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

[Gothicina]

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?

To me the logical division of stamps on a site with users from many countries, would be by continent further sub divided by country, but that may well not be the way a stamp expert sees it.

That is why I suggested a revamp of all of the categories, with input from the sellers, so each is shaped to fit those who use them, & understand the needs of both the buyers & sellers for that type of item.

There was a major revamp of the Sports Cards section, I think baseball was the first one completed, it was then suggested that the same sub categories be applied accross board.
This seemed to stall, when they expected Gazza to add a category for rookie to football (what you call soccer) when queried the reply was well as football (soccer) is so popular it should be included.
The poster didn't understand that although copying the baseball categories might work for other American Sports, they made absolutely no sense at all for football (soccer), as known by much of the rest of the world, any changes to those categories needed input from those who understood what is needed.

[bykimbo]

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.

I can't follow what you're asking, I'm afraid. You say you understand what Madelaine has said, which includes a full explanation of the different way stamp shoppers buy and thus explains the need clearly, but you then say you don't understand WHY it's needed. This seems a total contradiction. It's needed because that's how stamp buying works. As has been said. I truly can't see what else there is to query. As for any personal comments, that's between the two of you and nothing to do with me - I'm just trying to point out that what you've repeatedly asked for has been repeatedly provided, and you just keep asking. Perhaps if you rephrase your question it will become apparent that you're not asking why do the categories need to be restructured, but in fact want to know something quite different and we're all talking at cross-purposes!

[adruml]

I can't follow what you're asking, I'm afraid. You say you understand what Madelaine has said, which includes a full explanation of the different way stamp shoppers buy and thus explains the need clearly, but you then say you don't understand WHY it's needed. This seems a total contradiction. It's needed because that's how stamp buying works. As has been said. I truly can't see what else there is to query. As for any personal comments, that's between the two of you and nothing to do with me - I'm just trying to point out that what you've repeatedly asked for has been repeatedly provided, and you just keep asking. Perhaps if you rephrase your question it will become apparent that you're not asking why do the categories need to be restructured, but in fact want to know something quite different and we're all talking at cross-purposes!

The problem I'm guessing is I do not know anything about stamps and still do not know what the actual needs are. Revamping, adding to or changing the categories does not help my understanding of what is needed or requested.
I haven't been hiding the fact that I do not know what the requests are. I have no idea how to rephrase my curiousity. If my questions have been answered within this thread I do apologize as I have missed it. I just can't seem to find the answer I was asking which is...What needs to be changed in the stamp category? Again, revamping, adding to or changing the categories does not help my understanding of what is needed or requested.
I did see a post stating sellers will need to come up with suggested changes to individual categories but I have yet to see the actual suggestions. Gotchina made a good example with the book categories and it made a lot of sense. I don't know enough about stamps to be able to say this or that is needed so I'll try again. What is needed?

[madelaine]

The problem I'm guessing is I do not know anything about stamps and still do not know what the actual needs are. Revamping, adding to or changing the categories does not help my understanding of what is needed or requested.
I haven't been hiding the fact that I do not know what the requests are. I have no idea how to rephrase my curiousity. If my questions have been answered within this thread I do apologize as I have missed it. I just can't seem to find the answer I was asking which is...What needs to be changed in the stamp category? Again, revamping, adding to or changing the categories does not help my understanding of what is needed or requested.
I did see a post stating sellers will need to come up with suggested changes to individual categories but I have yet to see the actual suggestions. Gotchina made a good example with the book categories and it made a lot of sense. I don't know enough about stamps to be able to say this or that is needed so I'll try again. What is needed?

I repeat

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.


Not that I know why you need to know exactly what I'm asking for....

[bykimbo]

The problem I'm guessing is I do not know anything about stamps and still do not know what the actual needs are. Revamping, adding to or changing the categories does not help my understanding of what is needed or requested.
I haven't been hiding the fact that I do not know what the requests are. I have no idea how to rephrase my curiousity. If my questions have been answered within this thread I do apologize as I have missed it. I just can't seem to find the answer I was asking which is...What needs to be changed in the stamp category? Again, revamping, adding to or changing the categories does not help my understanding of what is needed or requested.
I did see a post stating sellers will need to come up with suggested changes to individual categories but I have yet to see the actual suggestions. Gotchina made a good example with the book categories and it made a lot of sense. I don't know enough about stamps to be able to say this or that is needed so I'll try again. What is needed?

You've said several times in this thread that you do not believe that more categories are needed and you think all searches are done by using the search box. Are you now convinced that stamp searches need categories (as I am - I changed my position from the top of the thread) and simply asking exactly what those categories need to be? If so that's been said (briefly) here as well - echo the Stanley Gibbons categories. That's what's needed - I have been convinced of this by the expert opinions voiced in this very thread.

[adruml]

[QUOTE]

You've said several times in this thread that you do not believe that more categories are needed and you think all searches are done by using the search box.

I beleive this is what I posted (copied from this thread)
Reading the concerns on this subject the thought that comes to mind is...How many folks use categories to search for items?
Improving eBids search engine (which I understand eBid is working on) I beleive would make the need for additional categories/sub categories a minimal need. However, if everyone feels searches are performed via category then eBid definately needs to add and improve. Just my thoughts here.

Are you now convinced that stamp searches need categories (as I am - I changed my position from the top of the thread) and simply asking exactly what those categories need to be? If so that's been said (briefly) here as well - echo the Stanley Gibbons categories. That's what's needed - I have been convinced of this by the expert opinions voiced in this very thread.

I am thoroughly convinced the experts here are convinced the stamp searches need categories but I am not an expert nor do I know anything at all about stamps and that is why I am asking the questions to allow me to understand what is being asked. Maybe I should apologize for being curious and want to get an understanding of what I'm trying to form an opinion on but I don't beleive that is warranted here. That is all I am trying to do. Grasp an understanding of this, ya know trying to learn.
Yes I search for items the way I have described previously but I have also stated I am not sure if everybody else searches the same way and asked the question... "does anybody search via categories?".

Madelaine,
I will apologize if I have offended you or questioned what you have posted. Although I truly don't need to know exactly what is needed I still would like to know so at least I have an understanding of it.
Please allow me some time to look into Stanley Gibbons, the UK standard, or Scott, the US one. Maybe this will help me understand. Other then that, good luck with getting the categories changed or updated. I look forward to revisiting this category once changed and maybe that will help my understanding a bit.

[madelaine]

[QUOTE=adruml;1380959]

Madelaine,
I will apologize if I have offended you or questioned what you have posted.

Consider the matter closed

If only I thought eBid would actually do something about this problem.

Just listing by the countries that exist now is inadequate,. Borders move, administrations change, names change, countries split, countries merge. It really is a complicated matter.

[adruml]

[QUOTE=madelaine;1380976]

Consider the matter closed

If only I thought eBid would actually do something about this problem.

Just listing by the countries that exist now is inadequate,. Borders move, administrations change, names change, countries split, countries merge. It really is a complicated matter.

Matter closed!
Beleive it or not this explains quite a bit. Not that I understand any more or less about stamps I do now understand what the category needs are. If it is a matter of updating/keeping up with changes then eBid should very well do something about it.
Thank you!

[kozersky]

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.

Currently there are three large global sites, (eBay US, DelCampe, BidStart) each with millions and millions of stamp listings, and large stamp communities. All of these successful sites do not distinquish between various catalog categories, nor do they have categories determined by the country, or global region where the buyer is located.

As I have posted in another thread, we should retain current categories and add, adjust, or enhance stamp categories that currently exist. Ebid appears to have a small staff, to do otherwise would be virtually impossible.

Bill K-

[madelaine]

Oh, yes, Bill, I was talking about the perfect answer. Even to create the sort of structure you are asking for is a lot of work. I'm really saying that I'm not prepared to do all the work for eBid. It's too much!