paloma91
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posted on November 17, 2003 02:16:35 PM new
I have done it again. I get myself to this place more often lately than ever before. I usually sell whatever my son and I aren't using anymore. These things sell most of the time without any repeat listings except for lately (I don't do clothes) The toys, games, computer software all sell at reasonable prices. Now for the antques and collectibles: I have a day off and I am trying to list. After intense research, I am ready to list the items I have successfully found info on. Check for comparable items on ebay. See what's selling HUMMMMm there are a few like mine that have sold but the prices are kind of low. REAL LOW Go to Tias or rubylane and these prices are 10 times more! Their fees are more and to me, seems like they are geared for a high volume, high end seller, which I am not. I don't have that many items to sell that are "high end"
Now, I am not asking for any of your secrets (I know you will have to kill me if you tell me and I truly value my life - grin) but where do I go from here? It's like I am at the cross roads or something. Been here before, more times than I would like. Please don't say consignment, there are too many around here. More sellers than buyers. I think I need to do this online. It is VERY frustrating. Just point a finger in one direction or the other and I will take it from there.
I am posting this out of frustration. I really really need the money but I almost ready to call goodwill to come pick it all up. Do I sound stressed??!!! YEP Thanks for letting me spout off.
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Damariscotta
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posted on November 17, 2003 03:17:20 PM new
>>REAL LOW Go to Tias or rubylane and these prices are 10 times more!>>
Are these asking prices or actual sales? If they are actually selling, then the higher fees are a worthwhile investment.
If your items are not really desirable collector items, you may do better off-eBay at a flea market, where there may be more impulse purchasers. But don't get your hopes up too much - the only places doing well in antiques today are auctions where the merchandise is good and new to market. Anything else is dead, show exhibitors are dropping like flies, and I don't think there is a group shop anywhere that doesn't have space available for rent.
You put your finger on it - more sellers than buyers right now.
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neroter12
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posted on November 17, 2003 03:38:23 PM new
Paloma, I feel your grief.
I think all you can do is try to list and see what happens. If your gonna give it to good will anyway, well, at least you gave it your last shot. Maybe not do gallery in your listings and try to make a few bucks on the shipping.
Sometimes I wonder if Ruby Lane and other bigger better websites are the only ones doing the buying (at low prices  because they can afford to stock and list, and wait for the customers to come along.
I just sold something I am almost sure that is going to be resold and they probably will double their money on it. But so it goes. Thats what being smart is about. One step ahead of the small fry ). Don't you think replacements.com buys stuff from sellers on ebay?? Maybe they will be interested in some of the things you have?
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stopwhining
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posted on November 17, 2003 04:07:55 PM new
i used to have a shop on rubylane.
i drover traffic from ebay to rubylane and the bidder will pick up a few more items from my rubylane shop.
that was the go go days of online shopping.
i never sell any big ticket item on rubylane,may be just one order.
most rubylane shops drop items to ebay and then marked it sold leaving the shop price tag there,giving people the impression they were sold for the listed price on rubylane.
i know the price they fetch on ebay is a lot less,repeat a lot less than what they were asking for in their shop.
i guess this is true on TIAS as well.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
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rarriffle
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posted on November 17, 2003 04:08:54 PM new
what you might want to do is hold on to those items that are selling low, next week might be different. collectors are very finicky and those specific items may just be in a slump right now.
when I have an item like that, I check back every couple of weeks until I see the price going up, then I list it.
there are many other factors too. say you have a McCoy pottery vase that you know should sell well, but the prices are low on ebay. then a vase similar to yours is showcased on one of the many collector shows such as Flea Market Finds or Collector Inspector. that week prices will most definitely rise on those items.
Life is only as good or bad as you make it.
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paloma91
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posted on November 17, 2003 05:56:48 PM new
What wonderful advise you all have given me. Thanks so much. You all verified what I thought but wasn't feeling and didnt want to know I guess. It has been a stressful day. Thanks so much for being here. I really appreciate the support.
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neroter12
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posted on November 17, 2003 06:44:05 PM new
Stop, maybe there will be a resurgance in online shopping.
I am not usually the overly optimistic type, but somehow I feel its coming around again.
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lindajean
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posted on November 17, 2003 07:00:05 PM new
I agree with rarriffle. I would hold onto them and see what next week or month brings.
Collectibles are like most other items. Everything has cycles, and what I can't give away this week (or sell for minimum bids) will bring in triple that 3 months from now.
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stopwhining
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posted on November 17, 2003 07:04:43 PM new
people may feel good again to buy,bidding on ebay is addictive,getting emails and getting packages are addictive.
i doubt the mania of bidding anything everything to the moon is coming back,bidders are more sanguine over prices and more selective.
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
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paloma91
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posted on November 17, 2003 10:55:21 PM new
(Big Heavy Sigh) I really feel so much better. I have a game plan now thanks to you. You all are like a breath of fresh air. I'll hold onto the really good stuff. (About one - 2 boxes worth) and sell the rest of the stuff. I'll see what happens in the near future. Yep, that ought to do it. I'll wait 'til it gets closer to the holidays or maybe after new years. I remember the buying frenzy after new years last year. I'll focus on the fast moving stuff. thanks again everyone!!!
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Roadsmith
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posted on November 17, 2003 11:21:10 PM new
Paloma, another thought or two: I know how you feel, researching and seeing things not selling or selling for peanuts. I've gone ahead lately on occasion and listed anyway, making sure I had a good title and good pictures, and I've seen things sell for double or triple what others were getting for similar items. We folks in collectibles work at least twice as hard, I think, as widget sellers because of all the research we have to do first and because everything we sell is unique. I can go for months not selling in the same sub-sub-sub-cateory in collectibles. We don't have a lot of opportunity to use what we've learned again soon enough to embed it in our heads, I think.
I have a few really fine pieces I'm saving for some future golden month when everything sells well (when, oh Lord, will that be??) and until then I'm just continuing to do my best. My sales have picked up nicely this fall. You'll be fine!
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
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sparkz
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posted on November 17, 2003 11:53:26 PM new
Paloma..
Ditto what Roadsmith just said. Collectables are cyclical in nature and can be very seasonal. I have items that I will only list at Christmas or on Mother's or Fathers day. Other items are hot sellers during the otherwise slow summer months. I have had three items in the last 30 days that closed without bids and relisted and had bidding wars that drove the prices higher than I ever expected. Research into the going prices on Ebay this week for a certain item doesn't always have any relevance to what they will go for 30 days from now. You need to put yourself into the bidders shoes and try to ascertain when and under what circumstances you would be interested in purchasing that item. Of course a crystal ball and ouija board helps also
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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paloma91
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posted on November 18, 2003 08:51:54 AM new
I see what you mean about collectables are cyclical. I found that out with beanie babies a few years ago. My concern was the antiques. I do have some pretty good pieces that I see are getting zip on ebay. There are some sterling silver items and turn of the century china that I am holding onto until I can find a market for them. I don't have alot, just a box or two so holding onto them for the time being is ok.
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kiara
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posted on November 18, 2003 09:34:36 AM new
I don't want to sound insensitive but many of the things that you think are "pretty good" may not be all that special to collectors.
I've said before that the world of antiques and collectibles takes a lot of study and years of knowledge. Though some items may look desirable to you, there may be so many of them out there that no one is buying them.
Some can jump into this market and be successful because they have the knack of buying the right items, but for others it can be frustrating because they lack the knowledge of what they are buying and what does sell.
My best advice is to go to local shops and flea markets and see what is out there. You will find tables and shelves of pretty things that no one wants. Also spend time on ebay checking auctions and compare the items to what you have.
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paloma91
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posted on November 18, 2003 09:45:47 AM new
Kiara, Thanks. You are absolutely right. That's why I don't have too many of them. I don't know that much about them and it will take time and study. Which I do all the time. Many trips to the library, many trips to the sntique stores and flea markets. I am learning but by no means an expert.
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kiara
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posted on November 18, 2003 10:55:12 AM new
Paloma, I doubt anyone can be an expert unless they specialize in just one type of item. The antiques field encompasses way too many items for anyone to know it all.
After many years of buying and selling, most dealers get a feeling of what is trash and treasure and what market is best for reselling the items they acquire. But they still make mistakes.
Research is much easier now with the internet.
Good luck with your sales.
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paloma91
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posted on November 18, 2003 11:25:01 AM new
Kiara, Oh Good! I don't feel so bad then. I know something about a few areas of antiques & collectables but not many. Most of the antique "stuff" I am trying to sell was my grandmothers or her mothers. The other "stuff" I picked up was just to get my feet wet or wetter. Actually I am knee Deep right now (GRIN) Since my son is still sick I have another day to List (Whoopee!) Most of items I have listed (97%) are all games and things from myself and my son.
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