Since
Internet auctions began in 1995, they have become perhaps the hottest
selling and buying phenomenon ever. But online auctions can be risky
business. Whether you're a buyer or a seller, understanding how Internet
auctions work can help you avoid problems. Most of our members use eBay
to find Lundby and other Scandinavian dollhouse items, so we recommend
that you read all the helpful hints that are provided on the eBay Site
Map. Below are some basic tips to help facilitate your buying and selling.
Do
the Following Only Once and You'll Get
ALL Lundby Listings on
eBay with Just One Click!
Patricia Harrington has shared her method of obtaining all available Lundby listings on eBay. Follow the steps below:
From the Home Page, click on ADVANCED SEARCH.
At the new screen, type in Lundby in the KEYWORDbox. Choose ALL CATEGORIES. Click in the little box that says SEARCH TITLE AND DESCRIPTION.
This is the really important bit: Scroll down until you come to the LOCATION section; highlight the circle that says ITEMS LOCATED IN and then choose ANY COUNTRY/REGION from the drop-down menu.
Now click any radio button that says SEARCH.
When the new screen opens it will show you all LUNDBY located in any country. Be sure to save it in your FAVORITES by clicking on SAVE THIS SEARCH.
Once you go through all the steps to obtain the maximum search, you save it in the FAVORITES or BOOKMARKS menu in whatever BROWSER you are using on your own computer (this saves several extra steps). Each and every browser has its own menu for saving things. With this method, as soon as you open your browser, you can click on your drop-down favorites or bookmarks menu and go directly to eBay LUNDBY saved search.
Using Patricia’s method, you’ll bring up many more Lundby items than with a Simple Search or even a Worldwide Search.
Tips
for Buyers
How
to Use "Saved Searches" on eBay.
Search
for your item;
search for an item on eBay by entering keywords into the search
box at the top of each page.
Click
on the "Add to Favorite Searches" link;
if you are happy with your search and want to keep it, click on
the "Add to Favorite Searches."
Set
your preferences;
you can sign up to receive emails with new matching listings,
and add a name for your search.
Avoid
doing business with sellers you can't identify.
Find out all you can about the seller. If you are especially interested
in an item, check the seller's feedback and then email the seller.
Sellers with no feedback or sellers who do not answer emails are suspect.
Don't place any bids until you get straight and satisfactory answers.
Know
exactly what you're bidding on.
Read the seller's description of the items, and look carefully at
the photographs. Read the fine print.
Check
on the seller's return policy. Can
you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied with
it? If you return it, are you required to pay shipping costs or a
restocking fee?
Establish
a top price and stick to it.
Don't bid on an item you don't intend to buy.
Save
all transaction information.
Print the listing so you have the seller's identification, the item
description, and the time, date and price you bid on the item. Print
and save every email you send and receive from the seller.
Tips
for Sellers
Research
a number of listings to decide the best price
for your item. Type in a search term, such as "Lundby dollhouses,"
and check the completed listing box on the left hand side of the screen.
Start
the price low and
you will actually attract more buyers to your auction.
To
describe your items, use clear simple wording in easy-to-read format.
Bullets are better than long paragraphs.
Craft
catchy, descriptive titles.
Use
the All Categories selection tool on the eBay Site Map
to choose the category that most accurately describes your item.
Include
good photos
to show as much detail about the item as possible, even flaws. Gallery
photos usually have a favorable impact.
Be
sure to add the shipping costs, your shipping policy, payment options
and return policy.
Develop
an "About Me" page
as a billboard about yourself. Visit Stella Goodman's page and see
how she promotes the We Love Lundby Club as well as her own listings.
Watch
your timing. End
your auction between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m. Aim for times of the year
when your items will sell best.
Let
someone else do the work of photographing, writing up the description,
and listing the item.
They'll take a commission, but you'll have money instead of the item.
One highly recommended broker is Seymour Lazerowitz, at seymlaz@aol.com.
Special thanks to Mr. Lazerowitz for recently giving a talk to my
antiques club, from which many of these hints originated.
We
Love Lundby Club
6347 Waterway Drive
Falls
Church, VA 22044
