reddeer
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:21:30 PM new
MrP ........ My items average 4 pics per auction, with some having as many as 10 pics.
I must admit, I've yet to list a blurry blob for sale on eBay. 
I know it's a fine line when using thumbnails, but my thumbnail pic is usually large enough to give the average user a good feel if it's something they want to bid on, and for the buyer who wants to see *everything*, I give them that option as well.
It really does depend on what you sell. I can't imagine expecting a bidder to drop $100-$500 on an item with only 1 or 2 pics.
SMW ........ I can see you're still upset about that Netscape comment I made the other day.
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pumpkinhead
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:23:44 PM new
I agree with Spaz 100%.
My mom cant figure out why my items tend to sell at prices higher than hers. I've told her till I am blue in the face that no one wants to wait around for all this nonsense to load up on the auction. Crazy colors, ugly backgrounds, L@@K and WOW ...Now when she asks, I just say "I dont know". Sick of talking about it. Drives me crazy. But thats what I get for telling her about ebay in the first place!
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twinsoft
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:26:49 PM new
Here's an auction where I went the other way: a nested table with a background and several GIFs (including animations). The files are all small, so the page loads pretty fast.
Free advice is usually worth what you pay for it.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:31:38 PM new
reddeer-
My items average 4 pics per auction, with some having as many as 10 pics.
That's why I edited my post- it does indeed depend on the item.
I can't imagine expecting a bidder to drop $100-$500 on an item with only 1 or 2 pics.
I mainly buy and sell coins- unless it is a very unusual item, it's hard to imagine a need for more than two pics. Heads and tails should cover it (and although not everybody does, I typically combine both into one image).
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Dragonfyree
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:31:52 PM new
Font Colors which are too close to the background color. Had one last week that I couldn't read. Ones that use six or seven different font colors. I am also a seller and I do use red to highlight that checks must clear before shipping in my TOS. I don't really wait, but want it there for those suspicious checks. Anything with MUSIC. Especially when you can't back out. The picture in the location field is bigger than the picture of your item. I don't care what your state flag looks like.
Not Dragonfyree anywhere but here.
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capriole
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:44:59 PM new
I think that all a seller needs are good pix, good description and TOS that make sense.
I would add that if a seller adds the
unordered list tag:
<ul>
<li>My item description one
<li>My Item description part two
</ul>
Also the paragraph <p> tag and you have enough control to separate your text from a massive paragraph.
If you want to party graphically, then go ahead and do it on your about me page.
I have a mac and letmetellyou some people don't understand cross platform issues of color and font sizing.
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debbielennon
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:48:36 PM new
I don't think there's anything wrong with templates in general.
Wallpaper that covers the entire page & top part of the auction is a bit much.
I think twinsoft's example above is a very effective use of a template. It is easy to read, loads quickly & looks professional.
I like & use templates. Used correctly, I think they can add appeal.
Used incorrectly, I do agree that they can turn bidders away.
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tomwiii
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:50:09 PM new
twinsoft: fyi -- I have cable & your ad took 10 seconds to load, FWIW!
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RainyBear
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:50:43 PM new
me:
Most people are more willing to buy junk wrapped up in a pretty package than something elegant surrounded by garbage.
spazmodeus:
I would hardly describe the original eBay white background and page format as "garbage."
Oh, I wouldn't, either. I use a white background, too, and I use my own simple "templates" for auctions. But I've seen quite a few home-brewed auctions which definitely qualify as garbage. They either have a horrible layout, too much junk, or something else which isn't very easy on the eyes. In those cases, well-designed templates would only help and not hinder.
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spazmodeus
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posted on March 16, 2001 02:55:47 PM new
When I go to a flea market or antique sale, I don't give a hoot what the seller's table or display looks like. Some go all out and purchase antique plants stands on which to perch their items, or they try to "countrify" the display with baskets and dried flowers and lots of hoo-ha. What a waste of time and effort. Sometimes the tables/displays are so busy (with window dressing, not customers) that I buzz right on by without really looking at what that seller has to offer.
The same goes for template auctions.
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reddeer
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:10:51 PM new
Twin
I have cable also, and your auction took less than 2 secs to load.
Tomwiii ...... My guess is your bandwidth is running low.
MrP ... LOL, yes, I would imagine 2 pics for a coin is more than adequate.
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twinsoft
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:11:49 PM new
tomwiii, by 10 seconds I assume you meant it took a long time to load. The little animations are bigger files than they seem. The animations are within a table (Shores of Hell background), which is within another table (colored black). Like I said, I went the other way with that ad. The people who like the Doom game don't mind a few extra graphics.
If you're going to place graphics within a table, always ALWAYS use the WIDTH and HEIGHT attributes with the <IMG> tag.
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jadejim
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:24:33 PM new
Sorry gang! Tables and backgrounds help sell decorative items to a large number of my bidders. My stuff stands out from the masses and I get frequent emails about how attractive my ads are. Many bidders tell me that it shows that I care enought to put some effort into the presentation.
I test my download speed from time to time by asking friends on aol to check how fast they load. Always have liked to do a "worst case" analysis when I try something new.
As to cable: our local cable is TERRIBLE--I never ran slower even with a 33.8 modem. I use DSL and highly recommend it. Speed is fast and consistent and cost is slightly lower than our cable. Check with a local phone company.
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smw
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:27:12 PM new
twinsoft: I looked at the auction. It doesn't matter how long to takes to load, a nano second or 5 minutes. Tables no tables, image sizes, or any of it. It is the colors and the walking whatever in the middle.
Just my preference, but I don't find these sorts of auctions aesthetically pleasing, or conducive to me placing a bid. But if they work for you......
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joanne
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:54:17 PM new
I'd like some opinions on my "template". I use a table with a background image. I also use "click on image for larger view" but I use thumbnails on the auction page and the larger view opens a new window.
Here's one of my closed auctions
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RainyBear
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:58:28 PM new
Joanne -- I think your template is excellent! That's just the kind of template that enhances an auction instead of detracting from it. It's simple and attractive, with no obnoxious colors, flashing doodads or other "no no"s. I love it!
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long_gone
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posted on March 16, 2001 03:59:12 PM new
I agree completely with the premise of this thread!
And let me say that as a seller it feels SOOOO good to be unecumbered with all that crap and knowing that my auctions are infinately better off is just extra cream.
Most of my auctions are simply formatted and every time I sell a new type of item or in a new catagory The description is saved as a "template" (including any tasteful and minimalistic html) and stripped of all the interchangeable info. which is replaced with "XXXXX". Next tyme I have a similar item to sell, I can pull a template from a file of dozens and just paste in the new info, much like most others do with fancy templates.
The only downside is that when I must update general info (like the postal rate hike) I have to update all the templates. but I usually do that on an "as I use them" basis.
To spruce up the look of my auctions and add some subtle class and interest. I put MUCH extra effort in my pictures. Besides selling collectables and antiques, I am an artist by trade and having to work out a living between the two, I feel I'm fairly well versed in regard to merchandising, aesthetics and tasteful attraction.
A good rule of thumb is that ANYTHING that impairs the mood, delays the function or competes for the attention of the item you want to sell and the message you wish to convey is catagorically counterproductive and WILL cost your bottom line.
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joanne
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posted on March 16, 2001 04:01:19 PM new
Thanks Rainybear, that's a load off my mind I HATE animated gifs and the like, I'd never use them on my auctions.
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bhearsch
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posted on March 16, 2001 04:09:18 PM new
Hi spaz. Where have you been?
I was just thinking about the use of automated prefab templates the other day and was beginning to feel like a dinosaur because I still like looking at basic templates with LOTS of white space. Some of these templates have way TOO many colors, layers and borders and IMO detract from the actual item being offered for sale. I personally have an aversion to anything spinning or flipping around (like some of those Master Card logos) because it reminds me of a used car lot. LOL
Because I was feeling a bit outdated I started randomly going through some auctions to see if I could find a fancier template that I liked with the thought of possibly replacing the simple ones I make myself BUT I couldn't find any!! So, I guess I'm going to keep my old ones for now. 
BTW, there's a neat free tool for checking errors and loading times for your auction page which I use before submitting my auctions. If the loading time is too long I know I'll have to either use more compression on one of my photos or make it smaller. There are a number of free utilities that perform this function but some of them need java scipt enabled and this one doesn't have that requirement. twinsoft, you should enter your auction's URL to see the result. The load time is at the bottom of the report. http://www.cast.org/bobby/
Blanche
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amy
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posted on March 16, 2001 04:28:53 PM new
A seller can't please everyone, so he might as well please himself.
A "plain Jane" auction with no attempt to attractively display the item with an ad background that compliments and sets off the item up for sale won't make me "back out" but it does make me wonder if the seller is really making any effort to sell the item...or is he just "tossing it on the table" and saying "here it is"
An auction with a tasteless (to me) background or glaring color combinations is not going to make me back out either. I'm willing to "dig" a little to get an item I want. The way I see it, once the item arrives at my house the "horrible ad" is gone and I will never see it again...but I do have an item I will enjoy for a lot longer than the lenght of time my eyes had to hurt in order to place the bid.
I use templates and my sales seem fine. I guess there are enough customers out there to go around...the ones that back out of mine and go to yours are compensated by the ones who back out of yours and come to mine.
Vive la difference!
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debbielennon
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posted on March 16, 2001 04:29:34 PM new
joanne:
I liked your template also.
It loaded instantly, was easy to read & gave your auction a professional look.
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noshill
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posted on March 16, 2001 04:51:40 PM new
joanne,
Your template is attractive and loads fast on a 56kb modem.
One suggestion. Your template isn't centered in the eBay page. If you add </blockquote> as the very first entry in your template code, your template will be centered. No other tags are required.
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jadejim
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posted on March 16, 2001 04:59:07 PM new
joanne: Very NICE template. I would have positive impression of your wares because you took the time to present them attractively.
Loaded instantly, but with my DSL almost everything except ipix and andale does.
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joanne
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posted on March 16, 2001 05:05:21 PM new
Thanks everyone, I'm glad it doesn't appear that I'm alienating bidders LOL
noshill - thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try! Hmmm... wouldn't adding "align=center" to the TABLE tag do the same thing?
Oh, never mind, I already have that in the coding LOL
[ edited by joanne on Mar 16, 2001 05:07 PM ]
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twinsoft
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posted on March 16, 2001 05:21:15 PM new
Smw, I'm sure the graphics aren't for everyone. But if I changed them, would you then buy Doom? I doubt it. Like Joanne's ad, the appearance should target your audience. The ad I posted for Doom 2 was very successful, and sadly I am now sold out of the product.
I also find that often the ads I find glaring, glitzy and repulsive, are hot sellers. To each his own. But back to the original subject, I'll just repeat that images within tables load slower.
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shaani
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posted on March 16, 2001 05:52:49 PM new
Twinsoft's ad loaded for me in just a couple of seconds and I agree it targeted a certain audience and was appropriate.
This reminds me of a discussion here a long time ago and someone was selling magic or circus or carnival type items I believe. Everyone was being critical of his auctions because of music, colors etc. He had bidders for his items and targeted his auctions towards them and if I remember right he was doing very well.
It all depends on what you sell and if it is working for you. Not everyone will like it but then not everyone likes the clothes that others choose to wear.
[ edited by shaani on Mar 16, 2001 05:56 PM ]
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Julesy
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posted on March 16, 2001 05:54:18 PM new
I only use a simple table kind of template, but this thread is giving me a huge complex...
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corrdogg
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posted on March 16, 2001 06:05:54 PM new
“It's infuriating. Sometimes after seeing how long it takes to load the page, I make a mental note to not even consider sniping that particular auction -- and since sniping is how I bid, those auctions get no bid from me at all. ”
So... what kind of money are these “no-template, snipe bidders” spending?
If I have to craft my auctions for the lowest common denominator will it be worth my while - or will I just wind up with a cheapskate bidder?
I’m all for keeping it simple, but some of the reasons given here are less than compelling.
On the other hand, I think that since the 14th of March AW has done a remarkable job of stopping people from using their templates!
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goodvibrations
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posted on March 16, 2001 06:06:58 PM new
AMEN!!!!! I hate loathe and detest all those extra boggles and jiggles and giggles and whatevers. IF something in the template actually aids making the ad more LEGIBLE, then I'm all for it. Anything else is just uselesss crap. AND I have broadband. It's still crap, it just gets delivered faster.
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nowwhat
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posted on March 16, 2001 06:29:33 PM new
twinsoft ~ I think your ad looked great! Attractive, professional and appropriate for the product. In fact I would say it's one of the best I've seen.
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