posted on March 16, 2002 09:48:29 AM new
I just got back from a library sale and came across two gems that were both ex-library discards.
One of them is in just barely acceptable condition, if that, but is quite rare enough that I'm sure someone will be happy to get it. I'd like to offer it, very carefully described, on an as is basis. This is certainly not my normal policy, but I'm afraid that someone might have second thoughts.
How would you handle this one. I could sell it as a Buy It Now, but I think the price on this item will go near market despite it's less than appealing condition. I'd do this one at no reserve.
posted on March 16, 2002 10:10:50 AM new
Sounds like what I'd do. Even if not in generally acceptable collector condition, I'd also run it with no BIN since you never know what a rare item might bring. Just make sure you accurately describe all the defects and your images show the book as it really is.
There have been times that I've written descriptions of books or other items where I've felt that I went into too much detail about the damage and was scaring off potential buyers. However, the items still sold and the buyers appreciated the fact that I didn't gloss over the damage. These people tend to leave feedbacks like "item exactly as described" which to me is a strong confidence builder when other potential bidders look at feedback.
posted on March 17, 2002 07:50:46 AM new
If I were you, I would sell it: "No returns unless item not as desribed". This gives the buyer confidence that if 25 pages are missing from the middle of the book, he can get a refund. On the other hand, you have some argument if the buyer just gets cold feet.
Tell me, if you sold the item "as is" and there was some major defect you had not noticed, would you really refuse to issue a refund? I hope not, so why scare buyers off?
posted on March 17, 2002 07:58:21 AM new
BTW, are you sure the book is really rare? I have a collection of books from the 1800s that I thought would surely be rare. Well, many of these 150 year old books are availble in multiples, sometimes at ridiculously low prices. An AddAll search generally can confirm rarity. Just go to: http://used.addall.com/
to check your book against the marketplace.
Also, collectors are not real fond of ex library books, and readers don't pay very much.
posted on March 17, 2002 08:23:08 AM new
It's genuinely rare, I realize that it's not a "collector" item being ex-library. I just thought someone who wants the book for the book's sake and doesn't have a giant wad of money would like a copy.
Frankly I'm not worried about how much I make off it. I just don't want bid retractions or second thoughts or someone giving me a neg because they thought they are getting a $500 book for what I expect might sell for $50.
posted on March 17, 2002 08:30:06 AM new
bugler, I can't speak for mballai's particular find, and I agree with you that there's many 19th Century books that are quite plentiful due to the same reasons that make 20th (and 21st!) Century books low-priced and hard to sell - high supply and low demand. Many 19th Century authors have been lost to history, and many non-fiction books are of little current interest. I also agree with your suggestion to check the book in the various online book seller databases (I do this with any book, whether published last year or 150 years ago).
But if the books in question are valuable due to their content, then buyers are less picky about condition or ex-library status, and somebody might be willing to pay near-market price. For example, detailed books on local history, church history, or military regimental history are invaluable to genealogoists and local history buffs as long as they are readable. I guess only mballai will know if the "gems" in question are hits or misses.
posted on March 17, 2002 10:03:02 AM new
I knew this book was a find when I picked it up (nearly 30 years in the specific subject field kind of helps), but I was rather surpised it was quite pricey offered in my web searches.
Again, if it makes me some bucks and the buyer is happy to have a copy, it's a win-win situation. No pretenses of collectibility are entertained here. Just a happy buyer and a hassle-free auction.
Thanks for all your advice. I think we concur here.
posted on March 17, 2002 05:01:08 PM new
I do not put pictures in my auctions which are mostly standard books; they are well-described. This auction is starting at 9.99 with no reserve. I'd have to start doubling my starting price if I were to include pictures and I can't justify that. After 1000+ auctions, bidders either trust me or not:my feedback indicates their confidence.
posted on March 18, 2002 03:35:18 AM new
Time + Scannner + Posting Images = Money. Most of my sales operate on healthy profit margins by keeping my costs down. Images would cost me about $1.5-2.00 per transaction by my estimation. Some of my items sell for $3.00 or less.
As much as images are handy, I know there are tons of folks who have slow internet connections. I don't want someone hitting the back button because of a cranky server.
posted on March 18, 2002 05:01:58 AM new
I admit I dont always post pictures of books particury low end ones but on something like you are talking about here
good pictures might mean the differnce between a closing bid of 25 or one of 50.
I just had a book close at 27.00 that I doubt would have brought 10 without the pictures to show exactly what it was and the condtion
you can pay for a camera or scanner preety fast that way
personally there is little I would buy without seeing a picture...
[b]As much as images are handy, I know there are tons of folks who have slow internet connections. I don't want someone hitting the back button because of a cranky server.
[/b]
i used to agree with that statement..my current thoughts are a serios bidder will wait and anyone hitting the back button becouse of a few seconds load time would probably not bid anyway
spock here......
Live long and Prosper
posted on March 18, 2002 06:16:49 AM new
mballai, scanners are very slow and cumbersome for creating ebay images. I got myself a nice digicam and I take pictures assembly line-style, so I can shoot, edit, and upload all the pictures I need for 50 - 75 auctions over the course of one evening. For a lot of stuff like common books, CDs, or videos it doesn't matter - but when selling older books or collectibles I'm convinced a good photo can be the difference between getting a good price or a getting better price. Ideally, collectors prefer to hold and inspect items for themselves - given that this is an impossibility on ebay, good photos are the closest you can get to giving them that experience. I paid $300 for my camera, and it paid for itself in no time, and you can minimize the time expended by working efficiently.
posted on March 18, 2002 09:50:38 AM new
If I came across enough items per year to do it, I surely would add electronic imaging to my capability for just such auctions. The last time I had anything remotely similar was two years ago and it brought in $142.00 with no help from an image.
I suppose I could always crank out a conventional color image and scan/convert that if I were so inclined for the amount I need it. I'll keep that in mind.
