Selling pens on eBay.

[Shangas]

As you fellows may have gathered from the title,

 

I am interested in stepping into the world of selling pens on eBay. How should I do this and what should I do? Pretend that I am a complete idiot and novice in this, because I am, and I will be extremely grateful to any and every piece of information that you can give me about any and all aspects of selling a pen successfully on eBay. From presentation, descriptions, photographs, little details, how to determine a price, how to sort out payment and how to pack pens properly for shipping and anything else that you can possibly think of.

 

Thank you.

[ruud2904]

There is very usefull page on Ebay itself where you can find general tips for selling. Look here

[Yuki Onitsura]

Spent too much at the Melbourne Pen Show, Shangas? =P

 

As far as payment goes, I'd recommend paypal because it's safe and they don't hit you with fees. I think you need about 3 pictures of the pen: 1) capped and in box, 2) uncapped, 3) closeup to show details of the nib. Other than that, the general hints and tips provided by ebay are pretty handy. Good luck Shangas!

Edited November 16, 2008 by Yuki Onitsura

[George]

I think it is much easier with the FPN marketplace using paypal.

 

George

[AllWriteNow]

Shangas

I suggest putting some up for sale here first.

Certainly a much friendlier place to cut your teeth.

 

I use a sturdy piece of PVC pipe and secure the pen inside of that.

I've had one get lost but never even a hint of damage.

 

PayPal MOST DEFINITELY CHARGES FEES! They vary and include a currency conversion charge.

Best to read the details on paypal.com

 

Good crisp pictures are a must.

I knew nothing about digital photography or heck any photography for that matter.

I was given some great advice re: settings etc by a good friend.

 

Always note in photo and description any flaws.

Buyers appreciate the "devil I know..." perspective.

 

Good Luck!

 

Steve

[Discordianist]

Oh and for some obscure reason eBay requires credit card or debit card, go figure. It's like telling people with thousands of positive feedbacks "go sell your stuff elsewhere since we don't trust you here".. Sad really.

[EventHorizon]

Sell your pens?!?!?!?!?!

Are you mad?!?!?!?!?!

 

I know there are a few here on FPN that refurbish and sell on E-Bay but the main thing for me when looking at pens on E-Bay is:

 

1) Good detailed pictures, nib included.

2) Good description of the pen and any problems.

3) If I ask a question but do not get an answer, I do not bid.

4) If a pen (or any item) has a reserve set, I do not bid (personal issue maybe)

5) Shiping needs to be fare. $10.00 to ship a pen from one state to another in the 48 seems a bit much.

6) Offer options in regards to shipping.

7) The calculate it yourself option on E-bay for shipping always seems higher than what reality is. I go to USPS web site and see what it would cost to ship from my zip code to each coast plus north and south borders then average. I do not personely try to make money on shipping.

8) What ever you sell, wrap it like it was going to the moon.

Edited November 16, 2008 by EventHorizon

[lapis]

I'll read on in this thread in a minute, I must say that I am very sorry to announce that you can't be a complete idiot and novioce if this is your 5376th post!

Seriously, thanks for this thread because I myself have never ever bought or sold via eBay. I guess my store is too good and I am too rich.

 

Mike

 

[tnmike1]

I'll read on in this thread in a minute, I must say that I am very sorry to announce that you can't be a complete idiot and novioce if this is your 5376th post!

Seriously, thanks for this thread because I myself have never ever bought or sold via eBay. I guess my store is too good and I am too rich.

 

Mike

 

I think the OP was saying he was a complete novice at selling on ebay, not a complete novice to the site

[BearsPaw]

I have sold on eBay and sold on here. I think it is significantly easier to sell pens on here, since there are no fees, you are dealing with someone who probably knows what they are doing. I would only consider eBay if I had tried selling it here for a while and it just would not sell.

[Deirdre]

1. I only use calculated shipping on eBay. You get to see exactly what the post office will charge.

2. If you want to sell on eBay US or to US customers, you must accept PayPal.

3. For international shipping, make sure you follow the guidelines for what will save your bacon on PayPal (e.g. if it's over a certain value, it needs to be signed for).

4. For international shipping, you need to declare full value to insure for full value -- or you're out the difference.

5. For international shipping, please insure!

 

I have recently had a reliable seller send two pens and a nib that never arrived, and that had to have the cost refunded.

I have also had a reliable seller have the shipping company destroy two of my pens; had they not been properly insured, the seller would have been out the money.

 

Granted, that's a very small percentage of the pens I've ordered, but in both cases it was heartbreaking.

[Shangas]

Thanks for all this stuff guys, keep it coming.

 

And I'm not selling any of my...really great pens, just some of the repair jobs that I worked on. So that perhaps others (possibly even here), can judge whether I have the makings of a pen-repairman.

[johnboz]

I'd agree with some most of the advice given so far:

 

- Take good pictures

- Make your pictures big enough that potential buyers can see what they're getting

- Be honest about any flaws the pen might have

- Don't try to make a profit on shipping! If nothing else, offering cheap shipping can really persuade a buyer.

- Only offer a "Buy It Now" option if you know what the pen is worth and someone can't get it cheaper somewhere else (there's an extra fee for the service, so beware)

- Did I mention good pictures?

- A return policy is supposed to make a difference to buyers, but I don't offer one and have never had any trouble selling my stuff

- Answer buyer questions ASAP.

- Look at other listing to get some ideas

- Look at completed listings for similar items and see if there's a connection between listing style and final sale price

- Once you sell your item, communicate with the buyer!

[Sipurahava]

Just my two cents:

 

 

I've always wanted, not just for pens but for anything, a ton of high-quality pictures.

 

 

I've seen some great deals on ebay for pens, as far as I know, but I got the standard: capped, in box; uncapped; nib close-up from the top and so didn't bid out of fear.

 

 

I would want the top, side, and bottom of the nib, (including feed if possible,) before I bought from you.

 

I would also want details of what you have repaired on the pen.

 

If it was say a Pelikan, I'd want a pic of it with the piston normal, and one with the piston fully-lowered to make sure it really works, even if I can't be sure it works smoothly.

 

Any writing samples would be a major plus.

 

 

 

 

NOTE: In no way am I suggesting you personally are not a trustworthy person. I meant the, "you," in a figurative way; and I simply look for a lot of up-front information when I buy something, nothing under the table, nothing left to my imagination that I could get from the seller, on ebay or elsewhere you know?

 

 

 

[Shangas]

By the way, guys - I understand about selling pens ALONE --- wrap up securely, PVC pipes, more padding, padded envelope etc etc...But what if you're selling other stuff WITH the pen? Like, suppose you have the pen, w/box & papers together and you want to sell the lot. How would you package the whole deal securely? I'm guessing a cardboard pen-box that's over 50 years old won't last too long going through the mail without some kind of protection.

[johnboz]

By the way, guys - I understand about selling pens ALONE --- wrap up securely, PVC pipes, more padding, padded envelope etc etc...But what if you're selling other stuff WITH the pen? Like, suppose you have the pen, w/box & papers together and you want to sell the lot. How would you package the whole deal securely? I'm guessing a cardboard pen-box that's over 50 years old won't last too long going through the mail without some kind of protection.

 

Lots of bubble wrap and peanuts!

 

If the box can be broken down to lay flat (cardboard box), that's the most secure way to ship, but not always good for old cardboard. The best bet is to wrap everything securely with bubble wrap and then fill the box around it with peanuts. Almost anything will arrive safely when shipped that way. Oh, and don't ship the pen inside of the pen box without first securing it! I've used bubble wrap to fill any space inside the pen box and then wrapped the box tightly with more bubble wrap to keep it shut.