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Selling expensive items on eBay8933

Collector Drogio private msg quote post Address this user
Never sold an item over $200 before. But for those of you who do, given eBay’s “the buyer is always right” policies what best practices do you employ to protect yourself from scammers?

Or do you opt for a different service like comiclink for such sales as they add better seller protections?2

Obviously insure the package and I would even think signature required on delivery when using usps. But i’m Wondering if fed ex might be better as they will package the item for you to insure full coverage up to $1000 I believe.

Thoughts/advice? I’d say my comics to sell range from $200-$500.
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I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for. drchaos private msg quote post Address this user
USPS insurance is expensive.

If you plan to sell large items on a regular basis I would suggest third party insurance (I use collector's insurance).

With that said my policy has a $200 deductible and priority mail only give $50-100 of free insurance so I end up self-insuring the gap between $100-200.

Also, I wouldn't want my rates to go up if I had a loss under $300 I would probably end up eating the difference.

After selling hundreds of slabbed comics on ebay, the biggest problem I have had so far is an average of about one cracked case every year or so.

If my buyer does get a book with a cracked case I file a claim with USPS for about $50 and give the full amount to the buyer who can re-holder the book if they care to.
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Collector QuaBrot private msg quote post Address this user
Tracking, insurance, good packing, and trust that the majority of buyers are decent comic book collectors like you (and hopefully you are a decent seller who represents your items truthfully and accurately).

When there is an issue try to honestly resolve it, don't allow yourself to become emotional or be baited by an angry seller (or scammer), and be nice to the eBay personnel you deal with - they follow company protocols AND they are the ones who will ultimately decide who is right in any dispute - if you're an a$$ to them they'll think maybe you're just an a$$#@!3 seller and decide for the buyer.
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Captain Corrector CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user
@Drogio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drogio
Never sold an item over $200 before. But for those of you who do, given eBay’s “the buyer is always right” policies what best practices do you employ to protect yourself from scammers?

Or do you opt for a different service like comiclink for such sales as they add better seller protections?2

Obviously insure the package and I would even think signature required on delivery when using usps. But i’m Wondering if fed ex might be better as they will package the item for you to insure full coverage up to $1000 I believe.

Thoughts/advice? I’d say my comics to sell range from $200-$500.


Try to sell locally, if possible. You will avoid a lot fees and potentially, a lot headaches.
Post 4 IP   flag post
I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life. kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user
I have sold many items over $2000-$4000 and have not had any issues on ebay.

The only time I will never forget - (Outside of ebay from my own website) I have had a $300 Ninja Turtle toy destroyed by a buyer who had "buyers remorse" and filed a double dip insurance claim so I was left with a $100 creased toy packaging and forever a memory of Salvador Cantu, Jr.
Post 5 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR shrewbeer private msg quote post Address this user
Just send it registered mail. Costs a few bucks more but has plenty of insurance
Post 6 IP   flag post
Collector Drogio private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaptainmyke
I have sold many items over $2000-$4000 and have not had any issues on ebay.

The only time I will never forget - (Outside of ebay from my own website) I have had a $300 Ninja Turtle toy destroyed by a buyer who had "buyers remorse" and filed a double dip insurance claim so I was left with a $100 creased toy packaging and forever a memory of Salvador Cantu, Jr.


I remember that! You were pissed.

So far advice is appreciated, but I do want to address some of it to my situation:

I’m not looking to set up ongoing insurance coverage at this time. This will likely be a few items and that’s it.

I get the selling local thing being safest, but my question is really about how to sell online and best protect myself from scammers. I’m looking to move items within a week or two when I get them. So through web auctions/consignments is what I’m looking to do. And anyone I offer it to is just going to point out a price on eBay and try to lowball me anyway. These are graded comics, btw.
Post 7 IP   flag post
Collector Drogio private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by shrewbeer
Just send it registered mail. Costs a few bucks more but has plenty of insurance


I’m looking into that, but how does it protect from someone who claims the package does not contain the item described? I think all it does is confirm the recipient got the package you sent.

I’m thinking if I sold through comiclink they ship the package so it’s on them if the buyer files a claim.

It seems to me the best way to avoid it is to have someone else package it up and carry the risk. That’s either fedex (I think) or a online consignment business specializing in comics.
Post 8 IP   flag post
Collector etapi65 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drogio
Quote:
Originally Posted by shrewbeer
Just send it registered mail. Costs a few bucks more but has plenty of insurance


I’m looking into that, but how does it protect from someone who claims the package does not contain the item described? I think all it does is confirm the recipient got the package you sent.

I’m thinking if I sold through comiclink they ship the package so it’s on them if the buyer files a claim.

It seems to me the best way to avoid it is to have someone else package it up and carry the risk. That’s either fedex (I think) or a online consignment business specializing in comics.
.

Ultimately, you can never completely protect yourself from something like this. But, if you're selling on ebay; make your policies extremely clear in the auction itself. Make it big, make it bold. I think, you may even be able to put limits on the number of feedback people have that can purchase from you. If they're dropping several hundred on a comic; they've likely been an ebay buyer for a while and there should be some feedback. I've only sold a couple dozen items in the 20 years I've been on (including a $1500 gold coin), but I've, luckily, never had an issue. I think these instances are exceedingly rare. There's also some sort of protection you can get through paypal and through credit card companies if you feel the buyer is committing fraud
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Collector poka private msg quote post Address this user
@Drogio remember sig confirmation on anything $750 or above
Post 10 IP   flag post
Collector poka private msg quote post Address this user
now back to the interesting question - what do u got?
Post 11 IP   flag post
Collector doog private msg quote post Address this user
“Always sell tomorrow what you can keep today”
Post 12 IP   flag post
Captain Corrector CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user
@Drogio Quote:
Originally Posted by Drogio

And anyone I offer it to is just going to point out a price on eBay and try to lowball me anyway.

An eBay sale of $500 would only net you around $435.

Check out this feeBay calculator

Final Fee Calc

Something to consider.
Post 13 IP   flag post
I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life. kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user
Remember that time I sold my Amazing Spider-man #1 1st printing CBCS 1.5 VSP Stan Lee for $4,500 and I sent it no insurance, no signature required to a Lawyer in Canada? Totally dodged armor piercing bullets that time - never again!
Post 14 IP   flag post
Collector Drogio private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaptainmyke
Remember that time I sold my Amazing Spider-man #1 1st printing CBCS 1.5 VSP Stan Lee for $4,500 and I sent it no insurance, no signature required to a Lawyer in Canada? Totally dodged armor piercing bullets that time - never again!


Before my time here. Sounds like a rookie maneuver.
Post 15 IP   flag post
I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life. kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user
It was a customs issue, really. More like gambling maneuver.
Post 16 IP   flag post
Why just the women? I like bears. Gaard private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by drchaos

If my buyer does get a book with a cracked case I file a claim with USPS for about $50 and give the full amount to the buyer who can re-holder the book if they care to.

You never have a problem filing a claim with USPS?
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"Forum Overlord" bah ha ha ha... JustThatGuy private msg quote post Address this user
I’ve sold expensive books on eBay before. Ones from $750 to $1500 and I offered free shipping every time but I also factor the shipping, signature, and insurance on em. Plus not shipping out side of the US either. No issues so far. I hate scammers.
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