Selling situations
The three photos that get a faster wire quote
A quote is only as good as the information behind it. Three photographs answer most of the questions a buyer would otherwise have to ask, and they take about a minute to shoot.
They are optional on our form. They are also the difference between a firm offer and a request for more detail.
Shot one: the whole lot
Stand back and photograph all the reels together, including the floor or pallet they sit on. This establishes scale, count and how the material is stored. A wide shot also shows whether the reels are stacked, racked or loose, which affects handling.
Shot two: each reel tag
Fill the frame with the tag, flat and in focus, in daylight or good work light. Avoid glare from a phone flash. If a reel has two labels, shoot both. If the tag is torn, photograph the surviving portion rather than skipping it.
Shot three: the jacket print
Pull a few inches of cable and photograph the surface print that shows size, insulation type and voltage. This is the fallback identification when the tag is missing, and it is the fastest way to confirm a construction that the tag states ambiguously.
Add a fourth shot only when something is wrong: crushed armor, a damaged jacket, corrosion at a cut end. Disclosing damage in a photo is faster than discovering it at pickup.
Questions about this
How many photos should I attach?
Three per lot is usually enough, and the form accepts up to ten. Add damage photos if they apply.
Do phone photos work?
Yes. Daylight, a steady hand and no flash produce better results than a scanner.
Can I email photos instead?
Yes. Send them to saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com with your company name and location, and reference the lot.
Related wire types
- THHN, THWN and THWN-2 Wire
- Tray Cable, TC, PLTC and VFD Cable
- Communication, Fire Alarm and Low Voltage Cable