Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => ebaY Quirks, Complaints and Chatter => Topic started by: WEBellSystemChristian on January 01, 2017, 07:06:05 PM

Title: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on January 01, 2017, 07:06:05 PM
Is anyone else sick of the irritating phrases and words eBay sellers use in their listing titles to get peoples' attention?

Here are a few I can think of off the top of my head:

-LOOK!
-L@@K!
-L@@@@K!
-GRE@T!!
-W@W!
-NICE!
-GOTTAGET!

Does anyone else have examples of these?

I also get tired of seeing all the keywords a seller wants for their listing, AND THEY PUT IT IN THE TITLE! I end up getting a 5 or 6 line-long title full of different keywords for one listing! >:(
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: AE_Collector on January 01, 2017, 07:39:12 PM
Not single word phrases in the title but, I always get more than tired of the "Would make an {Excellent, perfect, wonderful} addition to any collection. Really? This telephone would make a perfect addition to my match book collection? And it is usually more than obvious that the person listing the item along with the "excellent addition to any collection" statement, doesn't really have a clue.

Then there is the badly discolored plastic phone that "just needs a quick cleaning" to "look like new". Yeah....right.....20 man hours later, right Jorge!

Terry
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: Pourme on January 01, 2017, 08:11:34 PM
~

"Art Deco"

~
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: AE_Collector on January 01, 2017, 08:16:19 PM
Quote from: Pourme on January 01, 2017, 08:11:34 PM
~

"Art Deco"

~

But "Shabby Chic" is okay!? I guess that one may have "run its course" (be slowly fading into history).

Terry
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: finkmac on January 01, 2017, 08:48:37 PM
L@@K MEGA HYPER SUPER RARE MINT USED FREE SHIPPING WITH FRIES AND EXTRA DIP

Tell me about it.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: Greg G. on January 01, 2017, 09:33:47 PM
"Fresh from estate sale". 
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on January 01, 2017, 09:44:25 PM
Or "WORKS!" When the phone doesn't have cords...

That would be a great way to get a free phone. Buy it, and a day after it arrives, demand a full refund for selling an item not as described! :o
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: AE_Collector on January 01, 2017, 10:36:07 PM
Or "I don't have phone service so I can't try it out but it should work" ...
and it is a MAGNETO PHONE! Should work on what kind of phone line??

Terry
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: andre_janew on January 02, 2017, 12:31:13 PM
I've seen quite a few phones advertised as Art Deco design.  It isn't just the WE 300 series phones, but also phones of other makes and models made around that same time.  There are even buildings that are of an Art Deco design.  It seems as though there was a designer by the name of Art Deco and that he really got around.  That's probably not the case, but it sure seems like it!
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: RotarDad on January 02, 2017, 12:55:12 PM
My favorites:

"BARN-FRESH"

"STEAMPUNK"

"RARE"


I also enjoy seeing "works" when the seller is referring to the attached lamp fixture, but has no idea about the phone's condition.....
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: twocvbloke on January 02, 2017, 01:15:26 PM
One that annoys me is not the titles, but the ones where they have multiple item listings where they put a single item in there at say 99p for a fuse or a 10-pack of LEDs, and the actual items for sale at a much higher price, which really irks me when searching for something and trying to find the lowest price for that one item, but they have gone and done that to try to con people into buying their item even though it may not be the cheapest deal...
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: TelePlay on January 02, 2017, 01:28:39 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on January 02, 2017, 12:31:13 PM
I've seen quite a few phones advertised as Art Deco design.  It isn't just the WE 300 series phones, but also phones of other makes and models made around that same time.  There are even buildings that are of an Art Deco design.  It seems as though there was a designer by the name of Art Deco and that he really got around.  That's probably not the case, but it sure seems like it!

Not to get too far afield in this topic, but Art Deco is a style used in everything from about 1910 to 1940. It followed Art Nouveau which predated 1910. The styles are quite different and distinct. The Queen Mary was originally fitted completely fit with Art Deco items. All that was stripped out of the ship when it became a troop carrier in WW-II. The Queen Mary is now docked permanently in Long Beach, California and used as a hotel and convention center. After the war it was refit to the Art Deco look of the 30s. I've staying on it twice and find it a fascinating trip back in time. If anyone ever gets to the LA area, make time to take a tour - great restaurants on it and they say it is haunted from all it had been through in its years of service, if you are into that kind of stuff (some really great stories from people who have stayed or worked on the ship).

Here are typical Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: JimH on January 02, 2017, 01:49:44 PM
Don't forget "Amazing!"  It seems everything good or great has been described using this over-used word in recent years.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: compubit on January 02, 2017, 04:54:59 PM
Just saw a 2500DM - "This phone was painted.  They did a pretty good job."  I'm looking at the pictures, and see:
- the plungers have been painted
- some of the holes around the transmitter on the handset have been "painted over"
- bubbles on some of the paint
- uneven paint
- scratches on the paint
- the modular jacks were painted
- The faceplate was not painted... Left as the standard faceplate on an ivory phone; the rest of the phone is bright (almost turquoise) blue.

Jim
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: AL_as_needed on January 02, 2017, 06:40:51 PM
can't leave out the ever present "Steam Punk" and "...Aesthetic"


....Or...."Buyer not liable for damages during shipping".....and then packs the beautiful early color set in an empty cracker box with the handset on the hook  >:(
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: Pourme on January 02, 2017, 07:32:29 PM
I find it amusing when those inexperienced in phones tell the physical size of phones such as a 500...5 1/2" x 8 1/2" etc......just to fill in space when they don't know what else to say.

Did you also notice how those same sellers place receivers on candlesticks up side down?

Benny
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on January 03, 2017, 04:03:15 PM
Quote from: Pourme on January 02, 2017, 07:32:29 PM
I find it amusing when those inexperienced in phones tell the physical size of phones such as a 500...5 1/2" x 8 1/2" etc......just to fill in space when they don't know what else to say.

Did you also notice how those same sellers place receivers on candlesticks up side down?

Benny
I usually laugh at listings like that...until I bought a mantle clock, and wondered what the dimensions are (to fit on our mantle). But yes, very funny when phones are being sold to 'fit in with your collection!"
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: AL_as_needed on January 11, 2017, 07:16:35 PM
Quote from: Pourme on January 02, 2017, 07:32:29 PM
I find it amusing when those inexperienced in phones tell the physical size of phones such as a 500...5 1/2" x 8 1/2" etc......just to fill in space when they don't know what else to say.

Did you also notice how those same sellers place receivers on candlesticks up side down?

Benny

I see that a lot in movies and tv shows, "Fantastic Bests and Were to Find Them" being the latest offender. There are a few shots in the news paper office where there are some nice phones, all receivers upside down.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: JimHyak on March 05, 2017, 10:28:45 AM
Most overused IMO is "RARE" as if rare had anything to do with value.

And how did they know a phone with a badly damaged case would be a "perfect addition to my collection" ??? I have bought some dogs but to be known for it makes me sad ;)
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: RotarDad on March 05, 2017, 12:49:24 PM
With collectables, "rare" simply means the description is undercooked....... ;)
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: KaiserFrazer67 on March 05, 2017, 11:21:08 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on January 02, 2017, 01:28:39 PM
Not to get too far afield in this topic, but Art Deco is a style used in everything from about 1910 to 1940. It followed Art Nouveau which predated 1910. The styles are quite different and distinct. The Queen Mary was originally fitted completely fit with Art Deco items. All that was stripped out of the ship when it became a troop carrier in WW-II. The Queen Mary is now docked permanently in Long Beach, California and used as a hotel and convention center. After the war it was refit to the Art Deco look of the 30s. I've staying on it twice and find it a fascinating trip back in time. If anyone ever gets to the LA area, make time to take a tour - great restaurants on it and they say it is haunted from all it had been through in its years of service, if you are into that kind of stuff (some really great stories from people who have stayed or worked on the ship).

Here are typical Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
I agree with John.  The Automatic Electric 40 and 50 series, as well as the Bakelite Stromberg-Carlson and Kellogg wall phones (where the handset hangs vertically in front of the phone) could be legitimately described as "art deco".  Ditto (to a certain extent) the Western Electric 302, 354, and several others from that era (1930's to late 1940's).  Problem is when "art deco" is used to describe something not even close to the actual art deco look.  The one that gets under my skin is "Eames era".  I've seen this to describe stuff that is probably mid-1950's to mid-1960's.  Not even sure what it really refers to, but too many sellers use it as a "catch-all" to describe something from that time period.

Another beautiful Art Deco building is the Nebraska State Capitol building in Lincoln.  I was very fortunate to tour it with my dad on one of our last vacations together.  It is an earlier example of Art Deco architecture, and many of the fixtures and design features inside reflect the influence the Art Nouveau styles had on the Art Deco movement.

Quote from: Pourme on January 02, 2017, 07:32:29 PM
I find it amusing when those inexperienced in phones tell the physical size of phones such as a 500...5 1/2" x 8 1/2" etc......just to fill in space when they don't know what else to say...
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on January 03, 2017, 04:03:15 PM
I usually laugh at listings like that...until I bought a mantle clock, and wondered what the dimensions are (to fit on our mantle)...
I don't think it's ever a bad idea to include dimensions for anything, including phones, because there may be some buyers who have never had some of these before, and may not be sure how big (or small) the phone actually is.  Like Christian implied, it seems funny until you go to fit the thing that you bought in the place you want it...  and find out that it just...  quite...  doesn't... make it.  :-[ 

I'm sure there might even be some folks who buy some of these old wall phones thinking they can just hang them on a standard modern wall jack plate.  This is why pictures of the back should always be included.  (I have seen adapter back plates for the WE 554s which are used specifically to mount them on a modern wall plate, but AFAIK that's about it for old dial phones.)
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: mariepr on March 06, 2017, 12:48:43 AM
I've listed dimensions for oak auxiliary ringer boxes because I'm marketing to the general public.  They might want one to hear a nostalgic incoming call ring but don't necessarily want something as huge as a magneto.

But I guess we all have our annoyance trigger points.  For me it's "L@@K!".  If I see that in a title I never will. 
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: TelePlay on March 06, 2017, 02:40:50 AM
Here's another example of an "Art Deco" phone made in the mid to late 80's so it is really more "modern" than even "contemporary" but certainly not "Art Deco."

Not asking much and the use of "Art Deco" is meaningless to cllectors and anyone interested in buying this phone. Seller might as well have called it a "Contemporary Eames Era Art Deco" telephone and had the same impact on its sale, none . . .

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-Art-Deco-Style-Chrome-Black-Land-Telephone-/172563386211


EDIT:  Found a reference to what the Eames thing is all about and from this, most of us can pictures those stack-able pink one piece fiberglass chairs that followed the laminate contemporary period of furniture styles. I can't remember eever seeing a one piece phone.

"Modernism, 1940-present: Furniture designed and produced during the Modernism period is distinctive, as it represents the usage of some new materials, like plastic, aluminum and molded laminates. The Bauhaus and also the Museum of Modern Art heavily influenced some designers. In 1940, the museum organized competitions for domestic furnishings. Designers Eero Saarien and Charles Eames won first prize for their designs. A new chair design combined the back, seat and arms together as one unit. Tables were designed that incorporated the top, pedestal and base as one. Shelf units were also designed in this manner."
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: Stan S on March 06, 2017, 08:13:00 AM
Hi folks
I posted this before.
However, given the subject of the discussion figured I'd do it again.
This is the worst!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA)

Stan A,
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 06, 2017, 06:19:20 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on March 06, 2017, 02:40:50 AM
Here's another example of an "Art Deco" phone made in the mid to late 80's so it is really more "modern" than even "contemporary" but certainly not "Art Deco."

Not asking much and the use of "Art Deco" is meaningless to cllectors and anyone interested in buying this phone. Seller might as well have called it a "Contemporary Eames Era Art Deco" telephone and had the same impact on its sale, none . . .

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-Art-Deco-Style-Chrome-Black-Land-Telephone-/172563386211


EDIT:  Found a reference to what the Eames thing is all about and from this, most of us can pictures those stack-able pink one piece fiberglass chairs that followed the laminate contemporary period of furniture styles. I can't remember eever seeing a one piece phone.

"Modernism, 1940-present: Furniture designed and produced during the Modernism period is distinctive, as it represents the usage of some new materials, like plastic, aluminum and molded laminates. The Bauhaus and also the Museum of Modern Art heavily influenced some designers. In 1940, the museum organized competitions for domestic furnishings. Designers Eero Saarien and Charles Eames won first prize for their designs. A new chair design combined the back, seat and arms together as one unit. Tables were designed that incorporated the top, pedestal and base as one. Shelf units were also designed in this manner."

Quote from: TelePlay on March 06, 2017, 02:40:50 AM
Here's another example of an "Art Deco" phone made in the mid to late 80's so it is really more "modern" than even "contemporary" but certainly not "Art Deco."

Not asking much and the use of "Art Deco" is meaningless to cllectors and anyone interested in buying this phone. Seller might as well have called it a "Contemporary Eames Era Art Deco" telephone and had the same impact on its sale, none . . .

 


I always felt they were trying for "Space Age".  I can imagine George Jetson talking on one.

JMO,
Jim S.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: 19and41 on March 06, 2017, 08:51:06 PM
The ones I don't like are the items carrying an extortionate price they saw offered on a television program, or a ludicrous asking price from Ebay.  I would like to collect telephones and radios, but this price inflation makes it impossible.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: TelePlay on March 06, 2017, 09:03:23 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on March 06, 2017, 08:51:06 PM
The ones I don't like are the items carrying an extortionate price they saw offered on a television program, or a ludicrous asking price from Ebay.  I would like to collect telephones and radios, but this price inflation makes it impossible.

From what I've seen over the past year or so, the same goes for a lot of vendors having booths in antique malls - McMurdoSilver prices on Barn Fresh telephones.
Title: Re: Irritating 'attention-getter' phrases?
Post by: 19and41 on March 06, 2017, 09:03:45 PM
Sometimes it is difficult to find a correct example of art deco one can point to.  I think this film has an excellent example of such decor in the scenes at the pet show.  It is about the truest interpretation I have seen.  At least before the calamity takes place.  Just slide across, you will see it in the second half of the short.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL1zslRAkeY