Why dirty dusty EBay CL pictures ?

db5 · Post by **db5** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:32 am

letterk wrote: The high prices are just feeding off of each other. .

That does happen on Craigslist and eBay. I've noticed some things that have been overpriced for more than 18 months.

Try this. Call and ask the person about the equipment. Ask lots of questions. Suck up some of his time. Call again and say you are interested but the price is too high based on what you have learned in your research. See if he comes down. Whether he does or not call back again after about two weeks and arrange a meeting; then cancel the day before (you are having second thoughts).

From a negotiating perspective this is why doing this works. The more someone invests the less willing he is to give up that investment. The seller has invested a lot of time, emotional energy and hope (got one maybe) in trying to sell what is listed. This puts you in a position to negotiate a better price on the phone.

When you do meet inspect everything and ask questions that most sellers can't answer such as when did they last do maintenance, what is the condition of the v-belt, etc. Inspect the machine (or part) and find everything wrong you can. Then make an offer that was less than on the phone. If he says no, walk away, slowly. More investment he doesn't want to lose. Often you will be met with, "I'll split the difference."

Return and say this (as an example), "Okay, so now we are at $300; We've only $50 apart. It would be a shame to not be able to sell this after all the time we've invested." Then wait. . .wait. . .wait. . . Sometimes he will cave in and say okay. If not offer $275 and wait. . .wait. . . If nothing changes, extend you hand say, "Thanks anyway" and start walking away. This really works. Remember anytime someone splits the difference he has just lowered the price. You can get him to lower it even more by doing this.

I helped a friend buy a 510 that the seller wanted $600 for, then $550 over the phone, finally $450 and a meeting was set. We met, inspected it, found lots of things wrong with it (all miner) and bought it for $325.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:25 pm

merchant2013 wrote:I have a brand new Machine in my storage building that has been there ever since purchased. I'm thinking of letting someone buy it because I'm a retired Veteran on a very limited income and really could use the money.
I would like to list it here or somewhere with some help in getting what it's worth.

Thank you for your input in advance.

Ray

You won't be able to list your machine for sale here but folks here can help tell you what it is worth - your local CraigsList is going to be your best bet for findign a buyer. Post the specifics of your machine and any accessories, along with photos and we can help you with the value. Posting your location may help as well, as value can vary regionally. Don't be shocked when you find out it it isn't worth anything close to what you paid for it...

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 1:16 pm

I am a veteran on a limited income that would really like to obtain a shopsmith for a minimal price.

That was done for a reason. All interesting, but not relevant to the task at hand.

First and foremost understand what you are selling. Accurately describe in terms an actual potential buyer can understand and 'need to know'. Good pictures of buyer interest areas of the item are crucial.

Be prepared to answer the questions that will be asked. They will range from ridiculous and irrelevant to well thought out and very pertinent.

Craigs list is probably the better choice(usual local sales anyway), but nothing wrong with both cl and e-bay simultaneously with proper escape clause .

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 1:46 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Craigs list is probably the better choice(usual local sales anyway), but nothing wrong with both cl and e-bay simultaneously with proper escape clause .

Although you do have to pay E-Bay to list the item regardless of whether it sells...seems like an actual full setup selling through E-Bay is minimal unless the price is really right and the seller lives in a large enough area that a "Local Pick-Up" buyer notices the ad and buys it. I forget what the % E-Bay charges of the selling price (or asking or reserve price if it doesn't sell) but I'd look into it before listing on E-Bay, as you may end up paying for nothing.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 3:19 pm

Which is why I used this site to do my daily searches of both E-bay and Craigslist.

http://www.searchtempest.com/

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:05 am

The way I see it, sawdust on a piece of shop equipment does not change what it is or how it works. The only meaning it actually has is the guy doesn't clean his shop well so you can make some assumptions of how well he maintains things. You know you're not buying a cream puff. Nothing wrong with that as long as the price is in line.

I use Craigslist a lot for tools and vehicles. My time is money, so sometimes I make the decision to price a little lower and not put out the effort on a photoshoot and dealing with needy people. I post reasonable pictures, and will take a few followup requests of specific things, but if someone is hung up on pictures and asking for way too much rather than coming to look at the item I will tell them to move on. I do that to at least half the people that respond to my ads because they are time wasters or want something for nothing. In the end, these are machines and you can't evaluate the mechanics from a picture. All that sawdust does is tell you to check a little extra when you go look at it.

pieceseeker · Post by **pieceseeker** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:44 am

On one ad posted on CL, there was no picture and very little description. I was getting irritated at these people that can't bother to post a pic. So I email and said "Nice pics". The response was " It looks like a ShopSmith".

Absolutely incredible! I did not respond back!

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:03 pm

pieceseeker wrote:On one ad posted on CL, there was no picture and very little description. I was getting irritated at these people that can't bother to post a pic. So I email and said "Nice pics". The response was " It looks like a ShopSmith". Absolutely incredible! I did not respond back!

You sent a smart aleck email and got one in return...what did you expect?

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:10 pm

I wish I could get the prices people are listed for on CL. I'd sell everything in my woodworking tool collection and take my new 4-wheeler, truck and bass boat (that they want in trade) and retire to my mansion of course, gotten in a trade for my 20 year old table saw.

Who knew such a life in riches could be had from selling on CL?

The sawdust can be an issue because it usually had been there for years. Someone inherited an item, let I sit for 5 years and now wants to retire from selling there inherited items. AND I SHOULD have also said some on the inside parts of the pan start to rust.

I'd post it if it was still available, but we had a local post for $3,800 wanting all high dollar items in return for a 500.

pieceseeker · Post by **pieceseeker** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:52 pm

frank81 wrote:You sent a smart aleck email and got one in return...what did you expect?

I guess I shouldn't have expected anymore from someone who is going to put zero effort into selling something. I did think the response was hilarious though.