Hi folks,
Effective today, I've rolled back some of the features (some would say restrictions) of the system. By default, when you click on an eBay item link, you'll now be sent to eBay itself. The intent of the system was to keep users from going to eBay until they were actually ready to bid, but that hasn't been happening, for a variety of reasons. As a result, over the past seven months the system has been active, eBay commissions have fallen to almost zero. So, rather than continuing to fruitlessly rail against those users who are circumventing it, I'm forced to face reality and return that part of the system to the way it used to be.
If you wish to instead continue to see the Acaeum-served item page, you can still do so, via the top option on your eBay -> Watchlist -> Configuration screen. (Myself, I prefer the Acaeum version, but I'm biased). Regardless of which you choose, you will not be helping/hurting site commissions; select whichever mode you prefer.
What WILL help this site to earn commissions is to click an eBay link on this site within 24 hours of the bid you place on eBay. If you place an item on your eBay.com watchlist, and then fail to click an Acaeum link within 24 hours of your bid, the Acaeum does not earn a commission. Similarly, if you use Auction Hunter to find your 1st print D&D set, and then you enter that item number into your sniping service and forget about it, the Acaeum will not get credit for your win. Enough said on all that; I'm tired and frustrated of fighting that battle. If you're one of those people, then, um, shame on you, but the system is not going to throw up roadblocks to that behavior any longer.
Moving on:
Everyone's "Configuration" button on the Watchlist has been reset to glow yellow, as a reminder to go in and check your configuration. I noticed that a lot of people probably assumed they set their configuration, but in actuality, it didn't save because you didn't enter a US zipcode. The zipcode error message is now bolded, and is easier to notice. If you live in the US, please enter your zipcode, or enter "10001" if you're a privacy fanatic. Then the config settings will properly save, and the yellow highlight on that button will go away. You'll know you've successfully updated the config when it gives you a "Configuration Updated" message.
On an unrelated note, eBay has decided to stop showing completed auction results on their site. They are gradually phasing out completed item listings, and instead will show you a "similar item" that's currently for sale. This is totally annoying. Thankfully, they have not disabled completed item information in the API (yet), so I can still pull it locally. I'm looking at redirecting all completed auction listings to an Acaeum-served item page instead. I mention this because if you've selected "Send me to eBay" in your configuration, and you click a completed item here, you'll be sent to an Acaeum page instead; this is intended behavior, and the only way you'll be able to see that completed-item info.
The "Rares Formerly on eBay" thread and the Valuation Board system will be unaffected by this change, as they utilize a caching system to store the info and pics permanently here.
All for now -- questions / comments welcome. I realize this was a lot of information that I probably didn't explain well.
Foul
