| ody"> | | | | and display fees are how the online auctions make |
| You want to sell your antiques or collectibles online | | | | their money. You'll need to factor these costs when |
| but before you get started there are a few basics | | | | you are determining your selling price. Buyers |
| that you need to know. Online auctions from eBay to | | | | generally pay for shipping and handling in addition to |
| to Yahoo! Auctions are becoming a more common | | | | the final selling price. However, you can factor |
| venue for sellers of everything from teddy bear | | | | shipping into your price and indicate so on your |
| collectibles to antique armoires. | | | | auction. This is attractive to bidders because they |
| Research | | | | know the final cost including shipping and handling and |
| Before you list any item on an online auction, search | | | | can help to draw bids to your auction.eBay offers a |
| for your item or similar items. Watch some of these | | | | "Buy It Now" feature where sellers can list items at a |
| auctions until they close. Do this over the course of | | | | fixed price rather than through an auction. The |
| several weeks. This will give you a good indication of | | | | advantage to a seller is that you may sell an item |
| how many similar items there are currently up for | | | | quickly if a buyer is willing to meet your price. The |
| auction, how many auctions are successfully | | | | disadvantage is that you'll never know if an auction |
| completed and, the prices commanded for the item. | | | | might have given you a higher price. |
| If there are many similar items to yours listed that | | | | Determining Your Selling Price |
| are not selling or selling for a low price, price your | | | | The lower the starting price the more attractive the |
| item accordingly. Conversely, if there are only a few | | | | auction is to bidders. Don't start your auction so high |
| similar items that are selling for a high price, you'll be | | | | that bidders are turned off. You want to start a |
| able to price your item appropriately. | | | | bidding frenzy, not scare off bidders. Avoid putting a |
| Understand the Listing Procedures | | | | reserve on an item unless it is of great value. You |
| Take some time to do an online tutorial for new | | | | pay an additional fee and it doesn't make sense for a |
| sellers. Ebay offers a very thorough tutorial. You'll | | | | low priced item. |
| learn how to set up a listing, the importance of good | | | | Check Buyer's Feedback |
| photos and how to include them on your listing. This | | | | Feedback sections are common feature on online |
| is the time consuming part for new sellers and takes | | | | auction. This is the place on the auction website |
| some time to get up to speed. Good photos and | | | | where buyers and sellers can check the reputation of |
| clear description are key to ensuring a successful | | | | the seller or buyer. Moreover, previous buyers and |
| auction because your listing is all that that potential | | | | sellers can post their comments on their experience |
| bidders have at their disposal to make their buying | | | | with an individual. It's a good indicator as to whether |
| decision. | | | | the seller or buyer is an individual you would feel |
| Accuracy | | | | comfortable doing business with, but even a spotless |
| Online auctions simply post your merchandise as | | | | record doesn't mean that your experience will go as |
| described. They do not verify the accuracy of the | | | | smoothly. After the auction is completed, check the |
| item, that the merchandise actually exists or even | | | | buyer's feedback immediately for any warning signs |
| guarantee that you will follow through with the sale. | | | | of non-payment or multiple returns. This information |
| As a seller, you want to be as accurate in describing | | | | may help you to proceed carefully to complete a |
| the condition of your item, both the good and the | | | | smooth transaction. |
| bad points. If there is damage, mention it in the | | | | Post Your Return Policy |
| description and show photos. The more upfront and | | | | Let bidders know if you will accept returns or if all |
| accurate the description, the more likely the buyer | | | | sales are final. However, a flexible return policy will |
| will be a satisfied customer who doesn't demand his | | | | make your auction more attractive to bidders. |
| her money back. Buyers will call you on any | | | | Payment Methods |
| unmentioned flaws and cause you justifiable grief. | | | | Avoid cash payments because if there is a dispute, |
| It's A Buyers Market Online | | | | there is no paper trail to document how much you |
| Online auctions are more of a gold mine for collectible | | | | paid. Credit card payments through PayPal, a secure |
| buyers, rather than for sellers. Buyers can search for | | | | third party company, are a very common payment |
| the manufacturer, colour and/or style number. The | | | | method. Credit card payments protect both the |
| old days when the world seemed larger and items | | | | buyer and seller if there is a dispute. |
| seemed scarce are gone. Online auctions have | | | | Insurance & Escrow |
| reduced the perception that an item is rare. Before | | | | Insurance protects the buyer and the seller. It |
| online auctions, antique hunters would have to scour | | | | protects up to a preset amount but there are |
| high and low for their favourite item and often end | | | | limitations with any insurance. Escrow services are |
| up paying a high price. Now, with online auctions, the | | | | widespread and a good idea for more expensive |
| scarcity of collectibles is reduced when you can | | | | items. |
| search, for example, a Coca-Cola picnic cooler and | | | | Unhappy With Your Selling Experience |
| see that there are currently 78 available for auction | | | | There are a few avenues of recourse if you are an |
| on eBay. It brings the price down of these items - | | | | unhappy seller. First, contact the buyer immediately |
| not so good for sellers. | | | | by email and/or phone to clarify the problem if they |
| Fees For Seller | | | | are unhappy with him or her. If this doesn't happen |
| Online auctions are set up so that there are no fees | | | | or is unsuccessful, you can leave negative feedback |
| charged to buyers. All fees associated with an online | | | | or contact the online auction house as they will likely |
| auction are the responsibility of the seller. Keep in | | | | have a dispute resolution process or contact the |
| mind that listing fees, reserve fees, final auction fees | | | | police if you feel fraud is involved. |