Following is "boilerplate" language that describes how we work and the photo process:
How we work
Most of our clocks are sold directly over the internet via our website or "people looking for" database. A rapidly growing following of existing clients are always looking for a great clock to add to their collection. Most clocks sell if they are sensibly priced.
When a sale is made, what next?
When we make a sale, the buyer sends us a cashier's check for the clock. We, in turn send a check (for the amount agreed amount) payable to you but we mail it to the shipper. Then, either the shipper comes to you for large item(s), or you take the clock to a commercial packer/shipper, and they do the rest, including calling our client for credit card payment of the shipping-related expenses. We don't pack clocks, and don't want you to have to do it either; too much hassle, too much margin for error, too much exposure. The commercial packer effectively adds another "layer" of insurance for us all. It's that simple!
CRITICAL INFO:
About your clock - The first questions we are going to ask you are for a detailed comment about the physical and mechanical condition of your clock. If it's been sitting in storage or on a wall for years and not been running it will need to be professionally serviced before we can consider it for listing on our site. Buyers want to know that clock coming to them can be set up and run without "mechanical intervention" after it arrives.
About photos - Before you read further, take a look at the photos on our site. There are a handful of clocks where the consignor has sent us lousy pictures... and the clocks have been there, unsold, forever. Neither of us wants that to happen with your clock, so please spend the time and effort to get us a detailed set of high-resolution (300 dpi) images.
We only accept high-resolution digital camera pictures. If you have a quality digital camera, and are experienced with its use, sending us digital pictures will save us a lot of time. Photos must be a minimum of 20" on the widest dimension and 300 dpi high-resolution. We do not accept small low-resolution cellphone photos - even from the newest and greatest phones. It's the old story, "A picture is worth a thousand clock-peddler's words," believe us. Send us crummy pictures and your clock will sit unsold (actually, unlisted). If you have questions about photo quality, please contact us before spending the time and effort to take them – it will pay off for everyone involved. If it takes too long for you to e-mail digital photos because of your internet connection speed, please contact us for a mailing address and you can send the photos on a diskette or CD. Better yet, put them in a DropBox folder on your computer and send us the link.
Please note: we do not accept any printed photos, only high-res digital.
Setting up your photos
If you do not have a neutral-colored background behind your clock, take a white sheet or blanket and, as best as possible, block out the background for every shot... and note that this may change depending on the angle you are shooting. The neutral background should also include the table or floor under the clock if it sets on a shelf or mantle. No one wants to see a photo of your Aunt Tillie, they just want to see the darned clock (but we still love you, Tillie)!
Uncluttered backgrounds make a world of difference, and speed our process considerably. If it is a wall clock, we would appreciate if it were hanging on a neutral-colored background (not patterned wallpaper or wood paneling), and have enough room around it (between other hanging items on that same wall) so that, when you take the photos, the clock does not overlap any other item. If you have questions about that, please call before taking your pictures. Remember, if your photos are fuzzy/out of focus, a prospective buyer is likely to just blow by your item and seek something else (and we aren't gonna use them, anyway).
Here are the typical photos we seek for each clock:
- Full front shot (best at slight angle left and right to show depth)
- Closeup of the Dial
- Closeup of the crown or upper part of the case
- Closeup of the base or lower part of the case
- Left side view
- Right side view
- Closeup of the pendulum, weights, etc.
- Closeups of any case carving detail
- Closeups of any dings or damage
- Closeups of the movement
Tallcase clocks are particularly difficult to photograph because they tend to be dark in color. So, please turn on all the lights and possibly bring additional light into the room where the clock is located to give your full-length photos half a chance to come out well. We have a high-end camera with external flash and still struggle to get enough light on these large clocks, so we understand that it is not just a simple, 5-minute task!
Please Keep Reading...
Lots of detail in the photos
We need as much detail as practical, for example, any case details, engraving, pulleys, weight(s), paper labels, etc. Be sure to take pictures of any "warts", too (scratches, chips, excessive wear, etc.). This information helps a qualified and interested prospective buyer make a positive decision. Remember, no one wants any surprises when they buy something sight-unseen.
The photo-taking process, step-by-step
Before You Start!
Turn off the date-stamp feature on your clock... this wrecks more photos than you can ever imagine! We can't use date-stamped photos.
First
Take the photo of the entire clock from slightly to the left or right to cut down on flash reflection. If you have fast enough film and adequate lighting, it's best to turn off the flash and avoid the reflected light. But be sure you have plenty of natural light. The "yellow" of most incandescent bulbs makes the clock look jaundiced and is not particularly enticing to a prospective buyer.
Second
Take a closeup of the dial. This is usually best done without flash if you have bright enough natural light. If you need to use a flash, be sure to take the picture from off-center to avoid as much reflected light as possible.
Third
Take a picture of the movement. If the dial has to be removed to see the movement that is suggestible. We have a sophisticated group of buyers who want to know EVERYTHING they can before buying a clock.
Fourth
Don't forget to get shots of any case details or blemishes; very important! Buyers want to know where the "warts" are before they buy the clock, not after.
Please do not attempt to modify, crop, cut out backgrounds, rotate, etc. in PhotoShop or with other digital tools. If that is necessary and justified, we will use our offshore professionals. They do better work than either of us can do.
The rest of the story...
First, please review our Listing Info/Photo Spec Sheet that explains how we work and what you need to do to prepare your listing. We ask to review your prospective listing before you invest time filling in the form and taking a bunch of photos. Then, after we have corresponded, have requested and reviewed a photo of your clock, and agreed to list it on our site, please complete, to the best of your knowledge, our listing form. As noted in the top paragraph, we ask to review your prospective listing before asking you to invest time filling in the form and taking a bunch of photos.
Measurements of the case and dial diameter are always required by a prospective buyer. Be sure to indicate the time shown on the dial of the clock in your photo(s) – you would be amazed at how many people are so precise with this as to mark "am" or "pm"! With so many photos, this helps us keep things straight!
Please e-mail the completed form with your photos. There is a special e-mail address at the end of the Photo Spec Sheet. Contact us via phone or e-mail if you have questions.
We realize this is a lot to absorb... it was a heckuva lot to write, too!
– Pacific Time
