posted on February 28, 2001 10:10:35 PM new
In the area you sell in,would it kill your sale if you had no picture, but just a description. I found the answer to my own question shocking when I went and looked for myself on E-Bay.I had never really thought about it until now.Let me know what you think.
posted on February 28, 2001 10:16:10 PM new
Well, I have a website of my own. Right now the hosting service is down... It has the 99.7 uptime guarantee! It does affect my sales.
-Trey
***********************************
"If your mind can concieve it, and you believe it, then you probably can achieve it."
posted on February 28, 2001 10:44:27 PM new
Unless I am dying to own that widgit or it is practically free I usually will not bid on an auction without a picture.
posted on March 1, 2001 04:29:48 AM new
The one time I did bid on something that had no pic, it turned out to be a very obvious repro. Unless it's something like software or a book I want just for reading, I won't bid on anything without a good, clear picture.
posted on March 1, 2001 05:50:39 AM new
I don't think there is much you can put on without a picture. If it's just a plain book without a dustjacket or a magazine or maybe software.I know I get e-mails right away on collectibles if the person can't load the pic. A camera nowadays is mandatory. And I cannot believe people will put on things under real estate and automotive without a pic. The higher the price the more necessary the pic and even multiple pics in some cases.
posted on March 1, 2001 06:10:26 AM new
I sell mostly computer stuff, and a good description far outweighs a picture. Buyers need to know what operating system it runs under, new/used, etc. A picture is rarely helpful, except perhaps for some more exotic stuff.
Its almost counterproductive to have a picture, in that I've seen people buy things based on the picture WITHOUT reading the description carefully, and then they found out they got the wrong thing.
Even worse are people who use clip art/photos from the web sites of the manufacturers of the product. Makes me wonder if they even have the product, or if this is just a scam (sadly, there is a lot (relatively) of that going on in the computer area). I prefer seeing an obviously home-made picture. Its not foolproof, but adds a little more credibility.
posted on March 1, 2001 06:29:15 AM new
In the case of used items, I usually will not bid if there is no picture of the actual item for sale.
I immediately hit the back button when a used item is accompanied by a picture of the item brand new that has been lifted from the manufacturer's web site. I like to see the actual item that I'm bidding on.
If the item is MIB, factory sealed, then I can see using a manufacturer's picture.
posted on March 1, 2001 06:41:31 AM new
Having a picture on your auction (your own picture) adds credibility to your auction. I wouldn't launch an auction without one.
posted on March 1, 2001 06:41:38 AM new
I primarily sell well known new toys and video games. I don't think its absolutely necessary to have pictures of them, but I do think it helps my sales. Even if I do copy the Manufacturer's Picture from the website...
posted on March 1, 2001 06:54:29 AM new
My first 200 auctions went off without a hitch ~ and without pics.
I sold:
lots of worn namebrand clothing, vintage comic books (yes, without pics and made a pretty penny), barbies, beanies.
If your audience knows what they are bidding on, you don't really need the pics but you do need to write Great descriptions.
A taste of my PICless feedback from "way back when":
Heck, I bought seven lots from this seller and happy w/ALL! What more to say?!
Very quick to respond. Would do bussiness again. Items nice and clean. A+++++++
In 300 transactions, I have NEVER had a nicer or more helpful seller! Val RULES!
Exactly as described. Fast and secure delivery. Great addition to my collection.
Val, you're one in a million, I actually enjoyed buying from you, Thanks. A+++++
There are about 50 more like that ~ some of my highest praise came from those auctions. IMHO, It all comes down to managing expectations.
posted on March 1, 2001 07:31:01 AM new
(Yes, I would buy if you had no Pic and so would others ~ both newbies and pro's)
just cause they don't hang at the AW threads don't mean they don't exist!
edited to add my favorite PICless FB: GREATEST ITEMS I HAVE EVER PURCHASED ON EBAY , FASTEST SHIPPING ALSO,, THANKS
posted on March 1, 2001 07:41:26 AM new
I sold for almost a year without pictures. I sold two (different) types of figurines which most collectors had price value guide books and were very aware of what the figurines looked like. So a good description and the figurine number in the description, worked well. I received approx. the same ending price that those with pictures did.
BUT...when I sold items other than in those two catagories, while they did sell, the prices I ending up getting were far below what other similiar items were getting. I received many emails from my buyers telling me they'd have bid a lot more if they'd been able to view the item before bidding.
So...my opinion is that pictures do make a big difference in most auctions, but there are areas that will do well without them. BUT pictures will bring better prices/more bids that those without.
posted on March 1, 2001 10:07:55 AM new
I did auctions for a year without pics and more recent auctions with pics and I don't see any difference. I sell a broad spectrum of items. Posters and autographs are the only area I've seen there to be any effect in bids.
As a matter of fact, some of my items sold for 50% more without pics, which means proper wording is more effective.
posted on March 1, 2001 10:37:32 AM new
Never used a picture yet in hundreds of auctions. I admit that I personally like auctions that have pictures...but...if the picture is real bad I probably won't bid. A bad picture is worse than no picture and will kill your bidding faster than you can say fee based listing services.
here, there, and everywhere