Need help removing background!!

[rdoty]

I've been fighting this for days now and I need help.  What I thinki should be a simple process is absolutely baffeling.  I have a number of color .jpeg images  and no matter what method I use, fuzzy select (sort of worked but too much edge pixels}, color select, path select, I can't get it to work.  Out of desparation I upgraded from ver 2.1 to 3.0 and still no result.  I finally resorted to picking a no-brainer eazy peazy image, shades of grey, simple shape and still can't get it to work. 
   Although it's going to take a lot more time I think  I've decided to do the path select method.  The problem is that when the path is complete and, following all the directions from tutorials and posted online, I right click and select Select/Selection from paths then delete nothing happens.  I've closed the view and started over several times and zilch.  I'll attach a copy of the image (mug clip2.jpeg).  Somewhere along the way either I'm missing something or maybe there's a glitch in my Gimp.   I appreciate any help.

[sallyanne]

To get a smooth finish you may have to use a mask. 
 Or you can use the eraser around the edges (use anti-erase if you go over an area you dont mean to) then fuzzy select the rest of the background and grow it until it covers all the background up until what you just erased. Delete and you should have a transparent background then.

[denzjos]

Are you using multiple layers? Is the correct layer active?

[zeuspaul]

Have you tried free select? I generally do better with free select than I do with paths. It takes a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it you can get good results. It takes a little experimentation to know how close to place the dots. Backspace can be used to undo the last or several last picks. Trace the mug then invert the selection to get the background.

[Tas_mania]

I used bucket fill with a neutral color and then 'select by color' and then clear.

I had to use free select tool on one bit at the top of the handle. Rest all good. When I selected by color I grew it by 1px.

   


   

Above is actually a screenshot because you just get a white background posting a cleared PNG image.