There 12 pics are a joke. I started using Auctiva not only because of the pics but the scrolling gallery(even thought they can't get mine to center)and I had a custom gallery made. Sales increased when I started using all these tools.
I haven't but will start adding text to my pics as this helps in SEO and ranking. Plus you have much better control and display with Auctiva.
I have also opened a AucComm store and I can send my inventory over there with Auctiva.
I will give ebay 2 or 3 months to prove I will make more and then weight my options. But I agree that the junk will flood the listings and the new exposure will get lost in the 1000's of listings that you have to wade through.