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Give your eBay antiques & collectibles listings an upgrade
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Rare 1939 World's Fair reporter's typewriter
If you're not already doing anything, or all of the things on this list, then putting some of these to work will be like getting a personal eBay upgrade.
Let's look at some things you can do to amp up the sales of your antiques and collectibles on eBay. For the sake of this article, I'm going to assume you already know how important the basics are, such as an accurate description, good photos and a proper title especially suited for Online search.
Proper template: If you have a special item, let's say over a few hundred dollars, the choice of a tasteful matching template becomes more important. In general, templates that are real busy and have a lot going on usually detracts attention from the item, especially if the item is a busy piece itself such as a cityscape painting or a patchwork quilt with a lot of details.
Drama: Sure a good description is important, but if you can think of a truthful dramatic first sentence to write about your item, put it in the description, and odds are good that the entire description will be read. This is something that doesn't happen often enough. It seems we've gotten too used to scanning website content, perhaps because much of it is mundane and poorly written. Therefore, a good dramatic opener, is welcome anywhere, even in an eBay listing, so long as it remains useful and truthful to the item description.
Good pictures are important, but what they say is more important.
Make sure your pictures tell a story: If it's at all possible to show a picture of the item that depicts someone enjoying or using it, with all things equal, this will be the better pic over others.
If you have something with damage, show some good clear pics of that damage. It's a good idea to put something of a well known size next to the damage such as a pencil point etc. This imbues honesty and right away answers questions that would have eventually been asked, or even worse, not asked. When questions are not asked or answered up front on many eBay antique trades, THAT usually causes problems to arise.
Sometimes the less said the better: In many cases you may not know the age or period of your item, and that's fine. If you don't, simply state what you do know about it, such as size, condition and maybe a bit of personal history. If you think you really need to know the age, and haven't a clue, get a professional opinion first. An age authentication on most common antiques can be done free, or for a low cost. I answer such questions for free when I am able to. Send .jpg pictures and your question to ask@ auctionwally.com
Tell the world about yourself: If you have a web-presence, besides your eBay ID, a good time to mention that is in the item description right after any condition disclosure or statement of honesty. Remember, you can say, "I can be found elsewhere Online as Auctionwally" but couldn't put "I'm at http://Auctionwally.com", which would be a violation of eBay policy.
Steer clear of distractions: If your head is in eBay, and you're not looking for another venue to sell on, stay in the work and develop according to things that can help your business. Columns that are critical of eBay policy are really for those in the debate, and they can be a huge time-suck to those trying to get work done.
Reserves usually fail: If you're going to list auctions, in general, don't bother with a reserve, it's the rare case that one will ever make you one nickel more. Also, it becomes difficult to sell something rare after it's been on the auction block with a reserve and it didn't sell. It's as if the item has a jinx on it, and becomes a white elephant. Perhaps this is an old Yankee superstition perhaps, but it happens over and over.
Speaking of auctions on eBay, they may not be as good an idea as they used to be. Many more are now selling antiques and collectibles on eBay with the fixed price format. My friend Cliff Aliperti, the New York eCommerce Examiner, has a new philosophy of start it high and let it fly, via a fixed price listing with a best-offer backup. He uses this to list the lion's share of his vintage movie star memorabilia rather than the auction format on eBay, which he used predominantly just a short time ago.
Make sure to enclose a business card and/or sales flier with every package you ship, and immediately ask every happy customer if they would like to have their email added to your email newsletter list. You do have a newsletter list right?
Well, that's it for now, I can easily add to the content of this list, and will likely do so in the future. There have been a lot of changes to eBay regarding the sale of antique, collectible and unique items. Those that choose to adapt to these changes, will benefit from a make-over of their listings. Those that refuse to, would likely be better served with another venue, because it's become clear that eBay will not be bending on policy.
Test your antiques knowledge: Do you know what the item pictured below is called and what it's worth? Click on the pic or the link below it to see the full online appraisal..
See the online appraisal for this antique.
What I'm up to:
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