docadoodle
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posted on February 18, 2001 07:41:52 AM
I am mostly a buyer but sell occasionally. I recently found 3 old unframed prints that I want to sell. I know there is a market for them and they should fetch a decent price. My question for experienced sellers is, do you do better by offering these as a single lot or by listing them individually? I realize there are a lot of variables here, but I am just interested in your general experience.
Thanks
Doc
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nanastuff
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posted on February 18, 2001 07:57:04 AM
Sorry Doc, but you are right....just too many variables to try to answer your question. It really does depend on what you have. But.....
" I know there is a market for them and they should fetch a decent price." If you know this, then I would list them individually.
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abacaxi
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posted on February 18, 2001 09:02:59 AM
If they are related as a theme, sell as a lot.
If they are just three old pictures, sell separately
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nanastuff
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posted on February 18, 2001 09:22:53 AM
abacaxi...very good point.
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grumteach
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posted on February 18, 2001 09:23:27 AM
Personally, I would list them individually. Why? There are collectors of prints, and a group listing would perhaps be just as interesting to them as a listing of 3 individual prints BUT there are also people who buy individual prints because they just like them, or they fit into the decor of the home, or they are impulse bidders. A group listing will miss these people, who may not win, but will see that you get your best possible price. JMO based on my limited experience with Norman Rockwell prints.
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MemoryHole
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posted on February 18, 2001 11:04:08 AM
I have a similar problem. I have about 25 books that are all in the same series. I'm trying to decide if I could get more by selling them as a collection or individually.
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BlondeSense
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posted on February 18, 2001 12:22:41 PM
I agree with Grumteach. As a buyer I often see "lots" in which there is only one item I am interested in. Sellers may think "well, I'll start this group of three at $30.00, they are worth $10.00 a piece". But if I'm only interested in one, it's not worth the $30.00 to me. I would list them separately unless they are very closely related -such as all by the same artist, or three in a series.
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docadoodle
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posted on February 18, 2001 12:39:42 PM
Thanks to all for the input.
I should have been a bit more specific. They are all by the same artist and very similar; they appear to be hand colored photo-prints of the Grand Canyon signed KB (Kolb Brothers?). I beleive that any collector interested in one would be interested in all of them. It seems therefore, that the consensus would be to list together?
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AZGamer
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posted on February 18, 2001 12:57:16 PM
I find, in selling anything, that listing induvidually is better then a lot. Sure, collectors will want all 3. But what if Jane just wants one because "it looks pretty"? Is she going to be more likely to spend $10 for the one she likes or $30 for all 3 and only get 1 she likes?
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grumteach
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posted on February 18, 2001 02:18:53 PM
List them as you please, and I wish you all good fortune with them, but now that I actually know what you are putting up I still feel my advice is valid. I LOVE Ansel Adams and often bid on his prints BUT I do not bid on ones that are very, very similar. I am not trying to collect Ansel Adams for future profit. I just like his pictures in my predominately black and white decor. If these were Ansel Adams prints, I would pick my favorite and bid on it. Three at one blow? No bid from me because I would have no use for the other two. Again, just my opinion.
Editted to correct unbelievably poor spelling!
[ edited by grumteach on Feb 18, 2001 02:21 PM ]
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nanastuff
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posted on February 18, 2001 02:29:18 PM
I agree....I would list them seperately.
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docadoodle
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posted on February 18, 2001 03:01:13 PM
Obviously, there are good points for doing it either way, but grumteach, I think your post has convinced me to list individually. Thanks
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sparkz
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posted on February 18, 2001 05:11:51 PM
Doc,
It's very similar to a set of china. List them seperately so bidders have a chance to pick the individual items they want without having to buy the whole lot to get one item. Be sure to put a line similar to "see my other auctions for more prints by this artist". I would also follow this with an offer of a substantial discount on shipping if one person wins more than one print, if they are of a nature where it is possible to do this.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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wyo50
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posted on February 18, 2001 05:50:29 PM
MemoryHole: I saw where you debating listing books single or as a lot and running in a series. I had a box of early 1900 books, 40 of them and debated the same thing. I listed them individually and loaded up several at a time. It took me quite a bit of time for pictures to make sure the potential buyer saw every aspect. I more than made by $40 investment back. It was worth selling individually.
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digitalmaster
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posted on February 18, 2001 06:02:55 PM
I have about 200 rare pixies buttons that always sell pretty good. I am sure that if I sold them on a Dutch auction they would not sell half as good. I think Dutch auctions are not good for most things unless its something that is NOT a collectable.
Anything rare sells best individually in my experience. I would suggest that you try selling them one at a time.
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