serleran wrote:
OK, that means everything has a picture... why then use stock/static photos? Unless you meant "one of each item/product number has its picture taken?" I can understand that it takes some time to snap snap and then sort the snappies to the product it belongs (though computerization makes this very simple), but I would, and do, and will hesitate to buy based on not seeing the actual item. I'm sure it's a different experience in person at a convention, but I don't have that fortune.

Traveller wrote:If you're truly interested in improving the company, and not just paying the people on this forum lip service because they called you out on your company's bullshit, then listen up.

1. Your first step in improving the company's image is ensure that people are hired who not only want to work there, but also know what they are doing. To be blunt, a person who cannot tell the difference between a book and a box set, even at the size of the 21st Century reprints, doesn't give a damn about the job. At worst he should be shuffled to another department where his "talents" can be put to better use. At best, let go. Because you do not need people working in your company who are only there for the paycheck.

2. Your second step is to promptly answer concerns from your customers and take appropriate measures to correct them, WITHOUT getting defensive or offending your customer. As a case in point I'll use an experience I had on the QuickLink Interactive edition of the Chronicles of the Imperium forums. I offered a fan supplement for free download from there that could not be used WITHOUT having at least Basic Traveller and the owner of the company deleted the link and threatened me with banning. He did this in public, which is the absolute WORST thing he could have done. In public I replied that his behavior was unacceptable and if he wanted to keep his customers he should take his concerns to private messaging. In private I handed him his hat, so to speak, and made damn sure he knew that he lost a customer and that I would let everyone I came across know that the man had no idea how to deal with customers.

The man didn't know how to properly address his customers, and thus ensured that I would never buy or download any product of his as long as he was in business, unless I knew he could not profit from it (used book or less legitimate means). For the most part, I limited myself to making sure people knew how much of an ass he was and that if they chose to deal with him, they did so knowing what could happen.

3. Your third step is accurately listing what you have in your warehouse. You've already taken steps toward correcting the listing issues, however you seem resistant to the idea of photographing every single item in your warehouse. Realistically, how difficult could it possibly be to link the image to the product number? Simple example: if you have catalog number 09-26480, and three copies of it, you take a picture of the first item and name it 09-26480-01.jpg. Name the second and third 09-26480-02.jpg and 09-26480-03.jpg. That way you keep the picture with the item and that way there is NO confusion as to what it goes to.

However, it would be incumbent upon the person maintaining the pages to have a little honor and integrity and not take shortcuts as has been done in the past with the usage of stock shots. That goes back to number 1, and hiring people who give a damn about the business.

P. S. Before you ask, I've been on both sides of the fence. I have been managed by others, and have managed others. Count your blessings that you don't always have to deal with your customers in person, like I did, 25-50 hours a week, for 23 years.

ashmire13 wrote:I may have missed it, but who is responsible for descriptions of items on ebay?

Traveller wrote:Jchriddy, regarding point 3, it's a valid counterpoint, and one that I address in the following reply directed at Crimsonspire regarding his claim that it would require retraining 170 people to be able to accommodate taking pictures of every item.

Crimsonspire,

It's not difficult at all. It's simply that the company is unwilling to make what is in essence a minor change, and for the life of me I cannot understand why. It's not as difficult as you're making it sound. You have a station set up in your warehouse where every item is given its stock number, do you not? After the item receives its stock number it is passed on to a second station, located next to the first, where the item is photographed and given a unique filename. Then the items are stocked and and website updated.

edit: I mean that for higher end items with multiples instock.

Edit: I mean that for items with multiple in stock for the higher end ones.

If something is currently in print, such as Castles & Crusades, then by all means take a stock shot. However, your out of print items and the collectibles MUST have individual pictures or you will not have people buying them. I think that's been made abundantly clear here by the responses.

Crimsonspire wrote:
Jchriddy mentioned the 170 people not me, I said that due to programming of our website, we are unable at this time till the website is updated and redone to do this, for higher priced and collectible items, we can store the files of pictures and if someone is interested to see exactly what it looks like then we could forward them scans of it.