eBay

lehman-parker · ‎04-09-2012

I'm starting this thread as a place where we can all ask for help in evaluatng an item we're thinking of selling. Kind of our own group's version of Antiques Roadshow.

We can post pics (ask if you're not sure how to do that), or a link to see the item somewhere else, and/or just try to describe it. I'm thinking we can use this thread to try to identify items we're not sure about, get advice on how to list it, or anything else about the item.

And it's free and there aren't any long lines to stand in! 🙂

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.
― Plato

whotoldya · ‎04-11-2012

Good idea Pat.

Well in Massachusetts that would be:
Good Ideeeurrrrr

Anyone thinking about asking for help with an item. This is a good place to ask. Everyone here will be nice to ya.

pelliott4dz0 · ‎04-19-2012

My questions may be coming hot and heavy, for I'm thinking of beginning to lighten the load here a bit.

But my main concern is the number of items I'd be selling that are glass. The thought of shipping glass strikes terror deep in my mossy little heart - because it does seem to be a bit of a crap shoot.

So often I've received broken glass through the mail, and messing with insurance and refunds is such a pain as a buyer - as a seller it has to be even more of a hassle.

Yet I've had some things - I collect combs - that have come so tightly, "safely" wrapped that you're in danger of breaking the poor things simply trying to get them out of that protective trap they're in! (How do you leave a "packed TOO well" feedback?!)

Anyway, talking depression, EAPG, various glass sculpture things, paperweights, on and on it goes - all high demand items in a time of financial distress.... :o(

Peggy E.

Anonymous · ‎04-20-2012

Your best bet is to use bubble wrap. Newspaper doesn't do the job and it weighs more. Peanuts work well too. I don't know where you live but you might be able to go to some of the stores and ask them if you can have their used bubble wrap and peanuts. You'd be surprised how many are willing to give them away.

When you are wrapping make sure there is "air" around the item. Don't pack it so tightly that it's not moving at all. That's a sure way to have it break.

Hope this helps.

whotoldya · ‎04-21-2012

You are so right about places willing to give us peanuts and used bubble wrap. There is a lighting center near us. We got some there.

If you think about businesses in your area that sell glass. And we got some at the Dollar Store too once.

You are also right about how you suggest packing the glass. We take a picture of theitems wrapped in bubble wrap and the open box just before we tape it.

Sounds like a nice topic hope to see some fun items here.

DWB

lehman-parker · ‎04-24-2012

I ship very small glass items all the time (beads, buttons, dollhouse items), but shipping larger glass ones scares me, too. I have shipped glass paperweights and a glass bird figurine without a problem, but they were pretty solid objects.

I have a variety of good glass pieces that I'd like to start selling, too... EAPG, carnival, more paperweights, and miscellaneous things. Also some ceramic pieces that are equally as fragile.

I've never double-boxed anything I've shipped, but that seems to be the standard suggestion for these types of items.

If you ship using USPS insurance, I believe they'll only honor the insurance if a fragile item was double-boxed. Since I mostly sell lower-priced items, it's pretty rare for me to insure anything, but when I do, I usually use a third party insurer. I'm not sure what their requirements are for fragile items.

-- Edited by lehman-parker at 04/24/2012 7:22 PM PDT

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.
― Plato

Anonymous · ‎04-25-2012

I've shipped a lot of fragile items via USPS Priority and have never double-boxed. And that includes shipping overseas. Never had anything break.

However, what I have found with USPS is that they are absolutely horrible when it comes to claims. At least they were up to 2010. That's the last time I had to file a claim on a lost item. I NEVER got any of my money back. And the fact that the package was insured didn't matter.

pelliott4dz0 · ‎04-26-2012

The only time I attempted to mail something that was fragile, used bubble wrap and peanuts ( HATE those peanuts and dread opening a box loaded with them!).

Well, the Post Office must have used that box for box annihilation practice, for it was close to being totally flattened upon arrival. I was since advised by someone who works in the PO never to mark the box "Fragile" as it works as a red cape in front of the bull.

True or not? Who knows? But that was it with that particular box. The item was not worth that much, so I made the refund and that was that.

I really am hesitant to mail out anything else, though - partcularly something that is actually worth $$.

Peggy E.

agnessrainn · ‎04-26-2012

I sell a fair amount of glass ... I always wrap in tissue paper, then bubble wrap, then more tissue paper. I cushion with peanuts. I have had items arrive broken but have always been able to amicably resolve issues.

I agree about marking a box fragile ... I do think it's a red flag that means the PO guys can use your box like a football. I rarely, if ever, mark a box fragile. Have been known to put ... please handle with care ... on a couple boxes though.

I think the one thing I have learned about packaging is to give plenty of space to your item ... use the right size box for the item so it's not a tight fit ... let those peanuts do their job of cushioning.

Kate

monkeychuse · ‎04-27-2012

When I have received glass/or ceramic items, they do have the glass in the small box with peanuts in it, item bubble wrapped, box taped shut, then peanuts on bottom sides and top of larger box, so little box is floating in the peanuts. They insure the package and the items are sometimes worth $1000. per box, so it seems professional that way. Another fellow tapes foam rolled up like a papertowel roll and tapes 4 bumpers of rolled up foam along with the peanuts and small box routine. These work well.

agnessrainn · ‎05-07-2012

Hey, is anyone here familiar with old maps ... I bought a hand drawn and colored map of George Washington ... it is of the eastern seaboard and all around are squares of pictures of George's escapades and triumphs. There is no glass ... it is dated 1932 ... we paid $6 for it ... any idea what to call it or how much to start it out at?

I will try to get a photo of it so you can see ... I think I remember how to transfer pics ...

Kate

agnessrainn · ‎05-07-2012

ok I don't remember how to download to here but this is a link to the pic in photobucket.

Kate

-- Edited by agnessrainn at 05/07/2012 9:09 AM PDT

whotoldya · ‎05-10-2012

The picture came out fine on photobucket.

I find a lot of information on:

www.wikipedia.org

Looks like you have a good item here. Gotta be worth a few million anyway. :^O

Please keep us updated sounds like fun.

DWB

agnessrainn · ‎05-10-2012

Yeah, I don't think it's worth millions but who knows ... the right person may see it and be happy to pay some big bucks for it. It really is quite a map. A lot of detail in it.

Here is the link to my listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251057792125&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Kate

-- Edited by agnessrainn at 05/10/2012 8:25 AM PDT