Bug 13100 – eBay seller interface should use rich text editor with Safari ("Description" box does not line space)

• Status: RESOLVED
• Resolution: CONFIGURATION CHANGED
• Component: Evangelism

[Paul A. Householder]

I have had to use Firefox on eBay because of this persisitent problem with Safari and Webkit:

(Note that an eBay account is needed to get to the page that I am describing.)

When entering plain text in the "Description" box of the Sell item page, hard returns (carriage returns) are ignored/parsed when this text is displayed later in a "Preview" window or on the final listing page.  Thus, you cannot create paragraphs or add line spacing at all - very messy.

I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to browser technology, but I will say that eBay functionality is greatly increased when using Internet Explorer; Safari and Firefox only seem to display the simpler features.  For example, in IE, when uploading pictures on the Sell page, there is an "Enhanced" picture service in IE, but only "Basic" service in Safari/Firefox.

Thanks,
Paul

[David Kilzer (:ddkilzer)]

Thanks for the bug report, Paul!

Can you tell whether eBay is letting you type "styled" text in other browsers, but not with Safari or WebKit?  If so, that's probably the reason for the difference.

[Paul A. Householder]

That does seem to be the difference; I can adjust font type/size in Firefox.  Is there a reason why Safari/Webkit cannot have this capability?  Otherwise, Safari is very limited for eBay selling.

Thanks for all your efforts!

[David Kilzer (:ddkilzer)]

Confirmed that the Description field uses a plain textarea when selling an item on eBay with a local debug build of WebKit r20267.

This interface should use a rich text editor with Safari.  Mark, do you have any contacts at eBay?

[Justin Garcia]

We were given the source code recently and fixed a couple of bugs specific to their editor.  It now works quite well, I think they just need unblock WebKit.

[David Kilzer (:ddkilzer)]

Let's leave this bug open until eBay switches their interface to use the rich text editor.

[Robert Blaut]

(In reply to comment #5)
> Let's leave this bug open until eBay switches their interface to use the rich
> text editor.
> 

As I tested today user agent sniffing still prevents Webkit from using rich text editor.

[Justin Garcia]

<rdar://problem/3590582>

[Mike]

I'm having a problem setting up selling on eBay. When I try to upload an image to eBay for an item I want to sell, Safari/Webkit freezes, I get the beach ball, and have to do a force quit.