.
You no longer need a computer to sell items on eBay. Now, a company called AuctionDrop will do it for you and even pack and ship it to the buyer.
Call them toll-free at 866-376-7486 or fill out a form online at www.auctiondrop.com. Then drop off your item at one of the company’s 3,700 drop-off locations. AuctionDrop photographs your item, puts it on eBay, and ships it to the buyer. They tell you when it sells, collect their commission, and send a check to you for the rest.
It’s always a good idea to read the fine print before you jumping in. Every auction house charges a commission, but you’ll pay a premium for this service. AuctionDrop keeps 38 percent of the first $200 you make from the sale, 30 percent of the next $300, and 20 percent of anything over $500, plus a small commission they pay to eBay. In some cases, they may charge a flat fee. You would pay a much smaller commission – and keep more of your own money – if you sell your goods yourself on eBay.
All the best,
Timben
Showing posts with label Collectibles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collectibles. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Protect yourself while bidding online
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hears lots of complaints about online auctions every year. Most involve sellers who fail to ship items, ship them late, or falsely advertise their wares, while some deal with fake electronic payment services and con men posing as legitimate dealers.
You don’t have to be a victim. Follow this advice from the FTC.
* Read the auction site’s Terms of Service agreement to see if they offer money-back guarantees, free insurance, complaint handling, and other protections for buyers.
* Get more info. E-mail or call the seller and ask if the item comes with any warranties or service agreements, what types of payment they accept, who pays for shipping and how much it will it cost, and what their return policy is. Don’t bid until you get answers.
* Check out the seller. Many sites have feedback ratings where people who bought items from a seller rate their service. Use these as guidelines, but don’t depend on them exclusively. Get a seller’s phone number, and call it to make sure it works before you send them money.
* Pay with a credit card if possible. It protects you the most from fraudulent dealers and incorrect transactions. If the seller does not accept credit cards, consider paying through a reputable payment or escrow service, like PayPal.
* Protect your identity. Thoroughly research the seller and payment or escrow service, if you are using one, before you give out your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. Call the Better Business Bureau and state attorney general both where you live and where the seller and payment service are located and ask if they have complaints filed against them.
Should you have problems with a purchase, try to work it out directly with the seller, payment service, or auction Web site. If you can’t get satisfaction, file a complaint with your state’s attorney general, consumer protection agency, and Better Business Bureau, and call the Federal Trade Commission toll free at 877-382-4357.
All the best,
Timben
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hears lots of complaints about online auctions every year. Most involve sellers who fail to ship items, ship them late, or falsely advertise their wares, while some deal with fake electronic payment services and con men posing as legitimate dealers.
You don’t have to be a victim. Follow this advice from the FTC.
* Read the auction site’s Terms of Service agreement to see if they offer money-back guarantees, free insurance, complaint handling, and other protections for buyers.
* Get more info. E-mail or call the seller and ask if the item comes with any warranties or service agreements, what types of payment they accept, who pays for shipping and how much it will it cost, and what their return policy is. Don’t bid until you get answers.
* Check out the seller. Many sites have feedback ratings where people who bought items from a seller rate their service. Use these as guidelines, but don’t depend on them exclusively. Get a seller’s phone number, and call it to make sure it works before you send them money.
* Pay with a credit card if possible. It protects you the most from fraudulent dealers and incorrect transactions. If the seller does not accept credit cards, consider paying through a reputable payment or escrow service, like PayPal.
* Protect your identity. Thoroughly research the seller and payment or escrow service, if you are using one, before you give out your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. Call the Better Business Bureau and state attorney general both where you live and where the seller and payment service are located and ask if they have complaints filed against them.
Should you have problems with a purchase, try to work it out directly with the seller, payment service, or auction Web site. If you can’t get satisfaction, file a complaint with your state’s attorney general, consumer protection agency, and Better Business Bureau, and call the Federal Trade Commission toll free at 877-382-4357.
All the best,
Timben
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Win online auctions with ease
.
Online auctions, like eBay, let you choose from a huge selection of items and, generally, pay less for them than you would anywhere else. Some people even make a living buying goods at Internet auctions and reselling them retail.
Competition can be stiff, so be prepared to fight for what you want – at least until it costs more than you can spend. Try these bid-winning tips from eBay the Smart Way.
* Refresh the Web page often during the final minutes of an auction so you can see the latest bid. Go to the auction page for the item you want to buy, and click the Refresh button on your internet browser.
* Bid the Bay Way. Choose how much you’re willing to pay for something, then ask eBay to bid for you, up to that amount. You can even set the increment, how much eBay raises your bid each time, by 50 cents, $1, $5, and so on. Each time someone bids higher than you, eBay will raise your bid above theirs by the increment you set, up to your maximum, saving you both time and money.
* Use the 10-cents difference trick. Ebay forces you to raise your bid by at least a certain dollar amount each time, usually a round number, like $1 or $5. Increase yours by that amount plus 10 cents to get a jump on your competition and raise your odds of winning the auction.
* Become a Sniper. Sniper software lets you swoop in and bid at the last minute, with the idea that if you raise the bid say 15 or 30 seconds before the auction closes, you will win because no one else will have time to counter. You can buy Snipe software on eBay or subscribe to a Web service that will Snipe for you.
No strategy guarantees you a win, but auctions are supposed to be fun, right? Win or lose, always enjoy the game.
All the best,
Timben
Online auctions, like eBay, let you choose from a huge selection of items and, generally, pay less for them than you would anywhere else. Some people even make a living buying goods at Internet auctions and reselling them retail.
Competition can be stiff, so be prepared to fight for what you want – at least until it costs more than you can spend. Try these bid-winning tips from eBay the Smart Way.
* Refresh the Web page often during the final minutes of an auction so you can see the latest bid. Go to the auction page for the item you want to buy, and click the Refresh button on your internet browser.
* Bid the Bay Way. Choose how much you’re willing to pay for something, then ask eBay to bid for you, up to that amount. You can even set the increment, how much eBay raises your bid each time, by 50 cents, $1, $5, and so on. Each time someone bids higher than you, eBay will raise your bid above theirs by the increment you set, up to your maximum, saving you both time and money.
* Use the 10-cents difference trick. Ebay forces you to raise your bid by at least a certain dollar amount each time, usually a round number, like $1 or $5. Increase yours by that amount plus 10 cents to get a jump on your competition and raise your odds of winning the auction.
* Become a Sniper. Sniper software lets you swoop in and bid at the last minute, with the idea that if you raise the bid say 15 or 30 seconds before the auction closes, you will win because no one else will have time to counter. You can buy Snipe software on eBay or subscribe to a Web service that will Snipe for you.
No strategy guarantees you a win, but auctions are supposed to be fun, right? Win or lose, always enjoy the game.
All the best,
Timben
Friday, January 29, 2010
Insider’s guide to online auctions
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Internet auctions work a lot like regular auctions – Yahoo, eBay, Amazon.com and other virtual auction houses act as proxies between buyers and sellers, awarding goods to the highest bidders.
* You can buy anything under the sun at mega auction sites, but don’t sell the small ones short. Large auction sites, like eBay, don’t guarantee and item’s authenticity, but some specialized Internet auction sites do. You may also have more luck finding what you want.
* Read every site’s Terms of Service agreement and Privacy Policy so you understand the rules sellers and buyers play by. For example, all sales are final at some, while others let you return goods. Some let you withdraw your bid, others don’t. Know the terms before you shop.
* Set a ceiling on how much you are willing to pay for an item, and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the bidding frenzy and spend more than you had planned.
* Check the piece’s going price at stores and recent auctions before you bid on it to avoid overpaying.
* Read all the specific information the seller gives about an object. Look for details about its condition and whether any pieces are missing. You can complain to the auction company and, in some cases, return the item if the seller mislead you.
All the best,
Timben
Internet auctions work a lot like regular auctions – Yahoo, eBay, Amazon.com and other virtual auction houses act as proxies between buyers and sellers, awarding goods to the highest bidders.
* You can buy anything under the sun at mega auction sites, but don’t sell the small ones short. Large auction sites, like eBay, don’t guarantee and item’s authenticity, but some specialized Internet auction sites do. You may also have more luck finding what you want.
* Read every site’s Terms of Service agreement and Privacy Policy so you understand the rules sellers and buyers play by. For example, all sales are final at some, while others let you return goods. Some let you withdraw your bid, others don’t. Know the terms before you shop.
* Set a ceiling on how much you are willing to pay for an item, and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the bidding frenzy and spend more than you had planned.
* Check the piece’s going price at stores and recent auctions before you bid on it to avoid overpaying.
* Read all the specific information the seller gives about an object. Look for details about its condition and whether any pieces are missing. You can complain to the auction company and, in some cases, return the item if the seller mislead you.
All the best,
Timben
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Quick tips for flea market shopping
.
Not every flea market item is a steal, but savvy collectors know how to sniff out the best deals. This guide can help you walk away happy, too.
* Arrive early for the largest selection. The best deals disappear early.
* If you need a particular item, find how much it sells for in retail stores before you hit the flea market.
* Inspect items carefully for chips, missing pieces, or tears before you buy. Generally you can’t return a flea market find.
* Before you spring for that antique table and chairs, make sure you have a way to get them home. Most dealers don’t deliver.
* Find a stall you especially like? Get the vendor’s card and ask how often she sells there, when she gets in new pieces, and where else she exhibits. You may want to visit her again.
* Walk away from an item you aren’t sure about buying. If it still calls to you from two aisles away, go back for it. Better yet, if business is slow for that seller, wait until the day’s end when he will be happy to make a deal.
* Shop around at several vendors before you buy. Dealers occasionally buy from the same wholesale sources, so some may offer the same goods at different prices.
All the best,
Timben
Not every flea market item is a steal, but savvy collectors know how to sniff out the best deals. This guide can help you walk away happy, too.
* Arrive early for the largest selection. The best deals disappear early.
* If you need a particular item, find how much it sells for in retail stores before you hit the flea market.
* Inspect items carefully for chips, missing pieces, or tears before you buy. Generally you can’t return a flea market find.
* Before you spring for that antique table and chairs, make sure you have a way to get them home. Most dealers don’t deliver.
* Find a stall you especially like? Get the vendor’s card and ask how often she sells there, when she gets in new pieces, and where else she exhibits. You may want to visit her again.
* Walk away from an item you aren’t sure about buying. If it still calls to you from two aisles away, go back for it. Better yet, if business is slow for that seller, wait until the day’s end when he will be happy to make a deal.
* Shop around at several vendors before you buy. Dealers occasionally buy from the same wholesale sources, so some may offer the same goods at different prices.
All the best,
Timben
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Best bet for antique bargains
.
Flea markets are like giant indoor yard sales with vendors hocking the usual toys, tools, and clothing. But they’re also treasure troves of art, antique furniture and jewelry, and other collectible wares.
By shopping these bazaars, you can decorate like royalty – without spending a fortune. Make the most of flea market finds with this advice from Secrets to Affordable Antiques.
* Look for monogrammed flatware. Most people prefer plain pieces, leaving you super deals on real initialed silver.
* Buy antique furniture in single pieces. Sets cost more money. Even George and Martha Washington did not own matching bedroom furniture.
* Pay for the art, not for the name. Buy unsigned paintings for the best value, or pictures by little-known artists.
* Hang pictures with tears or damaged frames above the stairs, over a bookcase, or elsewhere high on the wall. It’s hard to see flaws from a few feet away.
* Touch up scarred frames with matching acrylic paint.
* Try the same technique with chipped, cracked vases, china, and ceramics. Display them high on shelves and turn the damaged sides to the wall.
* Repair tears in canvas or paper with a little masking tape across the picture’s back and hangs it high.
* Don’t shop for collectibles in the town where they were made. Pottery, furniture, and other antiques are always more expensive in their hometowns.
All the best,
Timben
Flea markets are like giant indoor yard sales with vendors hocking the usual toys, tools, and clothing. But they’re also treasure troves of art, antique furniture and jewelry, and other collectible wares.
By shopping these bazaars, you can decorate like royalty – without spending a fortune. Make the most of flea market finds with this advice from Secrets to Affordable Antiques.
* Look for monogrammed flatware. Most people prefer plain pieces, leaving you super deals on real initialed silver.
* Buy antique furniture in single pieces. Sets cost more money. Even George and Martha Washington did not own matching bedroom furniture.
* Pay for the art, not for the name. Buy unsigned paintings for the best value, or pictures by little-known artists.
* Hang pictures with tears or damaged frames above the stairs, over a bookcase, or elsewhere high on the wall. It’s hard to see flaws from a few feet away.
* Touch up scarred frames with matching acrylic paint.
* Try the same technique with chipped, cracked vases, china, and ceramics. Display them high on shelves and turn the damaged sides to the wall.
* Repair tears in canvas or paper with a little masking tape across the picture’s back and hangs it high.
* Don’t shop for collectibles in the town where they were made. Pottery, furniture, and other antiques are always more expensive in their hometowns.
All the best,
Timben
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Uncover coin collecting secrets
.
Is that old penny really worth $100? Find out using free information about coin collecting. The United States Mint – the ultimate coin authority – offers free information for both, avid and amateur coin collectors on its Web sites, www.usmint.gov. Click on Consumer Awareness for valuable tips on how to tell real collectibles U.S. coins from fakes. Or click on About Us and go to the Collector’s Corner for free advice on finding, buying, and caring for your coins.
Free newsletters from coin traders and collecting societies provide price lists and insider’s advice. Coin dealer Ellesmere Numismatics puts out The Winning Edge newsletter, a widely circulated price list guide for rare U.S. coins. Best of all, it’s free for the first six months. Just call 800-426-3343 or subscribe online at www.ellesmerecoin.com.
Sign up now, and they will also send you two free booklets on coin collecting, 638 Coins with a Fundamental Reason to Rise in Value and The Nine Most common Mistakes Made by Rare Coin Investors.
Your local library is also a helpful resource for valuing your coins. Put a price on your money with these books.
* A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S.Yeoman (updated yearly)
* The Standard Catalog of World Coins from Krause Publications
All the best,
Timben
Is that old penny really worth $100? Find out using free information about coin collecting. The United States Mint – the ultimate coin authority – offers free information for both, avid and amateur coin collectors on its Web sites, www.usmint.gov. Click on Consumer Awareness for valuable tips on how to tell real collectibles U.S. coins from fakes. Or click on About Us and go to the Collector’s Corner for free advice on finding, buying, and caring for your coins.
Free newsletters from coin traders and collecting societies provide price lists and insider’s advice. Coin dealer Ellesmere Numismatics puts out The Winning Edge newsletter, a widely circulated price list guide for rare U.S. coins. Best of all, it’s free for the first six months. Just call 800-426-3343 or subscribe online at www.ellesmerecoin.com.
Sign up now, and they will also send you two free booklets on coin collecting, 638 Coins with a Fundamental Reason to Rise in Value and The Nine Most common Mistakes Made by Rare Coin Investors.
Your local library is also a helpful resource for valuing your coins. Put a price on your money with these books.
* A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S.Yeoman (updated yearly)
* The Standard Catalog of World Coins from Krause Publications
All the best,
Timben
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