Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: LarryInMichigan on May 13, 2012, 08:32:25 PM

Title: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: LarryInMichigan on May 13, 2012, 08:32:25 PM
I finally listed my white WE 1500D: link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/261023820519).  I hope that this goes better than most of my ebay listings (and gets more than one bid).

Larry

Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: Dennis Markham on May 13, 2012, 09:04:00 PM
It looks good, Larry.  Good luck with your auction.
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: LarryInMichigan on May 13, 2012, 09:10:25 PM
Thank you, Dennis. 

Larry
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: LarryInMichigan on May 20, 2012, 09:16:37 PM
Well, it sold this evening for $77.77, which is considerably less than I had hoped to get for it.  I must be doing something wrong.

Larry
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: Dave F on May 20, 2012, 10:14:33 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on May 20, 2012, 09:16:37 PM
Well, it sold this evening for $77.77, which is considerably less than I had hoped to get for it.  I must be doing something wrong.

Larry

I don't think you did anything wrong.  eBay is always a turkey-shoot.  Just like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.  Actually, that seems like a reasonable price for both buyer and seller.  If it had the older-style solid faceplate with rear-mounted number card, it would probably have sold for a little more.  No reason to hang your head in shame,  you did fine.

DF
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: Doug Rose on May 21, 2012, 10:17:09 AM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on May 20, 2012, 09:16:37 PM
Well, it sold this evening for $77.77, which is considerably less than I had hoped to get for it.  I must be doing something wrong.

Larry

Larry....I always have my opening bid as the least amount I would accept for the phone. I don't like reserves as I think they scare buyers away, just my opinion.

If you want $200 fro you phone, have $200 as your opening bid with no buy it now....Doug
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: LarryInMichigan on August 02, 2017, 03:02:53 PM
Quote from: Doug Rose on May 21, 2012, 10:17:09 AM
Larry....I always have my opening bid as the least amount I would accept for the phone. I don't like reserves as I think they scare buyers away, just my opinion.

If you want $200 fro you phone, have $200 as your opening bid with no buy it now....Doug

I agree that reserves are very counterproductive, but high opening bids also tend to discourage prospective bidders.  Nearly everyone likes to get a bargain, so setting a low opening bid attracts bidders who hope to get a bargain.  At least some of them may stick around after their low bids are surpassed and enter higher bids.  Of course, if one sets a $.99 opening bid, they run the risk of losing money, and I have won a few items in the past with such bids.  There is a difficult balance involved.

Larry
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: HarrySmith on August 02, 2017, 04:04:47 PM
I have the same issue. I do not sell tons of stuff on ebay so I cannot afford to lose money on an auction. One time I started the auction at 99 cents and I did lose money, never again! I start the bidding at what I need to get. I figure the cost of the item plus 20% for eBay & PayPal fees and a liitle for profit. If it does not sell, no problem, relist it. I have found everything sells eventually!
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: Doug Rose on August 02, 2017, 06:14:47 PM
Summer is the slow time on eBay as everyone is on vacation....unless you have something that everyone wants.  If it doesn't sell, I relist  with a lower opening bid. It will usually go unless you are asking Antique Store prices. eBay has been very good to Jan and me. It is a great second job, doing what we enjoy doing.  It will be a good retirement job in the not so distant future...Doug
Title: Re: WE 1500D Listed on eBay
Post by: HarrySmith on August 02, 2017, 06:37:16 PM
Quote from: Doug Rose on August 02, 2017, 06:14:47 PM
It will be a good retirement job in the not so distant future...Doug

My thinking exactly!