Topic: Has anyone sold a higher priced item on eBay?

[jualdeaux]

I am getting ready to sell a comparatively expensive guitar and thought that I would ask and see if anyone has any thoughts on what to do, what not to do, or just best practices.

Oh, here is the add I was planning on using.
http://my.erinet.com/~jualdeau/guitar_page/Guitar_Page.htm

Thanks.

[IndyShark]

I have not sold anything, but I have purchased quite a few things. I would suggest that you;

1. Put a reserve price in so you get at least what you want for it.
2. Let the auction run six or seven days
3. Be sure to put it in the right catagory so people can find it (spelling counts!)

[jualdeaux]

I have not sold anything, but I have purchased quite a few things. I would suggest that you;

1. Put a reserve price in so you get at least what you want for it.
2. Let the auction run six or seven days
3. Be sure to put it in the right catagory so people can find it (spelling counts!)

1. I'v ealrady decided o the reserve price and a starting bid price.
2. I plan on at least a 7-day auction.
3. I do plan on spelling the "category" correctly.

Oh, and thanks for the input.

[The Bar-Abbas Anomaly]

I have not sold anything, but I have purchased quite a few things. I would suggest that you;

1. Put a reserve price in so you get at least what you want for it.
2. Let the auction run six or seven days
3. Be sure to put it in the right catagory so people can find it (spelling counts!)

I'd disagree with this....  Find out how much similar items have sold for (Advanced search - Completed auctions) and decide if you'd be happy with selling in that range.  If not, don't bother listing it at all.  It won't sell if you put in a reserve price significantly above the average.

Put your item up for bid, use the 'Bold' feature listing for the extra $0.25 and maybe throw a buck at the 'List in Gallery'.  Make sure you have three or four nice pictures to go along with it.  Maybe list it in two catagories if it fits really well in both. 

Choose a very low starting price - About 10% of the value that the other similar items have sold for in the past.  Skip the reserve.  This will attract bidders and generate interest.  People are more likely to bid on an item that they think others like.  Then just let the market forces do their job; it'll sell for what it's worth.

[jualdeaux]

I have already done the similiar items search ans saw one go for just under $3000 and it didn't have all the original stuff with it. I just don't want it to be a slow week and let someone take it for peanuts so I am going to keep the reserve. I won't however make the reserve at the $3000 mark as that would just put people off when no one makes the reserve. I will tkae the advice about the bold and the List in Gallery though. Thanks.

[762_XC]

I agree, skip the reserve. It scares off a lot of would-be bidders.

See how the bidding is in the last few hours. You can always cancel the bids and end your auction if it's not where you want it to be.

[Dash Jones]

Hmm, I'd make ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE it's easy to find.  If other items are going for the price range you would want your item to sell for, not only list it correctly, but make sure that those who would look for it can find it.  Ebay is notorious for supplying really expensive items for cheap simply because someone didn't word it right, didn't spell right, didn't list it right, OR didn't make it so that searches for the item would turn it up easily.

Also, include how you will package and send it.  For example, I never bid on anything that doesn't explicitly state it will ship internationally, states that it can accept checks or money orders (via international money orders or such) or that don't have details on shipping and such.

[Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385]

I agree, skip the reserve. It scares off a lot of would-be bidders.

See how the bidding is in the last few hours. You can always cancel the bids and end your auction if it's not where you want it to be.

You might want to look up the info on ending auctions early. Im not sure, but I think you can only end an auction if there are no bids, reserve hasnt been met, and/or is within the the time commitment (12 or 24 hours before auction ends.

[Capt. Mike]

Should you sell it for what you want (I know your price range), use a bonded escrow to exchange the money/guitar...there have been scams and I would hate to see anyone get cheated like that.

Good Luck,

Mike

[jualdeaux]

OKay, you have brought up three good questions. shipping, money orders and escrow.

I am willing to ship it anywhere, as stated in the add, but how exactly should I do that? UPS, FEDEX? Which one is the better choice?

As for money orders, are there special international money orders or just the regular kind that I can get at my local bank? How do I know what kind to trust or which to specify?

I have heard of that famous Powerbook scam and do not want any part of that kind of thing. If I should make, or receive an offer to try something like that, how do I set it up and who would I set it up with?

Thanks.

[Capt. Mike]

Go to http://pages.ebay.com/services/index.html?ssPageName=h:h:serv:US and look around...it mentions escrow and buyer/seller protection.

Mike

[jualdeaux]

Thanks.

[Just plain old Punisher]

Get insurance for whatever you ship. Make sure you have payment verified before sending out.

Pictures! LOTS OF PICTURES! close ups too! Front/back/top/bottom/etc.

It shows the condition of the item.

[jualdeaux]

Get insurance for whatever you ship. Make sure you have payment verified before sending out.

Pictures! LOTS OF PICTURES! close ups too! Front/back/top/bottom/etc.

It shows the condition of the item.

I had planned on the insurance and payment before shipping anyway as any other than that would be stupid and asking for trouble. Did you click the link to the add? is that enough pictures?

[Just plain old Punisher]

Good!

[762_XC]

I agree, skip the reserve. It scares off a lot of would-be bidders.

See how the bidding is in the last few hours. You can always cancel the bids and end your auction if it's not where you want it to be.

You might want to look up the info on ending auctions early. Im not sure, but I think you can only end an auction if there are no bids, reserve hasnt been met, and/or is within the the time commitment (12 or 24 hours before auction ends.

If you cancel all the bids, then there are no bids on the item. 

[Capt. Mike]

I'd also watch out for low feedback people...some of them bid a price up, then don't pay off..

Mike

[Capt. Mike]

Hey...did you finally put it up for bid?  Or are you getting like me, and would regret selling any guitar?  My regret was letting my dad talk me into selling my 60's Gibson hollow body so I could by my 12 string (I love the 12 string, but Jeez...my dad didn't understand that each guitar is unique (niether does my wife, I just sneak them in and gradually introduce them  ))

I've looked on E-Bay and haven't seen anything in your price range, so I was just wondering.

Mike

[S'Raek]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3735345718&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

I don't believe that is the same one jualdeau is selling but it is a comparable as it is the same one and signed by Joe.  And the seller is looking for a pretty penny for the thing too. 

[Capt. Mike]

I didn't think that was him, since it's in PA and he's from OH, and I think he lives closer to Daytom than Pittsburg.  Thanks tho'

Mike