posted on March 4, 2002 10:53:43 PM new
I just finished a series of auctions that I think give a great example of the good and less than good things about selling on ebay.
About a year and a half ago, our local Borders bookstore had its annual sale of overstocked books, including remainders. This was always a great place to make Christmas purchases, as all items were new.
Well, among my purchases were some items from the dollar table. They had 4 Greenburg price guides for O gauge American Flyer toy trains. I bought all 4 at $1 each, as I noted they had a list price of $49. but were only 3 years old and in like new condition. 3 of the 4 had remainder marks.
A month or so ago I listed the first one on ebay. Imagine my shock when the price went up to @ $65. It must have been rare.
Knowing this price would be hard to repeat, I offered the second copy to the 2nd place bidder with a personal offer, and he was happy to buy for $1 less. Wow!
I waited 2 weeks (didn't want to flood the market) , and listed the third book, and got a slightly higher price, @ $66.00. Wow again!
I had one left, and made a personal offer to the 2nd place bidder for $65. He responded by offering $55, which was $10 less than he had bid. Here is where I got greedy: I told him I had sold 3 for $65, and believed I could get it on a reauction. He said he would hold off.
I waited another week, and put the last book up for auction. Imagine my grief when the bids just did not go, and it sold only for $30.00. What was worse, it sold to the guy who had offered me $55.00!
Lots of lessons to be learned here.
First of all, the pros at Borders did not know more than I know about my narrow area of expertise. I knew the books would be worth more than $1. Only the national ebay marketplace, however, could bring this price.
However, my big mistake was in flooding the market. Even though my last auction mentioned it was the last one, I guess I did not fool anybody. I should have waited a few weeks or months longer.
Anybody have any similar stories to tell? Please do not tell about current auctions, or items you will be selling in the future. Let's be fair. We can all learn from the experience of others.
posted on March 5, 2002 04:51:34 PM new
I recently listed a book that did not appear to have any particular reason to be a high bid item. Soon after the auction started, a buyer emailed me offering me $35.00 for the item if I closed the auction early. I was somewhat curious why someone would offer that much for a particular book. There had not been any bids up to that point. Well, I didn't close the auction and let it run out. I think I got $7.00 for it - and not to the lady who emailed. Well, next time . . .
posted on March 5, 2002 05:15:40 PM new
I have bought some books at full retail and sold them on ebay for double. One reason is that I can do a better job of promoting the book than a bookstore. Another reason is that these books weren't found in most bookstores, but are desirable to collectors.
posted on March 5, 2002 05:35:58 PM new
A couple of years ago I was selling old all brass shotgun shells. Bids on them were going from about $5.00 to as high as $20.00 each. I then found a source for some all copper shot shells and bids were even higher.
At this point I should say that all brass, copper or any other sort of metal shotgun shells are highly collectable and much sought after, but only if they are loaded. Shells that have been shot allthough being worth something to a collector are not desired as highly as the unshot ones.
Auctions were going great and then all of a sudden all my auctions were cancelled and I got an email from Ebay informing me that I would be suspended if I listed anymore of these items.
It just goes to show you that all the good and fun stuff is banned by Ebay.
posted on March 6, 2002 05:46:09 PM new
BUGLER
Lucky you did not get suspended as that was against Ebay rules........
I too have had real good lucks at times.
A used book at flee market for $1.00 (maybe even .50c) that I sold for $78.00, and the buyer was extatic! it was a TITANIC title.
A $10.00 clock that sold for over $200, and then a $500 lighter that wnt over $200 as well.
The coolest is just 2 weeks ago.
Being the lazy sort I am (was listing more than one of the same item that nite) I 'copy clicked' the text for the second auction.
When I went to the first auction to copy, much to my surprise it had sold with BIN.
total elapsed time=7 mins!
posted on March 6, 2002 07:10:35 PM new
I bought 6 thin TV trivia books (each one on a program like the Honeymooners) for 50 cents each. I was somewhat embarrassed when someone bid $35 for the first one auctioned. After each of the others went for over $20 my embarrassment went away.
posted on March 7, 2002 02:21:08 PM new
I'm new here so forgive my ignorance. Bugler, I was wondering if it's ok to contact a losing bidder and offer them the same item. Someone once did that to me. I thought it would be a good idea when I start selling too...save that listing fee and final value fee. Anyway, my question is, is this ok to do? Why did someone say it was against ebay rules? If you do do this and someone wants to send paypal payment, how do they do it w/o an auction id#?
Thanks,
Mary
- bought it on eBay for $5.00...sold it 10 days later for $105.00 
