Question
How much time do you dedicate to researching an item you know nothing about?
and how do you decide which gets researched and which just gets listed?
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Answer
I research anything that I am clueless as to what it will go for or what category. I'll start with ebay but if find nothing there in completed then I go to the web (and this week I had a couple of items that even a google search didn't turn up!).
For things I deal in regularly, I still will keep an eye to see how the market is fluctuating.
back in the good ole days (97-98) there were so few listings in antiques and collectibles that I could sit down every night and spend at most a couple of hours and look at EVERY listing. I have an very good memory and so was able to pick up things at auction that beforehand I was clueless about.
Now, I'm having to limit myself to an area and educate myself as much as possible about it.
Sorry, a little off topic http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
Mel-
Answer
not really off topic
actually, I find myself much more attentive to the "triumphant whatever day we want it to be" thread here than when it was over there, and hence have learned a lot of info
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actually it depends on the item as to how much time I give in researching it.
Most my items I purchase for less than a nickel,I typically will google and ebay search it and go from there.
I have some atomic bomb/Manhatten Project items I am going to be listing from an engineer who worked for the Manhatten project, so that one is interesting enough to do a bit of research on and learn a little as I go......... http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
I too learn a lot from these threads!!
Janet * Lanetzliving.com
My Website, up and running and I already sold stuff!! woo hoo!....
Me Page
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I got a bunch of tv repair stuff modern and vintage, and I can't find anything like them. Anywhere. I am just going to list them and be done with it.
The vintage I am confident will sell, not sure about the up to date stuff.
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There are some items I spend too much time on. Items not familiar with etc. However I look at it as a investment. By doing that I have found a couple of sites that I should send a check to every month http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
Most items however, I am quite comfortable listing with no or minimal research.
Answer
Personally, I do a lot of research.
Granted there are a few things I have not researched and listed (thinking I gave info) and had regrets later when the price didn't meet my expectations. I attribute the lower price to not giving the buyer enough information. You know, selling them on my item. http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
I also research completed auctions for what items are hot and what items bring in the most cash. But my spouse works nights, so I have all evening to indulge.
As an example of research paying off. One of my specialities is vintage and retro Christmas decor.
I recently sold a couple of aluminum Christmas trees. Mine went for much better prices than other comparable trees because I researched and found out that fuller trees with more branches sold better. Mine happened to be one with a lot of branches. Explain this plus side in the auction, convince the buyer that yours is the best tree up for auction.
I also learned through research that decorated trees sell way higher than then auctions with the tree only. Well, I have more Christmas ornaments on hand than Walmart, hence my trees were sold with decorations, bringing me a higher ending price. I always buy holiday decorations at auctions and sales and save them for later. (I don't buy junk though)
If I were selling bubble light ornaments, I research (through my books) and tell the buyer whether they are the biscuit shaped base or the saucer shape and what era they are from.
Same with ornaments. If I'm selling the clear red or blue glass ornaments with a piece of tinsel inside, I explain that these wartime ornaments were American made during the early 1940s when silvering the inside was prohibited by the war effort so the tinsel was added to give sparkle.
Younger people who don't know these little history tidbits may just bid on my ornaments because they are collecting ornaments from different eras, but were unaware of what these ornaments were really about. At least that's my outlook.
Whew, sorry for the rambling, I guess that explains why I do lots and lots of research. I sell to make money, not for entertainment. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...on_biggrin.gif
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Basically, what Breezer said. I research stuff to death usually. Mostly because I love antiques and vintage stuff, and learning about what I'm selling is interesting to me.
Also partly because I've thrown a few unknowns up on Ebay unresearched that ended up going to dealers who knew what they were and probably made a killing on 'em. Now I try to be that dealer, looking for the misdescribed and under-described valuable items that I can snatch for a few bucks and make a killing on. http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
Teri
Ebay Auctions
Copperton Lane Collectibles at Ruby Lane
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I do a cursory research on an item as far as what it has sold for, what the most successful (moneywise!) sellers have used as descriptions, and then verify that information with what I can find elsewhere on the net or in books. This is only on the items that are fairly an unknown to me...most of the time I am pretty confident on what I have and what it should bring pricewise.
I learn a lot just by browsing bookmarked seller's and bidder's lists on a continuing basis...there is always an item that crops up that I have never seen before, so I am constantly learning.
Once in a while, I get stumped though...see my other thread re: flint glass plate...and then I ask for help because I have already spent too much time on one item (any forthcoming help appreciated on this one!)
Good thread Gabs, I don't think very many people who are not selling online understand the research involved in writing up a cohesive and accurate listing.
Sue
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geez, today my partner came home with a 175 pc money collection...
we don't do money, unless it is paper and spendable http://community.here.com/infopop/em...on_biggrin.gif
on top of what I have in the "needs research" pile, this is getting out of control....
I am throwing on those TV manuals with no more research, the cursory search turned up nothing, so 9.99 start and let them go... http://community.here.com/infopop/em...on_biggrin.gif
I would rather play with the money, I have a wee bit of knowledge in that category, from the last 5 collections he has brought home. They ship neatly and cheaply, pack easy, and list fast.
that is how I make my decision, what do I prefer to play with, I am sure dealers make a lot of money off me, but ask me if I care.....it makes space and a few bucks for me.
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