Help Selling Aeronautica on Ebay

[michaelharadon]

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for someone (me!) wanting to sell, particularly aviation "stuff", on Ebay?

Thanks in advance for your posts.

[Mudge]

My only suggestion would be to make sure you list it honestly. Describe it in detail. Don't say it's from a certain period (ie WWII, Korea, etc.) if you don't have proof. When in doubt about a piece, do some research before you list it. Ask about it on WIX. There is an unbelievable amount of information to be plucked from our merry band if you ask. Not only about it's authenticity, but also it's probable value.
One of my pet peeves about eBay is the huge amount of stuff listed as WWII when it's, obviously, not.
I sent a message to a guy on eBay about a parachute that he had listed as WWII/Korea when it was marked "MFG. 1951. I, politely, pointed out the date misstatement to him and received the most vulgar, profanity laced reply I've ever seen.
And he didn't stop there. I got three more of the same profane language emails from him today.

Anyway...just make sure you describe it accurately and price it fairly and you should be successful.
Just because you really like the piece doesn't mean it's worth a fortune to someone else.

Mudge the helpful

[the330thbg]

Mudge,

Advise eBay as to the harassing emails you are receiveing from one of their sellers. They used to be really good about followthrough.

[Mudge]

Already did. Haven't heard back from them yet. The guy also advised me to change my email address as though he was gonna' keep it up. I contacted Comcast about that. Needless to say, I ain't gonna' change my Email address. Said I was talking tough via email and invited me to meet him face to face. A real piece of work. What a "maroon".

Mudge the combative

[airnutz]

I sent a message to a guy on eBay about a parachute that he had listed as WWII/Korea when it was marked "MFG. 1951. I, politely, pointed out the date misstatement to him and received the most vulgar, profanity laced reply I've ever seen.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Hopefully, if you've kept your anonymity he won't be your "new friend" come a'visitin'.

[the330thbg]

Already did. Haven't heard back from them yet. The guy also advised me to change my email address as though he was gonna' keep it up. I contacted Comcast about that. Needless to say, I ain't gonna' change my Email address. Said I was talking tough via email and invited me to meet him face to face. A real piece of work. What a "maroon".

Mudge the combative

You should give him my address.., me and my mates will give him a 'special' New York City greeting face to face for you if you wish!

[the330thbg]

eBay is a giant 'fencing' operation anyway. Most of the merchandise 'cleared' through there is stolen property. Look at the amount of 'office' supplies.., etc. Also, you can not even leave any 'negative' feedback anymore for lousy sellers. It has all gone to KRAP!.

List it with us Mudge.., we shall give you a fair price!!!

[Mudge]

eBay is a giant 'fencing' operation anyway. Most of the merchandise 'cleared' through there is stolen property. Look at the amount of 'office' supplies.., etc. Also, you can not even leave any 'negative' feedback anymore for lousy sellers. It has all gone to KRAP!.

List it with us Mudge.., we shall give you a fair price!!!

Do I see a "Josey Wales" line creeping in here?

Mudge the cinematic filing system

ps. He's in CA.

[Chris Brame]

It has all gone to KRAP!.

Oh, I don't know; it's amazing what you can still find on eBay - f'rinstance, our (possibly) next governor

[Dan K]

If you MUST sell on ebay, be sure to include lots of pics of the actual item(s).

As an alternative, might I suggest offering your wares on www.barnstormers.com

[Lynn Allen]

You know the FBI likes to call on people who do that stuff on the internet...

[Enemy Ace]

1. Be sure to list in correct category, airplane parts don't belong in "militaria".
2. To get the most money, have your auction end between 8 and 11 pm on sunday night, that way the most people will have the opportunity to see and bid on your item. few people can spend much time looking and bidding during the week.
3. Don't use a Reserve price. that just turns it into a guessing game that frustrates people and then they stop bidding. List your item for the minimum starting price that you will accept and let it go from there. reserve pricing only benefits ebay as I think they charge more for it.
4. accept paypal. it will cost a little but you will get paid a lot quicker, remember most bids are impulsive, if somebody has to write a check and mail it that is just a damper on the impulse buy.
5. have several CLEAR pictures. you don't need an expensive camera, you just need to have a tripod or be able to hold it really steady to take a clear shot.
6. have your item clean and presentable, a little black spray paint on something like a magneto will mean extra $$$. Nobody wants to buy something that looks like C-rap.
7. Always have in the listing that "what you see is what you get".
8. if there is paperwork for the item then take good pictures of that as well.
9. Give yourself plenty of time to ship, i.e. "item will ship within 2 weeks".
10. make it crystal clear to any foreign bidders that ship time can easily double and to be patient. tracking is worthless after an item leaves the USA.

good luck, any questions shoot a PM. I have made a great deal of money on ebay in the past and it's the way to go.

[B-25 C]

[quote="Mudge"]Already did. Haven't heard back from them yet. The guy also advised me to change my email address as though he was gonna' keep it up. I contacted Comcast about that. Needless to say, I ain't gonna' change my Email address. Said I was talking tough via email and invited me to meet him face to face. A real piece of work. What a "maroon".




Here is the number to eBay Customer care 1-800-701-3229. They helped me with a man who was like the one you have. He would not send my items that I bought. eBay went to local FBI and it was QUICKLY RESOLVED!

[tom d. friedman]

i've been selling / buying / collecting military aviation for 25 years. pm a list with prices & i can help you. ebay is not the venue to sell re: add on fees, paypal, etc. i have many contacts in the field with varying interests on the topic.