Stock Photos vs. User Photos
I always make sure to have the best photo as my first photo in the listing as this is usually the next best thing next to the title that the buyer will see.  A great photo will take your listing to the next level.  If I enter a UPC I will never use the stock photo.  These stock photos are not personable and usually do not give the buyer a good sense of what they are buying or bidding on.

I have read that more pictures in the listing then the better the listing will show in search results.  I cannot say for sure if this is fact, but I will include as many photos as necessary.  If I am selling something still in the box I will only take a picture of the front and the back.  If the item is open and has multiple pieces I will take pictures of all items to not only show the buyer what they are getting but to have proof on the listing should a case get opened up as “Item not as Described”.  I will go more into this in eBay cases later on.  The more pictures the better.

Some people use special lighting apparatuses or hanging backgrounds for pictures, but I usually just place the item on a table or the floor.  If I had lots of clothing then I might invest in a mannequin.  I make sure that nothing else is in the photo if possible so the user can focus specifically on the item.

Cover Yourself:
If there is a serial number I always make sure to include that in the listing.  This covers yourself if the buyer sends back the item for a return.  You can validate the serial number you received back against the serial number against the photos.  Plus if a case is opened against you, you can prove to eBay the items are different.  If items are being sold with defects then take pictures of which areas of the items are defective for the same reasons.

How to add photos to your listings:
There are multiple ways to get photos added in to your listings.  You can use an external camera, take your pictures and upload them to your computer to add onto the listing.  You can also strictly list and copy listings from your phone and take photos that way as you’re going through it.  What I do is start the listing on my computer, save as draft, and finalize it on my phone by taking the photos and listing it.  It is super easy to open the saved draft on your eBay application on your phone and add the photos as you take them in the listing.  Once you take the pictures, complete the listing!

-Chris
LiquidationOH@gmail.com