jess@ebay.com wrote:

Hi All-

 

Thanks for the comments. The border policy is meant to help sellers not hinder them. Outside search engines do not promote pictures which have borders and we want sellers to get the most visitors to your view item page as possible. In addition we want pictures to be somewhat standardized in order to improve the scanability and readability of our pages.

 

In response to the question about postcards. We understand the concern and take this concern back and do further research in this area.

 

-Jess/Seller Standards

I am supposing this assertion with regard to "promotion" on outside search engines, can be substantiated with some "technical" information?   Perhaps you could point us to this information? 

As on the surface it makes no sense to me...  A border consists of pixels, just as the image does, so why would it affect photos being promoted, if the description of the item attached to the photo matches keyword terms searched?  

Also, if you look at my listings as an example, I rely heavily on gallery collage photos to promote my MANY variation listings, as a visual "catalog cue" so to speak, identifying there are multiple styles or colors available which MATCH the keywords they typed in.   eBay has given us every indication they DESIRE to promote variation listings, in the interest of decluttering the site with duplicate listings, or even nearly identical items.

So, are you telling me now, that you are going to "mandate"  away the images I use to market these variation listings? 

We need more clarification please.  As this would certainly "hinder" shoppers who are browsing my store.  For instance...to take adantage of my combined shipping discount by locating other items they may like to purchase.   

Check out my books and movies at Half.com.

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth. " ~~William Faulkner

city*satins wrote:

 

Typically I put the name of the Brand under each picture, so that the buyer can distinguish them from one another at a glance.

 

I often put BRAND text in my pix as well. This is to distinguis RALPH Lauren, from ELLIOTT Lauren, or ANNE Klein from CALVIN Klein (for example), since many buyers don't even bother reading the description.

Also, what about pictures of the labels THEMSELVES, which are always in text?

Buyers ALWAYS want to see a pic of the designer label to confirm it IS authentic.

Wait - I was thinking this meant decorative/overlaid borders.  Is this image going to be a problem now because it is not cropped EXACTLY to the edge:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vtg-1986-Overstreet-Comic-Book-Price-Guide-16-Hardcover-Nice-Unused-Marvel-Ann-/00/s/ODAwWDUyMQ==/$%28KGrHqN,!lME6CWISze5BOi1PBDR0g~~60_3.JPG

I'll give you the absolute truthful answer even though Ebay would probably not say so; it's so that borders are purchased for each listing and relisting through ebay. Everything ebay does in the name of "helping sellers" is designed for Ebay profit. No text on pictures? Then just purchase an extended title / description.

Now buyers can click a link on ebay to return items "through ebay's shipping" for who's benefit? Buyers? Ebays?

Here's a sample of a typical listing of mine. Can a Pink please tell me if this is ok or not? The search engine I used to find it had no trouble with it at all:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clapsaddle-Fairy-Owl-Mushroom-Valentine-REPRO-GREETING-CARD-/150750481237?pt=Greeting_Cards&hash=item23196dcb55

Hi snappyauctions14,

We will be revisting the border policy for media inventory to ensure that the intent of the policy meets the needs of buyers.

-Jahan

Hi myhomeschooldelights,

Yes, if you photograph a book or set of books lying on a table, your photo will be fine. 

Christine

I routinely scan photos, postcards, greeting cards and other small paper items.  It is imperative to have a BACKGROUND so that the edges of the material are clearly visible.  Buyers are very picky about edges so being able to show any bumps, tears, rips, creases or crinkles is VITAL to presenting an honest evaluation of the condition.

For this purpose, I place a turquoise silk scarf over the item and then scan.  Later I crop away all but a narrow BACKGROUND -- usually about 1/8" to 1/4" -- in order to maximize the subject.  Sometimes I use red, green or yellow paper to harmonize with colors in the subject of the scan.

This is NOT a decorative border.  It is no different than photographing a book or any other rectangular object lying flat on the table and allowing a portion of the table or a table cover to be visible.  The contrasting BACKGROUND is intended to show scale and edge detail as well as provide a clean, colorful image to attract buyers.

So many sellers of 3-dimensional objects use cluttered backgrounds -- including the kitchen sink!   These are the ones who should be advised to clean up their images, not sellers who must show edge detail against a contrasting BACKGROUND.

~~C~~

My Glass Duchess
To eBay, I think we hover somewhere between loathed, tolerated, and ignored.