eBay Main Photo - Does Packaging Help ?

zackary71

I've struggled finding any definitive answer on this, so hopefully members could share their experiences. I mainly sell small Collectibles, and many of the target Buyers prefer/insist on the original packaging. The eBay mantra is for the product to fill 80-90% of the space. However, if I include the packaging in the main photo, with a view to it standing out having this, it obviously detracts from the size of the product. I've tried chopping and changing to see what works, but haven't really found an answer. So from experience, do Sellers here find including packaging in the Main Photo helps drive sales ?

soolin

I always put the packaging in the main photo as I think a lot of people browse using the gallery pics and not by reading even the title. Depending on what I’m selling I often put the item on the box or in front of it just to show it’s there. 

I don’t know if it helps but a few weeks back I was browsing a vintage collectable as I saw a lot at auction and wondered what prices they fetched. The ones with boxes in the photos stood out for me and I checked those prices before deciding not to buy as the market wasn’t there. Out of interest I also browsed a few with no boxes shown, and one went for 99p (average with box price was still only about £7) but the 99p one did have a box which was mentioned in the title, and description and shows in photos later on in the reel. my quick trawl through deciding whether or not to buy completely missed the fact that it was also boxed, and I suspect that’s why it went so cheaply. 

zackary71

Appreciate your insight soolin. As you say, visual search seems to be the way people browse, so will stick with that going forward.

ripongrammargirl

I buy and sell on eBay and always appreciate people taking photos with the relevant (original/branded) packaging it will be coming in as it will bring more money. It’s helpful to put that in the title as well as I search for items that state that as it narrows down the items. I always say the more information you can give to buyers or as a seller then the easier the sale. It’s pointless writing two words in a description that is the same as the title! If you can’t be bothered to describe the item (photos can be very ropey on eBay as I’ve seen loads that are just a blur!) then that person does not get my money as I have no idea what I am
buying, condition, size, from smoker’s house (yuk) etc. It’s just bad practice as people won’t buy if there is no description or decent photos. So, to sum up, photograph the packaging with the item, from many angles; write a full honest description and put “comes in original box etc” in the title. Good luck with sales. 

Pollycat

ripongrammargirl said:

I buy and sell on eBay and always appreciate people taking photos with the relevant (original/branded) packaging it will be coming in as it will bring more money. It’s helpful to put that in the title as well as I search for items that state that as it narrows down the items. I always say the more information you can give to buyers or as a seller then the easier the sale. It’s pointless writing two words in a description that is the same as the title! If you can’t be bothered to describe the item (photos can be very ropey on eBay as I’ve seen loads that are just a blur!) then that person does not get my money as I have no idea what I am
buying, condition, size, from smoker’s house (yuk) etc. It’s just bad practice as people won’t buy if there is no description or decent photos. So, to sum up, photograph the packaging with the item, from many angles; write a full honest description and put “comes in original box etc” in the title. Good luck with sales. 

I use BNIB in my title - I think that's an accepted acronym.
My photos are good quality and show measurements where appropriate (jewellery/clothes).
I usually show photos of packaging (mainly footwear) towards the end of my photos.

I agree that people who list in a sloppy way restrict the numbers of buyers they attract.
Unless I'm really, really interested in an item, I can't be bothered to ask for details that should be in the listing.

Miser1964

You could try making the main picture a composite of a close-up of the item and a wider pic showing in packaging placed in an upper or lower corner. Simple to do with any the free picture editors like paint.net and then note if that improves interest and sold price.