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.