Always Include Addressee in Auctions!

[localgringos]

One of my postcards is "going home", yippee! It turns out that the addressee was the grandfather of my buyer. He bought the card as a surprise for his mom, whom I imagine will be surprised indeed. I always include that sender & receiver info, just in case, you never know ... and BINGO, we have a match! --Margaret P.S. Oh, and if you'd like to see the otherwise unremarkable card, it was 1968 Baking Ovens Taos Pueblo New Mexico NM Petley (6268250272)

[pixiamom]

My two cents: I think most genealogy searches are done on last name search rather than a search on 'genealogist'. Listing sender and receivers name would almost double my listing time but wouldn't have that large an affect on my sales. Since I am on eBay because I need to support my small family (and I love postcards), I don't take the time to list surnames unless they are real photos when I can't help myself, I start the genealogy research myself. Jane

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

It has had a huge impact on my sales and worth it to me for the couple of seconds to type in the name - I have reunited over 300 cards with families, sometimes they have found one card I am selling by surname search, and then they ask if I have any more - it has been a great way of selling off cards that would not been worth my time listing on ebay such as the multitude of greetings cards I have. Sara

[dmhcollectibles]

Well hmm. Jane, I agree with you, listing both sender and recipient name would add time to listing. I just list the recipient's name - when I can even decipher it! - as most of the time I don't have a clue who sent the postcard. I also agree that I don't think it has that much affect on sales. I started listing the name/city etc of the recipient last year sometime - several thousand cards ago - and out of all those thousands I have only ever had one person tell me they bought or even were interested in a card because of the genealogy aspect. Sara, your milage is obviously different. I don't know why, but it hasn't done much at all for me (one sale out of several thousand). I just do it for two reasons: it's become habit, and any little increased chance of a sale in these times, no matter how small, is maybe worth it. Anyone else have any thoughts on this? Diane

[snowslednstella]

I agree that searches are more apt to be by last name. Mine is. If one came up, I would do my best to buy it. Mine searches title and description so should catch it. I just use the "Genealogist alert" to get their attention as they browse. Search for genealogy or g..ist is way too broad, brings up more than you can look at. As Diane said, any little bit might help. Stella

[riverboatqueen51]

I ditto Diane and I also consider it customer service. Customers are the ones (through this board) who requested names in the listings. I don't know how many people even search for their families but like Sara said it only takes a couple of seconds. Plus the advantage is I can now read most postcards and have become quite a handwritting detective! Hmmmm does that look like a i or a t lets see how they spell Cincinnatti LOL! Joyce

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

Strangely I jst had a call from a guy that purchased 50 cards last year, with a list of names he is researching. He has lost computer access, so looks like I am going to be busy hunting a few down for him. Now I could be onto a real earner, so the couple of seconds I spent spelling the name was well worth it! Sara

[dmhcollectibles]

yes indeed, Sara - it does seem to work well for you. Sadly, not for me, or apparently, not for Joyce either. But I do it anyway! (Hope springs eternal). Diane

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

maybe its a british thing! Sara

[dmhcollectibles]

might be, dear.

[riverboatqueen51]

I think it all depends on where your ancestors are from. I tried a few years ago but it is really a lost cause. My grandfather was from Lithuania but came over in 1913 on a Russian Passport. He "Americanized" his name from Stanislovas to Stanley and his last name (only God knows what it was originally) to Sedar. When he married my grandmother she "fancied" the last name and spelled it Seidar. So my mother grew up spelling her last name Seidar and my Uncle Sedar. LOL! I don't even think Sherlock Holmes could trace that mess. Joyce