Constructive Critique

[clubesquire]

Hi everyone,

My name is Melina and I'm the Jill of all Trades at clubesquire.

It's been more than a decade since we last sold on eBay. My! How things have changed.  Don't know where up, separates from down anymore. It's been a stiff learning curve all over again. But, I'm managing, almost.

We sell tobacco pipes, both new and estate (re-furnished). We're not doing as well as we'd hoped. We'll survive, It certainly falls way short of our last selling experience. We used another account back then. Our biggest issues, insofar as I can see, is click through and sales conversion rates. I've done quite a lot of research and tried a few different initiatives, but the results remain somewhat disappointing. Certainly, compared with other sellers of the same items, we are way below par.

We've experienced issues with photography (understanding new equipment) and understand how important the pics are. But finally, I have that under control and there will be a massive improvement with our new uploads. The only other issue that I really gave some attention to was price, but comparatively, we shape up nicely against other sellers.

We've also tried listing on eBay.com and found that to be a total disaster. I mean, we can go bankrupt sitting at home enjoying ourselves, rather than working hard to achieve the same result. Giorgio is not concerned and always pacifiers my by saying, "We're new. It'll take a while to earn respect and trust." I'm sure he's right, but?

In all my investigations I keep coming back to our listings. Is there something there turning potential customers away?

I'm about to make a big ask, one that Giorgio would get into quite a flap about if he knew. I'd be so grateful if some of you would be kind enough, if you have the time, to take a quick look at our listing pages and provide me the benefit of your experience with a bit of brutal critique. I'm just can't think of anything else we should be doing and I'm embarrassed about asking this, but every bit of advice is valuable to us.

if you have the time and can identify even some of what we are obviously doing wrong you will have helped us beyond measure and will have contributed to us remaining with eBay.

i hope someone can give us a bit of a step up.

Kindest

Melina

[digital*ghost]

I think you could retain some of the more expanded / detailed information if you structured the descriptions differently. I list craft supplies, so they're not exactly the same kind of product, but I do offer exapnded information in some of my listings that some people will read and appreciate (eg I sometimes put in my personal reviews, or talk about how something will behave, or can be used).

The basic structure or formula I use for that means the key information is front and centre for those who just need that, and those who want to delve deeper can still do so, and my listings will look a bit like this...

Top of the decription header will contain any flaws or important information I want people to be aware of before purchase - if none, then it's left blank.

Item specs in a list (eg you would just have headings and specs - Brand: XXXX, Year of production: XXXX, Material(s): XXXX, Measurements: XXXX or whatever else is applicable in a point list. 

A few lines to reinforce the specs, plus add any other aspects that need more descriptive lines. 

Additional relevant information, or areas of interest, suggested uses, personal review. Edited to add: try to word these in such a way as they continue to advertise you and the product(s), your expertise and knowledge, not the brand. 😉

Terms of sale (these can be dot points as well, I try to keep them as brief as possible and just mention things that are most advantageous to buyers).

You would probably be better off leaving out info that is subject to change over time, like quoting postage costs, they'll be at the top anyway, and that will mean editing all of your listings when there's a price change. 

[the4masters2013]

That's what had me a bit confused . Other items were in Aussie dollars so I felt a mistake had been made. Just didn't read the rest of it.

[juliejaffa74]

Could it be that your sales are less than 10 years ago as less people are smoking pipes.

[dazzledayz]

Hi Melina,

You should understand that eBay is limiting description length now ( I believe about 800 characters? ) so a lot of your description will be omitted on mobile and it will be eBay bots that will do the selection.

(less is more these days)

I think your photography is, like the descriptions, a little too "busy" in commercial terms ie too much distraction from the main subject.

You also have a lot of reflections in your subject due to its highly polished nature and depth of field giving you issues.

If I were you, I'd be looking at using a light tent to cut down the unwanted reflections.

Re the depth of field; consider use of a wide angle lens at f11~f16 shot at your highest res and then cropped.

This approach will have impact on 3/4 views keeping most of the subject in focus.

Learn to apply the rules for depth of field in that the focal point should be slightly back from the front of an obliquely composed subject.

(1/3rd sharp in front of this point, 2/3rds sharp to the rear)

For fine details think about using a long focus macro lens with a tripod.

There are quite a few good "macro" zoom lenses about that would suit (google the Tamron or Sigma 70-300mm which are very affordable and quite good)

A tripod is in general essential for al lenses used in this type of work as it will allow you to use high f stops and slow shutter speeds thus improving your depth of field and sharpening up your details.

Rather than the carpet you are currently using, you could look at a velour, satin or other plush drape which will give a similar look without imposing itself onto the subject as your shag carpet fibres currently do.

A common usage is to drape high to the back of a light tent falling to the floor, then up and over a 10cm raised platform (or box) at the halfway point where your subject will be placed, then falling away towards the bottom front of the tent nearest the camera.

This will give you good subject/background separation and focus attention onto the subject.

Use of props and accessories should be conservative and definitely nor distracting ie competing for attention with the subject.

(slightly out of focus is not a bad approach).

Only one pic (usually the main) should exhibit any use of compositional props while all others are subject and subject detail only.

You are doing well and will do much better as you hit your stride.

[rocket2retro]

I agree your descriptions are a bit wordy but your photos and products are excellent.

Ebay is certainly not what it was 10 years ago. You'd only need to scour these discussion boards to see how many sellers are reporting ever dwindling sales (particularly in the last 3 years).

Many (including myself) are now barely able to make a meagre living, from what was a once very profitable enterprise.

There's been endless debate on what has caused such a downturn and there certainly is a lot more online competition than there was 10 years ago.

The sheer volume of items that are for now sale on Facebook alone, did not exist a decade ago.

Anyway I wish you well with your selling.

[clubesquire]

Hi again everyone,

I've just popped in to say thanks again for your honest critique and humbling unselfish support. I'm blown away with it and I'm thrilled to bits because I know you've helped even though I've got no results to prove it yet. I'm soooo grateful.

i put a bit of work in on the listings today and managed to get two or three new ones up without so much of the clutter. I think it looks a lot better. I hope you do too. We can still précis it out better though and we're working on it. It really has changed so much. So many things to think of and take care of now. We'll get better at it and  won't forget those who helped. I promise.

Please everyone, know that my gratitude is very heartfelt. You've rocked my boat in a very nice way.

Thank you all very much.

i so will you well with every success.

kindest,

Melina.