New to Classifieds

[SciAggie]

The “Terminology in the Classifieds” thread is the genesis for this thread. What advice would you give to someone new to the classifieds? It almost seems like a chicken and the egg dilemma; buyers want feedback on a seller, but a seller can’t accumulate positive feedback without sales.

I am new to this forum and to online forums in general. I have been a happy dad with a camera enjoying my photography for many years. I was a yearbook photographer in high school. I had my own darkroom at home. Later with children I entered the digital world. I live in a small community and work in education. I share pictures with the school yearbook and share with the local newspaper. Recently, a co-worker of mine became the executor of a relative’s estate. This relative was an avid photographer and I was able to acquire his rangefinder and DSLR gear. I want to keep some of the gear and sell the equipment I don’t want.

I am not a trader. I have never sold on e-bay or elsewhere. What advice can you offer to avoid newbie mistakes?

 

[Brian Legge]

Know your prices and condition. Easiest way I've found is to search ebays completed sales to get a sense of what items successfully sell for (and in what condition).

From there, it depends on the price of the items you are selling. Frankly, if you can sell locally, I'd take that route first. Craigslist or other such places are good ways to list items. Less hassle as long as people pay with cash and can check items out in person.

From there, it depends on what sort of price range you're selling items at. Under $200 or so, I haven't had many problems on ebay or RFF/APUG. Anything much beyond that price I personally would have a hard time buying or selling for fear of complications. Obviously that doesn't stop most people here. 😉 I can't offer any advice on higher end gear as a result though.

If you're main interest is a smooth transaction, ship only places where you can have tracking, delivery confirmation, etc to insure the buyer gets the item.

 

[back alley]

if the prices are good many potential buyers will take a chance on a new seller.

personally, i prefer to stick with a known member for more expensive gear but if it's a low ticket item at a good price i will give a newbie a try.

 

[splitimageview]

We all were newbies once. 🙂

 

[SciAggie]

Thanks for the responses.

I guess my question relates to how to become a "know member". Some of the gear I plan to sell is less expensive, but some is not. I plan to advertise on Craigslist, but frankly, my community is not far away from "the middle of nowhere". I know I will reach a larger pool of buyers online.

I have been watching forums like fredmiranda to get a feel for value.

 

[filmtwit]

For me, it's all in the details. The more a seller can detail about the item and not make me guess, the better. Some sellers use the KEH scale or a similar 1-4 rating, but in all honest I'd rather hear read about dings and lose vulcanate since a scale is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[sanmich]

I would propose to sell progressively, starting with low $ items and gaining the confidence of people around here before trying to sell a Ti M9 as a newbie...

 

[Greyscale]

Describe your items in detail, and be honest about any flaws or potential maintenance issues. It's better to be overly descriptive than to leave a potential buyer guessing. Include good, clear photos of the items that you are selling. And, in the rare case when a buyer does have a problem with a purchase, deal with it promptly and fairly.

 

[jja]

ScieAggie, welcome to the forum from a fellow Texan. Where do you teach? I'm also an educator, at an Agg school 🙂.

You have gotten some very good advice about building a reputation on this site. RE: craigslist: I have experience w/ craigslist Austin, which is probably the most active craigslist in Texas, and I really see it as a buyer's market. I have found some good deals on photo equipment there, but I'm not sure I would use it to sell analog equipment, unless I was looking to unload stuff cheaply (craigslist is surprisingly good for selling/buying furniture, but that's another story).

You have found a good place to sell and make contacts, good luck getting started.

 

[apodeictic]

I'd echo the above. Lots of detail will get your items sold quickly, rather than trying to deal with pm's about condition, shipping, etc. Just put lots of time into making your ad to save yourself the headache later.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks for the responses.

I guess my question relates to how to become a "know member"

Spend some time here in the forums--not just the classifieds.

When you do list things, be very easy to find when you are dealing with buyers--I don't put it in my ads but I do give buyers my complete contact info when we are working out a deal. I want the buyer to be assured that I am not simply going to take their money and then disappear.

Share some photos with us!

elcome aboard,
Rob

 

[jmcd]

Pack the gear you sell for a safe journey—at least a couple of wraps of bubble wrap, and suspend in peanuts with at least two inches to the sides, top, and bottom of the box. During shipping the box of gear will be thrown, dropped, and subjected to intense and prolonged vibration. Large air bag bubbles allow items to shift, usually to the bottom of the box.

Insure the packages you sell, and ship with a tracking number that shows that a package has been delivered, with a signature required for pricey items.

 

[SciAggie]

Thanks fo the welcome Rob. I have a whopping 4 pictures in my gallery. Here is our "third child"

I have a zenfolio account at http://strickspics.zenfolio.com

 

[jmcd]

In my personal experience selling on this forum, about 1 in 5 people actually leave feedback after a transaction.