Pricing

[mitzi531]

Hi

I am trying to sell vintage, collectible items.  

First, is there something I need to know to select the category when I list it? The choices are usually ok, but sometimes I don't know where to go with my item because I might not know what it was called or it has something distinctive and I don't know a word to describe it. Ebay doesn't always give great choices either. Is there a way to add to the subcategories? For example, I have a vintage massage pillow in the box. Where does that go? I can't remember what I settled on, but no one wants it. I don't know if it's because no one wants it or because the people that do want it call it something else or look in a different category? 

Is it better to use the word "Collectible" "Vintage" "Mid Century Modern"? 

A third question is how to find the value if there isn't anything comparable on Ebay or online? For example, I have a tray that is collectible, but not unusual. I have another tray that is different in style but matches the tray I have. I can't find it anywhere online. I went to the manufacturer's site and found nothing.  How do I know if that's because it is rare or because it is junk? If it is rare because someone says they know it's rare, but not what it's worth, how do I find out what it's worth so I can put a not-greedy price, but not put a boy-is-this-person-a-chump price? I have so many different things that I don't know where to look. 

Thanks.

Mitzi

[fern*wood]

Speaking for myself, I've sold those things for years, but seldom have the same item twice so it is a constant learning experience.  I do research by using common descriptive words, if I don't have manufacturers names, but I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes along the way.   Pricing is not an exact science.

I looked at your cute egg plate and noticed a sticker on the bottom with the brand name of Enesco, so I would add that to the title and also add JAPAN if you can.  I tend to use "Vintage", rather than collectible, in my titles for older items.

[duncanvr]

I recommend you join 'The Auction Professor' on You Tube and Facebook. He is an expert vintage seller on eBay. You can post photos in his Facebook group and ask advice on how to describe vintage items for eBay listing. I've often asked on his FB group as a seller of paper collectibles about something I wasn't sure on, and gotten great advice, including sell price advice to list on here.

[castlemagicmemories]

Vintage is a very popular term.  Antique requires the item to be older.

If you cannot find out what an item is, you can post a picture on the proper Board and hope someone can identify it.  You can try to do a google search by picture.

If you don't know the value, you can list with Best Offer, or list using the auction format.

[this*old*attic]

Collectible is a useless keyword

Vintage is good, and so is the abbreviation Vtg

Midcentury Modern can be shortened to MCM

Honestly, you have nice items but your titles are absolutely horrible. You’ve put all kinds of words in that no one would ever use to search - it’s wasted advertising space.

[this*old*attic]

For example:

Collectible Bathroom Scrubbing Bubbles holder These guys are SO CUTE

Seriously? I’m sorry; I know I’m being cranky - but, c’mon!

What on earth do you imagine “these guys are so cute” is doing for you? That’s not searchable.

It took me 2 seconds on Google to remind myself that the scrubbing bubbles are an SC Johnson mascot, and it turns out the main one is named “Scrubby.” Your cute item (which is FILTHY inside, by the way) is clearly labelled “bathtub organizer” and it’s made to suction onto your bathtub or shower but you don’t use those words. And you’d most likely put soap in it, right?

Vintage SC Johnson SCRUBBY Scrubbing Bubbles BATHTUB soap holder BATHROOM organizer

I’m too tired to count letters but suction cup, shampoo bottle might fit

And it might be worth listing it in advertising collectibles, although I wouldn’t swear to that without looking around more.

[no_zero369]

Oh jeez.  Collectible, vintage and antique are some of the most over used and useless words on eBay.  Take the pledge and AVOID them!  I mean "vintage" toilet tool?  Seriously?

As one can see on the TV show American Pickers "old" doesn't always mean valuable per se.   Too many people find something 100 years old and think it should be valuable.  What something is worth is what another person is willing to pay!  IF one has a book or example that was printed in 1856, but the topic is bad or the info superseded or 100,000 copies of the book still exist AND no one wants it, then the book is worth less than $4 per megasellers here.  So don't fall into the trap that "old" equals valuable.

If someone is a collector of your toilet tool then they have search strategies set up to find said toilet tool and the use of vintage, collectible or antique is not going to help them find the item.  In fact you are limited in the  number of characters you can use in the title and waste characters with those words.  Also, I think those words are a beacon to buyers that the seller is impressed with the item as "old" and thus wants more money than it is worth.

I assume you have searched for similar items before listing to see what others have for sale or what similar items have sold for in the past?  Make sure once you have completed the search, go to the column on the left and find & check the box for "sold" items.  Then the search page will change and all of the prices will be in green and those are actual sales!  THEN you can see what others actually paid for a similar item.

If you want the market to determine the price for you, set up an auction.   Start the auction at 0.99 or some very small number.  If the items IS valuable, the price will get bid up.  Alternatively, list an item for what you think it is worth based on a guess and add a "Best Offer" component.  You may get offers and that are low-ball or offers that eventually show you the true value.

Oh and as a new poster, please be aware that those who post here are not eBay employees, rather volunteers and the only "pay" they get are "helpful" when one checks that box on a post.

[fern*wood]

I search using the word vintage most of the time in hopes of weeding out newer items with the same name.

[penguins_dont_fly]

I agree that your titles need a LOT of work.

Your tulip bowls are not GLASS. They are ceramic. 

You also need measurements.

And Item Specifics.

I would separate out the tulip dessert bowls from the chip and dips.

Melamine collectors (normally) aren't interested in ceramic items and vice-versa.

So you would have

MCM Tulip Dessert  Berry Bowls Set of 6 Yellow  Ceramic Floral Figural [SIZE] 

And 

Melamine Individual Chip Dip Bowls Set of 6 Red Yellow Floral Figural [SIZE]

Facts, Facts, Facts. Measurements, Color, Material, Country of Origin, Condition.

Leave out any fluff in the title and keep it to a minimum in your description.

Use your Item Specifics. Fill in all of the ones that eBay gives you (don't delete any) and add your own.

Put your buyer hat on ... what words would you use to search for these? What information would I need to make an INSTANT decision to buy the item.

Don't expect buyers to ask questions ... most will just hit the back button and find a seller who gives them that information up front ... or they will buy and then be disappointed that the item wasn't what they thought it was.

Taking the time upfront to put that information in the listing will save time and frustration down the line.

If you find buyers asking questions that you hadn't thought of .... start incorporating that information into your listings.

Researching what things actually are is a big part of selling "vintage". Join some Facebook groups that do identification and ask for info ... also ask how to research your items. (Just a warning ... read the group rules before posting. Each has different rules about what info they need, what pictures they need and whether or not they do valuations)

Google searches using good keywords, eBay listings (and other vintage selling sites) and specialty collectors sites are great places to glean knowledge.

Good Luck

###edit###

One last thing.

No keyword spamming!

If it isn't McCoy ... do not mention that it might be ... (pink and brown bowls).

If you get confirmation that they are, then use the brand name ... otherwise, just don't.

[penguins_dont_fly]

Replying to myself is a bad habit ... I know.

But ... I have Lt Columbo disease 😉

One more thing ...

"Excellent" is not a good condition description.

"Excellent Pre-Owned Condition: No Chips, Cracks or Crazing. Light Utensil Marks" is a description for older ceramic/melamine/glass dishware.

The tulip bowls ... one has a chip ... so definitely not "excellent".

"Good Pre-Owned Condition: One Bowl has a small chip, but no other blemishes. The other 5 are blemish-free with no chips, cracks or crazing. All have light utensil marks"

Be very specific about blemishes and flaws. They should be noted in both the Condition Field and the description and you should take close-up pictures of them.

[no_zero369]

@mitzi531 

I think you need to do a BUNCH more work with your listings.  Tighten up titles, cut out the "cutsie" selling words/tactics, optimize titles for searches, look at prices sold, understand shipping, better descriptions.

For example, you have 3 books listed as "collectible" (wasted word in title) for nearly $45! 

• I looked up the telephone book and found that normally this book comes with a dust jacket!  NOT having a dust jacket immediately removes it from the interest of any real collector!  So calling  this "collectible" just makes you look unknowledgeable. Titles need key terms that are searchable- start with the item, leave out or move other info to the end IF you have space.  This listing needs the FULL title of each book in the title line. Also Author's name is searchable and better than wasted characters like "Collectible Books-"  If the search engine takes into account the first two words, how many people are searching for "collectible books?" Usually they are looking for a title, so have that in your title.
• Second that phone book can be bought from another seller for under $8 WITH a dust jacket!  Why would yours be worth ~$15? If there is a reason then state it in the listing.
• Third your descriptions of the books is severely lacking.  Your subtitle is "books are perfect" when clearly they are not (missing dust jacket, yellowed pages) I am sure that a buyer could find enough errors not listed and have grounds for a SNAD claim, where you pay return shipping and give a 100% refund. Stay away from using the eBay 'canned" condition descriptions when describing your books as that is a red flag that they have not been thoroughly inspected.
• Fourth, you are shipping books via USPS Ground Select?  Huh?  Books can be shipped via USPS MEDIA Mail for a fraction of the cost you listed.  Also, I would suggest using the eBay shipping calculator to see what it costs to ship items!  {https://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator} Those three book probably could fit inside of a USPS Padded Flat Rate Envelop and if you print your label through eBay would cost you $7.55.
• Fifth, spend $30 and buy yourself a light cube and some lighting (full spectrum, 5000K temperature) for pictures to eliminate glare.  The lead picture has one book obscured by glare!  Others are fuzzy. Cheap cameras or cell phone cameras CAN take decent pictures, but lighting is key!
• Sixth, try Googling evaluating book condition!  There are a ton of guides out there to help you understand the parts of the book, what condition items are important to collectors.  yellowing of pages means they are yellowed and NOT in "remarkable condition!"  Are you intentionally baiting SNAD cases?
• Seventh, do you think telling potential buyers that you make mistakes is a good strategy?  Or does that say to a potential buyer that this person is "out to lunch" so they don't know what they are talking about or are ripe to scam?
• In several of your listing you say "make me an offer"!  Well most buyers are not going to be able to do that since the listing does not have a "best offer" component associated with it!  So what if someone sent you an offer by email, how are you going to be able to sell it to them?  A transaction off of the eBay site?   THAT will get you banned.
• Have you optimized your listing for viewing by mobile users?  Use the eBay tool do do that.
• As to this " Returns are accepted, item must be in condition when purchased.  Return shipping is paid by Buyer. "   Me thinks you need to read the eBay Money Back Guarantee AND eBay's policies on a seller's obligations during returns!  {https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handling-return-requests?id=4115} Unless you offer free returns one is NOT going to be able to give a partial refund if an item comes back damaged.  You can have whatever policies you wish, but when they violate eBay's policies then you loose and fighting means you are going to get run over.  eBay doesn't care if your policy is buyer pays return shipping- IF the buyer files a return and selects one of the SNAD reasons, YOU are going to be forced to pay return shipping.
• As an seller you appear a bit uneducated about policies and business.  But that is OK, education can cure these!  I suggest you think about instituting a "Cookie Jar" insurance fund to cover returns, theft or losses.  This is retail selling and just like B*M stores online sellers need to understand ALL of the costs of selling and be prepared.   Without such, one is going to get a return request, get upset because your policy isn't being met, fight with eBay and loose and get money taken by eBay out of your account and a defect on your account for an unresolved issue.  We see this at least 10-times a week on these boards. So get educated on eBay policies, returns and how to run a business.
• Finally there are strategies and techniques one can use to avoid scams or when actually scammed, but those are long and more advanced topics.  Get the basics taken care of first.

So my point is that IF I can find this many "items" associated with one listing, can you see how much work you have in front of you?  Look, anyone can toss up listings, but it takes a LOT of time, knowledge and effort to sell and sell successfully long-term on eBay.   Take the time, have a good business plan in place, have plans for contingencies and create great listings and you will be fine.  

You came here and asked questions so that is good on you!  Many don't find us until it is too late! So the fact that you are asking questions up front puts you head & shoulders above many others.  So come back, ask questions and learn.

Oh and IF one runs into a snag selling - come back here FIRST before doing anything!  Too many sellers "think" they know what to do, mess up & make a fatal mistake and then there is nothing that can be done.  So better to ask for help, before messing up.

Good luck with your selling!  I'm sure you'll figure it out and have good success!

[sharingtheland]

As everyone else has said, redo your titles.  Look at active and completed listings for ideas.

I'm not sure why you put "late 1800s" in your title/description about the Golden Nugget print (it's not a collage).  The Nugget opened in the late 1940's and Vegas didn't exist until 1905.

Signed,

Been To A CoughFewCough Casinos Including The Nugget

[moo*cow*corner]

Wash the dishes. It makes you look lazy, compared to other sellers.

Lots of vintage items don't need to be cleaned, or cleaning may actually do harm, but dishes aren't one of them. I have an entire arsenal of things I use to clean my items before listing. Dirt and dust may hide flaws that would otherwise need to be disclosed.

Nothing wrong with wanting top dollar, but then the items need to look top dollar.

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

@mitzi531 

And please don't get miffed at some of the responses and walk off vowing to never return to the "nasty" discussion boards.

Every response here is trying to help you to a. be a better seller and b. sell more.

I would take a long hard look at what advice you've been given.

[this*old*attic]

I disagree on “vintage” but agree on everything else.