Auctions - anybody sold through one?

7db

G-plan sells well on eBay, we have found. There is a collectors market for it.

I can't imagine why you would go to an auctioneer when you can at least have a run on eBay for a few quid first.

Floxxie

7db wrote: »

G-plan sells well on eBay, we have found. There is a collectors market for it.

I can't imagine why you would go to an auctioneer when you can at least have a run on eBay for a few quid first.

Thanks..will look into it. Do you send your items or are they collect only?
The main reason for not wanting to use eBay is the hassle with (some) buyers.

Floxxie

RFW

Floxxie wrote: »

Thanks..will look into it. Do you send your items or are they collect only?
The main reason for not wanting to use eBay is the hassle with (some) buyers.

Floxxie

Auctioneers have them too, whilst it isn't common, they can have non payers and if you see your item sell in the auction, you may not necessarily get paid out on it. It isn't a massive problem, but it does happen. The only difference between that and Ebay is that you don't have the hassle.

The other question I would ask the auctioneer if you sell something through them is how long before they pay out. Usually the minimum would be two weeks after sale, some taking a lot longer, if you think Paypal is bad, try selling goods in an auction knowing they have the money from the sale and won't pay out for 6 weeks!

jdfallon1970

I buy and sell at my local auction houses. Depends what it is and how it is sold really as to whether it will sell better at 'live auction' or ebay.

Items being sold in richer areas will sell for more than in poorer areas - as a general rule of thumb.

Pottery that is region specific will sell higher in that region than in another.

If selling items with an auction house use a secialist/ catalogued auction and check that it is also advertised on the internet (the catalogue).

From personal experience I have found that certain things make much better money at 'live auction' than on ebay. (Check out the ebay 'live auctions' that are linked to auction houses - a large amount sell for more than on just ebay.) A prime example of this is unmarked antique china e.g. early worcester or derby and pearl/ stone ware. People will often spend more at a 'live auction' because they can physically see and touch the item.

Equally the opposite is true for other items and ebay does provide a much wider audience for items. My advice is to do your research first, check the stuff on ebay first so you have a price in mind and then take it to your local auction house (be aware thought that some will charge you if you don't decide to sell with them). Remember when deciding what to do to factor in the time and effort you will spend listing (the better the listing ie more photos, the better it will do) as well as posting and packaging (a dinner service will take a while).

At the end of the day either way you go it depends who is out there to buy it on the day.

Good luck whatever way you decide to go.