Gazza & Mark, I know it would take a lot of work but PLEASE consider

[TiasTreasures]

It is Stanley Gibbons catalogue information.

LOL. I went to that site a lot and never noticed that.

[madelaine]

Adruml, I don't claim to know about musical instruments. Please accept that stamp collectors will browse. They will have some money to spend and some idea of what they would like to buy. It is far more like a woman choosing a frock than someone adding to his drum kit!

[adruml]

Adruml, I don't claim to know about musical instruments. Please accept that stamp collectors will browse. They will have some money to spend and some idea of what they would like to buy. It is far more like a woman choosing a frock than someone adding to his drum kit!

I have dealt with a woman shopping for clothes and have dealt with drummers trying to build their kits. If I had myi choice I would rather deal with the woman buying clothes. Drummers are a picky sort however either has anything to do with on line sub categories.

[madelaine]

OK, adruml, you know all about everything! I quit!

[adruml]

OK, adruml, you know all about everything! I quit!

I wish you wouldnt. I have already stated several times that I dont know and Im trying to understand. If the answer is stamp collectors need the additional categories, because they just do, then I still dont know.

[bykimbo]

I wish you wouldnt. I have already stated several times that I dont know and Im trying to understand. If the answer is stamp collectors need the additional categories, because they just do, then I still dont know.

But... Madelaine has explained several times that stamp collectors tend to shop by browsing, so it's essential that the categories are presented in a standard way for them to browse effectively. And you're refusing to believe her. Why should she keep saying it? I've never collected a stamp in my life, but I've read this thread and see no reason to doubt Madelaine's expertise in this area. I'm vocally anti a proliferation of empty categories (check my posting history if you don't believe it) but I can accept that in this area it makes perfect sense.

[adruml]

But... Madelaine has explained several times that stamp collectors tend to shop by browsing, so it's essential that the categories are presented in a standard way for them to browse effectively. And you're refusing to believe her. Why should she keep saying it? I've never collected a stamp in my life, but I've read this thread and see no reason to doubt Madelaine's expertise in this area. I'm vocally anti a proliferation of empty categories (check my posting history if you don't believe it) but I can accept that in this area it makes perfect sense.

I do understand what Madelaine has stated its all here in black and white. She also stated she thought I felt I know everything which is far from true. I am trying to understand why this is needed. I already know folks want it and deem it necessary. What is the problem with wanting to know why?
I'm sorry for asking and if you folks feel I stepped out of line for being curious well thats just plain silly. Good Day to you both.

[Gothicina]

Some people know exactly what they want to buy, so use search.

Some people like to browse, because only know what they want when they see it.

Both should be possible & easy to do.

Both types of user should feel welcome.

Too many sub-categories can be a problem, but so can too few if they end up too large & unwieldy, it must be possible to find a happy medium, depending on the type of item.

Using Search only searches what words are actually in the title,
ticking the search description box, means it searches what words are actually in the description.

It DOES NOT search the words used in the category.

For example:-
If a seller puts Science Fiction, into the title of a book listing, it will be found using search for Science Fiction, BUT it's a big chunk to take out of of the number of characters available for the rest of the item title, given that the book title & author are probably the most important search terms for fiction books.

Thankfully Fiction Books are then sub divided by category, so it's easy to find science fiction books by using the Science Fiction category filter, (providing the seller has used the correct category)

If the Fiction Books were not further sub-divided by categories, browsing to find something you wanted would be an almost impossible task.

[adruml]

Some people know exactly what they want to buy, so use search.

Some people like to browse, because only know what they want when they see it.

Both should be possible & easy to do.

Both types of user should feel welcome.

Too many sub-categories can be a problem, but so can too few if they end up too large & unwieldy, it must be possible to find a happy medium, depending on the type of item.

Using Search only searches what words are actually in the title,
ticking the search description box, means it searches what words are actually in the description.

It DOES NOT search the words used in the category.

For example:-
If a seller puts Science Fiction, into the title of a book listing, it will be found using search for Science Fiction, BUT it's a big chunk to take out of of the number of characters available for the rest of the item title, given that the book title & author are probably the most important search terms for fiction books.

Thankfully Fiction Books are then sub divided by category, so it's easy to find science fiction books by using the Science Fiction category filter, (providing the seller has used the correct category)

If the Fiction Books were not further sub-divided by categories, browsing to find something you wanted would be an almost impossible task.

Thank you, this shed some light on what I have been asking. Unfortunately after just reading the entire thread TWICE I still don't understand what the needs are or what folks are asking for.
I caught the parts of revamping categories to update to current technology which should be an automatic task by eBid but I have yet to read the specific needs for the stamp category.
I'm not trying to get into any arguments here I am truly just trying to understand. Once I understand what the needs are I can make an informed decision and then either agree or disagree with what is claimed to be needed that's all.
Can someone give me an example of categories needed in stamps? Like Gotchina has given with books it makes sense to have a seperate "Fiction" category. What exactly is needed in stamp categories?

[madelaine]

The work to make the stamp categories fit for purpose is huge. It needs to be done properly. I have stated elsewhere (under category requests) what I think would be the ideal - each country's site would have stamp categories which mirrored their leading catalogue. In the absence of that, they should mirror either Stanley Gibbons, the UK standard, or Scott, the US one. This is not a few moments' typing.