View Full Version : Asking for Pictures ?
sonnyjammer
Jul-12-2004, 9:06am
I have listed a few mandolins with a photo in the classified section over the past few years. Each time several people will respond with a one line email, "Send some pictures". I send them and never hear from that person again. Wondering are they composing a massive picture album of mandolins or are they just curious what the other side of the mandolin looks like? To me it just seems a bit rude, Has anyone else had this experience or is it just me? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
grandmainger
Jul-12-2004, 9:18am
From a long ebay membership, I have quite a bit of experience with 'photo-wasters'.
Since you can only post 1 picture per advert in the mandolincafe classified, I would encourage you #to create a webpage somewhere with all the photos for the stuff you sell. There is an option for a website link. Put your photos there, and state in the ad that additional photos are available on the website!
HTH
Germain
thistle3585
Jul-12-2004, 9:18am
It just goes with advertising in the classifieds. I advertise lumber in our classifieds in the local paper, and every woodworker in town will call and want to come look at it. When they got here all they wanted to do was look at my equipment and talk about their shop and how wonderful it was. When it came to looking at wood, they'd just say "No, I got enough. Just thought I'd checkout what you had." Gee, thanks for wasting my time. I qualify them up front now. I make them jump through just enough hoops on the phone to see if they're really interested.
"Each time several people will respond with a one line email, "Send some pictures". I send them and never hear from that person again."
<span style='color:purple'>Maybe the person decided against persuing it? Why would you expect or even want everybody you send pics to to respond? First one with an offer gets it -period.</span>
sonnyjammer
Jul-12-2004, 9:34am
Well Tom, my family taught me, when you request something, a simple one line aknowledgement or thank you would be appropriate. I guess many times I'm not sure if the person received the photos or not. I understand the nature of folks is to be shy about speaking with a seller, and suppose I have been wishy-washy myself when buying items from individuals. This topic was just me thinking outloud and sharing. Not a big deal. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Ken Sager
Jul-12-2004, 9:55am
As both a seller and buyer (I've asked for pix of sellers before) I'll add another point here. Sometimes politeness is nice, and sometimes polite thank yous add up to a flooded inbox. I'd rather not hear from somebody who is no longer interested than hear a polite "thank you", to which I send a polite "you're welcome" reply, and so on...
When looking at photos I've requested I'm looking for the "No" that tells me I don't want it. Once I see it I'm no longer shopping and I'll terminate the string of even less necessary yet polite emails by deleting all related emails from my inbox.
Not trying to be rude, just not flooding the net with unnecessary email. This of course does not address the issue of the used instrument photo collector who had no interest in purchasing the instrument in the first place. If you're selling and offering pix just send them to whomever asks, and send them with a happy "buy me" vibe. Just don't get stuck thinking that anybody who sees the photos is a potential buyer.
Joy to all,
Ken
Flatpick
Jul-12-2004, 10:05am
I noticed a lot of seller's will post only a picture of the back of the Mandolin, and that's it. I can see why a buyer would want more pics.....
Flatpick
I've been guilty of window shopping here and on Ebay. I'm always very upfront with the fact. I praise the good taste of the owner of the lovely instrument. Sometimes we even share in the commiseration of having to let go of a loved family member. And I humble myself at the feet of his/her patience and generosity.
Heeheee, got any good ones?
fatt-dad
Jul-12-2004, 10:22am
If you think selling is a hassle, try buying - ha.
Ward Elliott
Jul-12-2004, 10:37am
Sonnyjammer,
#I know what you mean. I don't expect every inquiry to be a possible sale, but it's a big help when people at least acknowledge that they got the photo, so I don't have to wonder whether or not I need to send it again. I think it's just common courtesy, but I know a lot of people don't seem to think it's necessary.
Darryl Wolfe
Jul-12-2004, 11:15am
Here's a relevent situation...just this weekend a '34 Herringbone closed on ebay. It was highly restored but appeared to have a perfect neck. A friend was very very interested in it just for the neck..to perform a neck swap with another bone. He asked for more pics of the neck and more general info on the neck. The seller never responded. He didn't buy it because of unsurety about the condition of the neck. He would have payed 1.5x what it went for if the neck was right
sonnyjammer
Jul-12-2004, 11:51am
Hi fatt-dad, I did not say "selling is a hassle", and I have in fact purchased mandolins from the classified ads as well as dealers. I know everyone has their own perspective and motives, and thats what makes the world go round. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
mad dawg
Jul-12-2004, 12:29pm
Well Tom, my family taught me, when you request something, a simple one line aknowledgement or thank you would be appropriate.
Sadly, common courtesies in general are not so common anymore. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
I too have had many who request pictures for the mando's I put for sale here on the Cafe and other places. It is somewhat anoying but goes with the business. If it takes a little more effort to supply the picture's to those asking to see what you have for sale and different views of the merchandise, then so be it, I for one will be glad and very happy to send them as requested, placing a mandolin in a person's hand's is what's happening, so why the gripe?
Scotti Adams
Jul-12-2004, 6:41pm
..exactly Ron...kudoz!
My family taught me not to be a whiner.
I don't know how many photos of things I've sold on ebay or have listed here(only 2) I've sent out without an aknowledgement. I figure it doesn't take me any more time or cost me any more money to send out a select few photos, 'cause one person will buy it, sooner or later. So ask away! I'm proud of my stuff anyway.