|
|
Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 19, 2018 16:59:15 GMT
I see so many eBay items nowadays with the word "Fantastic" in the item name (at least 4 items in today's banner at the top of the ICF pages uses this word), and am really curious to know whether this word actually helps to attract buyers and sell the items or actually (as in my case) puts them off.
I would love to hear other members' thoughts about the use of this word, does it attract interest or actually detract?
It would also be interesting to hear the opinions of some eBay sellers. Is there some reason why this word gets used again and again, often when the specimen isn't really fantastic for the species on offer? I don't really remember this descriptor being used so often 10 years ago. Perhaps it has some effect on searches or apparently makes items more noticeable?
Adam.
|
|
|
|
Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 19, 2018 17:40:29 GMT
I see that I'm not the only one who is irritated by that term. Just like "rare", it's grossly overused, particularly for non-deserving subjects. When I see either of them used inappropriately, it lowers my opinion of the seller immediately.
Of course, I'm a curmudgeon...increasingly so, it seems.
|
|
|
|
Post by trehopr1 on Oct 19, 2018 18:09:33 GMT
I agree with both of you wholeheartedly ! Deliasfanatic really tells it like it is. I'm sure the purpose is to bring some undo attention to an item so that in turn it leads to the seller being noticed above the rest of the herd. Of coarse, this sort of "tom foolery" only works on the un-informed or inexperienced. So, sellers who use terminology like this know they may well be "turning off" knowledgeable or experienced individuals but, the "greater piece of the pie" in sales is to those who know little or nothing.
Words like this sound all too much like Trump's sorted statements of greatness: Oh' its the best this.... or this person is the most that.... or we really brought in the best people for this project.... etc.etc.
All statements of buffoonery and in these cases mentioned above "bait" terms to reel-in uninformed buyers.
|
|
|
|
Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 19, 2018 18:18:06 GMT
I think it's part of the trend to sensationalize everything - a tasteless trend, I might add. It's analogous to click-bait ads that one sees, urging the viewer to follow the link to "See this fantastic food that will add 200 years to your life!" or whatever foolishness is being spouted at the moment. Anytime I see that sort of thing, it's automatically ignored.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul K on Oct 19, 2018 22:46:58 GMT
I don’t like word “fantastic” at all, how is it related to science.
Fantastic, bombastic...
|
|
|
|
Post by nomihoudai on Oct 19, 2018 23:50:12 GMT
Could be that the eBay engine is then more favorable. The other factor is that people, even when offput, will click on the item to find out why it is fantastic. This then generates clicks, and items with many clicks are ranked at the top. So it works. With so much stock on display the only important things in many categories is views.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 20, 2018 8:28:43 GMT
With so much stock on display the only important things in many categories is views. I guess that makes business sense. Adam. |
|
|
|
Post by wollastoni on Oct 20, 2018 15:34:18 GMT
It is used a lot by French sellers (including me). Because in French, "fantastic" means "exceptional, splendid". You see it a lot in the TOP 100 because Ameriana15 (Alexandre Delassise) who is selling many rarities that reach high prices is using this term. If "fantastic" sounds strange to english speakers, I will stop using it too.  Even if as Claude said, using an adjective like "rare, splendid, fantastic..." will indeed boost clicks and thus sales. Maybe I should use SPLENDID instead ? |
|
|
|
Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 20, 2018 16:52:13 GMT
Maybe I should use SPLENDID instead ? That is a good idea, and it would make your specimens stand out from the "Fantastic" ones  I didn't know you also use the term, but then I don't see any eBay stuff except the banners on top here nowadays (no money to buy anything). Adam. |
|
|
|
Post by deliasfanatic on Oct 20, 2018 17:48:20 GMT
Actually, Ameriana15 is the one who I've especially noticed as overusing it, regardless of a specimen's actual rarity...he uses it for very common items too.
I agree that "Splendid" is a better term, and not so overused. "Rare" has lost all its meaning on Ebay, unfortunately; the only time it has value is in the phrase "World Rarity". Sellers of those items usually do have real rarities, and are more experienced in what is genuinely rare.
|
|
|
|
Post by africaone on Oct 21, 2018 13:57:12 GMT
Actually, Ameriana15 is the one who I've especially noticed as overusing it, regardless of a specimen's actual rarity...he uses it for very common items too. I agree that "Splendid" is a better term, and not so overused. "Rare" has lost all its meaning on Ebay, unfortunately; the only time it has value is in the phrase "World Rarity". Sellers of those items usually do have real rarities, and are more experienced in what is genuinely rare. Alex uses "fantastic" as a signature, to be recognised …. |
|
