posted on June 27, 2006 07:18:55 PM new
I was interested to note your recent announcement. Please... forward this to the appropriate department.
When the time comes to make consolidations, you'd be far better served to work with the Andale graphic designers. I have been using Vendio (AuctionWatch) for 6 years.
I appreciate the auction management functions. I like being able to work offline with SMPro. However, the only reason I'm still here is that I've been able to create a simple, custom template and ignore all the busy, clumsy templates you offer.
There are times when I'd love to use a tastefully designed "theme" template. Unfortunately all the ones available look like they were created by someone - NOT a graphic designer - who had just found clip art for the first time.
The focus of any auction page should be the item. The border graphics, if any, are there to enhance the listing and make it look more professional. Someone seems to be forgetting that the template graphics should be secondary and not competing with the item.
Having a paint set doesn't make one an artist. Neither does being able to write code make a person a designer. Frankly, you could chuck every Vendio template you've got - except the ability to create one almost from scratch - and adopt the Andale designs. I wouldn't miss a one of them and might finally be able to use a theme from time to time.
It sounds like you're using our old "Standard" templates. I'm not sure if you've checked out the custom template system, under Template Workshop. This system will allow you to create totally custom templates with the ability to choose different colors, borders, graphics, fonts, themes, etc. You can even upload your own graphics to use with your template if you don't like the ones we've provided (this is available if you're on a monthly Sales Manager plan. )
Please take a look, under My Account -> Custom Templates. You can also access the Template Workshop directly from the create listing form.
Note that there are several hundred pre-created 'theme' templates that you can save to your template list in the Template Workshop as well.
Thanks,
Diana
[ edited by DianaCS on Jun 28, 2006 10:44 AM ]
posted on June 29, 2006 12:37:00 PM new
and actually, some of the original theme templates were better than the newer ones.
Lots of the them are downright garish. I do use my own logo, on a very plain, black background with white type and I think it looks fine. But I recently looked at the sports theme templates and was appalled.
