posted on January 7, 2001 09:30:50 AM
I have two questions (then an explanation, then a last question).
My question is: Do you tend to avoid long wordy auctions and if so, how much text makes an auction long and wordy?
In earlier post (under To Snipe or...) one person stated that they avoided long, wordy auctions (among other things). I currently have an auction on E-bay that may be considered long by some people. My item is a simulation (knock-off) of a highly desired item. I went into detailed explanation to ensure that bidders know the item isn't the real thing, and that you couldn't tell by just looking at it. I also added some information that I felt would make it more attractive to bid on.
My last question is: If you don't give a lot of information, how do you get the desired information to potential bidders? (I mean it's a double-edged sword - If you don't give enough information, people can claim they thought they were buying something else, and if you give too much, they won't even look)
posted on January 7, 2001 09:41:55 AM
Just the facts please.
Save the marketing foo.
So tell me it looks just like the real thing but isn't. Give me factual information about the item..what it is made of, what the dimensions are if that is important, whether its new or used, what flaws may exist.
Tell me what kinds of payment you will take and what your preferred method is and when you expect payment.
Tell me how often you ship so I know when to expect delivery after I pay.
Don't use extra large fonts, red fonts, purple fonts, yellow fonts, dancing chickens, dancing snowmen, dancing fairies, dancing ANYTHING, music, videos and other foo. If you put a comet cursor on your page, I'll curse you allright...and I'll never ever come back to your auctions.
Don't presume to know how I intend to use the item or how nicely it will fit with the other items I may or may not own.
Can the fluff and give me the important information I need to know to make an educated bid.
Personal opinion only, of course, your mileage may vary.
posted on January 7, 2001 10:03:59 AM
People will #*!@, won't they? And #*!@ and #*!@ and #*!@...
Not enough details in the description...too verbose... Why worry about it? No matter how you handle the description someone will not be pleased with your work.
Many of my auctions have long descriptions. There are many details that need to be told on certain items. Miss just one important detail and be faced with giving a refund.
Try selling some of the things that I do and see if you can get away with a two sentence description and one photo. Doesn't work very well.
Huh? The #*!@'s up above were auto-edited? My words started with a "b", had an "itc" in the middle and ended with a you-know-what. How strange.
[ edited by loosecannon on Jan 7, 2001 10:07 AM ]
posted on January 7, 2001 10:13:40 AM
"how much text makes an auction long and wordy?"
It depends on the item being auctioned. Some items need more description than others.
However, when you digress into how badly your need the money for your crippled granny, three exciting things that happened to you while you were hunting for eBayable things, or try to telly how lucky I will be to get it ..... that's too long. STICK TO THE SUBJECT AT HAND unless you are REALLY good at writing ad copy.
And place the critical details up top ... I don't want to have to wade through three screens full of text to find out what you are selling.
posted on January 7, 2001 10:29:50 AM
I don't mind a long description, as long as it is needed. There are auctions where the pictures have shown more than 2000 words will.
I browse and bid a lot in jewelry lots. If your pictures are good, I don't need you to list everyitem in one long, long paragraph. If it is a signed piece, tell me. If it is gold or sterling, tell me. If it is a heart shaped necklace, nothing extra, I can see that in the picture, I don't need you to tell me.
If there are a lot of items in the sale, such as jewelry pieces or song titles, list them in separate lines by using <br>, running them all together in one paragraph makes me dizzy.
posted on January 7, 2001 11:57:06 AM
I don't mind long descriptions but please keep the TOS short & sweet. Ever hear about selling the sizzle and not the steak?? It works and can mean the difference between a sale and a relist. I want all the facts there but a few lines of sizzle might just inspire me--and I've never heard a whisper of complaint from any of my bidders when I add some sizzlers to my auctions. In fact, one bidder went out and bought a red dress cause I suggested a particular jewelry piece would be perfect with red velvet. All too often we get stuck in a rut and just don't think about alternate ways to use things. I sure don't complain if someone has obviously THOUGHT a bit about what they have to say.
posted on January 8, 2001 12:59:06 AM
It isn't long wordy auctions that you need to worry about. It is the auctions that are filled with text devoted to "won't, can't, don't", i.e. sellers with minimal business experience who spend their description text on negative discussion.
My advice is the more you know about the item, the better you describe it, the more bids you will get. If other sellers have the same item but your description and photos are better, your auction will get the bids.
However, never give the history of the maker. Say you are selling a Royal Doulton plate in a certain pattern. Give the size of the plate. Describe the pattern. Mention the condition. Describe the backmarks in detail with a photo. Say what years the marks relate to. But don't give the whole history of the Royal Doulton company. Buyers looking for a Royal Doulton plate already know everything about Royal Doulton. If the plate is unique in some way that makes it rare, in other words the plate was designed by a certain artist or that type of plate was made with a different firing process, then give that information. But don't give the history of the Royal Doulton Company.
posted on January 8, 2001 01:43:32 AM
As others have mentioned, a lot depends on what you are listing. I have no problem with wordy auctions as long as proper capitalization, punctuation and grammar are used. What does turn me off are auctions that consist of one incredibly long run on sentence typed in all caps.
posted on January 8, 2001 05:20:15 AMlidsavr: When I list,(depending on the item), I state color, size of item, age, any writing/inscription on the item, defects if any/condition. Sometimes the Pictures don't always tell the whole story. (like the true color) I try to state the facts only.
I keep my TOS short. I include the shipping amount too. I let them know, they can email me their questions.
When I am searching for an item, I agree with goodvibrations100%. I don't like seeing all the moving objects! I will click on the back tab Fast if I see the comet cursor (although, I won't curse
posted on January 8, 2001 09:02:53 AM
Please, Please, Please if you sell books, tell me a little about what it's about. I come across so many books that have an interesting cover but if I don't know anything about it, I'm not going to bid. Especially true in the horror, sci-fi sections. I know you can go to other web sites to find out what a book is about, but if I have to do all the work, I'm not going to bid.
