Selling D&D stuff on Ebay

[jgbrowning]

It looks like I'll be getting rid of my rpg collection and I was thinking about selling it via ebay.

However, I haven't used ebay before and I went to register they asked me for a checking account number. That makes me uncomfortable.

Any of you out there have anything negative to say about selling via ebay? I'm thinking about setting up a dummy checking account and closing it once I'm done selling.

As an alternative, how have people's sales through the ENworld forum gone? I could always do it that way, I supose.

joe b.

 

[devoblue]

I have never had any problems with ebay, but then I was never asked for a checking account number when I registered either. Make sure you are at the real ebay site.

You biggest problem will be getting a good price when you have a new account and no reputation, as people will be more reluctant to bid.

 

[jgbrowning]

Well that's going to suck. Hrm... I do have about 14 purchases and all positive results, so maybe it won't be that bad.

joe b.

 

[haiiro]

Well that's going to suck. Hrm... I do have about 14 purchases and all positive results, so maybe it won't be that bad.

If you put together good listings, I don't think you'll have too many problems -- assuming you've got stuff people are interested in, of course.

I've bought a lot more than I've sold on eBay, but I'm very careful when I do sell things: I search for them first as a buyer before making my own listing, looking for things like which auctions go quickly/slowly, what prices closing auctions go for, and which listings just sit there (usually because the entry price is too high). I've always had better luck listing with a lower minimum price and letting the chips fall where they may, but YMMV.

As far as concern with selling things on eBay in general, I've had nothing but good experiences. I've been using it for years, so I don't think I had to put in a checking account initially, but I assume that's in there now because of their acquisition of PayPal.

With 14 eBay transactions already under your belt, you probably know what you like about good buyers and good listings -- just do those things.

 

[jgbrowning]

Right now I'm trying to decide on a series of smaller auctions or one mega auction. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I've got over 200+ items.

joe b.

 

[Teflon Billy]

just clearning stuff out Joe? or are you leaving the hobby

 

[haiiro]

Right now I'm trying to decide on a series of smaller auctions or one mega auction. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I've got over 200+ items.

Are enough of them thematically similar to work well as smaller auctions?

If you go the mega-auction route, take a look around first and see how other large batch auctions are doing -- I can see that being pretty hit or miss, unless your price is flat-out amazing.

 

[Crothian]

with that many items you can set up a booth at Gen Con!!

 

[jgbrowning]

just clearning stuff out Joe? or are you leaving the hobby

Cleaning out our stuff. We decided today to move to India either at the end of this year or in the beginning of next year. We'll keep publishing, as that can happen pretty much no matter where we're located, but given the choice between storage for all my RPG stuff or selling, selling seems more attractive right now.

Are enough of them thematically similar to work well as smaller auctions?

If you go the mega-auction route, take a look around first and see how other large batch auctions are doing -- I can see that being pretty hit or miss, unless your price is flat-out amazing.

Some are thematically by campaign setting or by 1AD&D or 2AD&D or d20. If I was to go the mega-auction I'd probably have a low reserve around $200 or so.

with that many items you can set up a booth at Gen Con!!

That might actually be a cool idea. We'll have a booth. Hrm.. I have to think about that one.

joe b.

 

[Henry]

We decided today to move to India either at the end of this year or in the beginning of next year. We'll keep publishing, as that can happen pretty much no matter where we're located, but given the choice between storage for all my RPG stuff or selling, selling seems more attractive right now.

Guess We'll have to award any future ENnies in absentia, then.

I've been considering selling some of my Books/Computer Games, etc. as well - there's quite a bit of RPG material that I'll frankly never use, and it would be a shame to simply trash it, when I can (A) get a few dollars for it, and (B) when someone else can enjoy this material.