The Spotlight's On:
contact_prints
by Robin
eBay Staff Member

This month's spotlighted member, contact_prints, has been around on eBay a long time. In fact, in March of 2005, it will be about five years that he first began to use eBay.  

contact_prints visits the site every day and is both a buyer and a seller. He specializes in selling original gelatin silver photographs in the photographic images category. He's also a big buyer of fine art photographs on eBay. He told us, “It always amazes me what high quality fine art photographs can be bought on eBay at a fraction of traditional gallery prices.” With the vast array of merchandise available on eBay, contact_prints has also been able to get great deals and save money on a variety of items such as a snowboard and snowboard boots for his son – and guitars. “I've bought five guitars on eBay!” he told us.  

Over the years, contact_prints has evolved a two-pronged selling strategy that he says is very effective. First, he makes sure that the fine art photographs he's selling are of the highest quality. Second, he provides the best customer service he can.  

One of the ways contact_prints ensures that his photographs are of the highest quality is by staying in tune with the latest happenings in the field. eBay's Community forums have proven to be a rewarding way of connecting with fellow-enthusiasts and exchanging tips about fine art photography. He actively participates on eBay's Chat rooms and Discussion boards, Staying in touch regularly with fellow enthusiasts has increased his knowledge of the market: “I check in with groups and the Art and Artist discussion board daily. When I started selling on eBay I became aware that eBay was much more than just auctions. There is a whole community and multiple educational resources, such as workshops, discussion boards, and eBay Groups.” He even started an eBay Group, Fine Art Photography, which now includes 159 members, many of them sellers of their own photography.

contact_prints' commitment to customer service is reflected in his impeccable feedback, which encourages both new and repeat buyers. “My 100% positive feedback rating helps new buyers feel confident about bidding. Repeat customers already know what quality and service they are getting. I also think that the feedback ratio (the ratio between total feedback and unique feedback) is a good indicator of how many buyers are coming back to buy again. In my case, this ratio is very high and that is a good sign to prospective buyers.”  

contact_prints supplements these strategies by using several eBay upgrades that help his listings reach a wider audience of buyers, such as listing in two categories. Here are some other insights from his selling experience: “I almost always use the bold feature, almost always use a subtitle, and have at least one or two Featured Plus auctions going at all times.” contact_prints says he is a big fan of Featured Plus. “If I had to pick one eBay feature that has helped me, it would be Featured Plus, because, among all the other auctions, I always have a presence on the first page of listings in the photographic images category!” Another tool that he likes using is Turbo Lister. “It works great for me.”  

Besides regular listings, contact_prints has many prints available in his eBay Store with Buy It Now prices. “I've tried to build a good reputation and name recognition, partly by running auctions consistently and continuously for the last 14 months. I don't think there has been more than a day without an auction, and I think this is working. Using some tracking software, I discovered that many buyers are searching by my name.”  

contact_prints is convinced that the simple yet effective strategy he has followed for so long will work for other sellers. He emphasizes the pillars of his success again in his advice to sellers: “Quality items and quality customer service.” He encourages members to participate in eBay's Community forums: “There is a wealth of information about using eBay, available to anyone who wants to access it. Just about any question you might have can be answered. And you help build the Community by sharing your experience and knowledge with others.”  

Does he have any tips for buyers? “Check the feedback of the seller,” is all he says, confident that his own feedback reputation has contributed so much to his success.  

How has eBay changed his life? contact_prints reminisces that, as a fine art photographer for over 16 years, he tried selling his photographs through several different galleries before discovering eBay. Gallery sales were few and far between, especially since he lives in Alaska. He recounts that there was no way he could have made a living selling his photographs through “brick and mortar” galleries, but after being on eBay for almost five years, things have changed.  

“Now, thanks to eBay, I am able to follow my passion as an artist and make a living at it. It is amazing to me that I could sell over 800 of my photographs in a little over a year. I've now expanded my business to selling original fine art contact photographs. Besides earning a living, it is very rewarding for me to be able to get my work out to hundreds of people all over the world and build relationships with my collectors.”  

Finally, contact_prints fervently believes in the power of the eBay Community: “eBay is a true global free market. It does not discriminate – anyone can buy or sell, anywhere in the world. It's also a very large Internet community with transactions based on trust. It is an amazing and positive example that this works so well the vast majority of the time. eBay is changing the way we do business in a truly major way. eBay is also a phenomenon where beneficial relationships are being built. It is a community larger than any city on Earth!”

We would like to thank contact_prints for sharing his thoughts and comments with us! If you would like to be considered for the Community Spotlight Program check out our Community Profile page and follow the instructions near the bottom of that page.