I have some auction questions.

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: Deckman
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 07:32 PM

"Q" is excatly correct. I'm selling folky stuff, mostly books, on the mudcat auction, for the benifit of MUDCAT. We all know that MAX has paid for this out of his own pocket. Several others, who's names I do not know, have occasionally sent him dollars to help defray the costs. And ... the auction has been an on going thing.

I am appreciating all of your comments. Being a virgin in the auction process (I haven't been a virgin for years) I learn something from every contribution.

So, again, I welcome all your advice. Bob

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 07:02 PM

Media mail is what used to be called "book rate" by the U.S. Post Office. It's what libraries and bookstores use. You can buy a tracking number for about thirty-five cents.

SRS

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 06:33 PM

EBay was very helpful in selling items for my daughter's boutique. I buy frequently through them. Blanket condemnation of a useful business should be avoided.

But that is not what Deckman wishes to do- he is selling through Mudcat to raise money for Mudcat.
Foolstroop has a point. The normal postal channels are best unless the item has high value. I doubt that Deckman intends to sell books of $100 or more in value. Remember that normal US postal insurance does not extend outside US boundaries unless there is a specific agreement with the receiving country.

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 06:19 PM

Dont use Ebay! I was conned out of 40 bucks when a bidder backed off and Ebay insisted they have their commission!

They also stuck it to me for a sale where no bids were placed - when the sale ended they charged the sold commission on the 'sell it for' price of 100 bucks.

I would try anyother auction, even here at Mudcat. If you are selling music type stuff like folkie things then here would probably get as much real interest as at skimmers such as Ebay, Yahoo et al.

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 05:18 PM

To Australia - US Postal Service is perhaps best - UPS has caused me heartaches with damage - and it's no faster - they don't even have an office in Queensland - and then use private contractors - and take longer to move it around inside Autralia than Austraila Post does - who handles the USPS end this end...

Robin

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: Deckman
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 05:10 PM

Rapaire ... Is "media Mail" through the U.S. Post Office? Bob

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 05:05 PM

Within the US, you can send stuff "media mail" a lot cheaper. You can even ask for delivery confirmation.

We shipped about 3,500 of books and tapes that way. The cost was about seventy cents per pound, far, far less than the cost of sending them any other way.

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 04:57 PM

I always try to make the end date near the beginning or middle of the month when folks' paydays may hit. I also limit them to 7-10 days, which is the standard on ebay and seems to work well. I also start out with a low bid, as half the fun is the bidding things up. And, I try to include a picture.

I usually pay postage, unless it is for a lot. That way, the winner can pay Max/Mudcat direct and there's no fuss about deducting the shipping and sending it on to me, or anything.

Thanks for offering your books, Bob, they're really wonderful.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 03:37 PM

Buyer should pay for shipping. Do not insure USPS to Canada- the coverage stops at the border (I live in Canada, and have been bitten by this). Send expensive items by Purolater, etc.
Instead of insurance send it airmail to Canada; fast and safe. Registry covers all the way, but expensive for lower cost items.

I buy books from Europe and Australia; always sent air. Check the rates and you will see that air in many cases is little more than surface.

Subject: RE: I have some auction questions.
From: MMario
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 03:26 PM

period of time depends on you. I have found the shorter auctions tend to have heavier bidding - but you want to allow enough time that the poeple who may normally only come in once or twice a week notice it.

deducting shipping is certainly fair - no matter where the shipping is going.

Subject: I have some auction questions.
From: Deckman
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 03:02 PM

Bob Nelson here, in the Seattle area. I have decided to auction most of my book collection off for the benifit of MUDCAT. I have two books placed in the auction now. I had never done this before and I now know I made some mistakes. Here's my questions:

For how long a period should I place the books on auction?

If the winning bidder is in another country than America, is it fair for me to deduct to cost of insured shipping?

I have received some excellant advice already, but I will value your input. Thanks, Bob