Does This Type Photo for Books Violate the Rules?

[jmgrobe]

Or is only megasellers who can get away with this?

[I am not discussing here that actual photos would result in higher sales]

[jimnipe]

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?

[chapeau-noir]

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@coolections wrote:

@chapeau-noir 

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.

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OK, now that was actually funny!

[terrycece62]

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

[gracieallen01]

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.

[mysterylanevintage]

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.

[moondogblues]

" 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.

[chapeau-noir]

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@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.

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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. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@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.

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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! 

[flapperfox1921]

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.  

[chapeau-noir]

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.