ebay should be developed so you do not need directions and seminars on how to do basic functions.

If as Debbie says, all the developers were nodding their heads when she insulted ebay users – the devlopers should instantly know they developed a poorly designed site.

As Anita stated, every site should be developed for our grandmas – the industry term often applied is “user friendly enviroment – since creates great buying experiences, as well as effective selling experiences.

No one and I mean no one should have to attend a seminar, much less attend a conference that costs a couple hundred dollars to “be taught”.

That is simply ludricous.

A side point, I would hope those “representing ebay” or worse, providing “key information for a better ebay experience” would have better verbal and communication skills.

The statement the intro was ok because “ebay” said it was ok it ridiclous, when did ebay become the great communicator? Shame on anyone who thinks ebay knows what are appropriate adverbs & adjectives when it comes to people.

If ebay was so great at communication, the site would not require how tools and Debbie would not have a job/company.

I am curious… Why did you post your own blog link allowing comments only to turn around and delete comments that were made? In all honesty it does not make you look very professional.

I understand the point your trying to make about developers making it easier for busy sellers, I would hope that is common sense and knowledge among developers and yes you do need to update your list of seller problems.

The end.

Hi Debbie:

You responded here, as you wrote, to “get this right“. I’m not sure you succeeded.

You accuse people of “assuming” things about your slides. Your slides speak for themselves.

If I presented a slide that said “Obama For President” then put it online one might reasonably assume I supported Obama. It wouldn’t matter if in the presentation I stated “I am not sure who should be president”.

The slide speaks for itself.

Your slide titled “eBay Sellers’ Potential Problems” was incomplete. The list of problems facing eBay sellers mushroomed on May 19th, 2008.

It doesn’t matter if someone was in the first row at your presentation or viewed your presentation slides on a notebook in Phuket, your list of seller problems needs to be updated.

You wrote with regards to your presentation and/or slides, “…I’ve given it for two years in a row, and eBay approved it both years.” You are delivering information that is two years old. Ebay is not as it was one year ago much less two years ago.

As you wrote on your blog in your snarky post for which you provide a link above, “We’re a fast-paced world now.”

You are right. This is a fast paced world. Catch up. Update your slides.

You would be doing a great service to your clients if you stayed current. Post May 19, 2008 eBay offers developers new opportunities and opportunity is seldom a lengthy visitor.

You write “I will not get into slinging matches with people who are angry at eBay” but you have done just that. You are doing it on this blog and on your own blog.

Your presentation is based on pre May 19th thinking. It makes you seem, with all due respect, unprofessional at best.

As far as eBay “approving” your slides,

well…….. ;-)

I wonder if any Blackthorne developers were there to hear your sessions?

I’ve had to use their poorly programmed steaming pile of poo software for the past 8 years since eBay ran most every other auction management software developer out of business.

Not having to use SAPro anymore is the best thing I like about not selling on eBay anymore.

This discussion has gone a long way on what should have been an uncontroversial slide.

I think it can be restated as:

“Generally, any one who uses a computer:

Doesn’t like to read….etc. etc.”

I have no doubt whatsoever that generally that’s all true, and every usability professional you talk to or interface design book you read will tell you the same thing.

If you are a developer, have you ever made up for a poor interface design by adding “helpful” text explaining what it means? If so, did your users read it? No, of course they didn’t, because most users don’t read.

Applications should be designed for the lowest common denominator, that’s all it means.

1) A bunch of people who were NOT at my seminar are angry about what my slide says, not knowing what I said with the slide or what any other slide said before or after it? But rather than ask, you’re just assuming, and you’re mad. ?!?!?!

2) You expect me to tell Developers, people who program applications for buyers and sellers to use, how to fix the things you hate about eBay? I don’t think they can fix those! I don’t think a new widget is going to change the “enhancements” that you don’t like. This was a presentation to Developers about software and tools they can make for the community.

3) Mechelle, I didn’t get through your post as I don’t have time to read all of it. :) I’d say call me… my phone number is on our website, and I’ll be back at my desk on Wednesday. We can talk it out. But other than that, I’ve also written this to you.

http://aswas.typepad.com/hall_of_fame/2008/06/not-reading-or.html

I will not get into slinging matches with people who are angry at eBay about things that have nothing to do with what my presentation said to an audience of software developers.

First- yes you did not say illiterate- I was being obnoxious – I apologize

I understand your sentiment, however I find your presentation offensive. I recognize that your audience for this presentation are developing applications for eBay sellers, but feel the message could have and should be premised on the typical attributes of the American culture. These traits are not relative to level of education and/or reading levels, rather a result of our cultural demands.

The typical attitude of people in our culture is that they do not have TIME TO WASTE on reading tedious media. We want the information straight forward and fast so we can get to the task quickly. We jump in and then learn how to swim, because we are impatient due to feeling the pressure of the ticking clock reminding us there is too much to do and not enough time to get it done.

We typically do not like changes to our routine- and in the long run results in inefficient production. So, why do we avoid change if it will improve our production? Because we will lose time learning something new. Our reality of to much to do and not enough time causes short run thinking- we ignore the long term benefits sacrificing what would result in lessening the amount of time to complete the task for what is familiar and a known pattern that achieves the result we need.

Hands on and/or interactive learning is typically more appealing and effective. Again this is not due to an inability to understand written direction or not wanting to read. Learning while doing allows for the perception of working toward the goal- reading the instructions creates anxiety due to feeling as though nothing is being accomplished. So we jump into learning new software- this reaction is not due to a belief we can figure it out and do not need instruction, can’t understand instruction, or feel over whelmed by written instruction it is a result of impatience derived from the lack of having enough time to spend reading a manual, because it feels as though nothing is getting done therefore is a waste of time.

I do not think every individual in the population has the education and/or the intellectual capability to read material at the level of higher education or specific to a specialization. However, I also do not believe the population of eBay sellers mirrors the general population. I assert that the population of sellers leans more on those with higher education and/or higher intellectual capacities as a whole. Opposed to the general population in the US, which is composed largely of the average intellectual capacity and limited education.

People who have jumped into eBay to create or augment their business have done so with an entrepreneurial spirit not because of deficiencies in their intelligence, educational background, or inability to succeed in the more traditional occupations.

The premise of your argument is wrong and grossly presented.

I am not shocked to learn that eBay approved this slide, because eBay is entirely ignorant of its customer base in who they are, what they do, and what they need. There is no clearer evidence of their failings than the changes they have implemented, which in fact create much more difficulty for the seller to get their job done, severe levels of anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness and defeatism.

I think what triggered the reaction to Debbie Levitt’s presentation slides was their remarkable disconnect with post May 19, 2008 eBay.

We would all agree that there is a wide range of sophistication when it comes to eBay users. All of us that is except eBay.

Ebay assumes their buyers read and understand the instructions and follow the online directions of both eBay and individual sellers.

But the buyers don’t.

Ebay sellers are now unprotected from unsophisticated and criminal buyers. Sellers are being scammed, damaged and in some cases suspended because eBay attributes a sophistication (and honesty) to their buyers that you, Debbie Levitt, developers and sellers know does not exist in reality.

Ebay tells buyers that a 4 score left for a seller in their “Detailed Seller Rating” is good but expects buyers to know that it is bad. Buyers are not that sophisticated.

Ebay offers buyers the option of leaving a seller a Neutral feedback rating but expects buyers to know that leaving a Neutral is the same as leaving Negative feedback. Buyers are not that sophisticated.

Even IF eBay posted for buyers the truth about the new seller rating system and feedback changes, in the words of Ms. Levitt with reference to eBay:

“They (grandparents) don’t like to read, just like eBay shoppers don’t like to read. They don’t want to go read help files.”

Developers — Want to build a killer ap?

Think outside the box. Think outside May 19th, 2008

Create protection for eBay’s sellers from the psycho negative feedback bombers, the PayPal chargeback thieves, buyers who do not pay yet are allowed to leave sellers negative feedback and eBay’s random suspension of sellers for unsubstantiated policy violations among other dangers.