I just got done reading a great article on how to sell. One point that was made was that this person will not look at items that do not have a Gallery picture. While I feel the same way, it is also important to know that Gallery pictures will NOT show up if your listing is in Store Inventory Format. No matter how much time and money you spend on a great listing, Gallery does not work in this auction format. The words, "LOOK", "MUST SEE PICS", might ,so take the chance on these type of listings. I have had alot of success. When a buyer is skimming over a list of items that do not have pictures, the only other resource you have available is TEXT. They may not stop to read the details, no matter how thorough they are, but "LOOK", may just get their attention.

Pictures. Yes....the frustrating pictures. I have spent hours upon hours trying to get just the right shot. That is the second most important thing. I say second, because customer service has proven to be the most important thing. I will address that in a minute. Pictures need to look as accurate as the item. Colors need to be authentic and presentation is everything. I have sold miniature shoes that made me wonder why when there were several of the same shoe sitting there for less. Then I looked at the photos and the text and I knew the answer. You have to give people a little of yourself. You want to relate to them. Make them feel like you are together at their computer looking at listings. Adding a little humor, goes a long way. One thing I find to be true in every aspect of life is this. If people do not like your personality or the manner in which you present something, you can't give it away.

Back to customer service. My feedback shows what I  am talking about. When I sell something, I immediatley contact the buyer to thank them and let them know when I plan to ship. People do not being left in the dark and they want to feel that they are important and not just some Paypal authorization number. Contact your buyers. Make them feel like this is your first sale.Thank them and offer them whatever it is that you can in order to create a relationship and a repeat customer.

Packaging. Ah ha. A pet peeve of mine. I bought one item from Ebay and it came wrapped in a brown trash bag, turned inside out. What's up with that? Am I not important enough to get something I paid good money for wrapped nicely? I think so. I use pretty tissue paper, thank you stickers and send a letter with every item. I have a few different stamps that I use to decorate the shipping package as well.

I had a really hard time trying to photograph a navy on navy dress. I wanted to show the fine detail. I found that using a lighter background and only a portion of the dress helped alot. After all, ladies, we know it's a dress. Even though you can't see the entire dress, you can see enough to know that you would want to look at it. At least I think so. A miniature shoe set, can be enhanced by using a simple candle to show the true size of the item that you are referring to.Be creative and different. I took a pair of chandeleir earrings and hung them from a crystal wine glass. The picture came out awesome. That is what I think attracts people to a listing. True, the item has to be the main focus and you definately do not want to take away from it but adding something that isn't too busy can add the zest that you need.

Well, good luck and I hope that you have picked up a few hints to help you with your Ebay venture.

Thanks,

barb05130