The document provides 7 tips for selling expensive collectibles such as glass figurines on eBay:
1. Set a reserve price that is the lowest you will accept and start the bidding very low to attract buyers, even if it seems absurdly low.
2. Explain in detail how the item will be carefully packed to prevent damage during shipping.
3. Insist that buyers pay for appropriate insurance to protect both parties.
4. Emphasize any proof of authenticity such as markings, original packaging, or certificates.
5. Do not offer guarantees except stating the seller is being truthful, as buyers know what they are purchasing.
6. Offer an escrow service option for very expensive items
Ebay Selling Secrets - Live And Learn While You Give And Earn
7 Tips for Selling Expensive Collectibles On eBay
1. 7 Tips for Selling Expensive
Collectibles On eBay
2. Recently, a friend asked me to help her brother sell his
collection on Lladro glass figurines on eBay. These are
expensive glass collectibles and I knew nothing about
them - but I don't have to. The principles for selling
expensive collectibles on eBay are the same, regardless of
what is being sold.
3. Obviously, like any eBay auction, the seller must have a
powerful listing with great pictures. This is always true
regardless of what the merchandise is. Expensive
collectibles offer splendid opportunities, but also need
special precautions.
4. 1. Price: decide the lowest amount you will accept for
each figurine and set that price as a reserve. Then make
your opening bid absurdly low - yes, absurdly.
5. Example: if you will accept $1,000 - make your opening bid
$25. There is no risk in this, because you don't have to sell
unless the bidding reaches $1000, but the low price
attracts buyers, (assuming there is demand, of course).
6. Looking at completed eBay auctions allows us to track
prices, Again and again we learn that starting the price
where the seller hopes it will end is not a wise tactic.
7. For instance, a seller wants to get $750 for his figurine. An
opening bid of $750 won't attract nearly as many buyers
as an opening bid of $25 and - surprisingly - the lower bid
almost always gets higher prices. There is some
psychology at work with the cheap price. It may not make
logical sense, but it's the reality of life on eBay.
8. 2. Devote space in your auction listing explaining how you
will pack your item to ensure safe transit. This is critically
important because in the back of every buyer's mind is the
dread of receiving a package that rattles. A collectibles
buyer will inevitably be thinking of the hassle she will
have to go through - and the possible loss of purchase
price - if her item is broken. She needs to know that the
seller has carefully considered this issue and has a
solution.
9. 3. For the protection of both of you, insist that the buyer
pay for appropriate insurance. Don't allow this to be an
option. You definitely do not want the liability of a broken
collectible that costs hundreds of dollars. In fact, if a
customer objects to paying for insurance, this might
possibly be a red flag. A genuine collector is very eager to
add to her collection and wants her figurine to be
protected.
10. 4. We can safely assume that every Internet buyer has
heard stories of fraud on eBay and elsewhere on the Net.
Therefore, anything you can do to prove the authenticity
of your collectible is well worth your time. Is there a
marking on the bottom? Do you have the original box or
other container? Does it have a label? Is there a certificate
of authenticity or an appraisal by a respected
organization? If the answer to any of these is "yes", then
be certain to emphasize your authenticity in your auction.
Taking pictures of your proof is especially effective.
11. 5. I don't suggest offering a guarantee except in the most
general way - that is, you, the seller, are telling the truth
about the product. Anyone bidding on a collectible is
knowledgeable and therefore they know what they're
buying so there should be no reason for a return. If
someone expresses dissatisfaction and mails your
merchandise back, there is every likelihood of it being
broken. You do not want the hassle of trying to collect on
broken merchandise or putting yourself into a litigious
situation with someone who refuses to believe that the
collectible was broken via return shipping.
12. Also, you don't want to take a loss on your eBay fees,
which might be substantial if the price is high.
13. 6. With a really expensive item, always offer the option of
an escrow service - at the buyer's expense, of course. They
may not take want this service, but make certain they
have the option. You, of course, know that your
merchandise is legitimate, but the buyer isn't so certain.
eBay recommends an escrow service that is available to all
members.
14. 7. If you're willing to ship worldwide, you need to take
special steps to protect yourself. In the US we have AVS
(Address Verification System) which offers some
protection. A very large portion of the fraud suffered by
buyers occurs outside the United States and you are
justified in protecting yourself. Losing the purchase price
on a $5 item isn't such a big deal - but a $1,000 collectible
absolutely does matter.
15. Your bank can advise you on the time it will take to verify
foreign funds. Be certain to let any prospective buyer
know in your auction that there will be a delay if they are
outside of your country. Do not let your merchandise out
of your hands until you are sure!
16. If you follow these 'rules', the chances of selling your
expensive collectibles at the highest possible prices will be
greatly increased.
