Selling on ebay: pitfalls?

[Retro-Grouch]

Three little letters: KEH. No, you won't get anywhere near what you might make on eBay, but they are honest and reliable, and totally risk-free. For me, it's worth making less on the sale. What's the price of endless aggravation?
Sorry, but this isn't much help if you're in Oz with DownUnder. But the principle remains the same.

 

[sojournerphoto]

And in the UK - Ffordes or MPB seem fine - plus there’s often a local shop or two and then also Wex and LCE.

I currently have 3 very low value items on the auction site but only because it’s easy

 

[DownUnder]

Three little letters: KEH. No, you won't get anywhere near what you might make on eBay, but they are honest and reliable, and totally risk-free. For me, it's worth making less on the sale. What's the price of endless aggravation?
Sorry, but this isn't much help if you're in Oz with DownUnder. But the principle remains the same.

Yeh. It's comforting to know great minds think alike... 👍

Something I intended to mention before. When selling photo items worth more than a few dollars on Ebay, take photos of the item AND the packing process. They will be useful to you if you ever have to prove a sold item was as you listed it.

A few years ago a buyer bought an old Hasselblad prism with a meter (still working), the metal showing its advanced age but with the glass in fine condition. I packaged it for posting with several layers of bubble wrap and put it in a Ryvita crisp bread box (which fitted it perfectly)I and also bubble wrapped. the outside of the box The item was shipped via Australia Post. Fortunately, I took a series of photos of the packing as well as the item.

The buyer complained to Ebay that the glass had a fine scratch on it. He also whined about the "biscuit box" I used for packing. Didn't bother to mention the several layers of bubble wrap and the meter of strong tape I also used. Made all the predictable threats about negative feedback and wanted a partial refund. Huh huh huh.

As it was, the post office had opened the packet and then sent it on to the buyer with a note saying the item was inspected for damage. Odd of them to do that, I thought. So I queried my local postmaster who opined that the packet had "probably" been damaged during transit or at the mail sorting center. I related all this to the buyer and to Ebay along with several photos. Ebay ruled in my favor, so it ended well for me.

It may have helped my case that he (buyer) was known for complaining in his feedback about items he bought. Also annoying to me, as he paid the grand sum of AUD $55 for the item...

Anyway, yet another reason for me to avoid Ebay like the plague. Dogs and fleas. Once bitten, forever shy.

 

[Freakscene]

Yeh. It's comforting to know great minds think alike... 👍

Something I intended to mention before, but forgot. When selling photo items worth a reasonable amount on Ebay, take photos of the item and the packing process. They will be useful to you if you ever have to prove a sold item was as you listed it.

A few years ago a buyer bought an old Hasselblad prism with a meter (still working), the metal showing its advanced age but with the glass in fine condition. I packaged it for posting with several layers of bubble wrap and put it in a Ryvita crisp bread box (which fitted it perfectly)I and also bubble wrapped. the outside of the box The item was shipped via Australia Post. Fortunately, I took a series photos of the entire process as well as the item.

The buyer complained to Ebay that the glass had a fine scratch on it. He also whined about the "biscuit box" I used for packing. Didn't bother to mention the several layers of bubble wrap. Made all the predictable threats about negative feedback and wanted a partial refund. Huh huh huh.

As it was, the post office had opened the packet and then sent it on to the buyer with a note saying the item was inspected for damage. Odd of them to do that, I thought. So I queried my local postmaster who opined that the packet had "probably" been damaged during transit or at the mail sorting center. I related all this to the buyer and to Ebay along with several photos. Ebay ruled in my favor, so it ended well for me.

It may have helped my case that he (buyer) was well known for complaining in his feedback about items he bought. Also annoying to me, as he paid the grand sum of AUD $80 for the item...

Anyway, yet another reason for me to avoid Ebay like the plague. Dogs and fleas. Once bitten, forever shy.

Also take a photo of the scales at the Post Office and on the stamp/post franking. This helps if they send you back and empty box and claim loss or theft in transit, or send you a different item!

Such a lovely place, eBay.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Such a lovely place, eBay.

Such a lovely place, the world. A whole universe of rogues and bounders!

 

[DownUnder]

Yes, for the most part the world is still a lovely place. While it lasts.

As for Ebay, the jury is out. No bets taken on the verdict. This thread says it all...

I cannot repeat myself enough on this, consignment selling with a reputable shop (if you find one close to where you are) is surely the best way. Results +50, reduced aggravation +100. Success rating - well, you decide.

 

[raydm6]

Such a lovely place, the world. A whole universe of rogues and bounders!

One of my favorite Gary Larson's 🤣

The Far Side Comic Strip by Gary Larson - Official Website | TheFarSide.com

Visit the official online home of The Far Side comic strip by Gary Larson for your daily dose of Gary’s classic cartoons.

www.thefarside.com

 

[aw614]

Ugh kinda pissed, I sold a Canon F1 as-is with issues with the mirror returning and slow speed issues and specifically stated it would need a full CLA, and now the buyer wants a refund after they had shutter capping issues.

My mistake is I didn't test for the capping issue and only the low speed with the assumption that they would buy it as-is and get it serviced. If I saw it was having any issues with like the mirror returning or low speed hanging, and didn't want to deal with it. I wouldn't shot with film on it until it was fully working and serviced. I just listed it on ebay to get rid of it.

Ugh this is the first time I had a buyer request a refund. I try to be honest about this stuff too. People suck

 

[agentlossing]

Ugh kinda pissed, I sold a Canon F1 as-is with issues with the mirror returning and slow speed issues and specifically stated it would need a full CLA, and now the buyer wants a refund after they had shutter capping issues.

My mistake is I didn't test for the capping issue and only the low speed with the assumption that they would buy it as-is and get it serviced. If I saw it was having any issues with like the mirror returning or low speed hanging, and didn't want to deal with it. I wouldn't shot with film on it until it was fully working and serviced. I just listed it on ebay to get rid of it.

Ugh this is the first time I had a buyer request a refund. I try to be honest about this stuff too. People suck

People do suck. I haven't had more than a couple of returns on eBay, and no actual horror stories, but I know I'm pushing my luck.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Three little letters: KEH.

I recently entered some cameras in the "sell/trade box" with KEH and found they consistently offer a little over one third of the actual value. Is this industry standard?

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I recently entered some cameras in the "sell/trade box" with KEH and found they consistently offer a little over one third of the actual value. Is this industry standard?

I don't know about the industry standard, but it's pretty standard for KEH. Years ago, they offered about one half; I suppose their operating expenses have increased exponentially, like most folks'. I have found that KEH will pay you more than the quote if they find, upon inspection, that the item qualifies for a higher grade than the one you assigned it. Unfortunately, I've also found that some of their quotes have not kept up with the rapid increase in market value of some items.

 

[aw614]

People do suck. I haven't had more than a couple of returns on eBay, and no actual horror stories, but I know I'm pushing my luck.

I ended up settling at an agreed partial refund, thankfully. I set it as an auction and the price went for what other average untested conditioned Canon F1s which IMO shouldn't have been my problem...