Adventures in Selling on eBay

Hi Everyone

Selling on eBay, Bonanzle, and other sites online can be an adventure!

With Teddy Bears and miscellaneous Collectibles, you never know what will sell, what items may create a bidding war, or what questions you may receive.  You think you've put every detail in your listing and a new question will arise!  "Are the bowl dimensions and inside measurement or an outside measurement?"  That was an interesting one! 

Often a buyer is so excited about finding your listing they may not actually READ it!  My title said 9" Porcelain Doll and within the description I say she stands approx. 9 inches tall.  I received the question "How tall is the doll"?

I sold a vintage California pottery ashtray this week.  The buyer wants me to include a cup of sand or pebbles from any lake, river, or beach that may be near me and to include the location.  She collects SAND worldwide!

I received an inquiry about shipping a large Barbie Playset to ECUADOR!  I had to look up where that was and I have to wonder if Barbie is rare in such far flung places since shipping is HIGH for large parcels from Canada to international destinations!

Selling Collectibles involves research.  You need to try and find out pattern names; manufacturers; production, issue, retirement dates etc; and whatever extra details that may help buyers find your item or aid them in making their decision to buy YOUR item.  This research means you know a little bit about LOTS of things and you can impress your friends and family with obscure snippets of information about any number of things. 

When wearing a cummerbund or cumberbund (both spellings are acceptable), always wear the pleats UP.  This was to be able to tuck ticket stubs or other small items away safely and coined the slang name "crumb catcher" for a cumberbund!  Originally, the cummerbund was adopted by the British military in Colonial India as a cooler alternative to a waistcoat and it later spread to civilian use and is now a standard accessory under a "Black Tie" dress code.

Chenille bedspreads and other items, popular in the 60's & 70's, are VERY popular today for collectors and those that create bears/stuffed toys/cushions from various types of material.  Condition doesn't even have to be an issue, depending on who is seeking the chenille.  Chenille has "terms" or pattern names.  I found out from a friendly ebayer that the little knobby knots or dots pattern is a type of chenille called "Candlewick".  It is not soft and fluffy like the typical chenille stripes you think of from your childhood bedroom, but is sought after today!

I uncovered a real TREASURE at a charity sale.  A Spode dinner plate from c1893 in PRISTINE condition!  Research took me to the chart of Registration numbers often shown on vintage British dinnerware where you can pinpoint when an item pattern was created.  This along with other maker's marks on the backstamp can help you confirm a manufacture date within a few years.  This plate is approx. 117 years old and it looks like it just left the factory!  I received a question: "why is your plate so expensive?  Will you take $10?"

I received a inquiry on a vintage evening handbag, made in Czechoslovakia c1940's which is covered in seed beads, pearlized and in silver and clear colours.  "Are these real pearls or just glass beads?".  I think I could retire on the sale if they were "Real"!!!

You never get bored Treasure Hunting, researching, selling and receiving input from colleagues and fellow ebayers!  eBay is a true ADVENTURE!

Bear Hugs
Mandy