So, what do you do about eBayists?

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J

johnny

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Posts
3,601
Loc
Ohio
Had a surge of people in over the last few weeks bringing in odd things and asking all about how they might be made, what the materials are, the names of any proceedures used, and requesting a quote on their value, like the guy just now who brought in a scene etched in plastic with watercolor messily splashed on. A few have admitted it was for eBay, I'm pretty sure by the questions the rest were too. It's just the kind of info you would want to put in an eBay description. Anyone else seeing a lot of this? How are you handling it? I tend to tell them what I know and then they say "ok, thanks" and walk out the door.
 
If I can find an artist name (or actually read the scribble that looks like a name), I'll give the customer a free five minute demonstration of the power of Google. That usually points them in the right direction. Sometimes we end up at eBay, other times if its a well known artist they will have their own website or a user forum like the Grumble.

I'm curious too on what "real" appraisers do. Just after watching Antique Road Show a few times makes it obvious that many outside factors contribute to the "value" of the piece. Could someone just cold call auction houses and get an appointment, and what does that service usually cost?
 
Most auction houses will give a quick "ballpark" appraisal - and many even have certain days of he week for this type of "open call". Note that this will not be acceptable for insurance purposes, etc., but may be a starting point to see if additional investigation is warranted. They are happy to do this even if you are not selling the item (although they are happier, of course, if you are), since it builds a customer relationship if and when you do sell.
I have seen some days at a local place (Skinner's) here in Massachusetts, when it looks like refugees from the Antiques Roadshow have arrived.
 
If they're paying customer's give 'em a few minutes. If you've never seen them before, grasp them firmly by the coller and belt, and help them out the door - you're too busy to help fools dream of riches (fellow called me the other day, says "I'm gonna make us both rich. I found this pixsture in my grandma's basement..." Funny, I don't feel rich yet)

Joe
 
I actually have listed artwork for customers before. I have only stuck with signed/numbered lithos..stuff I would feel comfortable selling in my own shop. At 30% commission, I have made some pretty good money. I let them know that me listing the item will probably fetch higher and more bids since I'm a reputable gallery and have great feedback selling artwork. Sold 5 Bev Doolittle's a while back for someone with some getting over $1000. 30% of final sales for no money invested.....yep....I'll do it!
 
Yeah, I made lots on eBay back when it was worthwhile dollars for the time involved. But that was years ago. Excluding the infrequent items that have true, high collector value, you can't list things cheap and have them bid up anymore, if they are bid up it's not going to be near market value, and if you list at price you need to make it worthwhile the listing fees will kill you when you only end up selling 5% of your offerings. Then you have to deal with competition like this... http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&since=30&userid=framedestination-com&include=0&rows=50&sort=3&completed=1 who has to figure out that if you offer a complete picture framing kit for a penny people will say "Thank you! I'll pay you one penny." Or wait until some netcop turns him in for violating eBay's name and links policies. And then when he's gone he'll be replaced by someone else.
 
You're not wrong - he was very easy to find with a couple searches. How in the world can anyone sell at these prices and why give it away, anyway?
shrug.gif
 
He's giving it away in order to try and drive business to his website. He's just doing it a little too blantanly. Well, hopefully he'll read this before they shut him down. I've been reported for far, far, far, far, far less. There are communities of strange people out there who thrive on netcopping ebay and reporting people. My friend got netcopped last week for selling a t-shirt with a "flapper" on it and they closed down her auction. In England, flapper means whore or something like that.
 
Johnny, Are you saying the word "flapper" got her auction yanked? I would find that odd. Flapper collectibles are very popular. My sister happens to collect things from the 20's, flapper stuff being one of them. She has bought plenty of things on ebay involving flappers.

I know at one time Ebay would not let you use the phrase "Shabby Chic" because it is trademarked by Rachel Ashwell. So, most people would just change it to "Chic and Shabby". They just made sure both words appeared in the title so it would come up in a title search.
 
You have to guess, because they don't tell you exactly. They deemed it obscene. Things like this are very inconsistent because when the eBay employee gets the complaint to review they literally have 2 seconds to scan over your ad and make a decision, then it's on to the next one. The only thing for sure is that some complete knucklehead clicked the "report this auction" link and turned her in.
 
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