New sellers, know what you're selling!

RFW

I came across an item on Ebay that I was interested in buying, there was a picture and a description saying that the seller had several items like the one pictured for sale and some others. That was it, one sentence. 99p start and collection only.

So I asked how many they were actually selling.

"Why do you ask?" was the unexpected reply.

It's a new seller but I really don't get why they had something listed without any knowledge of how it may sell.

It isn't anything that they'd get someone wanting one of and they could take orders on.

Any strange seller answers or seemingly unfinished listings on your searches?

Rhymsta

I have a local seller that has a listing for a job lot of something I am interested in. Starting price £45 collection only. Problem is there is no picture or details as to the job lot's contents. I have messaged for details but had no response. They have relisted three times and have never received a bid. Strange.

soolin

I often browse the antique and collectable categories to see what my competition is and there are some strange auctions. It is not unusual to see something, lets say a Whitefriars vase where they have used a stock photo taken from the Whitefriars catalogue and with the description being 'used- small chip'.

No other description, no actual photo, nothing.

I've even seen similar where the description is 'probably Whitefriars, looks like the one in the photo' and still using a stock photo.

Oddly enough they don't sell much

RFW

soolin wrote: »

Oddly enough they don't sell much

They probably don't think Ebay is a good place to sell.

It's probably a good way of finding a bargain though, I bought something recently that you couldn't tell the size of in the picture. I can sell ten to one, large to small, so I asked the size and it was the larger size, they never updated the listing, I got a bargain.

I've seen some that just say "curtains" in the title, with no picture and a repeat of "curtains" for the description.

On the other hand I've occasionally seen poor descriptions, titles and pictures of similar items I've been selling and seen them go for more money than I ever get.

soolin

RFW wrote: »

They probably don't think Ebay is a good place to sell.

It's probably a good way of finding a bargain though, I bought something recently that you couldn't tell the size of in the picture. I can sell ten to one, large to small, so I asked the size and it was the larger size, they never updated the listing, I got a bargain.

I've seen some that just say "curtains" in the title, with no picture and a repeat of "curtains" for the description.

On the other hand I've occasionally seen poor descriptions, titles and pictures of similar items I've been selling and seen them go for more money than I ever get.

Oh yes I agree I've had some real bargains by looking through competitors listings and realising they have misdescribed something or missed something vital from the description.

My latest pet hate ( and I do love a good whinge) is deliberate mis descriptions. For instance Primark dresses being described as vintage when they are in the branch and are just designed to look vintage. There was one back in the summer Christmas absolutely blatant saying 'no tags, no idea of make- but belonged to my mother in the 1970s' and it was a current Primark line.

I also sell a line of brand new items that have a vintage feel, I buy them in bulk and they go out on a multiple BIN. yet there are private sellers who are currently selling this line as vintage or even Art Deco, when they are brand new. They just take the item out of the box or remove the tags. I did consider putting in my auction that unlike other sellers I am selling these accurately as modern pieces, but decided it was probably not worth the effort.

porto_bello

Noting Soolin's reference to Antiques and Collectables, it seems there are a few make believe wheeler dealers on eBay, who try to unearth something the same as they once saw on Antiques Roadshow.

Does anybody remember the set of Nat West pigs? (5 ceramic moneyboxes in the form of a family of pigs). A set turned up on an antiques programme and the expert announced that they are now collectable ... and difficult to find!

That weekend, it seems everyone in the UK searched their loft for their unwanted Nat West pigs and the collectables market was awash with them. They can be picked for 99p plus postage on eBay, by those who believe that the market's going to turn upwards again, sooner or later... well ok, much later...

Surely the fact that the bubble's long since burst and they are changing hands for 99p tells both buyer and seller they are neither worth the effort of selling, nor buying?

27col

I am sometimes surprised by the very poor quality of the pictures. It is amazing what some people think is an acceptable picture.it make you wonder why they bother.

Jen_Jen1985

I regularly see auctions for "toys" with the description "will update later" and no picture, don't know why no one has snapped them up

Hermia

27col wrote: »

I am sometimes surprised by the very poor quality of the pictures. It is amazing what some people think is an acceptable picture.it make you wonder why they bother.

I find this a lot in the clothing category. I've seen a lot of auctions for dresses or long coats where the only picture is of the top of the dress/coat so you have no idea of the length or style of the bottom. I've also seen auctions where the only picture is of the label of the item. Yes, I want some proof that the item is authentic, but I also want to know what it blooming well looks like!

porto_bello

Yes, photographs are an important point and I find it bizarre how little time or effort some people put into it - particularly with items of significant value.

I once saw a painting listed with no photo at all! Unsurprisingly, it didn't sell, so guess what the seller did? Yep, they amended the listing with a bit more description and relisted it - though sadly, still without a photo! :doh:

Once or twice I've been tempted to message the seller with the question "Looking at your photos, are you by chance selling this item to raise money for a new vacuum cleaner, to replace the one which appears to have died two years ago?" :think: