posted on August 9, 2001 02:41:37 PM
I would like some opinions of buyers.
I see a lot of auctions that get winded when describing there things....such as:
you are going to look gorgeous, you will be the envy of all..weren't those great years..etc..etc. and it goes on and on.
I just get down to the facts but still include pertinent info.
Sometimes I will add things like beautiful, stunning, or even maybe one line of this is a great item etc..etc..etc.
If the pictures are good, as a buyer does it help to give extra info that really doesn't apply to the look/feel/value of the item or at least that you aren't already aware of the look/feel/value.
I feel if the size, and any pertinent info about the item and good pics are enough or should I get more wordy!!
posted on August 9, 2001 03:05:37 PM
When the item is pretty straight forward, I usually just "give the facts". But I do have some items where I add some descriptive language or suggestions about what the item could be used for (AFTER the "facts".
For example, I might add on a piece of jewelry that the item would look particularly lovely on a black evening jacket or that a particular bowl would look lovely with an arrangement of roses in it.
I recall one long time former poster here had some badly damaged toy soldiers and military toy cars. He got creative, set up a photo array of how the items could be used to simulate a war sequence and sold the items for a nice price. A little "out of the box" descriptive thinking sometimes helps.
posted on August 9, 2001 03:15:39 PM
I'd rather sort through too much information than not enough.
I am continually surprised by the number of listings with one crappy pic and the entire description says "good condition buyer pays shipping".
I always add a little something to my descriptions besides the facts...suggestions on what to use the item for or some comedy (at least I think it is funny! hehe). The active buyers might just skip over that part, but I think you can catch the interest of browsers who might think "hey, I can use it for that!"
As long as you don't just write one huge run-on paragraph with the description and your TOS in a gray blob, I don't think there is any harm in going beyond the bare minimum.
Gerald
"Oh but it's so hard to live by the rules/I never could and still never do."
posted on August 9, 2001 03:37:44 PM
Sorry, I really hate long winded decriptions (marketing).... I know what I want, and all I want in the info is the stuff I can't see - measurements, condition, labels if any etc.
If I see a wall of words description, I skip down to the pics, and unless its something that really turns my crank, I click off.
If it something I really want I usually scan all the editorializing and look for the meat of the info.
When I sell, I try to follow auction descriptions as one would find in a Sotheby's or Doyle catalogue. On the very rare occasion I may add some editorializing only if I think of something that a prospective buyer might miss and even then I keep it really short (ie: tablecloth would work well with fiesta ware), this also gives me the opportunity for some key word spamming...
posted on August 9, 2001 03:46:32 PM
Long-winded with no purpose - no I don't like that.
Complete descriptions are what I want to see. And good pics. But if the seller has a little fun with the description, it doesn't turn me off.
What I consider more garbage than marketing: blinking anything or telling me what a deal I'm getting, etc. However, I know that stuff works for sheep, and since there's a lot of sheep in the general population, I understand why some sellers do it.
posted on August 9, 2001 04:01:55 PM
I don't think a long winded description is nescessary but I do like to read descriptions that shows a lot of passion for what they sell.
For me I try to write as if I'm talking right at the person. Especially if I have a lot of passion or knowledge about what I'm selling.
It puts a personal touch on things and people can and do feel like you are talking just to them.
On things that I have less knowledge on or there are somethings that about all you can do is give an age and measurements, I usually don't elaborate on that stuff.
I don't have a flair for words so it can take me quit a long time to put together a good description.
Sometimes I've even wondered if my business would be any different if I threw in just one line and the words "see pic".
I've seen high feedback sellers sell that way and they seem to do alright.
posted on August 9, 2001 04:12:30 PM
There is also a big difference between sellers who know what they have and put a marketing spin on an item by editorializing and those sellers that really haven't the faintest idea what they have and end up winding this tale around an item that is not what they say it is... Too often it is the latter group who uses this approach which puts me off - I don't need to see another Titanic dress made in 1932, or a Civil War era something or other from 1910.....
posted on August 9, 2001 04:20:09 PM
In some cases, a good description can be lengthy: complete measurements, approximate time period, where made...So, a little extra is good, if they are not "empty words", such as "This will make a great addition to your collection"! For goodness sake, if I want to buy it, I ALREADY KNOW it will add to my collection
******** Gosh Shosh! My "About Me" Page
posted on August 9, 2001 04:21:39 PM
Sometimes I go alittle overboard in my clothing descriptions, listing every detail. But on the other hand, I rarely get emailed with questions. As a bidder, I hate reading descriptions that are all one huge paragraph (especially the ones without any punctuation).
[p]
I just used the "ask the seller a question feature" because I needed to know specific measurements for a size 6 jacket I am interested in for my daughter. I asked for length (shoulder to hem), sleeve length and chest measurements. This is the reply I received:
[p]
Sleeves..........5"
Full length......10"
Chest.............5 1/2"
[p]
LOL! I wonder what kind of tape measure they use!
[p]
Ann (mountvillemama)
posted on August 9, 2001 05:08:51 PM
Dollars to Donuts -would prefer long winded descriptions over long winded TOS!
When you are searching have you ever noticed some of the long winded TOS--it can be mind boggling! Section and sub section.
Yes--I like long winded descriptions because it is talking about the item not the gloom and doom of TOS.
posted on August 9, 2001 06:34:13 PM
Sometimes you have to capture the imagination of your bidder.
If I have to I will make even suggested uses.
Personally I have learned a lot from good seller's descriptions. Doesn't beat you're own research, but you sure do tell your audience what you do or don't know about your product.
So, terse can CYA.
Whatever you do....USE the <br> html tag because nothing is worse than a 400 line mass paragraph...no matter how charming.
posted on August 9, 2001 07:54:28 PM
No way! I find all those
extra 'suggestions' and unnecessary rambling to be patronizing and boring! Just describe the item well and completely and I can take it from there!
See, the thing is, that sort of stuff added into a description usually sounds much better to the person writing it than to somebody else. (Not trying to be rude or anything, but that's the truth)
posted on August 9, 2001 10:09:03 PM
Well I sell books, and people usually leaf through a book before they buy. So, I leaf through it for them. I always list the date, page count, publisher etc. If it's a cookbook, I list what I hope are enticing and varied recipes. If it's technical, I list what the topics are. If it's a craft book, I list the patterns. and so on. If I can't drum up something, who's going to buy my not-new occasionally obscure tomes?
posted on August 10, 2001 01:41:12 AM
I would rather have a long winded description that rambles on and on than the "picture says it all" description. With the long description, at least you have a knowledge that the seller has throughly examimed the item and has taken some time in reviewing it themselves.
Along with this, this seller who writes the longer description is showing they are literate. If something goes wrong in the transaction it seems to me that it may be easier to resolve the issue with this person than the less literate person.
A major turnoff for me are the sellers who uses all uppercase. This is very diffucult to read and a sign a laziness in my mind.
If I'm going send money to another person, even a small amount such as $5.00, then I want to know exactly what I'm buying. With this in mind, long descriptions don't bother me!
posted on August 10, 2001 06:17:54 AM
As a buyer,give me all the description you can.
As a seller I try to do the same.
Maybe once or twice a year I do a bizarre ad on some quirky item. Maybe that quirky item attracts quirky people because it's never hurt the bids or the sale! Gotta have some humor once in awhile.
posted on August 10, 2001 08:06:04 AM
I don't like long winded descriptions. I like to see all details of the item that will affect usage, value and final cost (s/h). I prefer not seeing fluff such as "it would be a nice addition to your collection". I might not be collecting and that is a waste of space and my effort reading it. Save the space for important information I need to make a decision. A few words to make the description friendly or easier reading is ok, but should not be longer than the facts.
I prefer readable paragraphs, not one long run on paragraph or sentence.
I don't like all caps, "creative" spelling (shoppe, olde, koncept) or wierd punctuation.
I prefer complete descriptions, so if a few extra words are needed to do so, include them, but don't keyword spam. The example of "would look nice with fiesta ware" is ok, but don't have a long list of "would look good with" or "fits these dolls ..." (actual auction- some of the dolls listed were not the same size as others, no way it could fit them all).
I may not like long winded descriptions, but I guess I can get long winded when voicing my opinions.
posted on August 10, 2001 09:57:41 AM
Make the TITLE do mst of the selling for you. Most buyers get a picture in their head of the item before ever looking at the description.
The point of a description is to hook their eyes and mind, because you are fighting the impulsive nerve of the buyer to hit the back button. The old retailers motto: The longer you keep them there, the more likely they will buy. But being too detailed also can change a buyers mind. It causes a buyer to think analytically, and analytical minds tend to think logical, like, "why do I need another one of these?"
So when writing a description, concentrate on one good hook. "It will look good in your collection" is not a good hook. "It is so unique because ...(add your reason here)," is one example of a hook.
Saying "Scarce" is a weak hook. Saying "you will not find this in any store," is a strong hook.
Items like clothes and computers of course require technical facts like, length, speed etc and are required information.
The total length depends on how much a buyer would know about your item based on TITLE alone. A "1988 blue Ford Escort" doesn't need a lot of desciption. A "7 Day Vacation in Hawaii" needs a lot of information.
If you keep these things in mind you will avoid worthless clutter, and make the words you do use be more effective.
posted on August 10, 2001 09:58:55 AM
I believe your description is a very important tool in getting a person to bid, especially when there are other items of the same kind. I go to great lengths to describe my items and give a to-the-point TOS, but also add in some background about the item (not too long)and other things. These auctions are supposed to be fun and I try to make it more enjoyable.
posted on August 10, 2001 04:37:29 PM
Here was one I wrote recently. I sell French Limoges porcelain boxes. Kinda windy, but I got a lot of funny letters from it!
Slower Than A Husband Working On A Honey-Do List,It's...A LIMOGES Snail!
Do you really think asking Pat to clean out the garage, carry 4 tons of junk up to a 150 degree attic, drop off the video at Blockbuster, pick up a gallon of milk, fix a nail hole in the bedroom and run the kids to my mother's house is asking a lot??? Ladies, back me up here! Notwithstanding, this multicolored, many talented Chamart snail is really a lot slower than my leisurely-paced better half. Just look at the precious poky face with its seriously cute smile! And the swirly, incredibly detailed mellow yellow shell goes great with the garden grow below! And speaking of below - open the lid, and a green head of cabbage or lettuce is ready for snacking. Just the thing for snail-o-philes, gardeners, entymologists and lovers of creature big and small, this swell slug is all handpainted by the enormously talented artisans of Chamart, and comes with a certificate of authenticity in a Chamart gift box.
On a scale of 1 to 10...we'd all weigh a lot less!
posted on August 10, 2001 05:20:54 PM
The template I use for my auctions is such that the narrative (description) is separate from the facts (color, size, measurements, etc.). So a person who wants just the facts can get to it.
But I have found that, time after time, the better the description, the better it sells. I can have two identical items and the one with the better description has better sell through and higher bids, hands down. EVERY SINGLE TIME.
The drescriptions are not long winded, but I try to make people really, really want the item. Especially with clothing, just pictures and facts are not enough to give a person an idea of why the item is great (or not). So I especially take the time to write a good description with something I feel should sell for $200 or more.
.
