flynn
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posted on January 23, 2001 06:07:30 AM
I'd like to know how many sellers actually have the experience that I do of NOT having to mess with deadbeats? I've only had 1 in the over three years I've been selling on eBay.
We sell mostly pre-1950's collectibles/antiques. I've enjoyed my selling/buying on eBay generally (with the exception of the slow times, of course).
Granted, we may not have the volume of sales, but average sale is over $50.00 for the last three years with total sales for each year around the $50,000-$60,000 range.
Angela
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flynn
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posted on January 23, 2001 06:39:48 AM
Evidently we are the only ones or the ones that don't have problems don't come to AW to post.
I would like to thank everyone here because of all the great posts and responses I've been able to make sound business decisions.
Thanx everyone.
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corrdogg
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posted on January 23, 2001 06:41:00 AM
No, Angela, you are not the only one. I think it has a great deal to do with what you sell and therefore who your customers are.
You also have to understand that there is very little inclination to come here and start a I DON’T HAVE ANY DEADBEATS! thread if you fall into that fortunate category. 
(edited because I called Angela "Stacy" by mistake - whoops! )
[ edited by corrdogg on Jan 23, 2001 06:44 AM ]
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flynn
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posted on January 23, 2001 06:51:20 AM
I guess after reading all the negative posts I was a bit too eager to start a positive one. While I value every single post because I learn so much from them, I was hoping this post would allow buyers and sellers alike that don't have the continuous problems to post those too.
Maybe it's the lack of sunshine, who knows.
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martiniswiller
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posted on January 23, 2001 09:26:39 AM
It is nice to hear some good news! That's wonderful- if all of us could only be so lucky! I thought it was a pain in the neck dealing with my deadbeat bidders until I started reading about other people's nightmare bidders! Gives you a different perspective.
So, keeping with the "Good News" topic of discussion: I have been selling on eBay (under a different name) for 2-1/2 years and have sold 800+ items and NEVER have had someone's check bounce on me. I always send the items out right away, not making my customers wait for the checks to clear, and I have never gotten burned! Amazing, isn't it?
There are a lot of wonderful bidders out there!
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jfpnatl
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posted on January 23, 2001 09:49:11 AM
I too have have a great experience selling , no bounced checks as yet, and very few deadbeats(2-3 at most) not a bad average I would say.
It is good to hear others with a more positive outlook, we all tend to focus on the more negative elements it seems. It does seem that I too tend to post the negative and look for guidance from the more experienced people here (BTW thank you for your help) It's not really that I focus on the negative elements of selling but more for a need of your experience and guidance to handle the issues that some time arise.
Its alway good to hear when things do go our way too, we all need a little encouragemnt from time to time. Thanks for your positive post and the others too as I have learned a lot from both
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mildreds
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posted on January 23, 2001 09:50:29 AM
Hi flynn. I have had probably 100 auctions close and not one dead beat. Now this month it looks like I might have 2.
I have a question unrelated to your topic. You mentioned that your average sell price is above 50.00 with pre1950 antiques and collectibles. Do you use reserves or are you a brave soul and start at a 1.00 and no reserve?
I have a shop with many pre 1950 items but I have been hesitant to list many of those without reserves. I know they will sell at some time for my asking price which is generally below book. But I have had reserve auctions end on a 45.00 item with a 12.00 bid. I couldn't afford to sell it for 12 and I don't know what the odds would be that if the reserve was not on the item it would have gotten up to 45.00?
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flynn
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posted on January 23, 2001 11:06:59 AM
Hi mildreds:
Well, I wish I could say I was one of the brave ones, but I do use reserves. From time to time I don't, but only because of one or two reasons.
Either I didn't pay a lot and I expect (and hope) the item will sell for more than I paid or I don't know the true value and sometimes will list without a reserve to let the market decide for me what it's worth.
I'm glad there are a few of us out there that have good experiences with the whole eBay thing - and I hope it continues.
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mildreds
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posted on January 23, 2001 04:21:42 PM
Gald to hear the reserves haven't stopped your auctions from getting bids.
I am not sure what to think as I have had some very nice items with reserves not getting any bids. I am getting tired of paying the reserve fee.
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flynn
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posted on January 23, 2001 04:24:07 PM
mildreds:
I too am tired of paying them, but it's still cheaper than the local auction house. eBay roughly charged me 7% whereas a local auction house would charge a minimum of 25%-30%, so I really don't mind the cost too much.
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mildreds
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posted on January 23, 2001 05:31:04 PM
I don't mind paying Ebay when an item sells, it's the ones over 50.00 where the cost is 4.00 for insertion and reserve. That starts to add up pretty quickly.
I've done pretty well with lower price items but since it is the same amount of work for a 10.00 item as a 50.00 item I would like to do more of the 50.00.
I would be listing high end items like mad if the reserve wasn't so steep. Seems to me Ebay would benefit. Guess thats beed debated to death.
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