Helpz! I'm drowning in eBay!

[blueerica]

OK, well not drowning, but I'm trying to figure out some handy solutions to some eBay selling that I'm looking to do. I have a handful of miscellaneous collectibles that I'm putting out on the block on behalf of myself and my grandmother.

Some items are so random that I don't even know what they're worth, such as old games from the 50s and 60s that have seen some loving play... Where would I find such a "value"?


I also have ~ 40 (likely more, I have to go through them) Sports Illustrated magazines from 1979 - 1981/1982. They're not in mint condition but have been kept well with the exception of a couple that were at the top of the box. Should I sell them by bulk? Are they worth anything with an address label on it? Should I be picking them out for certain issues? Any clues?

There are other miscellaneous items I'll be putting up, but I think that my biggest questions are above. Also, any tips from anyone who might have done this before to get rid of stuff would be a life-saver.

[katiesue]

I sold a bunch of my Dad's Sports Illustrateds - he had the whole first year plus some. I just did it as a lot. I'm sure some where more valuable than others but I'd guess a collector of them would know this and buy the whole lot anyway. Not sure about labels - mine had some but they were older.

FYI - 30ish years of Model Railroader aren't worth anything, regardless of my mother's view that "somoene" would want them.

[Tref]

Sports Illustrateds from that era have no value.

To get the pricing for the other items is simple -- go to Ebay, sign in, go to Advanced Search, click on Completed Listings Only and type in the item you have in the Search field. You'll get a rough idea of how that item has been selling for the last two weeks.

Start everything low (Ebay will take a smaller percentage from the total) and do not expect to get rich.

Good luck

[Cadaverous Pallor]

What Tref said. A completed listings search will tell you exactly what you stuff is "worth".

[mousepod]

Keep in mind that eBay can be a PITA, particularly if the stuff you're selling isn't going to make a lot of money. For some of the less valuable items, I'd seriously consider freecycling.

[Kevy Baby]

FYI - 30ish years of Model Railroader aren't worth anything, regardless of my mother's view that "somoene" would want them.They are worth something to someone in recycling. But not much unless you have several tons worth.

Keep in mind that eBay can be a PITA, particularly if the stuff you're selling isn't going to make a lot of money. For some of the less valuable items, I'd seriously consider freecycling.Or Craig's List (though I haven't used it myself).

[Morrigoon]

re: those old SPorts Illustrateds... I would thumb through them for celebs who are pictured within them and market them that way, in case a fan/collector would be interested.

[RStar]

re: those old SPorts Illustrateds... I would thumb through them for celebs who are pictured within them and market them that way, in case a fan/collector would be interested.

Great point, marketing is very important.

Also, great pictures as well.

Try searching the web first, see whats out there and how it's marketed, as well as what it's worth. When you dig up some history on the subject you can play it out for all it's worth. Cut and paste some of it into your auction, but only a little. You don't want to steal someone's intalectual property you know. And defenatly don't copy another eBay auction. That will get it shut down.

Then go to eBay, and see what the item is selling for. Right now eBay is having a "sale" of their listing fees. List the item for $9.99 or less, and use a gallery picture for 35 cents, and there are no listing fees. Just the 35 cents for the gallery picture, which I find crutail to success. All the extras over that are just a waste of money (unless you have 5 or 6 pictures, then get the picture pack for $1.00). Keep in mind they will still charge Final Value fee based on how much it sells for, and PayPal will take a cut (PayPal seems to be they best way to go, at least for me).

[Kevy Baby]

One thing I have seen many sellers use is a high "shipping" cost ($10.00 shipping on a $3.00 item that I know only cost $4.00 to mail). I don't know what eBay charges their commission on, but I have always suspected that it is on the sale price and not shipping, so sellers use this to manipulate what they have to pay eBay (as well as other reasons).

Make sure you know actual shipping cost before the auction. Shipping a magazine collection will get pricey.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

One thing I have seen many sellers use is a high "shipping" cost ($10.00 shipping on a $3.00 item that I know only cost $4.00 to mail). I don't know what eBay charges their commission on, but I have always suspected that it is on the sale price and not shipping, so sellers use this to manipulate what they have to pay eBay (as well as other reasons).

Make sure you know actual shipping cost before the auction. Shipping a magazine collection will get pricey.The other side to this is that there used to be no specific spot to put the shipping costs. I was glad when eBay programmed in a place to put the shipping that kept it near the current bid or buy it now price. Now it's hard to miss the shipping.

[BarTopDancer]

One thing I have seen many sellers use is a high "shipping" cost ($10.00 shipping on a $3.00 item that I know only cost $4.00 to mail). I don't know what eBay charges their commission on, but I have always suspected that it is on the sale price and not shipping, so sellers use this to manipulate what they have to pay eBay (as well as other reasons).

Ebay is on the prowl for inappropriate shipping now. It is against ebay policy to circumvent the final value fee, and the high shipping cost is a way to do just that. Also, more and more buyers are shying away from the inappropriately high shipping costs to sellers who start higher and charge reasonable shipping.

Make sure you know actual shipping cost before the auction. Shipping a magazine collection will get pricey.

USPS flat rate boxes and envelopes will be your best bet. The materials are free, you can print your postage via PayPal/USPS and you get free tracking and delivery confirmation which is critical when using PayPal. If the buyer says they didn't get the item, and you have no tracking, you are screwed. If the buyer says they didn't get the item, and the USPS shows it as delivered you'll be fine.

[mousepod]

Another point is that magazines, even old ones, can't be sent "media mail", because they contain advertisements. If you want to estimate shipping, try "parcel post".

[blueerica]

Another point is that magazines, even old ones, can't be sent "media mail", because they contain advertisements. If you want to estimate shipping, try "parcel post".

OOoh, interesting...