Learning the hard way - memorable mistakes

[bsarafian]

Chances are if you've been selling or reselling for a long time whether here or any number of other venues  there's been something you learned the hard way, some big goof that you made that sticks in your memory.  I remember talking to an old-timer who deals in vintage/antiques - when he was starting out he came across a gorgeous brass antique ships lantern and he spent an entire afternoon scrubbing, shining and polishing it to a fair thee well.  He recalled how proud he was of himself until someone who knew more told him he just polished off the patina and a fair amount of the value.

I learned that if I'm selling an item that has to be disassembled I should make sure I can get it apart before I list it. Years ago I sold a treadle sewing machine base and when it sold I couldn't get it apart.  Thankfully it was only going to New York from Massachusetts but I ended up eating about $50 in extra postage because of the dimensions sending it fully assembled.  Now I've learned more and I can get pretty much anything apart (thanks to good vise grips and PB Blaster)- but I also know to double-check "Just in case."

What are some of your most memorable "learning experiences."

[bsarafian]

shipscript - You are so right.  And I think now it's even worse than it used to be (or maybe I'm just more conscious of it).  There are actual cases where I can send a heavy vintage sewing machine cross-country for the same or less money than I can send an empty sewing machine case.  And at least with a really heavy item buyers are  more understanding about it being expensive to ship - not everyone is familiar enough with shipping to realize light doesn't necessarily mean cheap.

[turquoisetulips]

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@tunicaslot wrote:

Great thread! Mine was just last year - found a concert sweatshirt at a garage sale. I couldn't find any comps and was going to list it at auction and high bid takes it. I seldom do auctions and never changed my format so it was listed at BIN. Sold for what was my auction start price of $12.50. I had buyers messaging me offering me $200 +. Lord only knows what it would have ended at auction if I hadn't of goofed - but I honored the sale and learned to double check everything before hitting submit!

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OMG ! so sorry that happened to you . Bummer  😞   Tulips

[turquoisetulips]

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@bsarafian wrote:

shipscript - You are so right.  And I think now it's even worse than it used to be (or maybe I'm just more conscious of it).  There are actual cases where I can send a heavy vintage sewing machine cross-country for the same or less money than I can send an empty sewing machine case.  And at least with a really heavy item buyers are  more understanding about it being expensive to ship - not everyone is familiar enough with shipping to realize light doesn't necessarily mean cheap.

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Yeah , I sold a heavy vintage typewriter  here a few years ago .Before I listed it I checked to see what other sellers with old typewriters  were charging for shipping ,,, which was a big mistake on my part  . It ended up costing me 25 more dollars  than I charged the buyer . Then if that wasn't enough  the buyer claimed it was damaged  and wanted to return it .Since I had 30 day  free returns  with me paying the shipping  the whole thing ended up being a huge expense . This is why anything that weighs over ten pounds  is local pick up only now . I will never agree to ship a heavy object again . 😞  Tulips 

[mikeystoyz]

Bought 2 concerts shirts years ago.  Same band, same shirts.  Put them up starting at 99 cents.  Started getting offers for 20, 40, 80, 100.  I always say no, once I start an auction it ends.  Regardless of what happens.  Ended up getting 200 for each shirt.

[mikeystoyz]

I normally only pack one thing at a time.  I do not mix anything up that way.  Last week, somehow I mixed up two items.  Both people were happy with the outcome but it ended up costing me like 30 dollars to fix it.