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What are your favourite worthless auction phrases?
Posted by
Tony_G
on 22 Feb, 2018 05:35
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Who's up for a bit of poking fun at auctions?
My personal ones are:
"Pulled from a working environment"
"Powers on, unable to test further" (double value for a test equipment seller)
"Used but sold-as-is" (what part of 'parts not working' don't you understand)
"Used, in good condition" (with a failure code shown in the photo)
What else have you seen?
Personally I vote for the "Pulled from a ..." as the all-time most worthless phrase.
TonyG
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#1 Reply
Posted by
station240
on 22 Feb, 2018 06:41
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"May be good source for parts"
Because trying to trick you into not thinking "May be bad source for parts", and give them an out if it's been fried by a voltage surge.
"Was working before being put into storage"
Implies it isn't working after being dig out.
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#2 Reply
Posted by
ModemHead
on 22 Feb, 2018 15:37
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Not exactly a phrase, but I find it annoying when something with a display screen is listed as "works perfectly" but none of the photos even show it powered on.
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#3 Reply
Posted by
grumpydoc
on 22 Feb, 2018 16:31
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My favourite peeve - blurry photos, especially when all you get is just just one blurry photo.
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#4 Reply
Posted by
tszaboo
on 22 Feb, 2018 16:46
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Not showing the back of the instrument, where there could be a lot of options, or you could decide if it is a 110V or 230V equipment.
Or worse, showing the back, and all the options have been stripped out, leaving gaping holes.
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#5 Reply
Posted by
Ice-Tea
on 22 Feb, 2018 17:21
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"Pulled from a working environment"
"Powers on, unable to test further" (double value for a test equipment seller)
"Used but sold-as-is" (what part of 'parts not working' don't you understand)
Actually, from an honnest vendor all of this *is* quite helpfull. And they all denote a meaningfully different state of the equipement.
"Used, in good condition" (with a failure code shown in the photo)
Yeah, this one: not so much.
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#6 Reply
Posted by
rrinker
on 22 Feb, 2018 17:34
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"Vintage"
or
"rare" when it's one of a million or common as dirt.
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#7 Reply
Posted by
precaud
on 22 Feb, 2018 17:50
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"Pulled from a working environment" has got to be the most worthless statement and tacit admission of ignorance about what they're selling. The environment may have been working, but this piece of gear...
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My least favorite is "Refurbished". W T F does that mean? Most of the time the item is still caked with dust and dirt and the seller is clueless about what it does but they still claim it was "refurbished". Show me a recent calibration certificate from a nationally known Cal lab or GTFO!
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#9 Reply
Posted by
ChrisLX200
on 22 Feb, 2018 19:29
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"Vintage"
or
"rare" when it's one of a million or common as dirt.
Yep: 'Rare' - so you mean spares are impossible to get hold of then? Guess I won't bother...
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#10 Reply
Posted by
Ice-Tea
on 22 Feb, 2018 22:05
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My least favorite is "Refurbished". W T F does that mean?
Inserted new CR2032.
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#11 Reply
Posted by
grumpydoc
on 23 Feb, 2018 07:34
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My least favorite is "Refurbished". W T F does that mean?
Inserted new CR2032.
Surely, took old CR2032 out, polished contacts a bit and put it back.
Also, if the refurbisher is especially skilled, "wiped outside of item with wet cloth".
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#12 Reply
Posted by
Brumby
on 25 Feb, 2018 03:24
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If they were "especially skilled" they would use a damp cloth - not a wet one.
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I might just plonk this thing here for now.
Vintage Audio Test Bench Equipment: Probably an Oscilloscope.
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#14 Reply
Posted by
Brumby
on 25 Feb, 2018 03:50
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As a side note - Do you see the Ad for Siglent on the right...? I've seen this pop up myself.
I find it rather curious that in this day and age of digital TV they use an analogue colour video signal.
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#15 Reply
Posted by
grumpydoc
on 25 Feb, 2018 12:33
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If they were "especially skilled" they would use a damp cloth - not a wet one.
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#16 Reply
Posted by
SeanB
on 25 Feb, 2018 19:50
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"Complete" showing a unit missing the accessories, like power cords, probe sets or anything that would normally plug into it and which is essential for it to work. Think of things that have external probes or sensors but which do not come with them. Those are probably in a pile of "Miscellaneous" cables on the same auction, or were chucked into the bin.
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A few more:
Directly imported = no local warranty
Genuine accessory = overpriced
Immaculate = not many visible marks from last drop
Newly reconditioned = rust sanded off
No timewasters = you’re on your own if it doesn’t work
Plastic still over display = didn’t you know that a piece cut from clear book covering lifts resale value by $100?
Restoration project = I've given up
Selling on behalf of ... = Not my responsibility if it doesn't work.
Serviced by authorised agent = just back from them for the umpteenth time
Worked when last switched on = Because it's unwise to turn on again after the smoke's escaped.
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100% Brand New and High Quality.
Genuine reason for sale. - Doesn't work.
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#19 Reply
Posted by
Gregg
on 27 Feb, 2018 00:34
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Auctions with “Buyer’s premium applies” or some such crap
More of a craigslist than fleabay phenomenon:
“Brand new” in the header but “only used once (or more)” in the description after clicking on the item.
“I paid $99 plus tax” plus “$100 firm” even though it is used and it can be found online for $80 including shipping from an authorized seller with a warranty.
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#20 Reply
Posted by
oPossum
on 27 Feb, 2018 00:47
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"easy fix"
Why don't they just fix it?
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#21 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 27 Feb, 2018 01:20
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These are great. I've seen almost all of them.
Not text, but those photos that are either too dark to be useful, have cords obscuring defects, or have strategically placed shadows to make tired VFDs look OK.
Another good one is boilerplate/template text that is either irrelevant to the item or contradicts other text in the listing. For example, "no power cord included" on a power supply with a hard-wired power cord.
But the grand prize still goes to "pulled from a working environment." Thanks, I'm so glad to know that the environment was working fine. So, what about this item you're hustling? Yeah, didn't think so.
Actually, "pulled from a working environment" could be a lie if the gear came from a company that went bust.
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Another good one is boilerplate/template text that is either irrelevant to the item or contradicts other text in the listing. For example, "no power cord included" on a power supply with a hard-wired power cord.
They probably cut it off either because they're stupid, or they needed it to fix their coffee machine.
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So the question is? Would you be more likely to buy one of those pieces of gear if none of those phrases were included. Just a picture.
Or to put more of a point to it. Given two otherwise identical items, where one stated that it was bought on a palette from a salvage dealer and the other was purchased excess from an operating company would either have a preference? How about found in a dumpster. Would you rather have that information, or not.
These are all low information content comments, but some actually have some value. Also a little cognitive dissonance from one current thread which faults vendors who ruin equipment by attempting to test it beyond their knowledge and this thread faulting vendors who admit they are clueless and don't test it. Of course no matter what the phrasing it can be used by a dishonest seller or one with different standards to hide defects. How about recently calibrated and tested. Which might mean since the octogenarian owner retired 30 years ago.
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#24 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 27 Feb, 2018 05:14
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Another good one is boilerplate/template text that is either irrelevant to the item or contradicts other text in the listing. For example, "no power cord included" on a power supply with a hard-wired power cord.
They probably cut it off either because they're stupid, or they needed it to fix their coffee machine.
It was still there in the photos.
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#25 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 27 Feb, 2018 05:19
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Of course no matter what the phrasing it can be used by a dishonest seller or one with different standards to hide defects.
Yeah, that and the other extreme where a seller is just doing copy+paste without a second thought. Both are irritating.
On a more positive note, I do very much appreciate those rare listings where someone either actually knows what he or she is talking about or hasn't a clue yet doesn't try to cover it up with these vacuous phrases.
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#26 Reply
Posted by
tggzzz
on 27 Feb, 2018 09:21
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#27 Reply
Posted by
Ice-Tea
on 27 Feb, 2018 09:48
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"Guaranteed Working - 5 days to complete full testing process".
Translation: we have a warehouse full of stuff. If it turns on, we'll toss it on eBay but won't spend additional time on something we may never sell. If we sell it, we'll test it fully and say sorry and refund you if an issue turns up.
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#28 Reply
Posted by
grumpydoc
on 27 Feb, 2018 09:56
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"Guaranteed Working - 5 days to complete full testing process".
Translation: we have a warehouse full of stuff. If it turns on, we'll toss it on eBay but won't spend additional time on something we may never sell. If we sell it, we'll test it fully and say sorry and refund you if an issue turns up.
Spot on.
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"Guaranteed Working - 5 days to complete full testing process".
Translation: we have a warehouse full of stuff. If it turns on, we'll toss it on eBay but won't spend additional time on something we may never sell.
If we sell it, we'll test it fully and say sorry and refund you if an issue turns up.
So true, Ebay is crawling with 'cheap rent warehouse' sellers like this
It's an obvious 'no risk' SNEAKY UNDERHANDED ploy to keep their Positive Feedback levels high
and wastes the buyers time doing all the work testing and returning nature strip and dumpster grade gear,
or pallets of corporate write-offs that may or may not be
sort of working
**** those sellers, usually they operate with different seller names as well too for better Ebay coverage/monopoly or in case one 'seller' goes bust,
their 'style' is easy to spot and I avoid them like a plague
Sometimes I'm not sure what sux more, their blurry photo auction items, useless picture of a pallet
...or the sub-neanderthal grammar flavored useless email replies
Question:
Hi, does this item work, or sold 'as is' ? Reply:
All Ebay stock iss coms wit money back garantree 
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Vintage, Art Deco, 1970's, Works Great, Needs New Cord, All Bulbs Light, All Sales Final
Edit: I forgot to add that it (insert item) was designed by Art Deco himself!
And: No reserve! "Auction ended because of an error in the item or listing and has been removed"
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Electronics parts from recent
diseased estate auction
Bidding starts at 99 cents, NO RESERVE, no pick ups,
happy bidding and good luck
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#32 Reply
Posted by
jasonbrent
on 03 Mar, 2018 03:22
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"steampunk".
Makes me cringe.
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#33 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 03 Mar, 2018 05:12
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Ah, yes. Steampunk.
Also, "Nixie era." Usually appears on devices or even just displays that use LED or VFD technology. However, pretty much any object made from the 50's to the 90's would qualify.
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#34 Reply
Posted by
ikrase
on 05 Mar, 2018 06:38
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It isn't usually relevant to electronics, but an annoying thing is when sellers barf up a whole bunch of marginally related or actually unrelated keywords in the item title and description.
It's particularly egregious in the vintage, reproduction, and historical clothing world.
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#35 Reply
Posted by
Terry01
on 05 Mar, 2018 10:35
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That's the joys of Ebay! You could be buying from someone who really knows how to get an item in top shape before selling it and the seller is very honest and fair, or.....you get some crook who knows nothing but how to lie about the item and tell you it's great and rob you for every penny they can get. Then you have everything in between....
You just have to use the best defence you can against the crooks......your head! Sometimes though even that's not enough. Sad for the honest sellers who get tarred with the same stick through no fault of their own. It's called "The Big Bad World" of Ebay!
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If the seller has excellent Ebay Feedback and a good communicator, then it becomes a 50/50 coin toss on the true state of the item, especially if the seller is unaware either way.
If the seller is not too far away and offers a local pickup option, and a demo or test before you fork over the cash, it's as good as it gets, never a problem
and you can always make an offer to the seller if the item has issues, if you're prepared to sort it out
The only Ebay non-joy for me as a buyer is those 'PAYPAL ONLY' wankers that really p*** me off
they obviously have not heard of direct bank debit or
C A S H and most are predictably arrogant and or illiterate twats anyway, with little or no knowledge of what they are selling,
they can keep their item and paypal 'frequent d!ckhead points' or whatever it is they 'earn' to inconvenience genuine spenders
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#37 Reply
Posted by
steve30
on 10 Mar, 2018 11:58
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WOW L@@K RARE!
Though to be honest, you don't see L@@K much these days.
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#38 Reply
Posted by
mdijkens
on 10 Mar, 2018 14:49
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Actually there might be interesting deals between those offers...
If you have to sell all the hobby gear of your dad/husband who just passed away and you know nothing about the stuff..
I've seen several ads on a local website here in NL of people selling stuff they don't even know what it is but the only thing they want/need is to get rid of it asap
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#39 Reply
Posted by
JohnMc
on 11 Mar, 2018 10:44
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"Complete" showing a unit missing the accessories, like power cords, probe sets or anything that would normally plug into it and which is essential for it to work. Think of things that have external probes or sensors but which do not come with them. Those are probably in a pile of "Miscellaneous" cables on the same auction, or were chucked into the bin.
One better how about the reverse. I remember seeing a listing for a inside micrometer. Long wanky ad lots of buzz words. "Only missing one piece". Ya the actual micrometer.
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#40 Reply
Posted by
Tony_G
on 12 Mar, 2018 06:19
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If you have to sell all the hobby gear of your dad/husband who just passed away and you know nothing about the stuff..
How'd the old joke go again???
My greatest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell my gear for what I told her I paid for it
My Dad is putting stickers on his gear now just in case it needs to be sold before I can get back home to sort out.
TonyG
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#41 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 12 Mar, 2018 17:52
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That's a good one. I guess I should start attaching price tags to all my gear so it's ready to go when I do.
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#42 Reply
Posted by
tggzzz
on 12 Mar, 2018 19:04
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That's a good one. I guess I should start attaching price tags to all my gear so it's ready to go when I do.
My mother started that a decade ago, on antiques, not test equipment
Many labels have fallen off!
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#43 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 12 Mar, 2018 20:30
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Talk about Murphy's Law — you go through the trouble to be prepared and when the time comes, the tags have all fallen off.
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#44 Reply
Posted by
Ice-Tea
on 12 Mar, 2018 21:30
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That's a good one. I guess I should start attaching price tags to all my gear so it's ready to go when I do.
Let me help you with that. The label should read:
"Gelieve op te sturen naar Ice-Tea omdat het een geweldige kerel is. Stof 'm ook even af zodat hij dat alvast niet hoeft te doen"
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#45 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 12 Mar, 2018 22:22
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I kind of guessed what the first part was. Then, ran it through the translator to get the full effect.
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#46 Reply
Posted by
jmelson
on 14 Mar, 2018 20:56
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On ebay, marked as "used", but the text contains "Guaranteed Working - 5 days to complete full testing process". Um, if you know it is used then what further testing is required, and why does it take 5 days?
When you buy it, they pull the top one off the pile and plug it in. If it explodes in flames, toss it aside and take the next. When they find one that doesn't explode, they ship it to you. No way to know in advance how long that could take to find the good one.
Jon
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#47 Reply
Posted by
tggzzz
on 14 Mar, 2018 22:01
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On ebay, marked as "used", but the text contains "Guaranteed Working - 5 days to complete full testing process". Um, if you know it is used then what further testing is required, and why does it take 5 days?
When you buy it, they pull the top one off the pile and plug it in. If it explodes in flames, toss it aside and take the next. When they find one that doesn't explode, they ship it to you. No way to know in advance how long that could take to find the good one.
Jon
Possibly, but they have that notation on some relatively rare 1970s items - and I doubt they have a large stock of them.
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#48 Reply
Posted by
Kjelt
on 14 Mar, 2018 22:13
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Most worthless sentence IMO often used on a dutch auction site:
This needs no explanation, an expert knows what it is worth.
Yeah an expert knows it is a POS worth nothing
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#49 Reply
Posted by
Po6ept
on 15 Mar, 2018 14:50
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"Surplus to my needs".
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#50 Reply
Posted by
imidis
on 15 Mar, 2018 14:55
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This isn't from an auction site, but... "Like new, mint condition, excellent shape, does not turn on" For a galaxy s6 $150
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#51 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 15 Mar, 2018 17:44
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Prediction for the next generation of useless auction phrase:
"AI-based, like new, rare, IoT, pulled from working environment, 100% functional prior to being stored, selling as-is due to lack of knowledge or resources. Free shipping!"
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#52 Reply
Posted by
OE2WHP
on 15 Mar, 2018 17:56
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My favorites:
- Turns on but can't test it because I have no clue what it is...
- Oscilloscopes where the text says "trace still very sharp" but the picture is blurry as hell...go figure...
- Selling for a deceased ham. I'm sure it was working when he used it last time..... oh really? When was that? 30 years ago?
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My favorites:
- Turns on but can't test it because I have no clue what it is...
Those are annoying, but sometimes they honestly don know what they are doing. I managed to get a working HP power supply for 20 bucks because the seller didn't know the difference between the negative terminal and earth ground. He had plugged a 12V light bulb into + and earth ground and was wondering why the bulb didn't light up.
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#54 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 24 Mar, 2018 20:44
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Yeah, buying stuff from the clueless can be a great bargain. It just depends on your risk tolerance and/or willingness to fix it if it has surprises.
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#55 Reply
Posted by
ChrisLX200
on 24 Mar, 2018 22:14
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'Easy repair' - yeah, if it's that easy why didn't you do it?
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#56 Reply
Posted by
Po6ept
on 25 Mar, 2018 21:45
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'Easy repair' - yeah, if it's that easy why didn't you do it?
"Easy repair" is almost inevitably followed by, "probably a bad capacitor". They even diagnose it for you!
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#57 Reply
Posted by
Tony_G
on 26 Mar, 2018 02:12
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My current annoyance is sellers who will show you photos of random stuff but never the details on the red calibration reject tags...
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#58 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 26 Mar, 2018 02:23
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A related thing with photos is when a seller includes 12 pics, but it's three copies each of only four different images.
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#59 Reply
Posted by
Brumby
on 26 Mar, 2018 02:38
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Then there's the step up from that where they do take individual photos - but two or three of them are from almost identical angles and show no additional information.
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#60 Reply
Posted by
Halcyon
on 26 Mar, 2018 06:39
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Personally I vote for the "Pulled from a ..." as the all-time most worthless phrase.
I think I agree with you there. In addition, I'm seeing phrases such as "Working pull", "Server pull" etc... making their way into listings. I guess they are attempting to sound more "techy" by using buzz words that are completely made up. In Australia "pull" tends to have a different connotation.
Depending on the item, I've also seen things like "Stored in a climate and humidity controlled environment"... in other words, it sat in a room fitted with an air conditioner.
It also frustrates me that some people try and flog crappy computers from the early 2010's as "vintage".
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#61 Reply
Posted by
Chris-IP5
on 30 Mar, 2018 05:10
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I asked a seller a question about a PSU I was interested in buying. He replied simply "It does what the advert says". Turned out it didn't do much properly.
"Photo is of the item for sale" ... is that the only good thing going for it?
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#62 Reply
Posted by
tggzzz
on 30 Mar, 2018 07:46
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"Photo is of the item for sale" ... is that the only good thing going for it?
If that is
all the advert said, that is a valid point. But too many adverts contain stock images, or there are several second-hand devices with one "representative" image.
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#63 Reply
Posted by
tggzzz
on 30 Mar, 2018 07:48
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Depending on the item, I've also seen things like "Stored in a climate and humidity controlled environment"... in other words, it sat in a room fitted with an air conditioner.
Might be better than a garage, loft, or barn - and
all of those
are possible.
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#64 Reply
Posted by
grumpydoc
on 30 Mar, 2018 08:43
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My favorites:
- Turns on but can't test it because I have no clue what it is...
Those are annoying, but sometimes they honestly don know what they are doing. I managed to get a working HP power supply for 20 bucks because the seller didn't know the difference between the negative terminal and earth ground. He had plugged a 12V light bulb into + and earth ground and was wondering why the bulb didn't light up.
However, quite a lot of the time when you explore the "can't test it because I have no clue what it is" you discover that the seller has loads of other test equipment for sale which would be more than enough to demonstrate the item in question.
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#65 Reply
Posted by
tggzzz
on 30 Mar, 2018 08:53
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My favorites:
- Turns on but can't test it because I have no clue what it is...
Those are annoying, but sometimes they honestly don know what they are doing. I managed to get a working HP power supply for 20 bucks because the seller didn't know the difference between the negative terminal and earth ground. He had plugged a 12V light bulb into + and earth ground and was wondering why the bulb didn't light up.
However, quite a lot of the time when you explore the "can't test it because I have no clue what it is" you discover that the seller has loads of other test equipment for sale which would be more than enough to demonstrate the item in question.
Yes, in which case there are possibilities:
- seller is a buy it and sell it quick dealer
- if not, the phrase does provide useful information
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#66 Reply
Posted by
Towger
on 30 Mar, 2018 13:50
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400W HF Amplifer (aka burner!)
Spares and Repairs: "LEDs no longer light up".
Reality= I 'had a go' at fixing it with a 500w soldering gun, by re soldering random joints all over the board. Splattered burnt flux everywhere, lifted but repaired several tracks.
Solution: Cleaned PCB with IPA, tidied up several 're soldered' joints and tracks. Replaced 3 burnt out fuse holders.
Success.
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#67 Reply
Posted by
grumpydoc
on 30 Mar, 2018 16:35
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Yes, in which case there are possibilities:
- seller is a buy it and sell it quick dealer
- if not, the phrase does provide useful information
Indeed.
When I was younger several of us from our small town computer club would frequent radio rallies - for the general electronics rather than the ham stuff.
We found it amusing (and pretty obvious) that vendors who had obviously acquired a job lot of some particular item had two piles on sale - "tested and working" and "untested".
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#68 Reply
Posted by
Tony_G
on 30 Mar, 2018 23:55
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We found it amusing (and pretty obvious) that vendors who had obviously acquired a job lot of some particular item had two piles on sale - "tested and working" and "untested".
Exactly. Any equipment offered by a T&M vendor that is marked "untested" should really be considered:
- Broken
- Scavenged of rare/expensive bits
- Both
I get it that sometimes they can't afford to test everything but then they should simply plan for some of it returning rather than weaseling away under a "As-Is" banner.
TonyG
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#69 Reply
Posted by
mdszy
on 01 Apr, 2018 23:43
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Just gotta say I'm thankful for this thread, it's helping me learn how to write better eBay item descriptions and include better photos!
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#70 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 02 Apr, 2018 02:41
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Excellent!
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#71 Reply
Posted by
Halcyon
on 03 Apr, 2018 02:46
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Just gotta say I'm thankful for this thread, it's helping me learn how to write better eBay item descriptions and include better photos!
Just remain factual, concise and avoid trying to "tart up" the item you're selling. By all means describe the condition if it's not already clear from the photos but avoid using terms like "mint condition" because it's all relative. What might be "mint" to some people is far from the dictionary definition, especially if you're talking about a used item.
If there are faults or flaws with the item, even if it's just a scratch or there are some marks due to regular use, then say so. It's not just about what you say, but also what you
don't say. If I see a listing with barely a sentence, I usually skip it because to me, the seller is being dishonest or deliberately trying to hide something.
That being said, don't go over-board, having sold thousands of items over the years, there is one thing I've noticed and that is people are stupid and don't read what they are actually bidding on. For example: Shipping -- If it's a large or bulky item that is impractical to ship, I will clearly specify in coloured, bold, underlined text that the item is for "pick up only from
x location on certain days, between certain hours" but I can guarantee I'll get some muppet who will ask for a shipping estimate or they'll bid on it (and sometimes win the auction) with no intention of picking it up.
Also, don't use ebay wanker buzzwords like some of the ones mentioned in this thread. It's not only cringe-worthy but it makes you look like some kind of shonky used-car salesman. If I see a listing full of crap like that and trying to make something appear "rare" and "unique", I won't bid on it.
Final tip, take your own photos, don't just copy stock product photos from Google image search. People want to see the actual item they are bidding on, not a photoshopped marketing image. Again, it comes down to your reputation, if you're copying someone else's photos, I'll be thinking you are trying to hide something.
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#72 Reply
Posted by
Brumby
on 03 Apr, 2018 02:51
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I think mdszy was being ironic.
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#73 Reply
Posted by
mdszy
on 03 Apr, 2018 02:59
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Just gotta say I'm thankful for this thread, it's helping me learn how to write better eBay item descriptions and include better photos!
Just remain factual, concise and avoid trying to "tart up" the item you're selling. By all means describe the condition if it's not already clear from the photos but avoid using terms like "mint condition" because it's all relative. What might be "mint" to some people is far from the dictionary definition, especially if you're talking about a used item.
If there are faults or flaws with the item, even if it's just a scratch or there are some marks due to regular use, then say so. It's not just about what you say, but also what you don't say. If I see a listing with barely a sentence, I usually skip it because to me, the seller is being dishonest or deliberately trying to hide something.
That being said, don't go over-board, having sold thousands of items over the years, there is one thing I've noticed and that is people are stupid and don't read what they are actually bidding on. For example: Shipping -- If it's a large or bulky item that is impractical to ship, I will clearly specify in coloured, bold, underlined text that the item is for "pick up only from x location on certain days, between certain hours" but I can guarantee I'll get some muppet who will ask for a shipping estimate or they'll bid on it (and sometimes win the auction) with no intention of picking it up.
Also, don't use ebay wanker buzzwords like some of the ones mentioned in this thread. It's not only cringe-worthy but it makes you look like some kind of shonky used-car salesman. If I see a listing full of crap like that and trying to make something appear "rare" and "unique", I won't bid on it.
Final tip, take your own photos, don't just copy stock product photos from Google image search. People want to see the actual item they are bidding on, not a photoshopped marketing image. Again, it comes down to your reputation, if you're copying someone else's photos, I'll be thinking you are trying to hide something.
Absolutely. I do my best to describe the operation of the unit, take photos from all angles to show any defects, and mention if there's anything wrong with the unit, even simple cosmetic issues. I can't even imagine using stock google photos and not taking my own photos of the item!
I've also mentioned that if buyers want, I'd be more than happy to perform some test of the unit assuming it's simple enough, and provide a photo of the test being performed.
I think mdszy was being ironic.
I very honestly wasn't. I hadn't considered things like including photos of the unit in operation or not using certain phrasing that is vague and unhelpful. I wasn't being ironic!
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#74 Reply
Posted by
Brumby
on 03 Apr, 2018 03:05
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Oh.
In that case, read Halcyon's post a couple more times.
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#75 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 03 Apr, 2018 17:52
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I think mdszy was being ironic.
I very honestly wasn't. I hadn't considered things like including photos of the unit in operation or not using certain phrasing that is vague and unhelpful. I wasn't being ironic!
It's good to know that even a thread that's primarily for ranting and/or humor has educational value.
Mdszy's response also makes one wonder what percentage of the eBay sellers whose methods we despise simply fall under
Hanlon's razor (although I'd replace the word 'stupidity' with 'ignorance').
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#76 Reply
Posted by
mdszy
on 03 Apr, 2018 17:59
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I think mdszy was being ironic.
I very honestly wasn't. I hadn't considered things like including photos of the unit in operation or not using certain phrasing that is vague and unhelpful. I wasn't being ironic!
It's good to know that even a thread that's primarily for ranting and/or humor has educational value.
Mdszy's response also makes one wonder what percentage of the eBay sellers whose methods we despise simply fall under Hanlon's razor (although I'd replace the word 'stupidity' with 'ignorance').
Yeah I'd imagine lots of it is people not knowing what they have and wanting to get it off their hands. Like a lot of the "pulled from a working environment" kind of things read to me as - I don't know what this is, I don't know how to test it. I very honestly hadn't considered "Oh, I'm saying this thing works, maybe I should include photos of it turned on." which, in hindsight, sounds kinda stupid. But still, I wasn't trying to screw anyone over or anything.
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#77 Reply
Posted by
bitseeker
on 03 Apr, 2018 18:32
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Yep, now if there was only a way to get those sellers to read this thread.
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#78 Reply
Posted by
Brumby
on 04 Apr, 2018 06:44
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Change the word "worthless" to "worthwhile" in the thread title.
... but don't expect them to embark upon any intelligent action.
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#79 Reply
Posted by
dkonigs
on 09 Apr, 2018 06:36
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"Configured"
A phrase usually added by companies selling old enterprise-grade computers, as an excuse for jacking up the price up so high that no sane person would actually buy said product from them.
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#80 Reply
Posted by
CJay
on 09 Apr, 2018 10:06
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'Barn find' for any old rusty piece of crap that a seller has dredged up out of whatever swamp they live near.
'Vintage' yeah, whatever, I don;t ghive a toss if it's old or new, if I want it then that word has no meaning.
'Rare', usually applied to items which sold in tens if not hundreds of thousands so it's not 'rare' at all.
'working but sold as spares & repairs only because of screwdriver experts' Usually applied to old radio gear and a pretty sure fire indicator that it's a piece of crap that's had more people in it than the workers in a brothel.
'Widebanded' see above.
'an easy fix for someone who knows what they're doing', again, see above but also means 'everyone I know has had a go and buggered it up even more'
'haven't got time to fix it', same again.
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We found it amusing (and pretty obvious) that vendors who had obviously acquired a job lot of some particular item had two piles on sale - "tested and working" and "untested".
Exactly. Any equipment offered by a T&M vendor that is marked "untested" should really be considered:
- Broken
- Scavenged of rare/expensive bits
- Both
All of the above = Tucker Electronics. Look at one of their REAL test equipment catalogs one day. Everything that they sell on E-bay is the leftover junk that should have gone into the trash dumpster.