/lurk

Mike Rivers wrote:

If you have a price in mind, why not post it
first here, where there might be some
people who know what it is and know it's
value, rather than go the eBay route
(which puts off some of us)?

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your question. Actually, I have sold lots of items using
Usenet ads alone down through the years. I still do so on rare
occasion. That method can obviously allow a seller to ask less than an
eBay price, due to the eBay fee and the PayPal fee, if applicable.
Regardless, the main two reasons that I still generally go the eBay
route these days with non-auction, "Buy It Now" FS listings are that:

1) eBay is far more efficient, IME. The item description, the asking
price, the type(s) of payment accepted, the capability of the buyer to
calculate the actual shipping cost to their door, feedback about the
seller left by previous buyers over years of time (versus
seller-provided "web references"), a link to contact the seller directly
if additional info about an item or a description clarification is
desired, "completed sales" searches that can reflect the item's recent
market value/trend to 'some' degree...it's all there in one spot and it
usually simplifies the whole transaction process greatly by eliminating
a good bit of buyer apprehension, "email tag", and the time and energy
expended by both of the parties involved.

2) eBay's relatively new "immediate payment required" Buy It Now
listing now makes the whole sale process almost instantaneous for both
parties. It also very effectively shields the seller from the problems
caused by deadbeat buyers and those who fail to read or choose to
outright ignore the conditions of sale. (I only sell within the
contiguous United States, for example).

Because an "immediate payment required" listing can't be ended unless
certain criteria are met and payment has already been made, deadbeats
and ineligible buyers are therefore blocked from buying. That means that
the seller is no longer left waiting for a payment that never arrives
and/or forced to jump through eBay's required (and very time-consuming)
hoops simply to obtain a credit for the fees automatically charged for
what was a supposedly "successful" sale. Instead, the transaction is
easily and properly completed and the item is able to be shipped and
delivered in a very timely manner. (For example, if a transaction is
completed early enough for me to make to UPS before it closes, I almost
always ship the very same business day.)

The only limitation to the "immediate payment required" listing -- at
least in my opinion and particular case -- is that "immediate payment
required" = PayPal only. As you accurately stated in your post, PayPal
does indeed put off some valid and knowledgeable potential buyers. And,
I can *fully* understand that not everyone wishes to be a "Pay Pal". g
But, in recent years, it's been more my personal experience that 'not'
offering and accepting PayPal payment decidedly discourages more buyers
than it encourages and can often 'cost' one a sale. A majority of web
buyers prefer the convenience and speed of doing it all online is my
take on that.

Anyway, Mike... That's my waaaaay too verbose response to your concise
question.

--------------------

P.S. And, hey! Thank you very much, Neil Henderson, for your positive
input regarding our eBay transaction and again for your purchase of the
BB. Best wishes!

P.P.S. Blatant plug alert:

The Trakker I had on eBay is still available. USPS Money Orders and
PayPal accepted, at the lower and _firm_ "non-eBay" prices of $1500 and
$1550 respectively, plus the actual insured UPS Ground shipping cost.
Serious inquiries only, please. Thanks.

lurk