Selling Pens: Fpn Classifieds Or Ebay?

[cellmatrix]

Greetings FPN community. At some point I'm looking to thin the herd, and wondered whether it's better, from an individual sellers perspective, to go with the FPN classifieds, and/or other forums such as FP geeks, or to put the pens on eBay, or some sequence/combination? I'm looking to get a good selling price but also to avoid headaches and get the pens into the hands of folks that would appreciate them. Pens in question range from less than $50 to over $500. I know a lot of you are very experienced at this so I welcome your advice. Thank you.

Edited February 18, 2015 by cellmatrix

[Wolverine1]

Classifieds if you want to make sure that pens will end up in the hands of someone who will buy them and treat them with respect. EBay, if you want to make a quick sale, or if you want to get the maximum possible for each pen.

[sargetalon]

eBay has a lot of fees that erode into your profit. That has been my biggest issue with it in addition to the fact that all of the protections are on the buyers side and none on the sellers. While any forum can have bad business dealings, I have seen a higher incidence of this on the auction site.

FPN and like forums probably won't offer you the maximal price possible but you are dealing with dedicated pen collectors/users. There are less fees to be concerned about.

 

My personal take is that I always like to offer pens first here on FPN and give them 2-3 weeks to breathe. If there is no movement, I will try a cycle on eBay and if that doesn't result in a sale, will then first consider lowering my price here on FPN and then relist the auction.

[rochester21]

Sargetalon is right, ebay can be quite expensive, and if the price is right, you might have better odds of making a fast sale on FPN, rather than ebay.

Edited February 18, 2015 by rochester21

[zaddick]

I think in your range, pens will sell faster here if they are "popular" but you give up the upside of some random folks getting in a bidding war.

 

I prefer to sell here as folks are fellow enthusiasts and, so far, are honest. Plus, it does matter to me that you get more interaction here and continue to see the people "around" after they bought your pen. I have never had that desire/option with ebay.

[cellmatrix]

Based on your collective advice, I'll give FPN classifieds a go. Thanks to you all!

[FarmBoy]

Why not go to a pen club meeting or a pen posse and sell direct?

 

I note you are in Woodside CA. You have the Pan Pacific Pen Club and the very active Pen Posse that meets near SFO. (Next meeting is Sunday at Peter's Cafe in Millbrae, 1 PM) There is also a pen group at Stanford but they meet infrequently. There are also several collectors in the greater SF Bay area that would/could/might take the entire collection.

 

Just few more options.

[French]

I agree with Sargetalon and others. I usually start here, if nothing happens within a few weeks, I may move to eBay. If nothing happens there, I come back here with a lower price. In general, if I'm selling a pen it is because I'm not using it, and I want it to go to a home where it will be used.

 

French

[cellmatrix]

Why not go to a pen club meeting or a pen posse and sell direct?

 

I note you are in Woodside CA. You have the Pan Pacific Pen Club and the very active Pen Posse that meets near SFO. (Next meeting is Sunday at Peter's Cafe in Millbrae, 1 PM) There is also a pen group at Stanford but they meet infrequently. There are also several collectors in the greater SF Bay area that would/could/might take the entire collection.

 

Just few more options.

That's a great idea, I've been meaning to check out these meetings and don't live far away from Peters cafe.

[FarmBoy]

That's a great idea, I've been meaning to check out these meetings and don't live far away from Peters cafe.

Hope to see you Sunday. 1 PM until ?? but at least 4 or 5 sometimes dinner.

 

I'll have the case that says "HAY SEEDs" on the left side.

[OcalaFlGuy]

A thought provoking question.

 

They are two dramatically different sales venues.

 

FPN is the Ron Popeil pen sales oven, set it and forget it. Do a good listing for a decent pen and it's likely to sell for "market price" in a reasonable amount of time. No fees other than Paypal if you have a heart of granite and don't kick in a couple Drachma to FPN after your sale.

 

In comparison, Fleabay is the playing mumbly peg of pen sales.

 

A top notch listing with Good pics is nearly a must. You have no idea if the bidder with deep pockets and the attraction to SHINY knows a Parker 75 Ciselle from a garden trowel. You should be more basic and explanatory with your description to account for the likely pen ignernt audience.

 

It can be a prolonged butt clinch experience when the 15 people watching your listing are all educated Fleabayers and are waiting until the bitter end to bid.

 

Some days really decent pens go for not near what they should.

 

The next day two bidders with SHINYitis who's lives will end if they don't win that pen, will attempt to beat each other to death with their Paypal accounts. And the seller smiles.

 

Until Fleabay takes their 10% (at least,) then there's the 3-4% Paypal fee.

 

It's like American football. On Any given day ANYTHING can happen.

 

I think you are more likely to list on Fleabay if you're also a successful pen Buyer on Fleabay. They complement each other.

 

You pays your money, you takes your chances.

 

[EDIT] Fleabay also makes it somewhat of a pain to deal with foreign buyers, that's not so with FPN.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited February 21, 2015 by OcalaFlGuy

[Cryptos]

Neither are without downsides. I guess it really depends on which downside you are happy to live with should it happen.

 

I sold a pen on the classifieds and it went for what I asked (which was a fair price for both me and the buyer), I've listed others that haven't garnered the slightest interest beyond one or two inquiries to sell well below a fair price. On eBay I recently sold a really nice fully restored Skyline with a semi flex nib and only got $32 - and I offered fixed shipping worldwide. Factor in the fees as Mr Ocala says and well, you can imagine I was not best pleased.

 

There's also some highly dubious practices that happen on eBay that generally don't apply to the classifieds.

[Tberry010]

This may not be exactly on point, but one of the options FPN adds to the mix is the ability to swap pens and other items. It never hurts to ask and unless a seller here says no trades considered I will contact them if I have something I think may be of interest and in the same price range.

 

So far I have had a few trades work out and a few 'no thanks' but no one has been ugly about my contact.

[cellmatrix]

Bruce, Tube and TBerry, thanks a lot for your advice, especially Bruce for the detailed eBay insights

 

Farmboy, thank you so much for the kind hospitality. This sunday I gotta work, but I do look forward to visiting the posse soon.

[Blue_Moon]

Same scenario - I'm trying to lose some pen weight, and slim down to fewer pens. And I'm having the same debate with myself about the Classifieds vs. eBay. I'll probably go with the Classifieds with all but one, which I haven't made up my mind. I've got a TWSBI Micarta that I'm thinking of selling. I'm thinking I could get what I asked for - a fair price - in the Classifieds. Or I could list it on eBay, and since it's discontinued, some may get into a bidding war and run the price up. However, my fear is that it may flop, and I might kick myself, because I know I could get what I asked for in the Classifieds. I'll have to ponder it a bit longer.

[OcalaFlGuy]

One point remembered.

 

I think most FPN buyers are happy with their purchases and you'll often see them Showing and Telling their new pens. Whee!

 

I've found some non-FPNer Fleabay buyers to be just as appreciative of their new pens. I have a Thank You email from a mother

for the Estie her 15 year old daughter bid on, using Mom's account, daughter's money, and won. Mom was very happy to see her daughter so happy. Enough so, that Mom was thinking about a pen.

 

That's the way it's supposed to work.

 

Then I've had what appeared to be 2 genial buyers of Very Nice pens not even leave Any feedback. That's a bit irksome.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Cryptos]

I'll second that, albeit from vastly inferior experience to Bruce's. I sold an item on eBay, had a nice message sent to say the buyer was very happy but got no official feedback (it was my first sale so I was a bit sad that I didn't get some stars).

 

 

Edit: generally ignore my comments and listen to Bruce. He has been around longer than me. A lot longer

Edited February 21, 2015 by Cardboard_Tube

[Barkingpig]

And yet I only purchase from Ebay & am amazed that from paying IMMEDIATELY after winning the auction & leaving positive feedback sometimes receive NONE from the seller! The first time I noticed it I had purchased a $350. pen, waited two weeks & then emailed the seller to inquire if "as a person with limited feedback" I wanted to know if I had been remiss in some way to cause them to NOT supply feedback. No reply.........so it is NOT just buyers who ignore the system in place to promote confidence in Ebay.

It doesn't surprise me when I read so many posts who say "they just wouldn't trust a purchase from Ebay." I have used it as a "site of purchase" for six years total. I have only had 2 transactions that were not satisfactory for me & one of those was probably my fault for not asking the proper questions. I have made in excess of 500 purchases & only 1or 2 were displeasing? I certainly think it has been a "buyer's market" for me. Never sold anything so I can't comment on that.

[I like mango cheesecake]

I stopped selling on eBay long ago and am now a buyer. I'm one of those watchers that bid in the last 2 seconds.

I'll sell on dedicated fp forums or other dedicated hobby forums.

[D.C. in PA]

I really have no horse in this race - that is to say that I don't sell, except for a very few maneuvers with folks with whom I have personal relationships. But I buy, both on the Board and the Bay, so my perspective here is strictly form a purchaser's standpoint.

 

I prefer to purchase from the FPN classifieds. Generally I know who I'm dealing with and have a sense of how the sellers price their offerings. Most have posted here for some time, and I gravitate to those names I recognize.

 

Not surprisingly, my eBay experience parallels my Board activity. Initially I was dealing with unknowns. Those who came through with great pens (notice that I did not say great deals) attracted my repeated attention. I now deal with several trusted sellers on the Bay, occasionally trying someone new. The quality of the transaction(s) dictates whether the new acquaintance makes the 'trusted' list.

 

In the end I agree with several who have posted here previously; start with the Board, move to eBay if needed, but know that you may not be successful (get what you feel is fair or meet your reserve) there and may have to adjust the price or expectation.

 

The point of my post is this - once you begin to sell, the nature of your interactions with others will determine how the dedicated community (who are willing to pay proper money for pens) will view your offerings over time, in either venue. The posts above provide good guidance.

 

D.C.