Currently the AS promotion included in the InstaMail note that was recently sent in my behalf:

I used AuctionSniper.com to win this item. As a seller, you can
earn $5 for every new user that you refer. Simply paste these
lines into your end of auction emails, and click this link for
more details: ]http://www.auctionsniper.com/seller/

Snipe eBay and win more auctions. Use what others are using to
beat you! Unattended, last second, auction sniping. It's as easy as
bidding on eBay, and we do the rest. Free trial.
http://www.auctionsniper.com/?from={AS user’s e-mail address}.
[/I]

As professional a service AuctionSniper is, it is truly surprising how ham handed the AS folks are with the “sales pitch” in the InstaMail notes! First off, why TWO paragraphs?!? It looks like you’re trying too hard!

The first paragraph is directed to an eBay seller (which makes sense since the e-mail IS going to a seller), BUT it seems quite presumptuous to think a seller would include a link in their correspondence with buyers promoting a service they have not had a chance to try out themselves!?! Consequently, it seems to me it would be best to approach the seller as a potential bidder (which they probably ARE!) and a new AS user. Once they’ve successfully used the service, they may be more inclined to include a reference/link to AS in their e-mails to their buyers. To include such a suggestion in a presumably first contact is just premature! Thusly, paragraph #1 should be scratched completely.

The second paragraph is the one that I think offends most people and inspires them to turn off the InstaMail feature. The way paragraph#2 is written, it makes the most sense if it was addressed to OTHER bidders who I outbid on an item – not the seller whose auction I’ve just won! I also thought this e-mail, though automatically generated, was from ME! If that’s the case, why is there the line that says, “...and we do the rest.”?!? I have nothing to do with placing somebody’s snipe bid! Paragraph #2 just seems like nothing more than misdirected gloating!

What >I< would very much like to see replacing those 2 paragraphs in all my InstaMail notes is a BRIEF LOW-KEY recommendation for the AS service. How about something similar to the following SINGLE paragraph:

My winning bid in this auction was placed by AuctionSniper.
To learn more about how this service may help you win
more eBay auctions and get your free introductory trial, visit
http://www.auctionsniper.com/?from={AS user’s e-mail address}.
[/I]

What are the thoughts of everyone else? Are there any other suggestions for the “promotional paragraph” or thoughts about it? Sara, what are the chances of such an “improvement” happening?

Jabbergah

quote:

---

My winning bid in this auction was placed by AuctionSniper.
To learn more about how this service may help you win
more eBay auctions and get your free introductory trial, visit
http://www.auctionsniper.com/?from={AS user’s e-mail address}.
[/I]

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It's perfect, low key and very professional. If that's how it was worded, I might even consider turning the feature on in my preferences.

I agree completely. I briefly had the feature turned on, but turned it off again for similar reasons. I like your "wording", its good, and it means we get 3 free referral snipes if they choose to sign up.