Hi Everyone,

We have completed a review of the feedback from Community members and of several weeks’ worth of key performance measurements in the Pottery & Glass category. The purpose of this review was to determine the impact of Item Specifics and Category Structure changes in Pottery & Glass.

Community sentiment on the Pottery & Glass sub-category rollups, as expressed on the boards, in email, by phone, and in person was negative. The trends in key performance measures in the category were mixed when comparing the post-rollup period to the pre-rollup period. Some measures improved versus the period prior to the rollup, while others declined or remained stable.

Based on these facts, we are proposing the following:

• Restore the sub-category structure – as it was pre-rollup – during the week of July 12;
  
• Revise the sub-category structure during the coming months based on substantial input from Community members (we have already received excellent suggested structures from several users);
  
• Remove Item Specifics from Pottery & Glass beginning the week of July 12 (removed from sell process first, then from the buy process a week or so later);
  
• Redesign Item Specifics for Pottery & Glass with extensive community review and discussion during the next six months to focus on attributes that reflect the unique needs of the collectors and traders in the category;
  
• Reintroduce Item Specifics to Pottery & Glass – to complement and live alongside search and browse – in early- to mid-2005 after additional community review and discussion.

Additional details on this plan will be posted early next week, after we have collected your feedback on the proposal.

We believe this is the best solution for Pottery & Glass. While the approach in other categories will differ, we will tailor our approach to Item Specifics elsewhere on the site based on the lessons learned in Pottery & Glass.

Finally, we apologize for any disruption these changes have caused and thank you for your participation in the debate and discussion. eBay is a better place because of it.

Regards,

Michael, Bob and Suzanne