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Why doesn't Firefox display the descritption on some eBay listings when Internet Explorer does??

  • 8 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by DonRB

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In general, Firefox works fine with eBay. However, in some cases it rarely displays the item description. I know the description is there because it displays using Internet Explorer. Here is the URL for a listing that fails to show the description: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SAGE-GREEN-CD-152-CALIFORNIA-INSULATOR/401470434902?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Nearly all listings from this seller have the same problem. eBay says it is not their issue, but that of the Firefox browser.

In general, Firefox works fine with eBay. However, in some cases it rarely displays the item description. I know the description is there because it displays using Internet Explorer. Here is the URL for a listing that fails to show the description: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SAGE-GREEN-CD-152-CALIFORNIA-INSULATOR/401470434902?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Nearly all listings from this seller have the same problem. eBay says it is not their issue, but that of the Firefox browser.

All Replies (8)

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If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block (wanted) content (e.g. Adblock Plus, NoScript, Ghostery, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block (wanted) content.

  • make sure your extensions and filters are updated to the latest version

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the cache and remove the cookies from websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Options/Preferences).

"Clear the cache:

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove the cookies" from websites that cause problems.

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> "Use custom settings for history" -> Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Appearance
  • do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window
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None of the suggestions made any difference.

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DonRB said

In general, Firefox works fine with eBay. However, in some cases it rarely displays the item description. I know the description is there because it displays using Internet Explorer. Here is the URL for a listing that fails to show the description: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SAGE-GREEN-CD-152-CALIFORNIA-INSULATOR/401470434902?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Nearly all listings from this seller have the same problem. eBay says it is not their issue, but that of the Firefox browser.

I doubt this is a FF issue I clicked the link and can see more of the description on there. I will include a screen shot of it and you tell us what part is missing in it then.

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I have posted two screen snips. The larger one is with IE and the smaller with FF. Note the missing description with FF. That's the problem.

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Ok that helps more. I do see the same on FF57.0.3 as well so I think you should do a bug report to the developer at Mozilla to look into it. Could be a coding issues is missing something from eBay. In this case this is where a screen shot helps others see what is happening. Make sure to include both screen shots so they can see the problem.

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How do I submit a bug report?

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This is a known bug. When a page uses "deeply nested" HTML, Firefox will stop attempting to render the content after about 200 levels. If the content is in a table, it is invisible. If it is not in a table, then it looks unstyled. Here, the content is in a table.

The seller's HTML editor is junking up the page with unnecessary font tags, as you can see here (some 300+ levels of nesting): https://pastebin.com/76TY0unF

Some day Firefox is expected to be updated to handle 500 levels, but for now, that's the situation. You may want to bring it to the seller's attention.

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First, thank you for the detailed response. I don't believe the seller to be a technically savvy person and his listings are quite valuable to me. While I don't like the alternative, my only solution at this point is to change from Firefox back to Internet Explorer. Thanks again! Don