stunthanger.com
General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: James Mills on December 12, 2010, 04:31:42 PM
-
This is way out of my comfort zone but I'm guessing there are several on these forums that have sold things on ebay. What is required to be able to sell a couple of engines on ebay? Thanks for the help.
Merry Christmas,
James
-
Why not list them on the forum first.
-
Why not list them on the forum first.
Ditto.
-
Why not list them on the forum first.
I have listed them on both forums (I support Sparky and Len first) a couple of times and didn't generate any interest so figured I'd widen the search.
Thanks,
James
-
First you must register with eBay, if you haven't already done so. It is nearly essential to include photos of the item. This is especially true if you are completely new to eBay, with no feedback.
You will need a scale to weigh packages, since this (together with package size) determines the shipping cost. Most modelers have some kind of scale in their shop. In my experience, the postal service is the best way to ship.
Attaching photos is far easier now, compared to 10 years ago when I started. The old cliche "A picture is worth a 1,000 words" certainly applies to on-line auctions. So you need a digital camera to upload photos onto your computer (or borrow one, if you only plan to sell a few items). I'm still using my 10 year old Sony FD Mavica with a 3.5 inch floppy disk drive. It works for me!
If these engines are non-throttle (i.e., C/L & F/F), then its only necessary to list in the control line & free flight category. If they are radio engines with throttles that are convertible to C/L you may also want to list in the R/C Engines category, but it's not necessary.
Use a descriptive title with the right abbreviations so your engine turns up when someone searches for a closely related item. An example: OS FP .10 C/L and F/F Engine for Junior Ringmaster Kit (copy item No. 300464773389 in the search field). Another example is GMA-Jett .50 Control Line Stunt Engine + Tube Muffler (copy item No. 290499089766 in the search field).
Describe the item thoroughly and honestly. Cover all bases like packaging fees (if any), postage, whether you will ship to other countries, any discounts and combined shipping for multiple items, your return policy, etc. A descriptive and comprehensive item page often results in more bids and fewer questions to answer.
Finally, decide the minimum price you will accept for the item. This is important when you have to enter an opening bid price and an optional reserve and/or buy-it-now price.
Remember that the value of anything is determined by the market, at the time its offered for sale. Like houses, gold bars and stocks, the winning bid may be less than what you paid. On the other hand it could be a lot more if your item has collector value, or is just popular and in limited supply.
Check out this current auction: NIB Vintage Rare Aero .35 C/L Model Airplane Engine (copy item number 160515774540 in the search field). These are unique and very rare engines, but I don't think they sold for more than $50 when produced back in the 1960s, probably less. Yet this one is currently bid up to $910.
After launching your auctions, check on them once a day to see how the bidding is going and answer any questions. If you did a good job describing the item(s) with photos and text, most questions will be about foreign shipping costs (if you choose to do foreign shipping). Hope this helps! Good luck and Season's Greetings! EWP
-
Also be prepared for a shock. Some items I have sold went for way more than I thought they would bring and others were not even worth listing. If you have a set price be sure to check the reserve or just start your price at your reserve. I have some books on there now pertaining to model airplanes and engines. But, like any auction you takes your chances. H^^
-
You will also need a Paypal account, if you want to get paid.IIRC, Ebay owns Paypal. Imagine that...
-
First you must register with eBay, if you haven't already done so. It is nearly essential to include photos of the item. This is especially true if you are completely new to eBay, with no feedback.
You will need a scale to weigh packages, since this (together with package size) determines the shipping cost. Most modelers have some kind of scale in their shop. In my experience, the postal service is the best way to ship.
Attaching photos is far easier now, compared to 10 years ago when I started. The old cliche "A picture is worth a 1,000 words" certainly applies to on-line auctions. So you need a digital camera to upload photos onto your computer (or borrow one, if you only plan to sell a few items). I'm still using my 10 year old Sony FD Mavica with a 3.5 inch floppy disk drive. It works for me!
If these engines are non-throttle (i.e., C/L & F/F), then its only necessary to list in the control line & free flight category. If they are radio engines with throttles that are convertible to C/L you may also want to list in the R/C Engines category, but it's not necessary.
Use a descriptive title with the right abbreviations so your engine turns up when someone searches for a closely related item. An example: OS FP .10 C/L and F/F Engine for Junior Ringmaster Kit (copy item No. 300464773389 in the search field). Another example is GMA-Jett .50 Control Line Stunt Engine + Tube Muffler (copy item No. 290499089766 in the search field).
Describe the item thoroughly and honestly. Cover all bases like packaging fees (if any), postage, whether you will ship to other countries, any discounts and combined shipping for multiple items, your return policy, etc. A descriptive and comprehensive item page often results in more bids and fewer questions to answer.
Finally, decide the minimum price you will accept for the item. This is important when you have to enter an opening bid price and an optional reserve and/or buy-it-now price.
Remember that the value of anything is determined by the market, at the time its offered for sale. Like houses, gold bars and stocks, the winning bid may be less than what you paid. On the other hand it could be a lot more if your item has collector value, or is just popular and in limited supply.
Check out this current auction: NIB Vintage Rare Aero .35 C/L Model Airplane Engine (copy item number 160515774540 in the search field). These are unique and very rare engines, but I don't think they sold for more than $50 when produced back in the 1960s, probably less. Yet this one is currently bid up to $910.
After launching your auctions, check on them once a day to see how the bidding is going and answer any questions. If you did a good job describing the item(s) with photos and text, most questions will be about foreign shipping costs (if you choose to do foreign shipping). Hope this helps! Good luck and Season's Greetings! EWP
HI Ed,
I've bought from you and didn't realize it! LL~ LL~ LL~
James, do as Ed says, he is a good seller. ;D
Bill Little
-
Pictures are almost mandatory. Most people won't bid unless they can see what their buying. A nice 3/4 shot of both sides, good lighting and clear & sharp images! Ditto on the PayPal...sucks, but it's their rules. Keywords are critical!!! That's how most people search, and use correct spelling. I've scored some items soley because they were mis-listed or mis-spelled - nobody else knew about them <=
-
Got some good advice James. y1
One area that needs to be mentioned is that you can get FREE shipping boxes, packing tape, ins labels, shippng labels with your return address alrerady printed on them, ALL FREE from the Post Office. Supplies they don't have there on hand can be ordered FREE from the USPS on-line site.
Yea... I do Da BAY..I admit it..... %^@ LL~ LL~
If you do more than just a couple of engines, E-Bay's "Mister Lister" or whatever they call it now , is a great tool. The program enables you to PRE-load your auction, complete with pics & descriptions and then upload to E-BAY when your ready. That way you can load-up your auction at you convience and up load it all or part at any time.
That has always helped me to stager the listings time line so I don't have to deal with 60 items at once! HB~>
Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me anytime. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful Family!
"Tight Lines!"
Wes
-
You will also need a Paypal account, if you want to get paid.IIRC, Ebay owns Paypal. Imagine that...
After the auction has ended, you can except another method of payment. Have had no problems from the bay on that. You just can't say you will except other forms of payment. Also you can't ask for reimbursment if you are the buyer. PayPal saves a lot of problems when I had to refund a persons money when I lost the item that he had won.