eBay parts/not working search condition removed?

[JonHendry]

Was just looking at scopes and noticed that the condition option "Parts/Not Working" isn't available for searches, even though there are parts/not working items listed. Instead they're just thrown in with the "used" items.

eBay bug or bad eBay policy change?

[xrunner]

It's still described in the help area here (Business & Industrial) -

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/item-conditions-category?id=4765&st=12&pos=2&query=Item%20condition%20by%20category&intent=condition&context=9014_BUYER

Might be a problem with the site at this time. 

[windsmurf]

Was just looking at scopes and noticed that the condition option "Parts/Not Working" isn't available for searches, even though there are parts/not working items listed. Instead they're just thrown in with the "used" items.

eBay bug or bad eBay policy change?

Some kind of policy change... "Parts/Not Working" filter is still available for some searches you do... for others, no.
Do a search for "canon digital camera" and you get a filter to show just "For parts of not working" condition items.

Do a search for "tektronix" and you don't get that selection, even though "parts only" listings exist.

[edpalmer42]

I won't be surprised to see this trend continue.

It started some years back when they:
- Ended wildcard searches. 
- Stopped showing auctions where the seller doesn't say he'll ship to your country.  This one doesn't seem to be consistent.

Lately I've noticed:
- If you turn off their suggestions, it turns back on when you do a new search
- They've started removing some listings from the search results.  You have to click on a link to get them all.
- If you change the number of listings per page, that also reverts to default with new searches.
- Occasionally, a search just fails.  Refresh the page and it suddenly works.

This all feels to me like they're desperately trying to reduce the load on their search system.  I can't imagine how horrendous a job it is to search a system the size of ebay and respond as quickly as they do.  But either they're not willing to pay for the necessary resources or they're reaching the limits of search technology.  I have no idea if that even makes sense.

Ed

[SilverSolder]

Ebay is trying to maximize sales of "easy sell" products for mobile phone users...   more than half of eBay sales are made via mobile phones these days, apparently.  People don't even read the listings, they look at the picture and buy.

This is of course anathema to carefully looking for specific products, models, etc. on a PC with a large monitor.   If you do, you will still only see three listings per page, LOL.

Basically, eBay seems to be doing a "Windows 8" by dumbing down their user interface in order to cater to what they see as the biggest growth markets...