But it also underlines that a combination of media can be effective to attract different user types. Text, pictures and now videos can be good ways of grabbing a buyer’s attention and, more importnatly, keeping it.

I would only read terms and conditions if the thing had a bite back at me

I tend to read the text description of the item as I am waiting for pictures to load, and if three pictures are above the text my concentration is broken as the text moves down the page each time a picture space is expanded.

I personally put the item description at the top of the listings, possibly wrongly finishing with the condition report. I have relatively brief terms below that. Although as things on Ebay have changed I currently have an extra paragraph on both my Australian and American listings currently (that is probably an excessive paragraph).

I do believe that (basic) terms and conditions should be on the auction page, as just as people don’t read, I also don’t think they will folow additional links to find out whether they can pay by their method of choice unless it is a major purchase.

Because I sell old items, I use bold to make obvious major faults with the item. I don’t know how to bullet, but have always run sub headings for things like maunufacturer/publisher, age, and a seperate line for dimensions (and number of pages where appropriate). I have always tried to keep my listings very simple but include ALL pertinent information, because I believe the seller is doing the full inspection of the product for the buyer.

I get very few ASQ’s (and half are Australians asking why I list items they want in US dollars when I am in Australia).

Kind Regards, Kevin (yes, too wordy)

they pay we send it

I still shudder whenever I see someone has wasted the time to put the different letters of the word E B A Y in different colours!

There will of course always be the time and place for lengthy T&Cs or item descriptions that tell a story. It is often those one off wacky auctions that benefit from such detail. But if you are in the business of shifting volumes then Keep It Simple!

Well done Sue, these articles are the reason I keep coming back here. I get to be informed about ebay policy and have my online strategy constantly re-evaluated and improved.

I just have to put this stuff into practice

In general, we don’t even like to see the linked page with heaps of policies. We know people don’t read those either.

It’s definitely about economy of words, getting to the point, and staying friendly. No reason to threaten people or gripe in policies.

Now is that a priority 2 or 4?

Hmmm….