fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 10:43:58 AM new
Here's your chance to be an expert and it won't cost you a cent in listing fees.
I sell some necklaces and bracelets in groups. Typically I will group three randomly-chosen heart necklaces together to make a nice assortment.
However, here are the results from my last four auctions of this product: $6.19, $1.54, $2.06, $1.25.
Obviously there's lots of upside for improvement.
What aspects of an auction could be improved?
Let's say title, description and photo(s). I doubt TOS has much effect on any particular item.
Starting out with the photo, here are three random (not the best nor the worst) heart necklaces scanned three different ways:
A.
B.
C.
Choose the one that appeals to you most and explain why.
Thanks,
fLufF
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[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jan 28, 2006 10:45 AM ]
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roadsmith
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posted on January 28, 2006 10:47:44 AM new
The third one appeals to me, probably because I get a sense of the length of chains. . . .
Coals to Newcastle, I'm sure, Fluffy, but are you spacing the heart auctions out far enough so that you aren't flooding the market?
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 10:55:43 AM new
OK, spacing is one aspect I hadn't thought of.
Auctions ended (in the above order) 1/18, 1/20, 1/26 and -- will end -- 1/28.
fLufF
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[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jan 28, 2006 11:10 AM ]
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hwahwa
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posted on January 28, 2006 11:05:55 AM new
how much is shipping?
/ lets all stop whining !! /
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 11:10:07 AM new
Shipping is the same as it is on all our other auctions.
And it won't change, so that is NOT a factor.
fLufF
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sanmar
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posted on January 28, 2006 11:19:31 AM new
I like "B", the way the 2 outer ones are pointing toward the center one gives me the feeling that the blue one in the middle is more important.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on January 28, 2006 11:32:37 AM new
First, I must compliment you on your photography, Fluff.
Second, I'd have to pick "C" because I get a better look at more of the chain on each. Your product also takes up more of the image area.
That said, my wife said she likes "A" because "that's how you would see them on someone." She also said: "the third one (C) looks like one you'd see in a magazine because they want you to see the chain..."
So, you can definitely eliminate "B" based on our opinions.
I'd be interested in what a effect a different color background might have on your results.
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amber
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posted on January 28, 2006 11:50:35 AM new
I find B more pleasing to the eye, if you looped back the chains to show them more, I think that one would be great.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 12:03:47 PM new
Great feedback, folks, keep it coming.
Thanks,
fLufF
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DrArcane
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posted on January 28, 2006 12:20:27 PM new
These wouldn't by any chance be HAUNTED necklaces, or LUCKY CHARMS would they?
MAGICAL LOVE INDUCING AMULETS would be a great auction title.
The things have been selling for a buck-fifty. Why not try to have a little fun with them?
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets
http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
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deur1
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posted on January 28, 2006 12:24:19 PM new
I favor A. It shows the chain type. The layout is more flattering (IMHO)to the heart pendants.
The pendant is (I would think)the more important eye-catching feature.
If ya do not like a chain it can be changed -Its the pendant, that makes the sale
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"You dont stop laughing when you get old. You get old, when you stop laughing
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[ edited by deur1 on Jan 28, 2006 12:27 PM ]
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roadsmith
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posted on January 28, 2006 12:28:00 PM new
I mentioned "flooding the market" because I've been in your situation many times in the past, Fluffy. Had a lot of one sort of thing, and I spaced out the auctions, whether items were in groupings or single, at least 10 days apart, and sometimes 2 - 4 weeks. That makes for some detail work on my part, keeping it all straight, but I learned the hard way that that makes for better sales.
My hunch was that if buyers see the same thing too often, they just figure it's very common and another one will come along; there's no hurry on bidding or winning.
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neglus
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posted on January 28, 2006 12:44:46 PM new
Let me start by saying I know nothing about marketing and less about selling jewelry. I like the A layout the best. I wonder though - is the blue heart the same quality as the others? It doesn't seem to have any dimension to it. If it's not, then using it as a centerpiece might cheapen the whole lot?? What about sticking a "retails for" price tag by each piece so buyers will know what a great deal they are getting?
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:00:46 PM new
"Blue"? Omigosh. Not your fault.
That's silver. It's solid polished sterling silver. Unfortunately, reflective surfaces scan funny. Photographs are somewhat better, but for a buck-fifty I have been loath to do the camera bit when scanning is so fast.
fLufF
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TheFamilyBiz
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:05:45 PM new
Fluff -- We saw it as "blue" as well. I'd almost be upset if I got it and it didn't have that nice blue color and the details in it.
I saw the one on the right as silver, but the center one I thought was enameled with a silver star.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:13:08 PM new
The star is laser-cut into the silver.
OK, so a head-on scanned view is probably not best for very flat objects, though you did get a sense of dimensionality with the pink shell and puffy heart necklaces, right?
fLufF
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fenix03
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:25:45 PM new
I'm wondering if your pics aren't just a tad too good Fluff. Since they are new items, I assume the little scratches and rubs are not clearly visable in person and more a matter or light and close-up photog catching them. In that case,ou might want to photoshop them a bit to get a more accurate represention.
I did a little but an on a laptop with a fingertip mouse and an LE version of PS and none of my metal effect plug-ins so couldnt quite get the large heart done but you maybe a slight improvement will help slightly 
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
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fenix03
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:28:03 PM new
OK - now that I look at it here - I hate the large heart - maybe you can fix the contrast and color levels to lessen the cloudyness and sharpen it up a bit on your end.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:42:50 PM new
As regards the three choices, I prefer A. It is less distracting and more natural.
Reflective items are difficult to scan or photograph, but I think I would go with a photo.
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OhMsLucy
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posted on January 28, 2006 01:51:07 PM new
Hi Fluff and all,
I like the third picture, good composition.
The flat heart doesn't look as nice as the others. I'm seeing some fine scratching on the plain puffy heart as well as on the flat one.
Yes, I do get a sense of dimensionality on the pink shell and puffy heart.
What was different, if anything, in the auction that sold for $6.19?
Roadsmith has a good point about market saturation.
BTW, I just took a look at your auctions and the camera icon indicating there is a picture in the listing isn't showing up on the list.
Lucy
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:01:47 PM new
OK. I've incorporated many of your suggestions, changed out the flat hard-to-make-out heart with the star for a filigree locket (which definitely takes it upmarket a bit) and boy did I ever change the background!
We're going out for a few hours...back this evening.
fLufF
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P.S. All my photos are done inline HTML for ease and quickness of editing. I never use the area in SYI where you enter the URL of your picture.
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jan 28, 2006 02:05 PM ]
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neglus
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:09:50 PM new
WoW! Beautiful!
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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glassgrl
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:10:58 PM new
great great color for the background fluffy. I LOVE the last photo. I vote for D. Or is it E? That bold color made all the difference.
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OhMsLucy
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:14:55 PM new
Gorgeous!
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fenix03
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:25:55 PM new
Great Fluff - love the filigree heart and the stronger background. Those should do well.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
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MAH645
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:36:52 PM new
Te first photos I like A the best. The last photo's the background improves the images 100%.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
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mikes4x4andtruckrepair
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posted on January 28, 2006 02:45:15 PM new
I liked the background color contrast in your latest picture. Here's a thought though (and from a non jewlery person). cashinyourcloset had a jewlery question recently http://www.vendio.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=630139 and I was very impressed with the way the necklace was presented in the photo's. The necklace is on a headless, armless dummy. Have you ever tried presenting necklaces on a manakin? I think this type of presentation best represents the size of the necklace and the length of the chain. If you don't have one you might consider getting one and try selling the same necklace in two different auctions, one on a manakin and one not and see what the difference in the final price is. Just my 2 cents.
edited url link
They say your memory's the second thing to go, I just can't remember what the first thing is. 
[ edited by mikes4x4andtruckrepair on Jan 28, 2006 02:46 PM ]
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on January 28, 2006 03:01:35 PM new
Mike,
That necklace was actually on a dress form (because someone "borrowed" my neck display forms, and I haven't gotten replacements yet).
If you're friends with a jeweler, they'll probably have some extras, or maybe can get you some at their quantity discount rate.
They do a pretty good job of providing scale and they usually help the drape. I will say, however, that the ones I've used have really skinny necks compared to most women, and the dress form is an improvement in that sense (although the coarse weave of the fabric isn't as nice as a jeweler's display piece).
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mikes4x4andtruckrepair
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posted on January 28, 2006 03:23:31 PM new
I agree the coarse fabric could be improved. If I sold jewlery (which I don't) I would probably get a manakin and get a assortment of different color fabrics to use on it depending on the color of the piece of jewlery I was trying to sell to give a nice color contrast. fLuff's last picture with the blue background was a great improvement and makes the necklaces really stand out.
They say your memory's the second thing to go, I just can't remember what the first thing is.
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cblev65252
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posted on January 28, 2006 03:32:14 PM new
I like the dark colored background. Looks good.
Fluffy
How do you get your scanner to show silver as silver? I used to use one, but I could never get the silver color to look right. It was either blue or grey. Now, I resort to my camera, which takes extra time because I'm always touching the photos up. Thankfully, Ken bought me a light box and professional lights for Chrismas. Still, a scanner would be easier, IMO.
Cheryl
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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