Those of you who have been active users of eBay have probably noticed that your search results are looking a lot different lately. The old default search order, where the first auctions shown on your results were the ones ending soonest, has been replaced with a new order which many have told me has no rhyme or reason.

This is all due to a gradual roll out of what eBay calls “Finding 2.0” in general, and a feature called “Best Match” specifically. Finding 2.0 is eBay’s initiative to help solve the problem, which eBay does recognize, that it can be very hard for a buyer to find specifically what they are looking for on the site. Under this new initiative, Best Match became the default sort order on standard searches back in March. The old search order options are still available under a drop down box, but most searchers don’t look for that.

With Best Match, eBay is now using a sophisticated algorithm to try to “guess” the best auctions to show the searcher. In addition to using factors like the listing end time, Best Match sorts the listings you see based on a concept called “relevance.” A particular listing's relevance is based on past buyer search queries, and keywords in subsequent listing titles that have been clicked on, added to watch lists, bid on, or won. Essentially, buyers ‘vote’ on relevance every time they search for and buy or not buy an item. The track record of the seller of the item, judged by buyer feedback through Detailed Seller Ratings, has recently been added as a factor in the sort order of search results.

As you can guess, both buyer and seller reaction to this change, as they have been for most changes eBay has made to long standing traditions, has been decidedly negative. eBay does realize that they need to change some things in Best Match, and users need to get comfortable with the changes over time. They have posted a tool to help sellers create titles that score higher in Best Match; this can be found at http://labs.ebay.com/raghavgupta/demoto/to.

Aside from the Best Match feature, eBay has been steadily announcing many different changes to their platform, which will be released over the next few months. Most recently eBay has launched a list of feedback changes that can be seen in both eBay North America and eBay Canada. A few of the more substantial changes eBay is making are:

• Sellers may only leave positive feedback for buyers
• Negative and Neutral feedbacks will be removed if an eBay user has been suspended or does not respond to an unpaid item dispute
• Members can leave Feedback up to 60 days after a transaction (down from 90)
• Members will receive credit for weekly repeat Feedback (going back to 1996)
• The Mutual Feedback Removal process will be removed; feedback is now permanent
• Sellers will be able to block buyers who have a reputation of policy infractions (feedback abuse, non-payment, etc.)

eBay’s ultimate goal is to make eBay buying and selling a well-oiled machine, with a system of checks and balances that will make the entire process more efficient, with fewer negative experiences for all. Auction Inn hopes to continue, with these newly announced changes, to be one of eBay’s top PowerSellers, bringing quality items and customer service to all of our buyers around the world!

This month’s featured residential item comes from Auction Inn’s York, PA facility, and it is, by far, one of the most remarkable items we have seen for a while. Up for auction was a 1939 SJ100 Flat-Top acoustic guitar, complete with a rare mustache bridge and stair-stepped head. This historical and sought after guitar was purchased new in 1939 by the consignor’s father, and was kept in impeccable condition since then. Selling for a whopping $45,000.00, this guitar has found its’ new home with South Carolina collector Kenneth Grosslight, shown below. Congratulations, Kenneth, and thank you again to the consignor, Mr. Whitcraft, for bringing us this amazing piece of musical history!

The fundraiser for Crispus Attucks is running from now until July 15th. The drop-off day is scheduled for Sat. May 31st, 8:30 am - 10:30 am at the F & M parking lot on Harrisburg Pike, across from Doc Holliday's. If you are too late or unable to make the drop off day then you may drop off your item at the Auction Inn Lancaster facility at anytime before July 15th.

Crispus Attucks Community Center is a non-profit organization based in Lancaster, PA. The mission of Crispus Attucks Community Center is to improve the quality of life for residents, provide services to disadvantaged people, bridge cultural and educational gaps that exist and preserve the African American heritage in the community. Visit their website at www.cacc-lancaster.org for more information on their organization, contact and location information, as well as information on upcoming events. Even if you are unable to donate you may still participate in bidding on the items after they go up on eBay to help raise money!

If you belong to a local nonprofit group in either the Lancaster, Harrisburg, or York, PA areas, and would like more information about our fundraising options, please feel free to contact us at 888-TO-THE-INN!