious interior suitable for modern rtx cards nestling amid protective inner support architecture.." 😀

Reply 29 of 52, by dr_st

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badmojo wrote on 2026-05-21, 11:25:

I hate the AI descriptions - I want to read words that describe that specific item, not some generic blah blah about how it revolutionised home computing on release.

These generic blah-blahs were centerpiece to many an eBay auction since day one, before any "AI" existed in the wild.

https://cloakedthargoid.wordpress.com/ - Random content on hardware, software, games and toys

Reply 30 of 52, by ElectroSoldier

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Show me one of these AI descriptions!

I had a conversation in work the a few weeks ago about a certain woman who is "popular" on the internet at the moment, we were talking about her being good looking.
It was my opinion she wasnt that good looking considering her age (26 at the time) and I pulled up a picture of a photo of a 26 year old model online.
The comments I got from people was that she isnt real, she is AI generated etc etc. That such a beautiful woman exists they didnt believe.

Its the opinion of most people these days that its AI even when it isnt to register their disbelief.

Reply 31 of 52, by keenmaster486

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Lol. You haven't noticed them? Just give me about 2 minutes.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 32 of 52, by Law212

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ElectroSoldier wrote on 2026-05-22, 19:56:
Show me one of these AI descriptions! […]
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Show me one of these AI descriptions!

I had a conversation in work the a few weeks ago about a certain woman who is "popular" on the internet at the moment, we were talking about her being good looking.
It was my opinion she wasnt that good looking considering her age (26 at the time) and I pulled up a picture of a photo of a 26 year old model online.
The comments I got from people was that she isnt real, she is AI generated etc etc. That such a beautiful woman exists they didnt believe.

Its the opinion of most people these days that its AI even when it isnt to register their disbelief.

I for one do not believe such a woman would exist. I think we need proof! Proof!

Reply 33 of 52, by keenmaster486

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Okay this is literally the first auction I found. I searched "ibm vga card" because it was the first thing that came to mind (I've been looking for one).

Notice how it tells me what it is (I already know what it is, that's presumably why I'm looking for it!) and does not describe the specific item at all.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/397941165920

The Tseng Labs Vintage ISA VGA Graphics Card is a rare find for vintage computing enthusiasts. Specifically designed for IBM systems, this GPU/Graphics Card is perfect for revitalizing or restoring antique computers. With a vintage design and compatibility with IBM products, this graphics card offers a piece of computing history for those seeking to experience the nostalgia and charm of retro technology. Ideal for collectors or those wanting to enhance their vintage computing setup, this Tseng Labs graphics card is a unique and sought-after component.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 34 of 52, by keenmaster486

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ElectroSoldier wrote on 2026-05-22, 19:56:

It was my opinion she wasnt that good looking considering her age (26 at the time) and I pulled up a picture of a photo of a 26 year old model online.
The comments I got from people was that she isnt real, she is AI generated etc etc. That such a beautiful woman exists they didnt believe.

Its the opinion of most people these days that its AI even when it isnt to register their disbelief.

Depends on how old the people commenting were. If they're young people then sorry, you're the one who got taken in by the AI image. There are a lot of AI generated images of celebrities out there now. You have to sift through them sometimes to find real ones.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 35 of 52, by Law212

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keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-05-22, 19:59:
Okay this is literally the first auction I found. I searched "ibm vga card" because it was the first thing that came to mind (I' […]
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Okay this is literally the first auction I found. I searched "ibm vga card" because it was the first thing that came to mind (I've been looking for one).

Notice how it tells me what it is (I already know what it is, that's presumably why I'm looking for it!) and does not describe the specific item at all.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/397941165920

The Tseng Labs Vintage ISA VGA Graphics Card is a rare find for vintage computing enthusiasts. Specifically designed for IBM systems, this GPU/Graphics Card is perfect for revitalizing or restoring antique computers. With a vintage design and compatibility with IBM products, this graphics card offers a piece of computing history for those seeking to experience the nostalgia and charm of retro technology. Ideal for collectors or those wanting to enhance their vintage computing setup, this Tseng Labs graphics card is a unique and sought-after component.

Yup everything sounds the same now. Also if you dont use the Ai slop then the algorithms wont promote your listings

Reply 36 of 52, by keenmaster486

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Law212 wrote on 2026-05-22, 20:03:

Also if you dont use the Ai slop then the algorithms wont promote your listings

Who cares? Your buyers deserve better. Your own mental integrity deserves better.

I recently listed 9 laptops with detailed and precise descriptions (that took me like 2 seconds btw) and within 30 days I sold 6 of them. I expect to sell the other 3 soon after I lower my asking prices.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 37 of 52, by ElectroSoldier

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keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-05-22, 20:01:
ElectroSoldier wrote on 2026-05-22, 19:56:

It was my opinion she wasnt that good looking considering her age (26 at the time) and I pulled up a picture of a photo of a 26 year old model online.
The comments I got from people was that she isnt real, she is AI generated etc etc. That such a beautiful woman exists they didnt believe.

Its the opinion of most people these days that its AI even when it isnt to register their disbelief.

Depends on how old the people commenting were. If they're young people then sorry, you're the one who got taken in by the AI image. There are a lot of AI generated images of celebrities out there now. You have to sift through them sometimes to find real ones.

Ages range from early 20s to mid 30s and even late 40s...

I think you are a great example of what Im talking about.
You have for instance already decided the model in question is AI and that the people I was talking to was right.
And yet you havent seen a single thing to sway the outcome either way...

keenmaster486 wrote on 2026-05-22, 20:07:
Law212 wrote on 2026-05-22, 20:03:

Also if you dont use the Ai slop then the algorithms wont promote your listings

Who cares? Your buyers deserve better. Your own mental integrity deserves better.

I recently listed 9 laptops with detailed and precise descriptions (that took me like 2 seconds btw) and within 30 days I sold 6 of them. I expect to sell the other 3 soon after I lower my asking prices.

Maybe enhance your own descriptions with some AI you wont have to?

Reply 38 of 52, by keenmaster486

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ElectroSoldier wrote on 2026-05-23, 13:23:

Maybe enhance your own descriptions with some AI you wont have to?

I'm pretty sure my precise, informative descriptions aren't the reason the laptops I've priced at the high end of reasonable aren't selling yet. I have several watchers on each. They're obviously waiting for me to lower the price. I'm not going to insult them by "enhancing" the already exactly correct descriptions with AI that will add nothing.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 39 of 52, by ElectroSoldier

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Maybe not, maybe theyre just waiting until they have enough free money to spend.
Or maybe they have one themselves and are looking for what they sell for...