New VERY experimental feature - personalization
Hi everyone – there’s a new feature up right now that you might be interested in checking out. For those of you opted in to see experimental features you can find it linked from your My Bonanza page. The feature is our first effort at experimenting with site personalization.
Before I describe the feature in more detail let me make one thing clear. We expect early recommendations to be bad as we simply don't have much data to work with. Our personalized recommendations will get better with time. So, thank you to you early experimental feature pioneers. You won't get great (or even good) personalized results, but you will help us build our data.
And now back to our normally scheduled blog post.....
As I’ve stated before one of our main goals this year is to make Bonanza a marketplace you can actually shop. Right now it’s good for finding items if you know specifically what you’re looking for (and getting better all the time), but it’s still too hard to shop the site and discover something great. And the most important thing we can do to deliver on this experience is make sure shoppers are finding items that are relevant to them.
I’m telling all of you as we need your help. Like most forms of on-site personalization ours requires some data before it will start providing even semi-effective results. You can help by answering the questions in our on-site wizard so we can accrue the initial data. We don’t expect the recommendations to be great (or even remotely good) right out of the gate. However, capturing data from a sampling of users will help us test and calibrate our recommendations. Not to worry, personalization is, and always will be, optional. No one will be required to answer these questions and, for those that do, your responses will not be shared with anyone. Lastly, we're not asking anything super invasive like home address, income level, age, or anything like that. Most of the questions are just about style and personal preferences - with a dash of humor for good measure.
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64 responses to New VERY experimental feature - personalization
FYI…it’s at the top of your My Bonanza page, not the bottom. I realized this after looking around the bottom and not finding anything!
Tried the survey and more than half the items recommended were within ideas that I might like. About 6 items I wouldn’t be caught dead with. Just thought You’d like to know the results.
Did the survey also. It picked up on my love of classics and designers like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior. I was surprised because there were no pictures of any designer outfits from which to choose. Everything seemed to be geared towards a much younger audience. Lastly, it interpreted my love of early 80’s music into a love of vintage 80’s clothing….No Thank You! Wore those clothes then. Had enough.
Based on what you told us about yourself, we’be picked some items just for you. Take a look, enjoy shipping your own personal collection
Can we proofread please
I did the survey and got strange results. I got a comic book I have never heard of, some coasters, and a knife. lol, I only answered fashion questions, so I do not know how these items appeared. Maybe there are things about myself I don’t know. It was fun to fill out, but did not see anything I would purchase or wear.
QUESTION? I assume these items are being pulled from collections? So those sellers who have collections turned off, would not have their items in the suggestions?
What an atrocious list I was given!! There isn’t any possible way you could ever figure out what I will shop for from those questions you asked. Perhaps if my favorite type(s) of music were there to choose from… There was even some x-rated looking something or other that I didn’t dare to click on!!!
Answered all questions! lol I got Twitter Promos, Items that had been sold, And CIJ banners! Only very few of that said my fashion!
Well that was a total waste of 5 minutes.
Of the list I was given, what stood out the most (pun intended), was a jock strap.
Now, if I had two of those, I could sew them together at the waistband and make a bra out of them. Bra’s I wear…every day. Can’t remember the last time I had a jock strap on!
OMG what a hoot – enjoyed taking the survey and had a good laugh at how out to lunch the results were
… we can only get better from here
better keep it experimental for a long time..results not even close lol
mens loose jeans
pink gemstone ring
swiss bayonet knife
1976 Starship Troopers
energy soap
a moose telephone
TITLE clasic MMA protective cup
peppermint soap
small pink dog shoes
Dooney & Bourke purse
Polly Pocket dolls
girls 2 pc dress
ship in a bottle sillohouette
knitted purse
cucumber candles
womens blazer
garden hairstick
another set of small dog shoes
a Maori Koruru Mask
twitter advertising package
vintage silverplate brush/comb
hammered copper & brass dipper
polaroid camera
a hammock
Fostoria oval bowl
patchwork purse
orange elastic crystal bracelet
Sesame Street Elmo I’m the Big Brother and the best:
a jar of Jif Omega 3 peanut butter
This is the silliest thing I’ve ever seen! I did the survey and it gave me a lot of name brand high fashion stuff. I answered that I replace clothes when they wear out. And it was a mix of man and woman items. Strange to say the least.
So, I decided to try again and this time only changed the comfort but stylin is a bonus and changed my music genre and this time I got mostly man items. There was a drop dead gorgeous brooch but also a leather man’s thong, a baby dress, polly pockets, a midge doll, hunting knife, outdoor life, star wars troopers? I fail to see the correlation between the items and my answers. Who were they shopping for!
Well, I can say that my granddaughter & I got a good laugh out of this!
It didn’t know me either. I am a woman with adult children. Among other things, it offered me: Jif Peanut Butter, Ashtrays, 2 Mens Jeans, 2 Little Girl Dresses, Fudge, After shave, Maori Mask, Dog boots, Twitter Advertising and After Shave. Okay, the fudge looked good! But I’m diabetic. I said I liked Rock Music – no music offerings at all.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Per my note we’re not expecting good results….yet. It will take time to accrue data, but we expect it to get better as we have more matches.
In fact, this early on, it would be lucky to get good results! Thanks for helping us accrue the data so we can start making this better for everyone.
Wow, I got the same list as Sofy! The one thing that really hit me is that just as this site seems to cater to fashionista types so do the questions in this survey. None of the styles were age appropriate for 50 and over! I think the boyz should take a look at the average 60-yr-old in a bolero and hiphuggers! Not that I didn’t look pretty cute in just that thing back in the late 60s and 70s but now it wouldn’t be a pretty sight!
So based on everyone’s comments above, I just had to see for myself. For the most part, I “liked” everything on the list, but would I buy any of the selections…probably not. What was really funny was that I selected Classical music as my music choice and up pops a Beach Boys album. Didn’t know the Beach Boys were in the same league with Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
Many strange answers, some similar to sofyblu2’s results, but the one I got that really made me laugh was a RAMBO lunch box.
Just took the quiz. I don’t think your computer knows anything. I wouldn’t ever buy or want one thing on my suggested personal collection! If many more are like me, scrap this idea and put your efforts toward another way to improve the site- like more advertising to the general public. Most people I speak to have never heard of Bonanzle or Bonanza! Massive Fail!!
@ExcaliburCoinBoxes – you nailed it. Our computer doesn’t know anything….yet.
Per my posts above we’re using this ‘experimental feature’ period to gather data so we can learn and make good recommendations in the future. It would be a major coincidence if your results were good this early in our data gathering process.
Just took the quiz!!! Several of the items that appeared were of interest. Of course, there were a few that seemed to have come out of the clear blue sky. Overall, it was both fun & interesting. You showed me items that I had not yet found!!!
Personally, I am staying away from this “experiment.”
The reason being, I dislike it when a site recommends things to me when I am shopping (I know what I want or need, I am not stupid.)
I am also not thrilled as a seller because recommendations of other items from other sellers show up, to MY buyer, somewhere on my listing, invoice, after the sale or whatever which are not to my benefit.
If a buyer comes to Bonanza and buys something that others have and other items are suggested to them based on these surveys (because the buyer and a survey taker appear to Bonanza to have similar “personalities”) then that poor buyer is going to be offered up stuff that they likely will not want for many reasons.
Why doesn’t Bonanza do something to bring buyers to the site from outside instead of messing with stuff like this?
Another site that I sell from did this, … and I made the mistake of going through the procedure, a couple of times. Now, everyday when I check into my other site, I am greeted with items that I would NEVER buy.
I think that one of the problems with the survey over “there” is 2 fold:
1. They also worked with limited inventory
2. Computers can’t seem to handle nuances.
Sorry, it was a no go for me as well. I know it will take time to come together.
I second UknowUneedAnother’s post.
Sounds like I had a very different experience. I was very pleased with what your questionnaire came up with for me. Maybe some of the specific items I might not go out of my way for but the pallet or genre was on the money. Several items came up that I might not have thought of but I really liked. I guess that makes me a major coincidence :=)
Just an observation. So far most of the feed back about this has sounded pretty brutal…ease up why don’t you. Think….constructive in put and have a great day :=)
If I want something, I will seek it out. I don’t need a machine, computer program, or anyone to tell me what I like etc.
I won’t do this nor do I see any point of having this program.
Has it come to people needing to be told what to buy? Worst, inaccurately. BOO! Monica
Definitely odd choices showed up for me. Like Cheetos! Not sure what I might have answered that brought those up.
So how does this get better? What “teaches” the coding that it has made mistakes?
Also, I would think that anyone answering these particular questions would NOT expect to see items unrelated to the questions. Either you need more questions or the items/choices need to stick to categories related to the existing questions.
I WANT A DISLIKE BUTTON FOR THIS IDEA!!!!
You were right – not even close. Although my choices were clearly masculine, I was presented with a collection of things oriented to women. Ruby red shoes? Spare me.
Still, it was fun to do the survey.
There was a funny typographical error when my collection was presented, at the close. I’ve quoted the material below:
“Based on what you told us about yourself, we’be picked some items just for you. Take a look, enjoy SHIPPING your own personal collection.”
Come to think of it, I guess “shipping” my personal collection is right, because I sure wouldn’t need it, myself.
You might want to fix the typo in the results thing (Based on what you told us about yourself, we’be picked some items just for you. Take a look, enjoy shipping your own personal collection.) I believe it’s we’ve and what was picked was not only nothing I would buy, it even included booth banners and twitter promo packages which outside shoppers would not buy. It’s interesting that the entrance to Bonz looks nice with all its fine HPL and yet practically everything in the ‘suggested buys’ for me was rag tag and not very exciting. Well, yep, if you wanted to “not get it right” ya did fine
but I did laugh out loud more than once.
I’ll give it a shot – sort of reminds me of the Netflix recommendations; sometimes I LOL at those too! But, we can’t say you didn’t warn us and hey, I’ll bet the airplane didn’t fly well on the first try either!
@jsgeare – thanks for the typo tip! We type shipping and shopping probably a dozen times each day.
I thought it was fun and there were actually several items that would be of interest to me.
Interesting idea. Small head’s up though Alex.
In 3rd paragraph you have merchandise spelled correctly. But in the 1st paragraph under the FAQ you have it spelled merchandize twice. Merchandise is the correct spelling.
To be more grammatically correct the preposition on in this sentence: We’ll still honor what the user specifically searched on
Should be changed to this: We’ll still honor what the user specifically searched for
i.e, a buyer will search for ; not search on
Thanks for the feedback BargainBasement. I was drawing a distinction between the noun and the verb and thought the alternate spelling would make that more clear. So, even if not ‘by the book’ it was intended.
Took it last night before bed was interesting and actually gave me some stuff I liked lol but I wouldn’t mind taking it again, just to see if I get different results. Where so I go to take it again?
I wonder why I would need or want a men’s protective cup?
and where is my country music, ahemmmm, and nothing country/western ..not all of us live in the city feel like this is all it is for, tried this 2 times and its a NO GO for me sorry, but nothing relates to me here on this new feature
@CritterCreekRanch – thanks for the tip on Country music. I just added it.
And yep, you are finding what we expected for early personalization users – bad initial results. Thanks for the feedback. The results will get better as we gather more data.
Are you gonna add selections for us oldsters? I don’t look good in teeny bopper clothes anymore! And some of us are pysically unable to wear high heals or other “fashionable” foot wear. Really need to broaden your horisons on those survey choices! Perhaps you need an oldster on your staff to point out our perspective!
@froggieb – are there stores or style labels that you think we are missing that are more ‘oldster’ appropriate? Let the record reflect I am quoting you. ; )
Frankly I didn’t think most of the questions were relevant for me and wonder why it is basically fashion based, as the tags are…speaking of TAGS…I KEEP getting told more descriptions are coming…how about THOSE instead of THIS!?
If buyers are presented with this survey, at what point during their visit will they receive it? Is this another gimmick to get those of us who are adament about not showcasing other sellers items on our listing, to do just that?
@northwestgale
Where did your comment go? It was excellent!
Country music is only ONE music category that is missing. My choices for music are as follows: Country, Bluegrass, Southern Gospel, Southern Rock and Blues!! Since I cannot possibly choose an all-time favorite, I would have to be able to choose more than one…. five to be exact, LOL!
The first 2 pics are stupid to start with… a ridiculously high heeled hooker shoe or a stupid tie. Never in my life would I ever choose anything like that. Where’s the cowboy boots? The fringe jacket? Come on!
Like others have stated, I don’t need a computer to tell me what I am searching for, it will never ever ever know anyway because I can answer questions all day about me until it gets what I like for me personally correct and still not show me what I am searching for when I’m shopping to buy gifts for family and friends who are nothing at all like me!
kenoticket ~ I think my comment went into the HPL black hole where it will have lots of company ~ guess the thoughtful comments of people with a mature outlook aren’t appreciated or wanted here! Oh, well ~ if the truth hurts & you control the delete button, just push it & it will disappear!
Guess the fact that I don’t care for “advertising in my face” went to the black hole as well!
On a POSITIVE note….So long as you keep making these “experimental features” OPTIONAL, we will try to refrain from any “negativity”. However, should they ever become NOT OPTIONAL, this would be a definite “deal breaker” for us.
Very interesting, but not something that interests me. I shop very little, buy what I need and always strive for would be second hand except for underwear and sox! LOL
Missed the mark for me.. keep it optional. don’t really think many people would take the time to do the survey when they are shopping online.
My clothing style is very ethnic…A sport for me is board games…I very rarely cook…I don’t wear spike heel shoes…
Sorry,but this experiment made me sad….
@CatnuttiToo – more tags are coming. Probably in the next week or so.
@kenoticket – We’re still working on where we give broader access to the personalization questions. More soon.
@Indizona – the first question and representative pictures are the same for everyone.
I get the meaning of the first 2 photos…the tie is typically to a man’s liking, not necessarily the style of the tie. Same goes for the lady’s shoes….but of course there may be a man who does not like a tie and there may be a lady who does not like high heels. I think the point you all may be trying to get at is whether you are dealing with a man taking the quiz or a lady, right? Gotta start somewhere. There are some folks who may think they have to be a lady who likes heels to click on the photo link. I do not like heels to be honest or that particular style, but since I was a lady I went ahead and clicked on the high heel link. Maybe the first page can introduce the quiz better? Thank you Alex.
Seems to me that a good question would be something like: What category are you most likely to shop in?
But that would be presuming that some folks are interested in things other than fashion.
Funny! I got a necktie and a James Bond movie! What I’m curious about is how taking the quiz will help with data collection, because at the end of the day the programmers don’t know whether the items in the suggested collection were appropriate or not. Maybe I missed something! Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
@alex, I know the first 2 pictures are the same for everyone. What I’m saying is the choices are too narrow. If, as HeavenlyMakover put it, you want to know if we are male or female on the first question, a straight question would be much better than 2 pics that don’t fit most people.
Results for one of our other booths were hilarious and not even close…
David’s was so silly even he saw the humor…
Anyway we could get the photo cropper fixed or speed it up a little?
How about the photo loader? so I am not most of the day listing 10 items?
Besides Bonanza gathering some intel … (um? what for?)
I totally fail to see the sense in this.
Why would you want to know what Bonanzlers are interested in?
The majority are sellers not buyers.
We need a search engine that outsiders and anon buyers easily can use. THEY are the important people, THEY are the buyers .
We are not….
Oh well, maybe my straight and logically thinking brain can’t get the bends and curves here.
Might want to change this?? i to o ?? See below
If this is what you meant??
Based on what you told us about yourself, we’be (??) picked some items just for you.
Take a look, enjoy sh i pping your own personal collection.
Edit: oh, now I see that it was mentioned before …
sorry, but see? straight brain found it too.
And again: Please guys, which buyer is going through this hassle?
To me it seems you are solely focussing (spelling??) on Bonanza merchants.
And THAT’S a big no-no.
Bonanzlers are here to sell, not to buy (because if we could afford to buy, we wouldn’t be trying to sell here)
I think this has great potential.
gonna have to go with “no go” too…but then fashion is not something I usually bother with..if I like it and it fits…then I buy it…
I took the survey in one of my other booths, never would I ware what the showed me. I think the results would scare buyers off big time.
Thanks so much for being a part of our early test. As I said in the post we’re in data gathering mode and expect early results to be as many of you found – bad. As our data grows our recommendations will improve. There’s a reason this is an experimental feature. ; )
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