Damaged items - to list or not to list?

[professor-t]

I purchased a group of vintage belt buckles and has posted most of them for sale.  I have two that I'm concerned about.  One of them is a vintage pewter "Soccer Ball" Budwiser belt buckle.  In great condition they sell for about $35.  Mine is in well-used condition and a piece of the hook on the back that slips into the hole on the belt is broken off.  I would say about 1/4".   Should I post this for $15 OBO with the damage clearly described and photographed or should I take it to my local flea market?

The other one is a fairly large (3" X 2" or a little larger) buckle with the part that the belt goes through fairly heavily damaged.  As a display piece it's great, with a mosaic eagle in the middle.  Again, should I post it for a BIN/OBO price or send it to the flea market?

I just want your opinions.  Right now I'm leaning toward the flear market but would like to hear what the experience sellers on the board have to say.

Thanks.

[jason_incognito]

I would never sell damaged goods. Something minor, sure. But not something worn and broken.

[emerald40]

Damaged goods are a SNAD waiting to happen.

Plus imo it degrades the rest of your listings that they are not high quality.

[professor-t]

I'm more and more agreeing with you.  The only reason I even thought about it was that these would be display items and all of the damage is on the rear.  

[flyerfandan999]

Can you list a belt buckle as "For Parts Not Working"? 

If so, go with that, include ample pix of the damage AND of the really nice front, and say just what you said here.....very nice cosmetic appearance on the front, nice for a display but damage makes it difficult to use effectively as a functioning belt buckle.

Maybe there's a belt buckle collector out there who likes to do pot metal work repairing this kind of thing!

[duggmills]

Would you buy another damaged buckle without the hook? I say another one because you already have one now. And would you pay $15 plus shipping?

[castlemagicmemories]

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wrote:

I purchased a group of vintage belt buckles and has posted most of them for sale.  I have two that I'm concerned about.  One of them is a vintage pewter "Soccer Ball" Budwiser belt buckle.  In great condition they sell for about $35.  Mine is in well-used condition and a piece of the hook on the back that slips into the hole on the belt is broken off.  I would say about 1/4".   Should I post this for $15 OBO with the damage clearly described and photographed or should I take it to my local flea market?

The other one is a fairly large (3" X 2" or a little larger) buckle with the part that the belt goes through fairly heavily damaged.  As a display piece it's great, with a mosaic eagle in the middle.  Again, should I post it for a BIN/OBO price or send it to the flea market?

I just want your opinions.  Right now I'm leaning toward the flear market but would like to hear what the experience sellers on the board have to say.

Thanks.

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I'd say flea market.  Just my thought, though.  

[professor-t]

that's not the issue. When you have a vintage item that's good for display and there is damage on the side that will not be displayed, it's a worthwhile question. of course, if you feel that snark is the only response to a serious question, that's your problem.

[city*satins]

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wrote:
that's not the issue. When you have a vintage item that's good for display and there is damage on the side that will not be displayed, it's a worthwhile question. of course, if you feel that snark is the only response to a serious question, that's your problem.

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Personally, I didn't see it as snark.  You mentioned the idea of a belt buckle as a display piece, but that idea isn't something readily envisioned.

If you think that it's best used as a display piece, then maybe list it in a category unrelated to clothing such as Collectibles/Advertising/Beer/Budweiser (not sure that exists but hopefully you know what I mean)   or Crafts.

[muttlymob]

IMO unless it is a genuinely rare and high value collectible even when damaged, it's better off at the flea market. 

[dbmm-media]

flea market 

[dadsfloridatreasure]

List it here!

If you feel you can make more for them, list them.  What will you get for them at the flea market?  $1 each?

Everyone forgets that the founder of eBay, Pierre Omidyar, started eBay by first selling a broken laser pointer.  He even asked the buyer if he read that it was broken, and the buyer said yes!

I sell broken, damaged or non-working items that still have value.  It's important to cover all bases in your listing, though.  I make sure I end the main title with AS-IS, NOT WORKING, or similar, take all proper photos, and be sure to state full conditions properly in both Item Description spots. 

If you do it right, you'll find the buyer that will still appreciate them, and you won't have any issues!

[bubbleman2010]

List it here for a couple months flea market season isn't here yet people will buy anything. End of title DAMAGED display only!!!!

[couldabeenworse]

Again, should I post it for a BIN/OBO price or send it to the flea market?

My yardstick for eBay is the item has to either make money or be something I like.  A broken belt buckle doesn't do either of those for me.

[bubbleman2010]

Your paying for a basic store,but only using half your listings load it up and when flea market time comes around end the items you're going to taker to flea market. If you don't go to flea markets when you hit the 250 level you begin to drop in trashcan to free up some listing space....