Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

Brianpore · Jan 14, 2014

suited said:
Quote: Just my opinion, but I like boxes. I think most customers like received a box. Anytime I get something besides a shirt or tie in anything besides a box I think to myself...well they don't know what they are doing for shipping and I feel as though a box protects the item. It probably dosnt BUT I think it does and I'm sure most other people would agree. I even ship pants in boxes and ties in boxes when they are most expensive.

Everything I ship goes in a box unless its under $50 and can go 1st class mail.

Koala-T · Jan 14, 2014

ATLnoob said:
THIS +1000. If there's an issue, be it big or small, let me know. It tells me you've thoroughly examined the item and care that I am informed as to what I am considering purchasing. These "see pictures for condition and description" listings are bullcrap. They might still sell...for $9.99 or whatever, but a couple more sentences will show that a seller is conscientious and a buyer will most likely be happy (in this age where buying on eBay is like navigating a minefield), and brings more dollahs yo.

I found a couple programs called Skitch and TurboCollage and have been enjoying playing with them. I figure the more specific and open I am, the more time and money it saves me in the long run. Example:

Also used them to make this:

joshmick · Jan 14, 2014

ATLnoob said:
...and therefore looks suspiciously similar to LS logo packages.

Best be careful lest a guy named Joe Bagadonuts shows up and next thing you know you're taken for a ride in a 1974 Buick and they find you in a meat locker on Staten Island.

I've heard those trunks don't supply proper lumbar support...

SCoNE · Jan 14, 2014

Hey guys,

I'm trying to set up an ebay listing and after teaching myself some HTML for the last 3-4 hours, ebay's telling me I can't embed 'non-clickable' links, which I assumes means my embedded images and background. Any thoughts on the go-around for this?

Also, my code is spoilered below and can be previewed here: http://www.onlinehtmleditor.net/

Thoughts on everything? Recommendations? It's probably bordering on over-the-top busy.

Thanks!

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body
{
background: url(' https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1DGWG7dc9Fu00TZOFCq5QumFb8emMlVzj06wAn4PRYI=w608-h884-no ') no-repeat center center fixed;
background-size:cover; }

</style>

</head>

<br>
<br>

<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: center;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>
<h1 style="text-align:center;font-family:BOOK ANTIQUA;color:midnightblue;margin-left:40px;margin-right:40px;">

<!TITLE>
Beautiful Chocolate and Burgundy Diagonal Striped Polo Ralph Lauren Embroidered Pony Tie</h1>

</div>
</div>

<br>
<hr>
<br>
<center>
<img style="border:2px solid blue"
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yxM7g1QlUc/UtYgIteGJPI/AAAAAAAABZk/zIY5iDh_wh4/s576/IMG_6398.JPG" alt="PRL Tie",
</center>
<br>
<hr>
<br>

<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: center;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>

<pre style="text-align:center;font-family:arial;color:red;font-size:20px;margin-top:-45px;"><b>
<!SUBTITLE>
<li>100% Silk
<li>Made by Hand in the USA
<li>Very Good Condition
<li>Classic Traditional Style
</b></pre>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<hr>
<hr>
<br>
<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: left;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>
<!Description>
<p style=text-alight:left;margin-left:20px;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:18px;">
<b>Description:</b> Tie is 100% Silk, Hand Made in USA for Polo by Ralph Lauren.
</p>
<!Specifics>
<p style="margin: 0;text-alight:left;margin-left:20px;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:18px;">
<b>Specifics:</b>
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Tie width is approximately 4"
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Tie Length is approximately 57"
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Chocolate brown background with 1/4" wide deep burgundy diagonal stripes spaced every 1.5"
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Embroidered pony logo is approximately 3/4" tall
</p>
<!Condition>
<p style=text-alight:left;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:18px;">
<b>Condition:</b> Tie is a pre-owned item so please note that it is not in completely new condition.
The only areas of concern for this tie are 2-3 <b>very small</b> snags to the fabric which are documented in the photos as shown.
Additionally, there is a small dark speck adjacent to one snag, as shown in the photo. These flaws are invisible from 2 feet away. There is a small hole in the PRL label, as shown.
Some light wrinkling can be expected but there is no <i>creasing</i>.
</p>
</div>
</div>

<br>
<hr>
<hr>
<br>

<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: left;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>
<p style=text-alight:left;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:15px;margin-left:20px;">
<b>Terms of Sale:</b>

<li style=margin-left:20px;>Sales are Final - If you have a concern, please contact the seller before bidding. We make every effort to accurately describe items.
<li style=margin-left:20px;>Payment is due within 7 days of close of auction
<li style=margin-left:20px;>Combined Shipping is available in certain circumstances
<li style=margin-left:20px;>We can only ship to the address attached to your ebay account; Please confirm that it is correct before bidding.
<Li style=margin-left:20px;>Paypal is the only accepted payment
</p>

<p style=text-alight:left;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:15px;">
<b>Shipping:</b>
Shipping terms and rates can be found below. Please ensure that shipping to your country is offered.
</p>

</div>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p>
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GstD1FUJXLo/UtYf1lNMFfI/AAAAAAAABYg/RqRgeZBTzvM/s720/IMG_6389.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AVAYdiig4-8/UtYgBiGAifI/AAAAAAAABZM/0s-8a3nzTTw/s720/IMG_6395.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t6xKgKsZ_yI/UtYgGAdmY6I/AAAAAAAABZc/FkZRRdtCzTM/s720/IMG_6397.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xqeIHqIRdG4/UtYf-0muCgI/AAAAAAAABZE/2hZtzHRwJ28/s720/IMG_6393.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
</p>
<br><br>

</body>
</html>

Fueco · Jan 14, 2014

I'd stick to a solid color dark background, ditch the blue borders on the boxes, and maybe change the light blue to a white or really light color.

jebarne · Jan 15, 2014

found a bag yesterday that was very well made with some very unique hardware. Does anyone know this logo? in the 2nd photo, there is a mirror under the teardrop flap.

Also still trying to figure out who makes pants with this logo:

TheNeedMachine · Jan 15, 2014

jgill79 said:
I found a couple programs called Skitch and TurboCollage and have been enjoying playing with them. I figure the more specific and open I am, the more time and money it saves me in the long run. Example:

Also used them to make this:

That's pretty neato, though if it takes a long time to do I personally would skip it and just take a photo of a flaw with a quarter (coin) and describe it in the text. Yours looks nicer by far, though, so the effort might be worth it.

SCoNE said:
Hey guys,

I'm trying to set up an ebay listing and after teaching myself some HTML for the last 3-4 hours, ebay's telling me I can't embed 'non-clickable' links, which I assumes means my embedded images and background. Any thoughts on the go-around for this?

Also, my code is spoilered below and can be previewed here: http://www.onlinehtmleditor.net/

Thoughts on everything? Recommendations? It's probably bordering on over-the-top busy.

Thanks!

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body
{
background: url(' https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1DGWG7dc9Fu00TZOFCq5QumFb8emMlVzj06wAn4PRYI=w608-h884-no ') no-repeat center center fixed;
background-size:cover; }

</style>

</head>

<br>
<br>

<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: center;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>
<h1 style="text-align:center;font-family:BOOK ANTIQUA;color:midnightblue;margin-left:40px;margin-right:40px;">

<!TITLE>
Beautiful Chocolate and Burgundy Diagonal Striped Polo Ralph Lauren Embroidered Pony Tie</h1>

</div>
</div>

<br>
<hr>
<br>
<center>
<img style="border:2px solid blue"
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yxM7g1QlUc/UtYgIteGJPI/AAAAAAAABZk/zIY5iDh_wh4/s576/IMG_6398.JPG" alt="PRL Tie",
</center>
<br>
<hr>
<br>

<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: center;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>

<pre style="text-align:center;font-family:arial;color:red;font-size:20px;margin-top:-45px;"><b>
<!SUBTITLE>
<li>100% Silk
<li>Made by Hand in the USA
<li>Very Good Condition
<li>Classic Traditional Style
</b></pre>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<hr>
<hr>
<br>
<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: left;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>
<!Description>
<p style=text-alight:left;margin-left:20px;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:18px;">
<b>Description:</b> Tie is 100% Silk, Hand Made in USA for Polo by Ralph Lauren.
</p>
<!Specifics>
<p style="margin: 0;text-alight:left;margin-left:20px;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:18px;">
<b>Specifics:</b>
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Tie width is approximately 4"
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Tie Length is approximately 57"
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Chocolate brown background with 1/4" wide deep burgundy diagonal stripes spaced every 1.5"
<li style=font-size:18px;margin-left:20px;>Embroidered pony logo is approximately 3/4" tall
</p>
<!Condition>
<p style=text-alight:left;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:18px;">
<b>Condition:</b> Tie is a pre-owned item so please note that it is not in completely new condition.
The only areas of concern for this tie are 2-3 <b>very small</b> snags to the fabric which are documented in the photos as shown.
Additionally, there is a small dark speck adjacent to one snag, as shown in the photo. These flaws are invisible from 2 feet away. There is a small hole in the PRL label, as shown.
Some light wrinkling can be expected but there is no <i>creasing</i>.
</p>
</div>
</div>

<br>
<hr>
<hr>
<br>

<!TEXT BOX>
<div style="text-align: left;border:2px solid blue;background:lightblue;opacity:0.85;">
<div align:center;>
</style>
</head>
<p style=text-alight:left;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:15px;margin-left:20px;">
<b>Terms of Sale:</b>

<li style=margin-left:20px;>Sales are Final - If you have a concern, please contact the seller before bidding. We make every effort to accurately describe items.
<li style=margin-left:20px;>Payment is due within 7 days of close of auction
<li style=margin-left:20px;>Combined Shipping is available in certain circumstances
<li style=margin-left:20px;>We can only ship to the address attached to your ebay account; Please confirm that it is correct before bidding.
<Li style=margin-left:20px;>Paypal is the only accepted payment
</p>

<p style=text-alight:left;font-family:times;color:black;font-size:15px;">
<b>Shipping:</b>
Shipping terms and rates can be found below. Please ensure that shipping to your country is offered.
</p>

</div>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p>
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GstD1FUJXLo/UtYf1lNMFfI/AAAAAAAABYg/RqRgeZBTzvM/s720/IMG_6389.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AVAYdiig4-8/UtYgBiGAifI/AAAAAAAABZM/0s-8a3nzTTw/s720/IMG_6395.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t6xKgKsZ_yI/UtYgGAdmY6I/AAAAAAAABZc/FkZRRdtCzTM/s720/IMG_6397.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xqeIHqIRdG4/UtYf-0muCgI/AAAAAAAABZE/2hZtzHRwJ28/s720/IMG_6393.JPG" alt="PRL Tie" style="float:middle" width="200" height="200">
</p>
<br><br>

</body>
</html>

It has to be either your background image or embedded image(s) that is triggering the non-clickable link error message...I've seen those errors when I would put a plain text URL in the listing and forget to wrap all the <a href=... stuff around it. I don't see any other links in your code, but also have no suggestion on a get-around as I just use very basic HTML and the 12 eBay hosted images; nothing hosted elsewhere.

Have you eyeballed your example on a mobile device to see how it looks? It does look nice on computer; tho I occasionally shop on my phone and see listings with all the tables and divs etc and they look like a jumbled mess.

SCoNE · Jan 15, 2014

jebarne said:

That latch is incredible.

thefastlife · Jan 15, 2014

any tips for my new mannequin (arriving today). can't wait to get him set up with a nice white shirt and tie.

when selling full suits, obviously there's no where to put the pants on the mannequin so do you guys just photo them seperately?

Snoogz · Jan 15, 2014

^Yes

Do you guys block first time buyers who claim empty boxes arrived on doorstep? Buyer is not putting the blame on me, but buyer also thought I was responsible for refunding money, then I am to file an insurance claim. So with the buyers hopes being shot down, after I informed him that he needs to file police report and file insurance claim on his end, I feel he may get hostile and seek vendetta against me with a future purchase / feedback issue.

I already called eBay to have notes put in, and set everything on record, so my feedback for this item is protected.

SCoNE · Jan 15, 2014

ATLnoob said:
That's pretty neato, though if it takes a long time to do I personally would skip it and just take a photo of a flaw with a quarter (coin) and describe it in the text. Yours looks nicer by far, though, so the effort might be worth it.

It has to be either your background image or embedded image(s) that is triggering the non-clickable link error message...I've seen those errors when I would put a plain text URL in the listing and forget to wrap all the <a href=... stuff around it. I don't see any other links in your code, but also have no suggestion on a get-around as I just use very basic HTML and the 12 eBay hosted images; nothing hosted elsewhere.

Have you eyeballed your example on a mobile device to see how it looks? It does look nice on computer; tho I occasionally shop on my phone and see listings with all the tables and divs etc and they look like a jumbled mess.

So I revised the code using the format shown here: http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Post...Auction-Photos-FREE-/10000000019158865/g.html

This makes the image clickable and by doing so the error obviously goes away. I did away with the background image because I couldn't figure it out as easily and I wasn't in love with it to begin with.

As far as mobile view, I need to reformat the title box a bit (text overflow) but everything else displays pretty nicely. I'll mess with it some more and try out Fueco's suggestions on subsequent listings. I just wanted to get this one going and try it out.

And here we have it, my first listing (not including three from 5 years ago): http://www.ebay.com/itm/171218258439?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Anything you guys see that's going to get me in trouble?

Thanks!

capnwes · Jan 15, 2014

SCoNE said:
So I revised the code using the format shown here: http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Post...Auction-Photos-FREE-/10000000019158865/g.html

This makes the image clickable and by doing so the error obviously goes away. I did away with the background image because I couldn't figure it out as easily and I wasn't in love with it to begin with.

As far as mobile view, I need to reformat the title box a bit (text overflow) but everything else displays pretty nicely. I'll mess with it some more and try out Fueco's suggestions on subsequent listings. I just wanted to get this one going and try it out.

And here we have it, my first listing (not including three from 5 years ago): http://www.ebay.com/itm/171218258439?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Anything you guys see that's going to get me in trouble?

Thanks!

Your pics aren't viewable on google chrome (PC version).

With IE you can see the pics but the text lines are stacked weirdly.

SCoNE · Jan 15, 2014

capnwes said:
Your pics aren't viewable on google chrome (PC version).
With IE you can see the pics but the text lines are stacked.

Strange... I'm using Chrome... thanks for the heads-up, I'll check it out. Hadn't thought about other browsers!

What version are you running? I'm "Version 32.0.1700.41 m Aura"

SCoNE · Jan 15, 2014

SCoNE said:
Strange... I'm using Chrome... thanks for the heads-up, I'll check it out. Hadn't thought about other browsers!

What version are you running? I'm "Version 32.0.1700.41 m Aura"

Yeah it looks like crap in IE... curses.

capnwes · Jan 15, 2014

SCoNE said:
Strange... I'm using Chrome... thanks for the heads-up, I'll check it out. Hadn't thought about other browsers!

What version are you running? I'm "Version 32.0.1700.41 m Aura"

No idea what version they have here. I can check again from my Mac at home.

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