The Photo Before the Sale

Marcus wanted to sell his old bicycle online. In the first photograph, the bicycle looked almost new. The picture had been taken from the side, so a scratch on the handlebar was hidden. His description simply said that the bicycle was in good condition.

A potential buyer asked whether there was any damage. Marcus could have replied that the scratch was small, but instead he took a close-up photograph and added it to the listing. He also explained that the brakes worked and that the front light needed a new battery. One person lost interest after seeing the new information.

Another buyer thanked him for showing the details and came to inspect the bicycle. They agreed on a price without a long argument about its condition. Marcus did not attract everyone, but he attracted someone whose expectations matched the item. A less attractive listing had made the actual sale more straightforward.