To eBay or not to eBay? (three machines)

[Schmaltz]

Yes, this is a tough market for collector goods in general, which is why I'm posting here with the question: is it better to sell machines here instead of eBay, or in addition to?

I have three machines to sell; an Edison C-2 radio/phono combo, an Edison Opera, and an HMV model 112 portable. All of them are in good to excellent condition, and what I'd like to do is to sell them in time to be delivered to the Union show. A friend who also frequents this list, and lives nearby, has said he would be able to drive them to the show. That takes the worry out of shipping, which would be varying degrees of pain depending on what machine we're discussing.

The toughest part is setting the price; you know, not too high and not too low. That can vary with the wind sometimes. EBay, despite its other faults, is good for that. Lists like this, though, should have a firm price set at the time the ad is posted. That's my dilemma.

Words of wisdom, anyone? Thanks in advance.

[barnettrp21122]

It's tough to tell what's best as far as setting a price. If you have a starting bid at what would be your minimum price, you'll put off the bargain hunters. Starting lower and having a hidden reserve price might attract lookers and bidders, but they'll get discouraged if the bids keep happening and the reserve isn't met within a reasonable time. "Buy It Now" is often the worst, since it clearly indicates what a buyer would really like for a high-level item. Perhaps the best thing to do would to have a reserve price and list the item at an attractive low start.
I bought a near-perfect Edison C-2 a couple years ago off ebay. I was interested enough in it to contact the buyer, have him do a walk-around while I asked questions about it. He knew I was serious about it, and when I asked about the reserve, he told me. I then had a week to think it over, and when the time came and the bids hadn't met reserve I bid and won the phono at the reserve price he quoted me. I learned two things about this: 1: The seller was a knowledgable collector who truthfully told me everything I asked, and 2: His reserve price was still well beyond anyone else's bid except mine.
These days I'd set your reserve at your lowest price you'd accept to part with the machine, and offer to let people contact you for further information.
Bob Barnett

PS: Schmaltz: send me a pm if you want to know what I paid for the C2!

[Zeppy]

while I've never sold anything overly rare or even expensive (the odd common table top machine, and assorted parts), I've always gone to ebay. It is maximum exposure. As for setting prices, it depends really. I would generally put a low starting price, and set a reserve of what I had to get, and throw in a buy it now option for what I would like...and oddly enough, compared with other sellers, my buy it now price tended to be lower than some, and very often would end that route (I personally find it hard to believe someone would pay $100 for a rebuilt gold exhibition reproducer, but people do, and judgin g from the prices others ask, aparently even more).

I don't think setting a reserve really discourages people to bid (I know it doesn't when I bid). If I see a reserve, I still bid what I want to pay. If it isn't high enough, just move on. I may be tempted to bid again, and perhaps will. However, if someone puts a high starting bid, and I'm not intereted, I'll just move on.

[Jerry B.]

I've always been pleased with the results from selling on the two forums and phono-l. You need to have a good idea what an item is worth and I sell the majority of the items I post. Just my opinion... Jerry Blais

[Schmaltz]

Thanks for the advice, everyone; I'll be starting on eBay with a reserve, to test the market more than anything, and see where I am from there.

In deference to Jerry: knowing what the machine is worth is the key, it's true, and since the markets are upside down for obvious reasons I have no solid data for that.