Soft market

[amecks]

Papaw - whoops!  Your link is somehow my stuff.  Ya might wanna edit that.
Regards
Al

[international3414]

current offerings,takes me to mine...whats up with that

[Papaw]

Sorry. I fixed it.   http://www.ebay.com/usr/papawswrench

[international3414]

anyway if someone doesnt know,you need to click advanced search then click find a member,.to find ebayers

[wvtools]

I have been selling tools on Ebay since 1999.  Yes, I would say prices are down overall now.  I have noticed over the years that one the best times to sell tools is in January and February.  My theory is that guys do not get what they want for Christmas or spend a lot on their family, and then decide to treat themselves afterward.

[lptools]

Hello, All. I have been selling tools on ebay for over 10 years now. The user quality tools, and fairly common collectible tools, are not doing well. Things that are rare, clean & well cared for, new old stock, or original box tools , usually do quite well. Shipping is the deal breaker for most buyers, so I try to group similar items, and use a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box . Extreme care in packaging is a must, ebay seems to side with the buyer, and I try to take a photo of the packaged item before I seal up the box. I rarely offer free shipping, I have no friends, relatives, or connections with the USPS, I have to buy postage just like everyone else. Good luck with your sales, and a Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[bonneyman]

Sorry to hear about your issues, Noel. It kinda seems to catch up with all of us eventually, doesn't it?

I never sold on ebay, and stopped buying about a year and a half ago. The fees and shipping pretty much almost doubled the price on the things I usually go after. Just couldn't justify it. But I think with the economic times as they are people have less disposable income, and are cutting back. Just my 2 cents..

[Lostmind]

I never sold on ebay. I usually sell on the forums. Tools and antique auto parts and accessories.
It was better 2 years ago. Been slowing for quite a while. Rare or hard to find , I usually have multiple buyers at the same time. I have a lot of nice pieces that guys can't justify the shipping and the item both.
The " ordinary" items end up at the flea market or garage sale.
Eventually , when I'm gone , it will all be disposed of in some way.
There just aren't a lot of 20-30 year olds looking for antiques.
Usable " used" tools , cheap , sell.

[rustcollector]

Shipping is the deal breaker for most buyers, so I try to group similar items, and use a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box .

Keep in mind, I sell older, heavier cast implement wrenches for the most part while reading this....

I always believed the same thing. Until I started watching the guys at some of the on-site auctions that allowed for taking out items and having them sold as individual lots. Guys would pull out a ton of them to have them sold separately. They just don't even want to deal with the stuff that they don't want for themselves. Personally, I think that's crazy to do that. Box lots are almost always cheaper than an individual item would be.
As far as selling on ebay.. I've switched to listing the majority of my stuff as single items a few times. If they don't sell I'll either group them up or set them aside to try a few months later. The biggest thing is getting the buyers on ebay to understand the whole concept of combined shipping. As simple as it is, it's amazing how many buyers can't figure it out.  As it goes for me and the types of wrenches I sell.... Buy 1 average size wrench that weighs over 13 ounces, the cost is $6, but you can buy 3 or 4 and still get $6 in a flat rate envelope. (Sandwich the wrenches in cardboard and bubble wrap and there are no issues with the envelopes). Buy 5 to 10 or 12, shipping costs $12, medium flat rate box. More than that will usually jump it to the large flat rate box at $18, but when you split that cost between 15 or more wrenches it makes it a pretty small cost per item.  For sellers selling the heavier cast wrenches like I do, I highly suggest looking into the regional rate boxes the USPS offers too.
Also to those that are saying that the flat rate envelope and box don't cost $6 and $12, remember that ebay is charging the seller 10% on what they charge for shipping, so I get that back by using the 6 and 12 rule.
 

I have been selling tools on Ebay since 1999.  Yes, I would say prices are down overall now.  I have noticed over the years that one the best times to sell tools is in January and February.  My theory is that guys do not get what they want for Christmas or spend a lot on their family, and then decide to treat themselves afterward.

I have to agree that it's better that time of year... but I'd say it's more due to there are not as many auctions, flea markets or other avenues for these people to get their "tool fix" during that time of year.

[turnnut]

 I guess that I will throw in my 2 cents here,   I had sold on bay, but not for a few years now.

 when they told me that I had to use paypal that they owned, I was not happy. I had been taking postal checks & personnel checks
 and had no problems.  a few customers only used their checks and were not paypal contributors.

 paypal charging for postal collections is very unjust.  they are pushing for free shipping.

 as for buying, yes, I buy on bay and most of the time I just figure the cost of shipping it to me is cheaper than the cost of running around
 looking for that same item.

 bundle, bundle, bundle, yes, it is a good thing as far as shipping.

 one complaint while checking some sellers S/H fees,  they are making it out of this world. "menobuyfromthem."

 bad feedback ?  buyers rule over sellers under paypal/bay rules. there are a few buyers that are scammers.

 OPTIONS, yes, look for tool swop meets. can't beat buyer/seller one on one. friendships are made at these meets, 

[Papaw]

I have sold at a few tool swap meets, but there are none near me these days, and I haven't been much for traveling
lately.

[elkpointtoolco]

I have been selling tools on Ebay since 1999.  Yes, I would say prices are down overall now.  I have noticed over the years that one the best times to sell tools is in January and February.  My theory is that guys do not get what they want for Christmas or spend a lot on their family, and then decide to treat themselves afterward.

+1 on this...Old tools just aren't a common Christmas gift, and I personally prefer to pick out my own tools myself. I find that my eBay sales start cooking in January and really take off in February-March. Summertime can be slow too.

Shameless opportunistic plug: http://stores.ebay.com/Elk-Point-Tools

[Lewill2]

2, H D Smith "S" handled adjustable wrenches just sold on eBay for $148 and change and $146 and change. One was 8 inches and the other was 6 inches. They supposedly came out of the same tool box. Both looked in almost new condition. I was surprised to see the 8 inch bring a few dollars more than the 6 inch.

[turnnut]

 I was watching those, the same buyer took both wrenches.

 just prior to that, the same seller sold a wood handle, perfect handle screwdriver.

 he is now selling a perfect handle tire iron that is only going for $7

 almost all his bids start at $6 and I have never seen him put any on reserve.

 he is from Conn,  as are the perfect handle tools.

 goes by     stno1y

[Papaw]

I have bought from him in the past. He is honest and has good tools for sale.