08-18-2020 12:54 PM - last edited on 08-18-2020 08:17 PM by kh-gary
Or is only megasellers who can get away with this?
[I am not discussing here that actual photos would result in higher sales]
08-19-2020 05:17 AM
I am, of course, speaking only for myself, but I'd never buy an item with a "photo" like that. The problem should take care of itself, but I suppose some folks don't even need to see what they're buying?
08-19-2020 08:52 AM
@coolections wrote:We are discussing a topic and I asked a legitimate question I would like the OP to answer. Your rude post does not belong here. Move along.
OK, now that was actually funny!
08-19-2020 09:05 AM
I would just like to add that as a devote reader and frequent buyer of books that I would be one of those buyers that really need to see a picture of the book i am considering buying
just take a photo
and give me a GOOD description i may have found a book i was not that familiar with but by an author i like
all the best
08-19-2020 09:09 AM - edited 08-19-2020 09:13 AM
Yes, and a lot of times they don't have an image because they don't have the book or they don't have an image for it and it is a cheap print-on-demand of an expensive book. I've sold expensive books for years - I was selling books to Amazon before they were Amazon and just a book search working out of a garage - and I have the books and provide images of the books I sell. There is no excuse other than it might cost and someone might have to do a little work.
08-19-2020 10:01 AM
I've solved the mystery!
Since Guidepost mysteries do not have an ISBN, they are not part of eBay's book catalog. When listing something not in the catalog, I guess the seller can use any photo they like. Also, this type of seller most likely sells on multiple online sites and lists using a file feed.
08-19-2020 12:50 PM
" Many books are so rare there are no ready stock images. "
Then how can a seller list and sell the book if they don't have a copy of it to photo? I don't get the point of that statement.
08-19-2020 12:52 PM
@mysterylanevintage wrote:I've solved the mystery!
Since Guidepost mysteries do not have an ISBN, they are not part of eBay's book catalog. When listing something not in the catalog, I guess the seller can use any photo they like. Also, this type of seller most likely sells on multiple online sites and lists using a file feed.
They're a monthly subscription service with their own writers and series - I guess that would explain no ISBN - with their own catalog they don't need one. Still, they DO have covers, but with a file exchange and a large download I guess 'no photo' IS the cover.
08-19-2020 01:00 PM
@moondogblues wrote:" Many books are so rare there are no ready stock images. "
Then how can a seller list and sell the book if they don't have a copy of it to photo? I don't get the point of that statement.
The seller is one of those huge-azzzz gigantic ones with over 5 million listings - everything is done in huge bulk and listings probably served through a multi-channel API. They have their own UPCs (I've gotten books from them - they have their own website as well) but I suspect if the book has no ISBN it just spits out as a generic title as OP shows, but it's one of so many millions that it doesn't matter - I'm not sure anyone is taking photos at that outfit!
08-19-2020 02:59 PM
I collect books and I love to read them. If there is no picture, and there are no others to be found, I will buy the no picture book to read. If I love the book, and it's in poor condition, then I will start searching for a better quality. I will not put off reading a book until a nice copy becomes available. When I want to read it, I want it quickly. There are many people who will buy a book, sight unseen. In fact it was the norm to buy books without pictures of the covers in the days before the internet.
08-19-2020 06:05 PM
Yes - unless it's a collectible book I don't care that much - the only thing is books with underlining and margin notes because it's so distracting, though I go through books pretty quick and don't have the kind of money to be picky about book condition unless it's a 'special' book.