posted on April 26, 2001 03:59:16 PM
Ok, here is the deal, my partner bought a
box of stuff at an estate sale (occup Japan)
it has been sitting here in a box. I keep putting off listing it because, I am not all that familar with it, besides it is not my taste in collecting (for me that makes the listing more difficult). NOW....he is bugging me about when I am going to get some of this listed. Ok, I have no problem describing, listing any flaws or whatever, this stuff is all ok no cracks, chips, etc. But, as far as an overall condition, some of this Occup Japan stuff just does not look to be done with much perfection, but then again it does not trip my trigger so I don't pay much attention to that type of stuff when I see it. What I am wondering if it would look ok to honestly state in the description something like: we are not too familar with these types of items and state the overall condition as good, fair or whichever it may be (I never refer to anything as excellent) and maybe direct them to the pictures for them to be the judge? Any suggestions on wording out there?? Do any of you ever end up with an item or items that your not sure of ????
posted on April 26, 2001 04:13:04 PM
I think your customers would appreciate your honesty in saying that you are not an expert on those types of items. I would just list it as good as I could with any flaws, measurements, etc and take LOTS of good pics including close-ups.
I have sold many things I was not too familiar with and put a notice in my auctions that I was not an expert in that field and I never had any problems.
posted on April 26, 2001 04:21:53 PM
I agree with EG here. Everyone appreciates honesty. If you don't know something it is refreshing to just say so.
I am in the middle of handling several items that I am no expert at selling. I have said so in these auctions and I also welcome comments and questions from the buyers. Just from doing that I have learned a lot which has helped me with the listings. Over the past few days I have had 3-4 people email me with great suggestions on what to be looking for and they are telling me what they need to know. This way I can go back into the auction with updates as I need to.
Hope that helps. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great advice here.
posted on April 26, 2001 04:27:41 PM
One of my pet peeves as a buyer is sellers who say "This item is in very good condition, please see pics".
Let me give you two examples:
1) Buyer says "This is in very good condition, please see pics", and shows one or two clear shots of the item. I will not bid.
2) Buyer says "This item does not have any chips, cracks or repairs, although there is some paint wear on the gold trim and there are a couple of glaze glitches from the manufacture process (shown in pic). This item will get my bid.
In the first example I have no idea what the back or bottom of the item looks like (damage? chips?) What one person may rate as excellent condition, I may judge as trash. Please be specific. I have a major problem with sellers who simply say "Good condition" and leave it at that.
Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now. This is just a sore spot with me.
[ edited by BlondeSense on Apr 26, 2001 04:30 PM ]
posted on April 26, 2001 04:47:32 PM
Are there any beads in the lot?
They can range from $5 to $30+ depending on the condition and rarity.
Cherry Brand in particular.
>Please be specific. I have a major problem with sellers who simply say "Good condition" and leave it at that.
Grading any collectable is subjective. If a coin where to be listed as "Good" I know what I would expect, as I have been a coin collector for quite a few years. I have shown coins to people who say "that one is in good condition", and I smile and tell them, no it's Extremly Fine condition (36 points above "good" by excepted grading standards). If I listed a coin (I don't SELL coins on ebay), I would know exactly how to discribe it, and what flaws should be pointed out. (rim nicks, bag marks, hairlines on proofs, etc). If I attempted to list china, I would be lost, and have to "wing it". But I do know, with items like both of these, that small flaws can make a big diff. in the value.
The word GOOD:
Most collectables I know much about (coins, stamps, trading cards, etc) have a grading standard that includes the word "GOOD". It is a LOW END Grade. With stamps and paper money, it is *close* to what most people would call "ragged", and allows small tears, heavy creasing, soiling, along with pin holes etc.
sylswa:
If you don't know much about what your selling, and it is a collectable that is price sensitive to condition, include good pictures from as many angles as it takes to show the whole object, do the best you can discribing it, and let 'em know your not an expert.
posted on April 26, 2001 06:46:03 PM
Thanks everyone..I had intended on stating (lack of knowledge) in some way (will have to work on the wording yet) but wanted to get advice here from the vast knowledge on this forum. I checked some auctions and could not find many descriptions stating lack of knowledge up front and I didn't want it to end up sounding tacky or dumb. When I get in the middle like this, I check and ask around and if that don't work...I tell my partner if I can't list it where I feel comfortable and honest, he can take the item do something else with it or figure out how to list, track, collect, etc this stuff himself..all by himself, that usually shuts him up (for awhile). Thanks again everyone!
posted on April 26, 2001 06:50:28 PM
Thank you Microbes for a well written post.
To further compound the problem, even in catagories where there is an accepted grading standard, there are sellers who don't have a clue but act as if they do, and it's not always obvious which are which.
[ edited by BlondeSense on Apr 26, 2001 06:55 PM ]
posted on April 26, 2001 06:56:43 PM
Hi,
I have a few books on Occupied Japan, the larger pieces (particularly tall) are more valuable. Also beware of fakes, there are many companies that apparently still stamp things with Occupied Japan though usually over the glaze so you can feel them with your finger. They generally look too good, too new. I saw some recently at an estate sale marked 'Merit' I think?! If you have a particularly interesting piece and can put up a picture I'll try to find it, I found a few of the ones I kept for myself over time.
Jay
posted on April 26, 2001 07:32:31 PM
>sellers who don't have a clue but act as if they do, and it's not always obvious which are which.
I've listed a few collectable items I didn't know much about. I told people I wasn't an expert, but I'll discribe it as best as I can, and mentioned most any flaw I could notice (probably with the wrong terminology ), and took several pictures. Had bidders email me asking questions about some aspect I hadn't thought to mention, and I've added information to the listing after answering the emails. Most of these type items, I've done ok with.
If I get my greedy little hands on something I know very little about other than it is worth good money, it doesn't stop me from putting it on ebay.
Edited to add:
>for a well written post.
Only if you overlook the spelling Gotta' start spell checking my posts.
), and took several pictures. Had bidders email me asking questions about some aspect I hadn't thought to mention, and I've added information to the listing after answering the emails. Most of these type items, I've done ok with.