Before the Auction: Writing Professional Descriptions continued ...
The Last Word
To really get on your bidders' good sides, reiterate and explain your sales policy in the third and final paragraph. Explain what forms of payment you accept, if you wait for checks to clear before shipping, when you expect payment, how much you charge for shipping and handling, if you require insurance on shipment, if you accept escrow, and if you offer money-back guarantees or refunds.
Example:
"Please make payment by personal check, money order, or cashiers check. If you prefer personal check, delivery will be made the day after the check clears. Add $X for shipping, handling, and insurance. All packages will be delivered UPS standard. By bidding on this auction, the winner agrees to contact me within three days of auction end with mailing address. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Thank you for your interest, and please check out my other guitar auctions."
The final paragraph quickly summarizes the seller's policies and encourages bidders to contact him or her for more details. The final "thank you" doesn't hurt either. Wise sellers will keep like templates safe and sound so that they can be easily modified to work for other similar auctions.
Check out the finished product:
Classic Jazz Guitar: '56 Gibson ES-175
"Looking for that soulful archtop sound that personified the jazz guitar greats of the early '60s, such as Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, and Tal Farlow? Look no further--this '56 Gibson ES-175 is a spectacular ax. It's all original and near mint."Featuring a solid spruce body and rosewood fretboard, the guitar has a dark sunburst finish, adjustable bridge, single P90 pickup, four-knob control setup, and stylish cutaway for easier access to the 12th fret. This ES-175 also has a bright, full-bodied sound, making it ideal for both ballads and blues. Structurally, the guitar is in excellent condition; however, there are two cosmetic defects. The back has one visible scratch, and the front features a small, yet visible, chip (see picture).
"Please make payment by personal check, money order, or cashiers check. If you prefer personal check, delivery will be made the day after the check clears. Add $X for shipping, handling, and insurance. All packages will be delivered UPS standard. By bidding on this auction, the winner agrees to contact me within three days of auction end with mailing address. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Thank you for your interest, and please check out my other guitar auctions."