Are you floored because I'm selling my collection, or because I actually listed it? Go ahead and say why, it's no skin off my back.

Rob R.

(Edited because jack's response seems genuine..)

Good luck with selling your collection.

What is your ebay account? I might be interested..

It was a compliment, not a criticism. If you want some listing and timing tips to speed up your sales effort, let me know. I've got a 3300 combined rating on ebay (6 accounts) and have been averaging 25,000 a year for the last few years selling books just like what you've listed (and records and toys and cards).

I'm floored by the dedication and effort you've put into the compilation, and am glad you made a couple hundred just listing it here.

My username on Ebay is borateen0. I'll be setting up a Paypal account this week and I'll be sorting my collection into lots and single issues through June, and I should start posting them beginning in July. I'll still be posting the auction links here, and I'd really appreciated if you gave the stuff a look.

Rob R.

Ah, well thank you then.

I figure if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this right. I'm scanning all of my covers and will be able to offer bidders larger scans, I'm going to accept Paypal, checks and money orders. I'm going to set low starting bids with reasonable buy nows, and I'm not going to pad the shipping prices any. Postage costs will be exact.

I'm crossing my fingers that when all is said and done, I'll average about $2/book. That'll put at just above breaking even (yes, I'm that anal about my collection...I've even charted how much I've spent over the last decade and a half).

I would greatly appreciate any pointers, though.

Rob R.

Spend the extra 10 cents and post on THURSDAY for a 10 day auction that will close the following SUNDAY.

Always have your auctions end on Sunday, no matter when you load them. On ten day listings, you should get a rush of bidding that first night, then you wont see much til you get close to the end.

Use Turbo Lister or Auction Assistant if you know how, and use your own FTP to host the images.

Turbo Lister lets you list everything at once, which commands a lot of space in the listing block, and will help draw attention to everything you are selling.

USE CAPS IN THE HEADER LISTING instead of paying for bold. Don't bother with "buy it now" or reserve pricing, a total waste of money.

The better you describe the condition of each book in detail (if you have the patience of course) the more likely you will be to sell the book.

Downgrade everything a half grade for the listing, you'll NEVER regret doing that, and it rarely affects the final price.

Don't do that 0.01 cent startup bullshit, you still spend the same for the listing fee, and you dont want to take 4 bids just to get to the first dollar Start everything at a buck, and let fly>

Good luck, I hope you make a shitload of money and take your girlfriend out for something delicious and yummy after your first haul.

Postage costs will be exact.

Fuck that. If you are going to do it right, you need the following:

Call Comics Unlimited and buy 1000 of their stiff cardboard comic box dividers Those are the white stiff cardboard 8 1/2 x 11 thingies with tabs that you see in every comic box in a store dividing the titles...takes about a week to get them to you and should cost around 150.00 for the thousand. You need two for each shipment, and when you "opposite" them the tabs match up nicely for shipping.

You need 2 backing boards in addition for the books themselves, and they run 5-8 bucks a hundred, and one bag for each comic, which is another 5.00 a hundred.

and newspaper...lots of newspaper.

Then go to the post office and take all the large PRIORITY MAIL TYVEK ENVELOPES they have. The big paper ones. Help ypurself, they are free. Go back once in a while and keep helping your self, make sure you have enough for your shipping.

Here's what I do... I take each book for shipment and put it in an individual bag. Then I take two of the backing boards and put them on either side of the books, however many there are. Then I wrap that package in newspaper. Then I take the stiff cardboard dividers and "opposite the tabs (one tab upper left, one tab lower right) and tape that securely with strapping tape. Then I take a tyvek Priority Mail envelope and TURN IT INSIDE OUT When you turn the package you made with the books sideways, you'll find it slides in PERFECTLY TO THE BOTTOM. Then fold over the tyvek and tape the two sides up. A perfect indestructible white package, tight and sweet.

For 1-5 books, MEDIA MAIL costs 1.84 to ship. if its just one book in the order, ship it first class, its $1.34.

Insuranc is optional, as is proof of delivery, make sure you state that (1.00 for insurance under $50, delivery confirmation is an extra .35

Make sure you point that little detail out too, that without insurance or POD you can't "guarantee" delivery. While it's not a big deal, and the mail is rarely lost (I've lost ONE media mail uninsured package in the 10 years Ive been doing this) there are many unscrupulous buyers out there who will say they never rec'd the package and demand a refund, or worse. This little caveat will protect you from the assholes.

The best formula to use with this system is...$4.00 one book, 5.00 2-10 books, insurance (optional) 1.00 up to $50. 2.00 over that, and 50 cents for POD. That will cover all your costs without having anything go out of pocket. remember, your listing fees and commissions will run you .45 on every dollar book you sell...this will help keep all the fees and costs paid, and wont gouge the buyer at the same time, because the package is so slick when it arrives like this


HAVE FUN!!

Wow! Thanks a BUNCH for the advice. It has been copied and pasted into the little "Ebay Help" document that I've been compiling through various posters on various message boards.

I keep forgetting about the listing fees, so I guess I wouldn't feel TOO bad about mucking with postage a bit to help cover those.

And thanks for the luck. If I can average $2/book, I'll be a very happy man.

Rob R.

The first lot is up! Action Comics Annuals!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2254404760&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Rob R.

and lookit that! There's already a bid on them !!!