Thread: If you don't post pics....

Well said. I won't buy on ELB without seeing pics first.

the one that gets me is when an established seller posts new items for sale, and they state they are new in the box or new in the bag, and people demand pics.. are they afraid that people are just selling stuff they don't actually have in their possession? When I have a new item thats in the bag I'm not going to take it out just to take a picture of it, and I'm not going to waste the time to take a picture of the bag sitting there, it seems pointless,

Now used items are another subject entirely, in that case a picture is worth a thousand words. I have bought many used items from the reputable established dealers / collectors one here and have had little problems over the years, in fact these guys seem to be overly honest about there items.

I don't buy anything unless I see a pic.
Shawn is right about the NIB (new in box/bag) items.
But I still want to see a pic of NOS (new old stock) items. I've seen
some rough stuff come off the shelf even if Mother Nature never
laid a finger on it

I find NIB items still sell faster with an actual pic. Even if the pic is just of the outside of the box, somehow it makes people more apt to buy..... maybe they think if you went to the trouble of taking a pic (or stealing a correct one) that you will be more likely to follow through. I always posts pics of everything I sell even if it's commonly known what the item looks like.

True, sometimes one forgets what certain items look like and pictures do help.

icon_iagree.gif

Isnt doing some homework on what your buying still a good practice? maybe its just me, but when I go to buy an item I figure out what I want, how it works and know what it looks like, before I go to buy one.

I mean i under the spontaneous buy from time to time where you see something and your like "wow thats cool i want one"

what does this leave for the imagination:

1 NIB R/B dual Whelen avenger w/ suction mount kit / shield

to me its pretty self explanatory... but i guess thats why we have big box stores....

Originally Posted by Shawn L

Isnt doing some homework on what your buying still a good practice? maybe its just me, but when I go to buy an item I figure out what I want, how it works and know what it looks like, before I go to buy one.

I mean i under the spontaneous buy from time to time where you see something and your like "wow thats cool i want one"

what does this leave for the imagination:

1 NIB R/B dual Whelen avenger w/ suction mount kit / shield

to me its pretty self explanatory... but i guess thats why we have big box stores....

It doesn't leave anything to the imagination.... and just because an item is pictured doesn't mean I don't do homework on it....... that's not the point. People aren't confused about what the item is.... It's just a fact that people are visually intrigued more easily than through text. The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is a saying for a reason. It's not that people don't understand what an items is, they are just more likely to buy it is they see it. If I post "code 3 stinger flush mount chrome square bezel. NOS/NIB" you know exactly what it is. If I post a pics of a sweet shiny NIB item you might go "oooohh...ahhh" and buy it. People like seeing shiny stuff. I know looking at the pic below I instantly wanted one of these.... I already have one... If I had just read about it I wouldn't have nearly the desire to have it... TV ads use bright flashy colors and multiple pics of their product for a reason. Everyone knows what a coke looks like, but they haven't switched to text only ads. The logo and picture of the sparkling drink being poured is right in your face.... and you think... "mmmm I want a coke", Not the same response as reading about it.

There is also the idea that posting pics proves that the seller actually has the item (not necessarily true though)..... but it does weigh in...

Sorry Shawn, Lots of really good points were made.

I do want to see a pic before I buy and will always post a pic when I sell.

Pete

WHY do people keep posting things for sale with the words "PM me for pics"?

Originally Posted by ccsd157

WHY do people keep posting things for sale with the words "PM me for pics"?

It's far easier to attach pics to the post once than send them via e-mail or pm 20 times......

I have no clue why people will send pics but not post them.

I've found a couple of people that were only able to provide photos via picture message from their cell phone. Perhaps this accounts for some portion of this trend.

Yes, but they can download pics from the cell phone to the computer.
It is just like using a digital camera. They are just being lazy

Originally Posted by Pete L.

Yes, but they can download pics from the cell phone to the computer.
It is just like using a digital camera. They are just being lazy

The tech skills of users here vary extensively. Being able to post or transfer media isn't necessarily easy for everyone. I do think it's worth the time it takes to learn how to post pics though...

I agree, John

But you and the Mods have to admit that most don't read the rules nor do they take direction well
When the site changed for the better, this old fart learned to navigate the new format.
I still say LAZY or not enough time to care

Pete

Originally Posted by JohnMarcson

Your item most likely won't sell. Over 95% of items that sell have pics. Attaching pics is easy. Click manage attachments and browse your computer for the pics you want to add.

i could use some help posting a picturer on her i went to attachment from the file and when i went o hit the upload button it go to a page unadv and dose not let me even get close to loading it thank you

Originally Posted by nddl

i could use some help posting a picturer on her i went to attachment from the file and when i went o hit the upload button it go to a page unadv and dose not let me even get close to loading it thank you

What?

I rest my case

Pete

I agree! Being newer to the lighting and siren world, I often times know what I am looking for based on pictures - not so much model numbers...

I only open those that have pictures!

Originally Posted by dpfirerescue

I agree! Being newer to the lighting and siren world, I often times know what I am looking for based on pictures - not so much model numbers...

I only open those that have pictures!

Pics can be loaded form elb when you start a new post or even reply to a post, but the best way is to send pics to photobucket.com and just copy and paste to your post, easy as 1 2 3

Originally Posted by Pete L.

Yes, but they can download pics from the cell phone to the computer.
It is just like using a digital camera. They are just being lazy

But the file is to large from my cell phone, and I cant remember how in the heck to downsize ..Thats why I said in my post to pm me email for pics.

Originally Posted by cameo89

Pics can be loaded form elb when you start a new post or even reply to a post, but the best way is to send pics to photobucket.com and just copy and paste to your post, easy as 1 2 3

Never thought of that, duh haha. Thanks

Yahoo Flickr is real easy also. They now have BBCode that you can
copy and paste and you can chose the size pic you want.

[QUOTE=Shawn L;80988]the one that gets me is when an established seller posts new items for sale, and they state they are new in the box or new in the bag, and people demand pics.. are they afraid that people are just selling stuff they don't actually have in their possession?

When I have a new item thats in the bag I'm not going to take it out just to take a picture of it, and I'm not going to waste the time to take a picture of the bag sitting there, it seems pointless,

If you wont take the time, then your either not really serious about selling or it looks like youve got something to hide.
just m2cw.

well there are 2 ways to look at it.... I can take a pic of a whelen LIN3 thats in a bag, so you cant really see the light at all, or I can open the bag and show off the light, then people complain that the stuff is opened, now don't get me wrong, used items are a totally different story, with used items you are relying on another persons judgment and visual description, new is new , if its new in the box or new in the bag, then its new. , the only exception to that would be new old stock items that may show some shelf wear,

I think the key part is if your dealing with an established seller, I post my ebay name so you can reference that feedback, as well as my long standing feedback here on these forums,

many of the new members like to see pics of stuff just to see what items look like, the problem that I see with that is a picture taken of a light on a table isnt exactaly the same quality as what the manufacturer will provide, if you really want to check out an item to see if it will work for you I would try and encourage people to check out the manufacturers site or a large national retailer , sirennet has vidioes for lots of their products, and that pic/ info and video will be muchj more help full in making a decision.

I wish that people would do some homework on trying to figgure out what they want and need .


just to make people happy I have updated my post with pics... cant say that its helped much at all

I've been around emergency equipment for over 20 years. That doesn't meen I know what everything is based on model numbers. Some people will be looking for one thing, and buy something you have just because they like the looks of it. I've bought some stuff here, but I ignore the threads with no photos. I want to see the item and it's basic condition. I don't want to bother asking for photos of an item and waste someones time if I don't like what I see.

I'm one of those people who will see something I wasn't looking for, but take an interest from the photo and buy it.

But then, I'm also a guy who looks at all the pictures of food on a menu before reading it.

Originally Posted by Shawn L

well there are 2 ways to look at it.... I can take a pic of a whelen LIN3 thats in a bag, so you cant really see the light at all, or I can open the bag and show off the light, then people complain that the stuff is opened,

or you could give a link to a similar item, so that we don't have to go on google to the picture search.
You sometimes wonder what you are getting back on this search.