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

DanM · May 11, 2014

Hey guys, any suggestions on what to call this pattern/headline for ebay?

Snoogz · May 11, 2014

Erratic Puzzle Shape Gliding Intricate Detailed Twill Printed Silk Neck Tie.

thefastlife · May 12, 2014

those that have used both white and black backgrounds...which do you prefer and why?

im thinking the black will be easier to keep clean (especially when using for shoes) as well as making the colors pop a bit more.

the white seems like it might be less forgiving. but i have 0 clue so i defer to you. i know Spoo uses black and that alone might be enough to make me change it up.

jebarne · May 12, 2014

^^
1st, let me say that like any thing else in this world, some people are just better at this than others. There is an art to capturing a static item and giving it a sense of movement or drama. Look at the brag thread, when people post ties or Belts. Some are on black, some are on white, some are on wood. Brian, jGill, Snoogz, hbkshin, Dan, atlnoob and several others have awesome quality pics that I believe help sell their items. The detail and focus from hbkshin and brian on ties is incredible. I'd be proud to replicate that.

Step one: DON'T LET YOUR PIC'S COST YOU A CUSTOMER.

But still, if I'm scrolling through 100 listings, I can pick out wes & spoo's items with one eye closed. Wes for Suits specifically, and his turntable makes the ties and shoes stand out, & Spoo for Ties/Accessories. I think that what draw people to spoo's pic's is, in fact, that he gets a certain amount of drama in his shots. In some cases, if you were going to bid on a black belt though, you might have trouble actually seeing the detail on the belt against the background, yet you are still drawn in.

I'm on this forum in the first place because of Wes's, Brian's and Spoo's photos. When I was a buyer, I kept seeing their items and really appreciated how good the photo's were that they included in their auctions. I wasn't ever going to bid on a poorly lit or a dingy looking item. I googled Wes's ebay store, that led to style forum, where I recognized spoo's and Brian's photo's from shopping on ebay.

That said, I always love that very clean look of something shot on a white background. However, somethings get lost on it. Cuff Links on white. A white dress shirt on white. Same for black on black.

I think once you have the technical photography down so that the shots are well-lit, details captured, it doesn't really matter what your background it.

I happen to like a textured background for accessories because it adds scale. I've been on the look out for a table with a leather top in black, english tan, white.....almost any color but something that might look like a place in your house where you staged your items while getting dressed. Take off a tie and lay it on the dresser. or put your cufflinks on a table while you're changing shirts. I like staging that looks like how someone richer than I am might use the item.....

Step two: DEVELOP A RECOGNIZABLE STYLE TO SUPPORT YOUR BRAND

Your staging becomes your signature and in the square, photo, preview box, you have 225 square pixels to tell a story that sells your item.

jebarne · May 12, 2014

jebarne said:
Friends,

I have a question on the sizing of Alden shoes.

I posted a pair of short wings last night that were size 8C/B.

I know that the numbers represent a combination last with main width and heel width. but which is which?

Also, the inside measurement of these shoes is 10 7/8", which on the brannock scale would be at least 8.5. I also did a pair of Mezlan loafers that measured 11", which was exactly a size 9 brannock. and they were marked size 9. On the AE sizer, it would be about an 8.5.

Is anyone expert on the Alden sizing or could you point me to a thread that discusses this?

Thanks

Guy in Paris did a BIN on these yesterday. I emailed him and made him verify he knew the sizes. It is very annoying that there isn't a way to fix a listing once a bid is on it.

jebarne · May 12, 2014

jebarne said:
guys.....in over half the shoes I sell, I replace the laces.

I've been buying the Kiwi's (round waxed and unwaxed) at walmart at 2 pair for $2.50.

I need some for 3 eyelet shoes and best price I've seen locally is $4 per pair. That's not expensive, until you realize that for most shoes, I'm paying $3.39 for the shoes.

Was at the cobbler yesterday getting some meltonian ($3.00 vs $5.00 online?) and he had a tree with loose shoe laces, again, $4/pair. Most of the laces in packages were mitchellace brand but he wouldn't tell me the brand on the loose ones, which seemed better made than the mitchellace.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Do I know what I'm talking about? I've spent a couple hours googling different combinations without luck so far.

Do you know of a source that's reasonable for laces?

Thanks

Come on guys, I know I'm not the only one here who needs this.

dazedstate · May 12, 2014

Fueco said:
Try to fight it based on your listed measurements. But I think you might be hosed. That looks like a 38R to me, not knowing how you measured the sleeves.

Snoogz said:
You can win that case easily. As spoo has stated many times over -the measurements are a guideline in place for those who want to use them, the tagged size is the truth"

You clearly have the tagged size in the title, tagged size in the pictures, and in the item specifics...It is then up to the buyer to know his size in each brand.

You need to call a rep at eBay and have them see why your listing is accurate, and not a SNAD case...rather buyers remorse.

SpooPoker said:
No..
Yes….

Thank you guys so much for your assistance. I've spoken with an EBay rep and he agreed it was buyer's remorse. He had me reply to the claim stating that the mfgr states size 41 and that all measurements were provided accurately. Also he is having me escalate the call back on the 15th to escalate the case. He also put notes in my account stating our discussion. I owe y'all a beer.

Snoogz · May 12, 2014

jebarne said:
Come on guys, I know I'm not the only one here who needs this.

Don't get me wrong, I could possibly need this, but not now. I have laces I've purchased from AE (wax coated) when they were on 99 cent sale awhile back. I got like 10 for personal use or just to replace extremely bad ones on shoes for sale. Now for 3 eyelet laces, I am not in the market per say, but could be interested in your findings

(this is me piggybacking your efforts). Reason I say this, is I do have some chukkas / desert boots that have 2 - 3 eyelets and have laces that would probably need replacing soon.

dazedstate said:
Thank you guys so much for your assistance. I've spoken with an EBay rep and he agreed it was buyer's remorse. He had me reply to the claim stating that the mfgr states size 41 and that all measurements were provided accurately. Also he is having me escalate the call back on the 15th to escalate the case. He also put notes in my account stating our discussion. I owe y'all a beer.

Fueco · May 12, 2014

dazedstate said:
Thank you guys so much for your assistance. I've spoken with an EBay rep and he agreed it was buyer's remorse. He had me reply to the claim stating that the mfgr states size 41 and that all measurements were provided accurately. Also he is having me escalate the call back on the 15th to escalate the case. He also put notes in my account stating our discussion. I owe y'all a beer.

You bet. I'm not sure why I wrote what I did the way I did. It absolutely came out wrong. I had a very similar case recently with a pair of jeans which were too short for the buyer. They were, of course, listed accurately as having a 28" inseam.

thefastlife · May 12, 2014

jebarne said:
^^
1st, let me say that like any thing else in this world, some people are just better at this than others. There is an art to capturing a static item and giving it a sense of movement or drama. Look at the brag thread, when people post ties or Belts. Some are on black, some are on white, some are on wood. Brian, jGill, Snoogz, hbkshin, Dan, atlnoob and several others have awesome quality pics that I believe help sell their items. The detail and focus from hbkshin and brian on ties is incredible. I'd be proud to replicate that.

Step one: DON'T LET YOUR PIC'S COST YOU A CUSTOMER.

But still, if I'm scrolling through 100 listings, I can pick out wes & spoo's items with one eye closed. Wes for Suits specifically, and his turntable makes the ties and shoes stand out, & Spoo for Ties/Accessories. I think that what draw people to spoo's pic's is, in fact, that he gets a certain amount of drama in his shots. In some cases, if you were going to bid on a black belt though, you might have trouble actually seeing the detail on the belt against the background, yet you are still drawn in.

I'm on this forum in the first place because of Wes's, Brian's and Spoo's photos. When I was a buyer, I kept seeing their items and really appreciated how good the photo's were that they included in their auctions. I wasn't ever going to bid on a poorly lit or a dingy looking item. I googled Wes's ebay store, that led to style forum, where I recognized spoo's and Brian's photo's from shopping on ebay.

That said, I always love that very clean look of something shot on a white background. However, somethings get lost on it. Cuff Links on white. A white dress shirt on white. Same for black on black.

I think once you have the technical photography down so that the shots are well-lit, details captured, it doesn't really matter what your background it.

I happen to like a textured background for accessories because it adds scale. I've been on the look out for a table with a leather top in black, english tan, white.....almost any color but something that might look like a place in your house where you staged your items while getting dressed. Take off a tie and lay it on the dresser. or put your cufflinks on a table while you're changing shirts. I like staging that looks like how someone richer than I am might use the item.....

Step two: DEVELOP A RECOGNIZABLE STYLE TO SUPPORT YOUR BRAND

Your staging becomes your signature and in the square, photo, preview box, you have 225 square pixels to tell a story that sells your item.

great response, thank you very much.

Melbush · May 12, 2014

I sold an item to a guy (accepted his third offer), who asked me if he could pay in 2-3 weeks after I accepted his offer. He also wants me to ship to South Korea and has 1 feedback. Should I just cancel the transaction?

Koala-T · May 12, 2014

Melbush said:
I sold an item to a guy (accepted his third offer), who asked me if he could pay in 2-3 weeks after I accepted his offer. He also wants me to ship to South Korea and has 1 feedback. Should I just cancel the transaction?

Yes.

Shoeluv · May 12, 2014

jebarne said:
Come on guys, I know I'm not the only one here who needs this.

Check this out

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/custom-round-wax-men-dress-shoelaces_1724829579.html?s=p

We could do a group buy, although it doesn't say the length; .07 each + shipping from China + shipping from whoever does the master order. Still looks much cheaper. I would be willing to go in on this, I could always sell any excess on eBay.

Lirum · May 12, 2014

Shoeluv said:
Check this out

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/custom-round-wax-men-dress-shoelaces_1724829579.html?s=p

We could do a group buy, although it doesn't say the length; .07 each + shipping from China + shipping from whoever does the master order. Still looks much cheaper. I would be willing to go in on this, I could always sell any excess on eBay.

I'd be in for up to $50 towards this.

Koala-T · May 12, 2014

Lirum said:
I'd be in for up to $50 towards this.

I could do that too.

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

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