OT: Is ebay worth it? Selling old DnD stuff

[boothbey]

I've not purchased from EBAY, but have bought some gaming stuff through other online auctions. I had no problems with the purchases. I may just have been lucky though.

You may not get the best price if it is a common item, just depends what you are selling. I have seen some out of print stuff go into some pretty intense bidding wars. (I won a couple of them.)

Just be as careful as you can be and goodluck.

 

[Nine Dragons]

No

Unless you're really lucky, and somebody really wants something you've got (and doesn't check the typical sale price), you're chances of making decent money on eBay are pretty slim. It can be highly variable. For instance, recently I decided to bid on a 1st ed Legends and Lore book (I already have Deities and Demigods w/ Cthulhu mythos, but wanted the cool Odin cover). Released in 1984, I think it sold originally for $15. The winning price range I've seen on eBay ranges from $3.25 to $20.50! Condition obviously has a lot to do with it (and if you can truthfully claim an item is Near Mint or Mint, you're more likely to get a better price), but even an Excellent (Fine) condition book can be had for less than $8.00 for the patient buyer.

Truthfully, posting on eBay is pretty cheap. If you're going to do it, make sure you have a picture, and set your minimum bid price no lower than what you're willing to sell for. If someone decides to meet you're price, good. And if not, no one will bids on your item, and you'll be out less than a $1 for eBay fees!

 

[Belen]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! Too bad EnWorld does not have their own version of an auction or place to sell used materials. It would be very helpful to have a place to sell DnD stuff to DnD players.

Dave

 

[kingpaul]

7) Unless you absolutely have to, DON'T set a reserve price. I on't bid on those auctions.
8) If you feel you must have a reserve, state what that reserve is in the description.

And instead of setting a reserve, why not just start the bidding at what you'd want your reserve to be?

 

[Pigeon]

And instead of setting a reserve, why not just start the bidding at what you'd want your reserve to be?

Yeah, that really bugs me.

I sold a ton of second edition stuff and made a fair bit of money from it. Nothing near the cover price but a lot more than if I had just chucked them or taken them to my local games store.

This was back in 2000 and so things may have changed now. I seem to remember the bidding for the compleat necromancers handbook and the complete ninjas handbook went very high indeed, about three times the cover price.

 

[The_Gunslinger658]

Wow! checking out eBay and prices for D&D stuff has really gone down, I remember when queen of Spiders used to go for over 100 bucks! Now it sells for about half that much. my how times have changed.


Scott

 

[HellHound]

Yep, the values of books have plummeted.

Once upon a time, you could move a complete copy of Temple of Elemental Evil (with maps) for 4 times what it goes for now.

I got rid of two copies that way... copies I accumulated from other gamers who gave up the hobby over the years.

 

[The_Gunslinger658]

question

Hi-

ya I remember those days. personally, I'm a pack rat by nature, so I just cant let go of all my old stuff.

Anyway, I see this auction and it makes me wonder, is it 400 bucks of crap?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2544&item=5913922846&rd=1

has anyone else taken a chance on such an auction?

thanks

Scott

 

[Wombat]

I never have sold on eBay

I have only bought, and I buy a fair number of rpgs.

So let me give you a perspective from that side -- I always look to find game books at half-price or less. I set a bid price and never raise it. This means I have been able to pick up a lot of 3.0, GURPS, and Star Trek material at bargain prices.

There will probably be several other bidders in my camp. OTOH, I have seen books get bid up wildly, due to crazed collectors. Who knows? You might get lucky!

 

[beeber]

checked out that bundle on ebay--i'd never bid on it w/out knowing the contents. what if i've got a bunch of it already? prob. all 3.0 anyway--maybe that's why titles aren't listed.