Jim 'Griff' Griffith

Listing Items More Efficiently
by Jim 'Griff' Griffith
eBay Staff Member

Q: Griff, when I write an item description, there's a lot of information that I repeat for every listing. Is there a way to save this so I don't have to retype it for every item that I list?

Thanks,
Carolyn

A: Hi Carolyn,

Most sellers find that some elements, such as their Terms of Service (read related story), don't really change from one listing to the next. In fact, some sellers who specialize in a few types of items create similar listings over and over. No matter what type of selling you do, here are two easy ways to save time and avoid the drudgery of typing redundant text in your listing descriptions:

• Save reusable content in a text file – Write the repeatable text of your listing descriptions, such as your Terms of Service, in a simple text application like Notepad (if you're using a Windows PC) or Text Editor (if you use a Mac). Save this file and use it as a template from which you can copy and paste text for future listings.

• Use the List Similar Item feature – If you are a regular seller that lists at least one item every week or so, use the handy List Similar Item feature in My eBay. This feature lets you create new listings using elements from a previous listing. Of course, after you've created a new listing using this feature, you should read through the new description to make sure that it matches the item you're selling.

Here's how to use the List Similar Item feature:

1. Go to My eBay.
2. Click the All Selling > Active, All Selling > Sold or All Selling > Unsold links on the left hand side of the page.
3. Locate the listing description that you wish to edit and use as a new listing.
4. Click the List Similar Item option in the Action column for that item.
5. Make changes as needed and click the Submit button.

Did you know that the Sell Your Item form also keeps some elements of your listing descriptions? Text entered into the Shipping, Payment, and Refund Details boxes conveniently remains as the default text for all your future listings. Of course, you also have the choice of editing this text as needed.

Regards,
Griff