OT- Opinons Wanted- eBay Listing Appearance

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

For what it's worth Jeff, I think your listings look pretty good. Presentation does matter a little bit IMO. Decades of marketing research and every ad agency in the world will agree with that I believe.

+1

While a single line of text on a plain white background won't necessarily stop me from buying an item that I can recognize what it is and has clear pictures, a simple, well-presented layout does tell me that I'm dealing with a professional and not a 12-year-old kid with a cell phone and eBay app. I am less concerned with whether the item will arrive to me looking like it does in the pictures if I feel that I am dealing with a professional. I still buy from the punk kids too, but sweat it a little more until the item actually arrives that it's not going to be packed/shipped properly. While I'm not sure I would spend a lot of money to have someone produce a new template for me, there is something to be said for looking more professional.

Have you tried simply modifying the template that you currently use? (not sure if that is possible with InkFrog, as I've never used them)

[tschock]

I should have clarified on my original post that I had no problem with Jeff's currently design. What I consider 'noise' is stuff that is not directly related to the item for sale. Similar to what others pointed out. Like Joe Jackson's biography when selling a magazine with him on the cover. I don't consider the seller's 'policies' (payment, shipping, etc) to be 'noise'.

What I do hate is not seeing the description at the top of the listing, when you have to scroll through the 'noise' (or even policies) to get to the description. This to me is very distracting. First, tell me the description of what I'm looking at buying. Then, tell me what I need to do or can expect if I do decide to buy it (policies).

[ibuysportsephemera]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote and comment. After trying to list on eBay, I have found Inkfrog to be much easier. I am talking to a designer who can switch my current templates to the newer version of Inkfrog. I personally like a professional look, even though I don't think it matters that much (all things being equal).

Jeff

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote and comment. After trying to list on eBay, I have found Inkfrog to be much easier. I am talking to a designer who can switch my current templates to the newer version of Inkfrog. I personally like a professional look, even though I don't think it matters that much (all things being equal).

Jeff

A professional look certainly doesn't hurt anything. Good luck!!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote and comment. After trying to list on eBay, I have found Inkfrog to be much easier. I am talking to a designer who can switch my current templates to the newer version of Inkfrog. I personally like a professional look, even though I don't think it matters that much (all things being equal).

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Thought I would bump up this thread. Wanted to know how you like the "Open" version of Inkfrog? Have you figured it out to your satisfaction?

I just tried integrating over from "Classic" to "Open" in the last week and threw up my hands in frustration and went back to listing on the "Classic" platform.

Seems to be much less user friendly, less choice of options, no way to list your photos at the top of your description instead of the bottom, no way to separate images into folders, options for templates are crap, etc.....

Maybe I'm missing something or have to be more patient in figuring it out, but it doesn't seem very intuitive at all. I hate to have to look for a different option, because I've liked the Inkfrog platform for a very long time now, and there's no way I'm going to go back to listing through Ebay's lister.

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Hi Jeff,

Thought I would bump up this thread. Wanted to know how you like the "Open" version of Inkfrog? Have you figured it out to your satisfaction?

I just tried integrating over from "Classic" to "Open" in the last week and threw up my hands in frustration and went back to listing on the "Classic" platform.

Seems to be much less user friendly, less choice of options, no way to list your photos at the top of your description instead of the bottom, no way to separate images into folders, options for templates are crap, etc.....

Maybe I'm missing something or have to be more patient in figuring it out, but it doesn't seem very intuitive at all. I hate to have to look for a different option, because I've liked the Inkfrog platform for a very long time now, and there's no way I'm going to go back to listing through Ebay's lister.

Funny you should ask. I am in the 2nd part of a 3 part process to convert all of my 600 eBay store items from Inkfrog to my computer. I had a friend who designs websites convert my listing templates so that I can use directly on eBay. It has been a lot of work but in the next few months I will be free of Inkfrog for good. I have found the eBay lister to be much better now than in the past. If you want to chat...PM me your phone number and I will give you a call.

Jeff

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Funny you should ask. I am in the 2nd part of a 3 part process to convert all of my 600 eBay store items from Inkfrog to my computer. I had a friend who designs websites convert my listing templates so that I can use directly on eBay. It has been a lot of work but in the next few months I will be free of Inkfrog for good. I have found the eBay lister to be much better now than in the past. If you want to chat...PM me your phone number and I will give you a call.

Jeff

Thanks for the response Jeff. Sad to see you gave up on it. It really was a great tool. I'll let you know if I need to pick your brain some more. Thanks again.

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Thanks for the response Jeff. Sad to see you gave up on it. It really was a great tool. I'll let you know if I need to pick your brain some more. Thanks again.

I'm actually really pleased to do everything for myself on my computer. It might be a few extra minutes, but I have better control over the process.

Jeff

[ibuysportsephemera]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

+1

While a single line of text on a plain white background won't necessarily stop me from buying an item that I can recognize what it is and has clear pictures, a simple, well-presented layout does tell me that I'm dealing with a professional and not a 12-year-old kid with a cell phone and eBay app. I am less concerned with whether the item will arrive to me looking like it does in the pictures if I feel that I am dealing with a professional. I still buy from the punk kids too, but sweat it a little more until the item actually arrives that it's not going to be packed/shipped properly. While I'm not sure I would spend a lot of money to have someone produce a new template for me, there is something to be said for looking more professional.

Have you tried simply modifying the template that you currently use? (not sure if that is possible with InkFrog, as I've never used them)

Thanks Lance...see my post above.

Jeff