posted on May 24, 2001 10:53:16 PM new
My item descriptions now are very colorful and detailed - i.e. "THIS WONDERFUL WIDGET MEASURES 2" X 2" AND WAS HAND PAINTED IN TIMBUKTUU. AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP FROM THE BOB SEGER TRIBE, THIS TRAVELING MAN STATUE IS APPROXIMATELY 100 YEARS OLD. IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH ONLY A FEW WRINKLES TO THE FACE AND A SLIGHT BEER BELLY. IT SHOULD MAKE A FABULOUS ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION". Each description is sugar coated and taylor-made for each item, but it takes a little extra time to list.
I am considering going to a who, what, where approach - i.e. "ITEM: TRAVELING MAN STATUE, ORIGIN: TIMBUKTUU, AGE: APPROXIMATELY 100 YEARS OLD, CONDITION: A FEW WRINKLES, SLIGHT BEER BELLY, OVERALL EXCELLENT, MEASUREMENTS: 2" X 2".". This approach would be much more practical and save me quite a bit of time.
Do buyers care? Assuming there are plenty of great pictures, would buyers really prefer one listing over the other?
I'm just looking for a little feedback and appreciate all of your opinions and suggestions.
posted on May 24, 2001 10:59:02 PM new
#2, without the CAPS. I can't imagine buyers would care, but if #2 saves you time then that's what I'd go with. JMO
posted on May 24, 2001 11:19:29 PM new
#2 would work for me. I desribe my items as if I were desribing them to a blind person. But I sell clothing so I think it makes a difference.
[ edited by RichieRich on May 24, 2001 11:51 PM ]
posted on May 24, 2001 11:43:45 PM new
I will be perfectly frank: I don't mind either. If I am jonesing for that widget, all I want to know are: what's your feedback, what's your TOS, how good are your pix and do they match your description.
BTW, If you choose your last sample - and you aren't already using a template - break the list down using the <p> paragraph html tag or if you are feeling fancy, the unordered list tags make life all happiness while reading descriptions.
I never have any trouble with a little salesmanship, nor do I have a problem with the more terse sellers.
BUT bad pix and a glowing description leave me moving down my search list.
posted on May 25, 2001 01:57:30 AM new
i *must have* that beer-bellied, wrinkled, hundred-year-old widget! ... oh wait, this is just an example
my favorite auctions are those that the seller has written so his/her personality shows - gives me a sense of whom i'd be dealing with. but ultimately it's about the item, the photo, if the info i need is in the description or not, and the seller's feedback. so in this case, either would do for me.
posted on May 25, 2001 03:18:13 AM new
I kind of like the colorful one. I tend to be a little wordy myself, and I think it helps describe the item better. Of course, I can't get by with less than three pictures either. I would rather err on the side of too much info than too little. Also, I have bought the item with the colorful description over a plain one if the items are alike.
posted on May 25, 2001 04:57:39 AM new
I like the 'wordy' version, minus CAPS and the "IT SHOULD MAKE A FABULOUS ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION" part. As stated by K3, the personality of some sellers does help in some cases, as long as it's not overdone.
As for the "Addition to any collection" part that kinda bugs me in a lot of auctions. If I didn't know that already I would not be looking in the first place.
posted on May 25, 2001 05:43:59 AM new
Maybe change the IT SHOULD MAKE A FABULOUS ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION to IT WILL MAKE A FABULOUS ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION. Sounds a bit more positive and personal.
posted on May 25, 2001 05:58:47 AM new
You are obviously very customer oriented, and I think a conversational tone in the copy is a happy blend of the "facts" and the "sell". Most buyers want more of the first, and little of the second.
One of the things I noticed you omitted from the description is the quality of the craftsmanship and what makes it special. For example, could you say "this item was hand carved (hand finished, hand painted whatever) with great care by someone who obviously took great joy in making it."
The point of listings for me is not how much work there is to them (and I agree there is a lot to doing a good one) or how much time it takes, but what will yield the greatest price for the unique widget I am selling, especially if there is only one of them, or if the competition is brutal.
I also know that buyers are not a uniform group of people so some would prefer crisp, short descriptions, while others need the reassurance that detailed copy and multiple photos will bring. Depends on the item, too. We all know what a potato peeler does, so less is more in that case, unless it is a cast iron potato peeler with a unique design in which case, tell me all about it!
Maybe it's just me, but when I see a listing with 3 or more pics that take some time to download, I am looking for the "back" button, and pronto. Anything more than 2 good pics takes forever to download.
I do understand if the widget in question is something unique though. I can see how more pics would help there.
posted on May 25, 2001 07:07:52 AM new
I probably spend 60% of my time researching the treasures I've just purchased.
And In comparison, the Ads with a little personality in them yield higher dollars.
I also have realized higher dollars by adding a little humor or personal touch to the add.
And...yes, it takes a LOT more time to think up something catchy to say about a plain widget(I have not got a flair for words), so I do work doubley(sp) hard at it.
And, I myself like to read ads that add a personal touch. Thats not to say I wouldn't purchase something from someone who just gave the bare-bones of the description.
And definantly 2 to 4 (good)pictures to accompany any ad.
Strickly talking from the "vintage" - "collectable" aspect.
I can see those that sell retail(new) would not want a ton of pics and description wise ~ just the facts ~
posted on May 25, 2001 07:24:36 AM new
A good description is usually sells the item for more... I sold a broken 10 disc CD changer for my car a while back. I described the problems it had in great detail and took about a dozen pictures of the items included. It sold for $76! Much better than had I just taken a couple of pictures and put a brief description.
posted on May 25, 2001 08:27:20 AM new
Either description is okay but I find that a bit more detailed description and even ones with humor make it a bit more fun for buying. If the description is more detailed it seems that the seller also takes more care with the entire auction from start to finish. Of course it depends on what is being sold, with some items there isn't much to be said.
"IT SHOULD MAKE A FABULOUS ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION" is somewhat better than "your" collection. How does a seller know about my collection? If you do a search for fabulous, great, super, awesome and wonderful addition to/for "your" collection you will see how overused this statement is.
Lately I have seen many items with serious chips, etc. yet the seller says it will be a wonderful addition to my collection. But then again I have seen beautiful items with that statement and the seller is "right on".
posted on May 25, 2001 09:21:37 AM new
What about books? That's mainly what I sell. I have one clear picture of the cover. Description: usually goes something like this:
Name of book - Author - Copyright Date - Book is in good, fair, new condition. Paragraph then the description of what the book is about. If I've read the book, I will freehand my own description, if it's something I haven't read, I will write word for word off the book itself. Another Paragraph - In blue font, I will describe any unusual problems - bent corners, used book stamps. Number of pages if book is smaller than normal - I hate to buy a book and when I get it, find out it only has 80 pages. This is not used in every auction, but if I describe the book as good, and there is a stamp on it, I want the buyer to know. Another paragraph - TOS - Only two sentences - My shipping & handling charges, what payments I take and to check out other auctions to save on shipping.
So most of my auctions have 3 or 4 paragraphs with one clear shot of cover. Too much? Do people need a complete description of content of book? (I sell mainly horror and true crime - not the rare or old books).
posted on May 25, 2001 09:27:40 AM newDragonfyree,
I also sometimes wonder if the synopsis is too much. Some are rather lengthy.
But when I first started selling books, I didn't include a synopsis, or much of one. Then when I made it more complete, or lengthy if you prefer, my sales picked up.
I think if a buyer is a collecter of an author or a certain subject matter, a full synopsis might not matter so much. But you never know if you're dealing with a browser who just wants a good mystery to read. Then the synopsis is critical, or they'll buy from someone else who will provide it if I won't.
