Between my efforts to simultaneously rid our home of clutter while also procuring inexpensive second hand items of a temporary nature (ie. high chairs, baby gates and the like), I've spent a considerable amount of time online at places like craigslist and half.com.  People's descriptions are amusing, to say the least.

Someone, while attempting to put a positive spin on the condition of their copy of Chipp's Theories of Modern Art (I am scoping out the competition, not interested in aquiring another copy) noted that in addition to the "nice, tight spine" their copy had "useful underlinings and highlights".  Now, as anyone who's ever ended up with a marked up text knows, someone else's markings hardly ever correspond with what you probably find most pertinent.  Purely speaking for myself, I find other people's hot pink highlights and ill-formed marginalia most distracting.

A certain type of seller can't resist pointing out to potential purchasers how much they initially paid for an item.  I don't find this information useful, except perhaps in pointing out what a boob you were to spend $300 on a highchair you could have bought on craigslist for $50.

Seller's opinions don't hold much sway with me either.  I just want the facts (dimensions, condition, price), preferably accompanied by a good photograph.  I don't need to know how "cool and unique" you think the hidden cupholders are on your (IMO hideous) green corduroy couch.  Do alert me to its presence though, because there's a wealth unsaid in that detail - there are going to be crumbs galore in them there couch cushions, aren't there? 

Also, when taking a photograph, natural light is best.  The photo should be of the entire item, not just the un-stained portion.  You also might want to clean up your scruffy abode, or at the very least, crop it.