The problem
Used items need honest condition notes, and vague ones bring 'not as described' returns. Turning each item over, noting every scuff and typing it up takes about 8 minutes. A seller listing 60 used items a month spends 8 hours on it, usually with both hands full.
What the AI does
With ChatGPT's voice with video, you turn the item in front of the phone camera and say what you see: the marks, what works, what's missing. You can ask it to read a model number or size label. After the call, the transcript stays in the chat, and you ask in text for a short condition note and the item details from the labels for each item. You check them against the item before listing. Video is on Go (about $9£7€8A$13C$13 a month) and above, in the iPhone and Android apps.
A worked example
A part-time seller in Swindon lists about 60 used items a month, mostly branded clothing and small electricals. Each batch is talked through with the phone on a stand, then the notes are pasted into eBay's listing form.
Before
About 8 minutes per item on condition notes: 8 hours a month
After
About 4 minutes per item including checking: 4 hours a month
What it's worth
About $80£60€71A$115C$113 a month in time saved, against about $9£7€8A$13C$13 for ChatGPT Go. Condition notes drop from 8 hours a month to 4, and 4 hours at an assumed $20£15€18A$29C$28 an hour is $80£60€71A$115C$113.
How to set it up
- Choose ChatGPT Go (€8, about $9£7€8A$13C$13 a month) or above in the iPhone or Android app; Free doesn't include video.
- Start a chat with a brief: 'For each item I show you, I'll describe its condition. Use only what I say or what you can read on labels. Say next item between pieces.'
- In Settings, Voice, choose the Advanced option, start voice and tap the camera button to share video.
- Turn each item slowly, say every mark and fault, and ask it to read labels you can't make out.
- End the call and ask in text for a condition note and item details for each item. Check each against the item, then paste into the eBay listing form.
What goes wrong
- It can miss a mark or describe one that isn't there. You're responsible for the listing, so look at the item yourself and photograph every fault.
- It may soften faults into 'minor wear'. Tell it to state faults plainly; honest notes prevent returns.
- Without a clear 'next item', details from two items can blur together.
- Free doesn't include video, and the newer Live voice option doesn't support it; use Advanced on Go or above.