Customer Reviews

Garage Sale

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Last time I did a lot of business on eBay, I was using a PC, and I had a program called PosterToaster (I think...). I'm preparing for a move now, and liquidating my things, so I'm back at eBay posting a lot of my stuff. Now I use a Mac, so I wanted to find a program that would allow me to create auctions offline and then upload them to eBay with just a couple of clicks. I searched all the Mac sites, and they all suggest two programs-- GarageSale and iSale. I'm not pleased with either. At first glance, GarageSale seems alright. It's clean, it's slick and it's designed to look like a Mac program-- right down to the "Cover Flow" effect from iTunes, which here lets you flip through designs for your auction. However, when you get down to the task of creating an auction, form clearly rode roughshod over function in the creation of this software. First of all, the cover flow feature barely makes sense to me in iTunes-- when it's actually being used to flip through album covers. It's sort of cute and gimmicky, but isn't the fastest, simplest way to get what you're looking for. In GarageSale, it makes even less sense, and users are forced to endure it the entire time they're in preview mode. It's sort of like an email program, where cover flow hangs out at the top like an inbox listing, and the page preview occupies the bottom half like an email preview. This, unless you squish the cover flow all the way up to the top.
The main reason I hate this program is that in trying to simplify everything, it takes away the user's freedom to get what he wants. Granted, the program offers you a hundred choices on various aspects of your auction, but if what you want isn't already offered, there's no way to customize and get. Also, the huge number of choices makes it cumbersome, and in the case of page designs (over 100 of them), which are organized alphabetically in the cover flow, it's difficult to know where to find what you want. How can I know that I'll like the design called "Silver 2" without flipping all the way from A to S? If it's alphabetical, the names should give some insight into the design. The aspect of this that most annoyed me is the inability to place my photos wherever I want them in the auction. For any design, the program allows the user to choose images up (all images are displayed above the text of the description), images down, images right, images left, and and few more involving thumbnails. However, it doesn't allow you to drag an image wherever you want on the page, as any HTML editor-- and let's face it, that's a main function of any eBay posting program should. I post a lot of books, often in lots. In this case, I prefer to give text about the lot, then a description of the first book followed by images of the first book, then a description of the second book followed by images of the second book, and so on. With GarageSale, this is completely impossible. Users are not allowed to intersperse text and images. Huh? This seems ridiculous for a program that costs $30 and up. All because the creators want to make everything modular and buttonized and Mac-like. Stop it!
Another major annoyance and source of confusion is the simple fact that GarageSale uses the term "template" for what is in fact an auction. That "Create Template" button won't let you create a customized template, it's just for creating a new auction. What are actually templates GS calls "designs;" this is what you're forced to flip through in cover flow.
The program does handle FTP nicely, and once you've plugged your images into the auction (nicely clustered at either the top, bottom, or sides, mind you), GS will upload them to your host as it uploads your auction-- er, excuse me, "template."

I have used this to list more than 20 items so far. its pretty easy to use with a few exceptions. its hard to go between ebay and ebay motors and its hard to use the text entering. I find it much easier to do the text in pages and then copy and paste.

this program is really handy to take to my barn to make the listing without an internet connection and then come back to the house and download all the auctions at once. its also nice to be able to make the auctions and then post them at the Time I want them posted.

I have not been able to figure out how to save money on the photo hosting yet

I use this program and it is just Ok. It does what it claims. What is preventing me from giving it really high mark? The company simply reshuffles the interface (like places the same functions but in different logical layout) and demands money for a "major upgrade".
Overall, if I would be PC user, free program provided by eBay has much cleaner interface, easier to use and offers more features.

Was shocked to see the negative reviews of this product. I have 4k+ listings on eBay and do this for a living full time. Its the only listing software that I have ever used so maybe I'm missing out on some superior program. Never had any issues and find it to be exactly what I need. Its the best $40 I have ever spent.

First, let me say that I am not an eBay power seller by any means but I do sell quite a bit. I wanted to sell more but I just hated going through the eBay process it was just so blah. I've been gradually migrating over to the MAC and I love the way the programs integrate with each other so seamlessly and GarageSale is no exception. I downloaded the trial version and it worked flawlessly and is very easy to use - I didn't even read the directions. The auctions appear much nicer, more professional, and cleaner than the ones I had been creating on eBay. I can now work in iPhoto or Aperature to quickly edit my photos and easly grab them when I'm creating my auction. It also allows you to reference images in your .MAC account (I haven't done this yet but I plan to with my next auction). I'm just starting to explore the possibilites but so far, for a seller like me, GarageSale seems to be just what I've been looking for!

I have used the latest version of Garage Sale for Mac. I think it is 6.0. I love it. I tried several others, Auctiva and Inkfrog. They are fine but GarageSale makes it so easy with my Apple computer. Putting pictures on is a such a breeze with this. Revising listings again sooo easy. I am not high tech but I do list about 100 items per week on ebay.

Any Time I use this program, I make a sale. The templates make the selling item look better. Its easy to use and fast.

I would give 5 stars if the template would be more customized, otherwise highly recommend.

I'm an avid ebay user, and heard that this was the MAC program to buy,the MAC alternative to TurboLister but unfortunately it has been a disappointment.. As I was about to "list" my first item, a caution sign appeared-No mention of this problem in booklet....I emailed the macsoft people who have yet to help me fix it..They are looking into it..Hopefully I can get my auctions up and running..It seems like a neat program-I'm just frustrated now..I even have the correct OS requirements..Lately, when I try to open program, it unexpectedly quits! If they can get the kinks out, I think it will be a great, timesaving program w/ebay...I'm just waiting!!

For longer than one month I have been trying to buy a boxed copy of this and I have not been able to. At the local Apple store they do not have Garagesale in inventory even though the GS web site says that it is available at Apple stores. The GS web site also has a link to Apple store online that does not work. It is not available here at amazon either. I got a runaround trying to contact the GS people through their web site. I wanted the boxed copy with printed documentation because the downloaded copy has problems with the help file. In an attempt to create an ebay listing It took more than an hour to figure out how to post an item for sale on ebay motors. the item never did actually get listed for sale using the demo of garagesale. I am now ready to give up trying to buy or use the Garagesale program. It was a good idea if only it the reality is what the conception is.