Can I use a photo showing an attached item that will not be included, if it's clearly stated?

[green22-half]

Want to list this lighting boom excluding the 15 lb counterweight (orange thing).  Will the photo be problematic (against policy) if I clearly state that the weight isn't included?

Given the high shipping cost, a NAD complaint exploiting the lack of the weight will really "make my day"

The problem is that the boom can't be shown in this typical operating position without the counterweight; it'll just tip over.

I could just annotate the photo, but eBay's Picture Policy specifically prohibits "Photos with added text, artwork or marketing material"  Does "added text" mean promotional text or ANY text?

[angelno_11]

"Can I do it?"

You can do anything you want to, but you have to live with the consequences.  

So a better question might be ..

"Should I do it?" 

On eBay, a buyer can force a return - or steal your item - by filing a dispute. So common advice here is to do everything you can to reduce the chance that a buyer will file a dispute.

And IMHO, showing items in your pictures that are not included with the item will increase the chance that a buyer will file a dispute. 

[trademarkfinds]

Have you thought of buyer paid shipping to include the counters weight?

Possibly create a picture of it laying down in its correct positioning. And explain it requires a counterweight 

Just 2 possibilities.  

If you decide to use your photo you posted be sure to mention no counterweight in title and description.  Buyers don't really read descriptions anymore .

[richard1rst]

OR you could use this picture

Just make sure you explain that without a counterweight it won't work the way you show.

Of course, that will just cause a different INAD to be filed.

[reallynicestamps]

Somebody's gonna expect the car and the bush.

Just sell it with the counterweight. If the buyer doesn't need it, it's their problem to dispose of it.

[maxine*j]

I take it that this is related to your other post, in which you asked if you could have a "variation" listing for two booms, one boom with a counterweight and one without, with different shipping costs (and realized that you could not):

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Is-it-possible-for-each-variation-to-have-its-own-calculated/m...

My opinion?  Two listings.  Two photos.

Use a photograph showing the boom with the counterweight for the listing of the boom that comes with a counterweight.   

Take a photo of the other boom lying on the ground or propped against a wall, or however you need to position so you can take a photo of it without the boom.

Otherwise, i think you are asking for trouble.

-

[maxine*j]

Correction to my post above:  Should read, "Take a photo of the other boom lying on the ground or propped against a wall, or however you need to position so you can take a photo of it without the counterweight."

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[pjcdn2005]

I got the impression there was only one boom but I haven’t gone back to the thread  and checked.  In that situation it might be better to do one listing with just the boom and another with just the counterweight.  There could be a link to each listing in the other listing.

@trademarkfinds 

I wouldn’t recommend showing the weight  if it isn’t included.  I also wouldn’t edit the weight out of the picture since it can’t be used that way.

[soh.maryl]

Have to confess I know nothing at all about booms and counterweight, but showing a picture of ANYTHING that won't be included, even though that fact is mentioned more than once in the listing, is asking for trouble.  Would not be surprised if, using that picture for reference, a buyer would expect to receive your neighbor's house and car as well.

So, it seems like you are saying the boom won't stand up without the counterweight, so not functional? In that case, why not list it with the weight? The buyer, as you know, is the one who pays the shipping cost.  Or are you saying you don't want the counterweight to be part of the sale at all? 

[green22-half]

A counterweight is generally required, but it's a simple thing -- basically a clamp-on glorified brick, that some buyers would just improvise.

I found that offering versions (w/ and w/o weight) isn't appropriate as variations, aside from the fact I have only 1 boom.

I get it that many buyers skim rather than read, which is why I'D LIKE TO put a bold note in the photo saying the weight isn't included.... if not for eBay's PIcture Policy that says thou shall not do that.

And re a buyer expecting to have the bush, house across the street, etc  😀 .... don't get me started -- Jeez pretty soon sellers will have to show things with GPS coordinates and say "Only items inside the indicated geospatial region are included"  SMH

[green22-half]

If I decide to list, probably do this with title saying weight not incl., plus text re the need for a weight, and list it separately with link.

[inhawaii]

Yes you can, but it wouldn't be very smart.

[richard1rst]

WHY ??????

Would you buy something knowing that it is missing a critical part, and then be told you have to buy the part separately? Seems to me that approach is going to turn potential buyers away.

The weight doesn't look that large. Will it fit any of the flat rate boxes? Or a cubic priced box? In either case you could send it in a separate box where the weight is irrelevant.

OR

Judging by the size of the boom it looks like it is going to need an oversized box in which case the size of the box determines the shipping not, so much, the weight with or without the counterweight..

Personally being penny wise and pound foolish seems to be asking for trouble

[dbfolks166mt]

      As others noted I would NOT sell it without the weight. I assume you have done a cost comparison based on the package size both with an without the weight. What is the size and weight of the box with and without the weight and what is the price difference?