Selling on Ebay without Photos
Written: Jun 05 '01
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The Bottom Line
I recommend that sellers use photos whenever possible. However, one can sell many things without photos.
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THE ARGUMENT FOR USING PHOTOS WHEN SELLING ON EBAY
Ebay is an excellent auction site for selling items both with an without photos. However, the main reason why using a photos is preferable to not showing pictures is that one can see what they are bidding on. Many buyers are hesitant to bid on an item if they are unable to see the picture of the item. As a result, one can generally make more money when using a digital camera or scanner. Therefore, whenever possible, I would strongly potential sellers to purchase a digital camera. For certain items, a scanner may be adequate but the digital camera will give one much more flexibility.
PICTURES ARE NOT ESSENTIAL ON EBAY
However, a picture is not always essential to selling on Ebay. Therefore, even if you do not have a camera, you may be able to make money on this auction site. Please, realize, though that you will probably make less money without a picture. However, if you don't have a digital camera or scanner, don't automatically assume that you can't sell anything on Ebay.
What Types of Items Can Sell without Photos
I have had my best luck selling brand new items on Ebay. Almost anything that is brand new, especially if it is in a factory sealed package, will sell very well even without a picture. Since I love to shop, I am always looking for deals on items in both regular brick and mortar stores and in on-line stores. At least once a week, I tour our local stores looking for clearance items. I have had a lot of luck selling used videos. Therefore, I rarely rent videos any more. Also, I look through book clearance racks at bookstores such as Waldenbooks and Barnes and Noble. I have been able to get 100s of books at Barnes and Noble for less than $2 and then resell them for at least double that amount. Additionally, I have had a great deal of success selling CDs (musical) without photos.
I also frequent shopping forums such as mycoupons.com looking for items that have significant discounts. Before I buy an item online to resell on Ebay, I always check to see what that same item has recently sold for. Through sites such as mycoupons.com, I have been able to find about $3000 worth of free things during the past two years. I sold about $2000 worth of those items on Ebay. (The other $1000 I kept for our family and friends.)
I have also made a significant amount of money auctioning coupons I do not need for a finder's fee. I am lucky enough to be able to get our Sunday paper for $1. Therefore, I will buy at least 4 or 5 of them (depending on how many of the coupons I know I will use). I then cut out all of the coupons, by stacking the identical pages and using a quilter's cutting wheel. This process takes about 30 minutes. I almost always get at least $3 for the coupons on ebay. So, I end up with tons of coupons I like for only $1 - $2. Coupons for baby items will usually result is a higher auction price. Therefore, I usually save the baby coupons until I get about $100 worth. Coupons are one item for which pictures are absolutely unnecessary.
What Items do not Sell Well Without Photos
There are certain items that I would not consider buying without seeing a photo first. I would anticipate that other buyers are likely to feel the same. These items include clothes, decorative items, or collectibles. Let's face it, people want to see clothes before they buy them. It is hard to adequately describe a garment without a photo. I would expect decorative items to be difficult to sell also since it is hard to describe paintings, knicknacks, etc. Also, anything of value would be difficult to sell without a picture. Before people are willing to spend much money on something, they want to see it.
TIPS FOR GETTING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ON YOUR SALE
These tips are great for any product that is being sold on Ebay, regardless if a picture is shown or not. However, without having a picture, these hints are even more important.
1. Give as much description as possible and be excruciatingly honest. If the item is not in mint condition, describe the flaws as carefully as possible.
2. When selling videos, type the description of the video onto your ad. Be sure to indicate whether or not the video is in a mint factory sealed package, has been previewed and is in a moderately worn package, etc.
3. When selling books, use a ruler and give the exact measurement of the book. Type the descriptions of the book (from the jacket cover or back of the book). Also, describe the condition or the book and/or jacket.
4. I do not suggest that you sell clothes or anything decorative since most people want to see what they are buying.
5. For all new items that are in the box, give the dimensions of the item and of the box. Describe the condition of the box. Also, type as much information as is available about the item (i.e., model number, number and type of batteries used, any listed specifications).
6. Try to find some on-line store that sells the item you are selling and include a link to that item.
7. Try to save at least a portion of the money you earn to save up for a digital camera since pictures do bring bigger profits. However, don't settle for an inexpensive one. Get the BEST one you can afford. It is better to save for awhile longer and get one with sharp pictures than to get a cheap one (like I did) that does not take high quality pictures. Poor quality pictures is actually worse than no picture at all, in many instances.
8. Have fun and build up positive comments and a circle of people who trust you.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Ebay is a wonderful auction site for both buying and selling items. To maximize sales revenue, I STRONGLY recommend that one use photos in their auctions on Ebay. However, until one can obtain a digital camera, once can sell certain items on Ebay.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
luv_sunshine
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Location: Illinois
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 31 members
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