Community Stories

Ebay selling advice needed please :)

mozambique
Posts
780
Likes
468
So,
I have been missing in action for the last little while. Still have a collection of vintage Speedmasters, just not active on the forum.
Looking to thin the collection a little. I have posted a few of them in the pvte sellers forum here over the past while, but no success 馃檨
Thinking about trying a no reserve ebay auction (not BIN). When I was last actively buying speedies a few years back, I recall there were quite a few watches selling in auctions. I looked again recently and seemed to be mostly BIN? The past advice was auction a watch on ebay with no reserve and you will get market price. Wondering if this advice still holds true in current speedy market on ebay?
Any advice based on recent ebay experience (buying or selling) would be very much appreciated.
Thank you!
 
Davidt
Posts
12,844
Likes
22,170
The statement is still valid. A no reserve auction will still fetch market price. The issue is that current market price may be below your expectations, especially in the middle of august when many people are more concerned with holidays than buying watches.

It also depends on condition. Good examples will still get to a decent price. Even more so now I think average examples will struggle
 
Dan S
Posts
23,033
Likes
51,489
IMO, you never know on eBay. Sometimes auctions do well, sometimes they fly under the radar. If these are high-end vintage Speedmasters, you could also look at auction houses, a dealer by consignment, or a platform like LoupeThis.

The private sales forum on OF isn't the right place to sell everything, however, this forum is full of Speedmaster-crazed enthusiasts. If your watches didn't sell, it's possible that they weren't priced properly. The market isn't what it used to be.
 
140dave
Posts
1,965
Likes
9,409
Dan S Dan S
The private sales forum on OF isn't the right place to sell everything, however, this forum is full of Speedmaster-crazed enthusiasts. If your watches didn't sell, it's possible that they weren't priced properly. The market isn't what it used to be.
All correct. I'll also add that the OF private sales section no longer links to watchrecon so it has fewer eyes on it than it used to.
 
mozambique
Posts
780
Likes
468
Hey, thanks guys for your collective thoughts. I like to think I priced them appropriately to allow reasonable haggling room / offers, but it's been pretty barren ground re. Selling them. I do get it that the Speedy market has changed over the past few years.

I don't mind so much an ebay sale coming in a bit below what I was after, but a $10k watch going for $3k would be concerning.

Traditional auction house commissions are a bit of a turn off. I did also try Chrono 24, but lack of traffic on there.
 
SOG53
Posts
2,644
Likes
5,330
I would consult speedmaster101 price chart, and perhaps look at one level below what you would grade it, and that might be conservative guess what it may sell for. But thats just my guess of course. May realize more. Keep in mind that import taxes/tariffs may impact potential USA buyers.You have some nice Speedys good luck!
 
mozambique
Posts
780
Likes
468
SOG53 SOG53
I would consult speedmaster101 price chart, and perhaps look at one level below what you would grade it, and that might be conservative guess what it may sell for. But thats just my guess of course. May realize more. Keep in mind that import taxes/tariffs may impact potential USA buyers.You have some nice Speedys good luck!
Thanks for your thoughts 馃榾
 
cristos71
Posts
7,763
Likes
35,348
Dan S Dan S
IMO, you never know on eBay. Sometimes auctions do well, sometimes they fly under the radar. If these are high-end vintage Speedmasters, you could also look at auction houses, a dealer by consignment, or a platform like LoupeThis.

The private sales forum on OF isn't the right place to sell everything, however, this forum is full of Speedmaster-crazed enthusiasts. If your watches didn't sell, it's possible that they weren't priced properly. The market isn't what it used to be.
Indeed, I've never failed to sell a watch here, however not necessarily for the original asking price. As long as you have realistic price expectations then it will sell on OF.
 
Davidt
Posts
12,844
Likes
22,170
It鈥檚 certainly a buyers market. I just sold a Camaro, fully serviced, mint dial that I thought would sell very quickly and it sat here for a couple of months before it sold, but for less than I wanted.
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,654
Likes
3,533
Just make sure to account for fees and shipping costs when selling on EBay. I have found they are not at all as transparent as you would think, that their shipping calculator gives a rate too low, and that I always end up losing more than I expected. Case in point, last year I sold a watch for $930 in a winning bid. It was from a micro brand and I鈥檇 paid a little over $1000 for it. Not a bad deal, right? My fees were $151 (16%) and the shipping calculator charged the customer $12 when my actual cost was closer to $20.

I don鈥檛 bother with EBay anymore - it鈥檚 not worth it anymore for hobbyists, IMO. Unlike it was 15 years ago.

Unless you are desperate to sell the watches, I鈥檇 just leave them listed on the Sales Forum.
 
Evitzee
Posts
7,509
Likes
13,879
mozambique mozambique
Hey, thanks guys for your collective thoughts. I like to think I priced them appropriately to allow reasonable haggling room / offers, but it's been pretty barren ground re. Selling them. I do get it that the Speedy market has changed over the past few years.

I don't mind so much an ebay sale coming in a bit below what I was after, but a $10k watch going for $3k would be concerning.

Traditional auction house commissions are a bit of a turn off. I did also try Chrono 24, but lack of traffic on there.
My recent experience with two of the largest auction houses in NYC have had seller fees of only 5%, and that includes shipping, insurance and cataloguing, hardly a turn off. As always, quality sells in an auction situation and will bring good prices even in today's market.

Personally I don't think the sales forums on OF are the best way to go for many vintage watches. Too many bargain hunters.
Edited:
 
ibis888
Posts
588
Likes
539
I just sold a watch on eBay (vintage Glycine Airman) and was surprised how high the fees were. They also gross up the price with the shipping fees added on and then take the fee off of that if I recall. It was kind of annoying. It's probably also wrth using the authentication service, it will help avoid disputes with weird buyers.

It seems like it will definitely sell on eBay but at what price is the question...
 
ibis888
Posts
588
Likes
539
PS I have been looking at your -66 CB. I just don't have the funds right now. One day I will seriously regret not buying it at the price you are asking... I feel like in 5 - 10 years we will all be saying "back then you could buy a XXX for XXX."

It's just a slow market I guess?
 
SpdMastr
Posts
220
Likes
484
Like many others here, I tend to avoid using eBay as a sales platform given their exorbitant fees. Unless it鈥檚 a niche item where accessing a wider market is beneficial, my preference is to sell via dedicated forums or specific platforms. For watches, I鈥檝e had great success selling via forums and Chrono24. While the latter does charge a sales fee, it鈥檚 much less than eBay.

As others have pointed out, the market for vintage Speedmasters is down at present. You may want to consider holding off until it improves.

That said, if I win this Tuesday鈥檚 LottoMax jackpot, you won鈥檛 have to worry about re-listing your watches as they鈥檇 be sold 馃榿
 
tpatta
Posts
1,976
Likes
3,649
Evitzee Evitzee
My recent experience with two of the largest auction houses in NYC have had seller fees of only 5%, and that includes shipping, insurance and cataloguing, hardly a turn off. As always, quality sells in an auction situation and will bring good prices even in today's market.

Personally I don't think the sales forums on OF are the best way to go for many vintage watches. Too many bargain hunters.
5% seems like a great deal. Would you share the auction house names?
 
Mark020
Posts
6,256
Likes
9,815
SpdMastr SpdMastr
Like many others here, I tend to avoid using eBay as a sales platform given their exorbitant fees.
This. Ebay is a dying businessmodel
 
140dave
Posts
1,965
Likes
9,409
tpatta tpatta
5% seems like a great deal. Would you share the auction house names?
I don't know which ones he is referring to, but I know Heritage does 7% without much negotiation and for a good collection or piece I bet they do better. They are picky on what they will take, not a dumping ground, which is good also IMO.

Good house, they sold Scott Carpenters gold Speedy for $765,000 or so. I don't buy there, 25% on buyers side, but I've sold through them and was always happy with the results.
 
mozambique
Posts
780
Likes
468
cristos71 cristos71
Indeed, I've never failed to sell a watch here, however not necessarily for the original asking price. As long as you have realistic price expectations then it will sell on OF.
Yeah, I realize my asking price needs to be realistic. I am just suprised that I have had zero offers at what I am listing them for. I felt my asking prices are within ballpark haggling range, but it would appear not.
 
mozambique
Posts
780
Likes
468
140dave 140dave
I don't know which ones he is referring to, but I know Heritage does 7% without much negotiation and for a good collection or piece I bet they do better. They are picky on what they will take, not a dumping ground, which is good also IMO.

Good house, they sold Scott Carpenters gold Speedy for $765,000 or so. I don't buy there, 25% on buyers side, but I've sold through them and was always happy with the results.
7% sellers fee seems fine I.e. less than ebay as I recall, so maybe I will research auction houses some more.
 
Dan S
Posts
23,033
Likes
51,489
I generally try price my watches at a realistic selling price, not putting a premium on it to account for haggling. If someone wants it, they generally just buy it. Or I will get a few responses with offers close to the asking price. On the other hand, some watches just don't sell on OF.

Regarding auction houses, most of the fees are on the buyer's side, but that still affects how much the seller receives, because the buyer obviously takes the premium into account in their bidding. It can still be worth it, but I would mainly consider a mainstream auction house for really top-notch examples.
 
7 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Boojumhunter

Advice please on selling a gold Deville 166.033

Boojumhunter Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
DON
DON
Posts
1
Views
2K
Jukebox63

Omega Seamaster 30 advice needed please

Jukebox63 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Claven2
Claven2
Posts
6
Views
924
masteroftime

Seeking Advice on a 145.012-67 "Restoration"

masteroftime Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
itsjustausername
itsjustausername
Posts
4
Views
3K
Pascal S

Tutima - A love story

Pascal S Other Watch Brands Forum
Pascal S
Pascal S
Posts
15
Views
2K
Engee

Watchmaker advice needed please

Engee Open Discussion
Engee
Engee
Posts
4
Views
830
Harry jenkins

My mistake (Don鈥檛 sleep on it)

Harry jenkins Open Discussion
ErichKeane
ErichKeane
Posts
33
Views
5K