I have a copy of "The Allure of the Cat" which I can't seem to sell, despite it being OP and available for $20-$40 on Amazon zshops. It's a huge, oversize hardcover in admittedly worn condition, being ex-library.
It contains just dozens of large, nearly life-size color photos of all the breeds of cats.
Do you have any idea whether there would be a point in carefully removing various pages and trying to list separately as photos of one breed or another?
I just have no idea if cat fanciers would be moved to buy a big color photo of their pussycat's breed.
posted on July 12, 2001 06:06:56 AM new
doubt it sounds like you wasting your time on a small end product. Time is money also. Give it to the good will or throw it in your newpaper recycling bin.
Since these are modern photos and not vintage prints, they probably don't have much value by themselves. However, I took a look at your completed auction and have some suggestions to make.
1) If possible show some pics of the full-size photos so bidders will have some examples of their quality.
2) List the breed of the cats featured in each of the full-color photo. Most cat collectors are interested in a specific breed of cat. If they find their cat listed... they'll probably be more willing to bid.
3) Mention how the photos would look great framed and displayed.
4) Mention the name of the photographer.
5) Rather than saying "Huge oversize book"... try measuring the dimensions. That will make it easier for the bidders to know what size frames they would need if they want to frame.
posted on July 12, 2001 08:41:47 AM new
Thank you for your good tips! This last time around with it, I put it up on FLD in a hurry, without the usual extra photos, and I've been trying to decide if it's worth re-listing. I should at least try to mount a better ad, and maybe another category. It does seem like too nice a book to "let go".
A book like that belongs on Half. You probably won't get nearly as much--certainly not the $20-40 that people who never sell theirs for on Amazon.
Chances are the real buyer will be someone who had one out from the library-liked it and wanted it. They probably don't have a Zshop budget
I've had several very nice books in the same format that just plain took awhile, but a buyer did come along. I have others that are, well, just waiting. The picture book market is fickle.
posted on July 12, 2001 09:55:12 AM new
I'm on a lot of cat e-mail lists, and I would think people there would be interested in it. Is cat in the title (there is a cat collectible category - maybe that is where it should be listed). I'd also use the word feline in the description as well as some of the breeds of cats in the book.
posted on July 12, 2001 10:22:26 AM new
Hi Mballai - You may be right about this. I was going to say I'd lose too much money on the shipping due to the low allowance, but it seems like you can ship some really heavy things for $3 if you use the bound printed matter.
Another thing I haven't tried is using the phrase "coffee table book". I've heard from some sellers that this phrase really works.
