Selling on Ebay or other suggested ways to decrease inventory

[Robin Gentry MCPF]

Hi All,

I have been selling some items on Ebay over the last year with some success. I thought I would ask if anyone else is doing this and what types of items you are selling. I have limited and open edition prints, as well as some accessories (these are fobbz from optari for the sol totes), posters, and a couple of needlework pieces I "found" when we moved. I typically will research the pieces before I list them and try to make the pricing reasonable so I can move the inventory. Most are things we have had for a while and I just want something for them.

I also have a website but it is pretty basic. I am trying to get it switched over so I can list things myself but currently that is not happening.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome. I am just trying to figure out ways to move inventory we have accumulated. I am a pack rat so I hate to throw stuff away!

Thanks Robin

 

[Jim Miller MCPF GCF]

This is a very good and timely topic, Robin. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to dispose of all the art prints we still own, because we no longer sell them. We have dozens of posters and open edition lithographs, a few serigraphs, and we probably still have one of the best collections of Charles Peterson prints in the Midwest. All of them are more than 5 years old, and some date back to the mid-90s.

I have considered posting the Peterson prints on eBay, and occasionally monitor the auctions. There are tons of those lithographs listed, but most of the auctions expire without sales, and most sales are for pennies-on-the-dollar compared to original cost. I would be happy to get any money at all out of these, but regardless of price, consumer interest in the traditional limited-edition lithographs has just about gone to zero, it seems.

Maybe it would be a good idea to offer the prints in groups of 5 to 10 prints, on the theory that if a bidder finds just one image for which they are willing to pay full price, they might compete for the whole group. I would get more dollars and dispose of more prints, and they would get wonderful deals.

What are your thoughts?

 

[John Barlowe]

List those open edition prints on Ebay as a group under "wallpaper". I am seriously going to use all of the open edition prints I have left to wallpaper the restroom in my new location.

I have quite a success of selling "things" on Ebay, not necessarily from the store though. jpbgifts on eBay.

 

[Byron Ward MCPF]

I have been a big fan of eBay since about 1997, buying and selling items on a limited basis. The biggest drawback to selling on eBay is the time-intensive, ten-or-so-step process of completing a transaction, from choosing an item, writing a description, adding an image, listing, monitoring, communicating with a buyer, packing, shipping, and entering feedback. All this for sales which are in many cases under $10. Through electronic magic, things are a lot easier now than they used to be. Still, for lower priced items, I recommend selling in lots as Jim suggests. When I started, all items were auctioned; now, it seems that the great majority of items are listed on a "buy it now" basis. From what I have seen, people who want to make real money generally list hundreds, or even thousands, of items for as long as possible with a "buy it now" price. Of course, that means that all that inventory must be safely set aside pending a sale that may come months later.

 

[Susan Gittlen MCPF]

Thanks for posting Robin. I think that this would make a great magazine article. It really hits home for us little guys that have been around for a while.

Here are a few questions:

-Is it more of a hassle to sell framed items, as you have to pack better?
-Auction vs set price?
-Do you promote your shop in the process or keep your Ebay business separate?
-Who charges sales tax?
-Is it worth the time? Do you come out ahead?
-Is there a way to photograph that is best for unframed art?
-What have you had most luck selling?

Thanks!
Susan

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

In some instances it is a good idea to simply donate the prints to a charitable auction say for a school or a social service. This way you get some good publicity as the names of the businesses who donated are mentioned on stage.

You will not make any money on, but at least there is not much time involved as in selling on Ebay, plus packaging, ringing up the courier, dealing with lost items in the mail, damaged goods. All a hassle.

I bought several prints for my two browsing bins, shrinkwrapped them. People come in, some ask how much it will cost to have this particular print they are holding framed. I tell them, depending upon the frame, between $150 and $200. Thanks, they say and put it back in the bin. I only sold one print so far. Money tied up in prints.

I have more luck in selling framed prints, as customers can buy and straight hang them on their wall. Printed canvases have sold well, stretched onto a strainer without a frame; just a hanging behind. Still, many have not sold and remain standing in the shop.

Most of my sales come from custom framing and I think, that is where I have to concentrate upon.

 

[Robin Gentry MCPF]

Thanks everyone for posting on this topic. I hope more will post info.

Jim, I have sold several Peterson Prints on ebay. The ones I have sold have been at wholesale plus shipping or at 1/2 of secondary or less plus shipping. On these I offered shipping via tube for one price and flat for an different price.

Sue, I have not sold anything framed as to properly ship would cost more than the piece and most people will not pay that. I do not package framed pieces to ship in my shop I take them to UPS for insurance purposes

I do prefer set price as I can list them for 30 days in my store - claudesprints

I do not promote my shop but when my shipping labels are printed they are from my shop so it does have my name on the shipping label

You can set the auctions to charge tax or not charge tax, I do charge tax for Ky sells

I am debating if it is worth the time but I do think it is. It gets rid of inventory that is just sitting there and not make me any money.

I just use my camera and the photos are not always great (professional looking) but they do look good for the listing.

As for what sells it just has varied. I have mostly listed limited edition prints and done fairly well. Just depends on what someone is looking for at the time?

Kai, I do donate to local charities and schools to promote my shop but I have loads of inventory that I want to unload and they are not taking it all. So I am just looking for alternative ways to still get a little money from these items. Custom Framing is the main part of my business but I do offer local art and prints with a few gift items in my store to get people in the door.

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to try to address each person. If anyone has any other suggestions Please post them for all to see.

A few things I have noticed when selling on ebay is it is nice to provide Free shipping so I just roll that into the price. I do only ship USPS Priority Mail signature required and insured. If someone wants the items shipped differently they will have to pay the difference. I also get the shipping boxes and "tubes" from USPS.com at no charge. The "tubes" are the triangle boxes which I do reinforce with cardboard.

Thanks all!

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

Yes, the triangular boxes are not as strong as the circular tubes.
Another way to get rid off excess prints Robin, is to list them in the classifieds at Framers Corner. Who knows, there may be a few framers/ gallery-owners out there who do sell prints more than others and like to take over some of your inventory.

 

[Gregory K. Norris CPF]

I like the idea of wallpapering the bathroom best.

I have about 100 open edition prints with considerable age and about 15 limited editions of dubious value. There does come a point where they cost more in space than they are worth. One consideration is depending on how your business is organized and the laws of the many jurisdictions, simply disposing of inventory may have some tax consequences. Where I am there is a formal procedure for "writing off" inventory. It might be worth running this by a CPA or tax professional. I was actually paying taxes on useless inventory for a couple of years. (We are taxed locally on our inventory).

It is probably important to keep crystal clear records of items sold on Ebay or elsewhere under another name.