Reading Listing Photos Carefully

The photos on a listing are the closest you get to holding an item before you buy it. A minute spent looking at them properly can save a disappointment when the parcel arrives.

Look at more than the first picture

The first photo is chosen to catch your eye. The ones after it usually show the back, the label, close ups of the fabric and any wear. Open every picture before you decide.

Allow for colour on screens

Phones and monitors show colour differently, and indoor light can make a shade look warmer or cooler than it really is. If the exact colour matters, check the description or ask the seller how it looks in daylight.

Check the condition shots

Honest sellers photograph marks, pilling or signs of wear rather than hide them. If an item is described as worn, the photos should match the description. If something looks unclear, it is fair to ask.

Use the background for scale

A familiar object in the shot, or a measuring tape laid alongside, helps you judge size far better than a photo on its own. Combine what you see with the measurements in the listing.

Ask for another picture if you need one

Most sellers are happy to take one more photo of a detail you care about. A short, polite request before you buy is always better than a surprise afterwards.