posted on May 26, 2003 05:57:53 AM new
Thanks in advance for any input from buyers and sellers alike.
I have been selling on eBay on an ongoing basis for 3 1/2 years specializing in Asian antiques, handicraft and collectible items.
I stopped selling antiques on eBay about 1 1/2 years ago, due largely in part to the uncontrolled and unregulated growth in fakes, forgeries and plain junk being passed off as antiques. (I know eBay is only a venue, albeit one that allows fraud to be perpertrated on a daily basis).
I have since grown a full-time Asian antique business in Arizona selling out of three retail venues in addition to shows in CA, AZ and NM. I am launching my website next month. I would like to resume selling antiques on eBay but have many concerns because of the proliferation of fraud among sellers and skepticism among buyers and do not wish to waste hundreds of $$$ on auction fees if no one is buying.
In addition, I am not willing to sell at below reasonable wholesale pricing to make a sale. I know what the high-end and low-end prices my antiques bring and won't "give" my merchandise away.
Do any of you antique buyers and sellers have any input or feedback regarding selling antiques on eBay? Or do you have any alternate sites that may be of greater value? I have looked at GoAuctions.com, Trocadero.com, Rubylane.com but have no idea how well thay work for sellers.
I apologize for the length of this post but greatly appreciate any help anyone may send my way.
Best To All.
[ edited by bkkofaz on May 26, 2003 06:00 AM ]
posted on May 26, 2003 06:37:59 AM new
why dont you browse the closed auctions on antiques and see if you like the results??
that way,you wont be wasting hundred of dollars in listing fee,reserve fees etc
posted on May 26, 2003 07:52:02 AM new
I sell only "smalls" in the collectibles categories plus older books. I consider myself a wholesaler-plus (if there could be such a category!). I buy for just a few dollars at the very most, sometimes just 50 cents or $1, turn the item over fairly quickly for what appears to be a wholesale-type cost, to collectors and often, I'm sure, to retailers who will then ask for and hope to get retail from their brick and mortar customers.
I'm not in this to make a living, only to make a profit on everything I pick up. The higher the profit, the better. But I don't obsess over the higher retail price I "should have" gotten for the item. I'm content with profits ranging from 300% - 1,000% or more. Still learning, still growing in knowledge, having fun. Life is good!
I do not believe that you would get the prices you want for Asian antiques--but take the advice given above and check out the completed prices. My experience is that buyers for those items prefer real stores. (I've known a couple of dealers in the west who specialize in Asian antiques.) Good luck!
posted on May 26, 2003 08:02:40 AM new
I agree with Roadsmith as far as my purchasing, selling and profit lines.
IMHO, ebay has put antiques and collectibles where they belong pricewise. if the seller has proven trustworthy they will have repeat buyers who will pay a fair, and sometimes way above fair, price for what they want.
the sellers who have defrauded and who sell repros for the real thing have made it difficult if not impossible for a new seller to receive good value unless the item is fairly rare.
posted on May 26, 2003 08:11:02 AM new
Ebay has made scarce items more common. They don't bring the prices that they would have brought even 3 years ago.
The truly rare items seem to bring retail or above, as the knowledgeable collectors know the real value.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
posted on May 26, 2003 08:21:16 AM new
Serious antique buyers still purchase on ebay. It's far easier to check ebay first before driving for miles or phoning dealers in other areas. But ebay isn't always the best place to get the highest price.
If there is an alternate auctionsite that brings higher prices than ebay it would be praised on these boards.
I agree with others who say to study the closed auctions. Also look to see how your competition is doing on ebay and on the internet and you can do some of that by using Google search. Websites take time to develop and you can't expect success overnight.
Remember that ebay is "up and down" depending who is looking. You could always try some auctions and get a feel for what the market is, you don't have to put it all on at one time. At this time of the year things slow down somewhat for antiques unless they are very desirable items.
posted on May 26, 2003 09:16:49 AM new
Some auction items beg for human interaction and some do not. I would think most people would want to get a complete in-person look at an expensive antique before laying out a lot of money. There is also the question of wether the item will survive the shipping in the same condition as it was listed.
posted on May 26, 2003 09:33:26 AM new
It has been my experience with antiquers that they tend to value their items too high. The reality of it is, ebay has eliminated the cornered market the antiquers once controlled. With items being able to be purchased world wide with little effort, which in turn will drive prices down as supply now it meeting demand. Before ebay, antiquers could drive prices up because there was a lot of effort needed to find similar items and people were willing to pay higher prices just so they didn't have the hassle of tedious researching to find an item.
IMHO, in this case you better do more research on ebay to find an items real value as reality dictates that it most likely will be less than what is printed in some antiques catalog.
posted on May 27, 2003 01:32:28 PM new
I have used eBay as both a buyer and a seller of antique or vintage merchandise. (Mostly vintage.)
I'd never dare to do antiques as a living. But as a casual seller, I have had good luck with items that are currently "hot." My best luck has been with items that fall inside an established collector base and are very well-documented.
As a buyer, I'd look for the same things - things listed very specifically with plenty of description, pictures and good seller feedback for that type of thing.
posted on May 27, 2003 02:02:31 PM newThe reality of it is, ebay has eliminated the cornered market the antiquers once controlled. With items being able to be purchased world wide with little effort, which in turn will drive prices down as supply now it meeting demand. Before ebay, antiquers could drive prices up because there was a lot of effort needed to find similar items and people were willing to pay higher prices just so they didn't have the hassle of tedious researching to find an item.
Well said .. and that also pretains to most other collectible markets on ebay as well.
posted on May 27, 2003 02:49:00 PM new
I have been a full time dealer for a little over 40 years now. I have also sold thousands of items on ebay. I feel you have to watch what you sell. If you are selling real "fine" antiques they go over the heads of most buyers on ebay. The weekend warriors that call themselfs " a dealer" all talk a big game but in fact know very little about good antiques or the market for them. I will say that fine antiques don't sell for much on ebay. I don't list scarce stuff. I think the adverage price for items on ebay is under $50.00 that shoud tell you what is being sold there. GOOD LUCK.
posted on May 27, 2003 04:05:50 PM new
yes,serious antique buyers DO buy on ebay,these are the antique dealers who are looking for a bargain.
your great grand aunt's tiffany dragonfly lamp.your mother's shirley temple doll.yes.they are very interested!
posted on May 27, 2003 07:35:55 PM new
Tiffany Dragonfly Lamp, you got to be kidding. Ebay would be the last place to sell a Tiffany lamp like that. WOW, I can't believe someone said that. Like I said before most ebayers just don't know the market on fine antiques. Sorry but true.
posted on May 27, 2003 07:50:42 PM new
a few years ago someone auctioned off her great grand aunt authentic tiffany dragonfly lamp,many dealers and collectors bidded,i think it went to 13k as the high bid and they said the store price would be like 30k plus.what about that buddy l truck which was auctioned off for what 16k and the dealer told the old lady it was like a few hundred dollars.old lady told her friend and her friend looked up on ebay and wow,16k??
it was in the news.
recently there is a confederate weapon(sword i think ) which went to 16k??i can give you the item number if you want it??
posted on May 28, 2003 04:29:00 AM new
Are you asking whether there are serious antique buyers out there, or if there are serious antique buyers out there who want to pay retail (whatever that means nowadays) prices on eBay?
We are all conditioned now to look for a "deal" - and the sellers need to a least create the illusion of one. And don't think this means "bottom feeding" - I went to the Winter Antique Show in NYC and overheard a MAJOR Americana dealer (as seen on the Antiques Roadshow) offering a "buy it today and I can knock 5K off" deal to a potential customer.
Ebay (like mail order) is well suited for shippable, easily definable items. But many good antiques do not fall into this category. Most antique minded people go out shopping as recreation, and rarely come home with only objects they set out to look for. And while you can visually browse a shop or show quickly, you won't spend 24 hours a day to do that on eBay.
eBay is a low-cost way to sell, but if you want higher end customers, you need the trimmings, and that takes time and money.
posted on May 28, 2003 05:41:44 AM new
Thank you for all your input.
To clarify, I am not looking for retail pricing...I know that won't be found on eBay. As I said, I am looking for FAIR wholesale pricing for quality items in age from 100 years old to several thousand years. I travel to Asia myself and have great sources in Thailand, Burma and China that would even allow me to sell to other dealers in Asia and make a profit, albeit a small one. I have a number of dealers who buy from me here as well.
I do agree that eBay has brought the overinflated prices down to a more reasonable level. My retail prices at my shops are below what my competion offers at wholesale so I know my merchandise is priced well. I am not in the business for ego or to become exorbitantly wealthy. I am led foremost by a love for what I buy and sell which is of utmost importance to me.
I have done some research on items I plan to sell but many are not offered on eBay. I guess I will have to experiment and continue to keep on eye on other auctions. I have a feedback of 768 with 2 negs and 2 neuts and over 900 pos so I don't feel that will undermine my efforts.
If anyone DOES know of other sites for antiques that may be worth considering, please let me know. Broad exposure is not as important as well-focused exposure.
