eBay listings question

Nino Valenti · #1 10-10-2007, 03:08 PM

I didn't know where to post this so I put it here.

Quote:

Rules:
* No Ebay or other auctions. Threads started with the intent to advertise an auction will be deleted. Links to auctions will only be allowed if posted as a reply to an existing (at least one week old) thread originally advertising the direct sale of the same item.

I understand that we don't want eBay auctions because then TBers will have to bid on the auction and the price can go high, etc, etc.

But there is an option on eBay to set your listing at a set Buy it Now price. This is the same concept as the TB listing.

I suggest this because I notice a lot of tire kicking in the classifieds, things on hold and then being released, people promising to buy but backing out, etc. This is not fair to a seller.

A few downsides to this is that you will have to pay eBay fees. Some sellers may not want to pay these fees and would rather post their listing directly on TB,

One upside for the seller is that there will be a lot more visibility for the item he is trying to sell. He sets the price in the BiN and when some one wants it, they BiN it.

jtlee · #2 10-10-2007, 03:18 PM

Nino,

First off, kudos on your fantastic basses. I've watched them with great interest. Let me know when you start branching out beyond the "super-J" type basses.

You can set up ebay listings as fixed price listings (no auction). You get hit with the same types of listing fees and final value fees. To be honest, I don't think eBay guarantees an ironclad deal anymore; people routinely back out of purchases and really don't care about negative feedback. If you need to sell something quick though, eBay is the best way.

You could always just list simultaneously on eBay and Talkbass and don't post the eBay link. If you get any PMs/emails, just send the link then. There's no rule against that. And you can always end your auction early if you decide to sell to a TB'er. If you want to do that in a legit fashion, just have said TB'er bid on the item and then use the "end auction early to sell to high bidder at current price" option. You still get hit with the eBay fees and then have the protections from the eBay listings. I've done this quite a few times.

ClassicJazz · #3 10-10-2007, 03:30 PM

Also note, I believe you need at least 5 positive selling feedbacks on eBay before you can use the Buy It Now feature.

jtlee · #4 10-10-2007, 03:35 PM

eBay fixed price listing info:
To create a Fixed Price listing with a quantity of one, you must have a feedback rating of 10 or more (or be ID Verified).

When you list an item using the Fixed Price format, you can sell your items immediately at a set price.

With the Fixed Price format:

There is no bidding involved. You are offering one or more items for sale at a Buy It Now price.
Your listing attracts buyers who want to purchase items instantly at a set price.
Fixed Price items display in eBay's normal browse and search results pages. The Buy It Now icon displays beside the item title.
Buy it Now items display in the All Items tab and the Buy It Now tab on the search results page.
If you qualify, you can sell multiple identical items in one listing.

guy n. cognito · #5 10-10-2007, 03:47 PM

I certainly hope that the TB classifieds don't become just a marketing tool for ebay auctions.

Your bass only has to be listed here for a week before you can link it to an ebay auction. I don't see a need for anything more agressive than that.

Nino Valenti · #6 10-10-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

I certainly hope that the TB classifieds don't become just a marketing tool for ebay auctions.

Your bass only has to be listed here for a week before you can link it to an ebay auction. I don't see a need for anything more agressive than that.

I'm not suggesting auctions.

My suggestion is an eBay listing that has a set price.

Gubna · #7 10-10-2007, 03:54 PM

I would much rather sell or buy from a fellow TBer than someone on ebay.

ubado · #8 10-10-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtlee

Nino,

You could always just list simultaneously on eBay and Talkbass and don't post the eBay link. If you get any PMs/emails, just send the link then. There's no rule against that. And you can always end your auction early if you decide to sell to a TB'er. If you want to do that in a legit fashion, just have said TB'er bid on the item and then use the "end auction early to sell to high bidder at current price" option. You still get hit with the eBay fees and then have the protections from the eBay listings. I've done this quite a few times.

Great Idea!

My $.02...

I am a long time user of eBay for selling & buying basses. However, I've found TB to be the GREATEST value for the buck, a better variety of "boutique" basses... PLUS... the ability to trade and/or sell! Also you never know... you might just have the chance to buy back a bass that you regret selling.

The only "Pro" that I've found about eBay... you usually get a higher priced sale.

Cons:

* Set priced auctions take much longer to sell... people are there to bid.... unless your price is a bargain... it's gonna sit... charging you every other time you list it.
* Higher Price = higher Fees. You gotta ask or want more to get about what you want out of it.
* Large amount of "non-paying" bidders.
* IF you don't take PayPal... you're gonna get less... OR ... it won't sell. Either way, you gotta pay fees.
* Drastic swings in $$ for the same bass.... you gotta really watch the eBay market for what you're gonna sell.
* High amount of PayPal scammers!

Depending on the bass and time of year. I use either eBay or TB. I find that Carvin, Guild, and Japanese non-Fender basses do better on eBay. Lesser known "boutique" basses will do much better here on TB.

I know that there are some bad TB'ers out there... but all in all... it's a tight community... and some truely trustworthy cats.

I'd trust a TB'er over an eBayer anyday!

Nino Valenti · #9 10-10-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtlee

Nino,

You can set up ebay listings as fixed price listings (no auction). You get hit with the same types of listing fees and final value fees. To be honest, I don't think eBay guarantees an ironclad deal anymore; people routinely back out of purchases and really don't care about negative feedback. If you need to sell something quick though, eBay is the best way.

True but the eBay listing with the set price, IMO, will let you know who's really interested as opposed to some of the classified threads I've seen that turn into full blown discussions.

i.e if you like the bass, click the BiN.

guy n. cognito · #10 10-10-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

I'm not suggesting auctions.

My suggestion is an eBay listing that has a set price.

I understand what your suggesting, despite my incorrect use of ebay terminology.

TB classifieds should be for tbers, not for ebay advertisements.

Nino Valenti · #11 10-10-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubado

Great Idea!

My $.02...

I am a long time user of eBay for selling & buying basses. However, I've found TB to be the GREATEST value for the buck, a better variety of "boutique" basses... PLUS... the ability to trade and/or sell! Also you never know... you might just have the chance to buy back a bass that you regret selling.

My experience has been the oposite, Before I became a commercial user (aka, can't use the classifieds) I would post stuff on TB, when it wouldn't sell, I'd sell if for about 10%+ more on eBay. But we're not talking about auction. I'm suggesting a set price listing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubado

Cons:

* Higher Price = higher Fees. You gotta ask or want more to get about what you want out of it.
* Large amount of "non-paying" bidders.
* IF you don't take PayPal... you're gonna get less... OR ... it won't sell. Either way, you gotta pay fees.
* Drastic swings in $$ for the same bass.... you gotta really watch the eBay market for what you're gonna sell.
* High amount of PayPal scammers!

True, bit it would be up to the seller if he wanted to use the eBay listing (not auction

) in his/her TB listing.

Nino Valenti · #12 10-10-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

TB classifieds should be for tbers, not for ebay advertisements.

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. It's not like eBay is a competitive Bass Player discussion group.

especially since after a week, you can currently post your eBay Auction listing on your For Sale Thread.

guy n. cognito · #13 10-10-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. It's not like eBay is a competitive Bass Player discussion group.

Didn't say it was. If what you suggest is allowed, it will probably lead to a bunch of "ebayers" joining TB as a tool to advertise their "listings". It opens it up for abuse by commercial users just looking to sell merchandise.

The rule makes sense at it's written. No need to change it. The tb classifieds are, and should remain, a site for bassist to sell and exchange gear.

jtlee · #14 10-10-2007, 04:13 PM

Yes, there is a lot of tire kicking/digression here on TB classified threads, but that's part of the "charm". You try to glean info from those that have actual experience with the gear, so it's only natural for those interested who can't quite afford it right now to ask questions.

I haven't had a truly bad TB deal yet and I've done quite a few. Any time there were minor issues, they've always been taken care of amicably. Not so on eBay; I've gotten ripped off a dozen times with sellers who are outright thieves (or they just don't give a crap that they sold me crap). Negative feedback here has a lot more weight then on eBay. So I'd much rather deal here on TB, but I know full well what I'm getting into when I list here (loads of questions, picture requests, non-commital buyers, delays, lowballing). In the end, the peace of mind is worth it.

You can get more on eBay and if the price is the most important aspect, then you should sell it there (I do frequently when I need the max amount possible for an item). But as a "heavy user" of the TB classifieds, I think it's fine as is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

True but the eBay listing with the set price, IMO, will let you know who's really interested as opposed to some of the classified threads I've seen that turn into full blown discussions.

i.e if you like the bass, click the BiN.

sevenorchids · #15 10-10-2007, 04:13 PM

But the only way that they could do that (eBay'ers posting things in the classifieds) would be to join the site. More members = more money to keep the site up.

To exclude eBay fixed price sales seems silly to me. People put classifieds on here, bassgear.com, craigslist and other sites simultaneously all the time. What's the difference between craigslist and eBay? Especially with Fixed Price selling?

B String · #16 10-10-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gubna

I would much rather sell or buy from a fellow TBer than someone on ebay.

This is exactly how I feel too. It may be very naive to think
this way, but my experiences buying and selling in this "on
line" community have been very positive, honest, and
friendly. I might have a false sense of security, but I feel a
nice kinship with my fellow TBer's. I'd like not to envolve
Ebay in any of our dealings here if possible.

jtlee · #17 10-10-2007, 04:16 PM

I actually don't feel that would be a bad thing. I've actually pointed many eBayers I've dealt with to Talkbass and they love it. It means more supporting members which = more money for the upkeep. And if they're a commercial user, they will eventually get weeded out and their accounts dumped. I'm sure most commercial users already know about the various forum sites; if they don't, they're not very good at their jobs.

That being said, I think the rule is just fine as is myself. Just a thought.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Didn't say it was. If what you suggest is allowed, it will probably lead to a bunch of "ebayers" joining TB as a tool to advertise their "listings". It opens it up for abuse by commercial users just looking to sell merchandise.

The rule makes sense at it's written. No need to change it. The tb classifieds are, and should remain, a site for bassist to sell and exchange gear.

guy n. cognito · #18 10-10-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtlee

Yes, there is a lot of tire kicking/digression here on TB classified threads, but that's part of the "charm". .

Plenty of that on ebay too, in my experience. I fail too see how Nino's suggestion solves this problem. If anything, it just doubles the tire-kicking.

Nino Valenti · #19 10-10-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Plenty of that on ebay too, in my experience. I fail too see how Nino's suggestion solves this problem. If anything, it just doubles the tire-kicking.

IMO, I think that having the eBay Listing with a set price with the TalkBass Thread will bring more people to your item. More people looking at your item, the quicker it may sell. The quicker it sells, the less tire kicking.

Again, this is all IMO.

guy n. cognito · #20 10-10-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

IMO, I think that having the eBay Listing with a set price with the TalkBass Thread will bring more people to your item. More people looking at your item, the quicker it may sell. The quicker it sells, the less tire kicking.

Again, this is all IMO.

Why? The same number of TBers will see it, and ask questions. Adding more exposure just adds more tire-kickers. People who "buy it now" still ask plenty of questions, in my experience, including such gems as:

"Will you cancel your auction and sell it to me cheaper?"

"Will you ship to (fill in your favorite third world country)?"

"Can I send you a check for $1800 for your $800 bass?"

"Will you just sell me the pickups?"

"How many sets of strings will you throw in if I buy your bass?"

While my sales here always have tire kickers, I just realize that this is part of the sales process. Increasing your audience won't eliminate that.