purple_reading_giraffe Thank you for explaining all these text messages lingo

I have a feeling in about 10 years or maybe even sooner the English language will not be understood by anyone that doesn't use the internet or text messaging.

Thank you all, I was not expecting so much support and information from everyone here. I just signed with Ruby Lane for now and will wait and see what Go Antiques has to offer in the near future. While I have been in the business for only 6 years, I had the opportunity to work with an Estate Attorney, an appraiser, and an antique mall owner, while working with them I adquired my Florida license as an Auctioneer and now I prefer the On Line Auction format rather than "Live Auction Format" - you get to reach a lot more people and collectors and quite honestly I don't like standing in the middle of the crowd trying to sell an item. I still have a lot to learn and hope that Ruby Lane has friendly sellers whom I could contact should I come accross an item that is difficult for me to I.D. While I count with some support from the store where I currently have my booth, is always nice to contact several people and see what their opinion is on a particular item.

Thank you all and cross your fingers for me as I try to load my inventory slowwwwwwwwwwly at Ruby Lane.

Since I'm typing rather quickly, please forgive any spelling mistakes.......

LOL your signature, sam!

A person with an auctioneers license has an advantage in a few states - there was a discussion of that here earlier this year. I collected some links to various real life auction- and antique-related sites in my spreadsheet, many of which are not online-selling venues - something might be of use to folks reading this thread (link in signature).

I found one forum - glassmessages.com - where collectors gather, and specialistauctions.com has a help-you-appraise-it section in their forums.

Re GoAntiques - while it could be explosive if/when they establish their own online-auction format, I would caution anyone considering a membership to base that decision on what the site currently offers, not on future expectations. I suggest this to help minimize possible problems, as plans occasionally do not come about as members might wish them to. However, what they currently offer may serve some business models very well.

Hey Sam,
Ruby Lane has a What's This section. You put the picture of your items up on the lane, and people who know the scoop will fill you in. I have had to use it twice already with success within 2 days on both items. Great little feature that I really like.

Ah, cool tip dlrane - I'll try to remember that. Do you have to be a seller to use it? Where does one find it?

Hey PRG,
You must be a seller unfortunately, but hey you got friends. If you ever need to know about something PM me and I will put it up for you. All I need is a pic.

Thanks, dlrane, for the offer. I see you still don't know me... totally... I don't ask for me, I ask for the sake of the future seller who might need it Can you provide a link to the service at RubyLane or instructions to navigate that I can add to my RubyLane row in my spreadsheet?

@PRG,
Sorry I could not provide a link without giving access to my store. Here is a brief description from the What's This page.

The What's This? Shop is a tool for you the shop owner, who needs help from fellow Ruby Lane shop owners in accurately identifying an item before placing it for sale in your shop. If you're not sure about the maker, the age or any other aspect of an item's identification, you can use this tool to ask the community of fellow Ruby Lane shop owners, many of whom have years, if not decades of experience, who may be able to help.
For more detailed information on how this works, see the What's This? Home Page About Us.


You might try to email them and ask for a better link for non-sellers. Their customer service is better than excellent and you can expect an answer in 24 hours or less. I have asked 3 questions so far in the evening, wake up to an answer, and it's from a real person, with real pertinent info, not just some pre-filled response. How impressive is that?

So my note could say "from your shop can post items you need help identifying using What's This" ?

And that is very impressive, IMO

I finally got approved by Ruby Lane and no sooner had I finished listing my first 20 Items when I got a $135.00 sale WOW!!!! I think the trick is to list low (Not too low), and accept offers. After all I think this is going to cost me a LOT less than Ebay.

DL - Do you know how some people is able to list collectibles such as Hallmark Ornaments that are post 1988 and some other collector items that are similar and are not quite vintage?

Thanks

My shop at Ruby's could be found by clicking:

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/mad-hatter-antiques

I always welcome a 2nd set of eyes on my listings......

That's great Sam,
I saw your stuff and you're off to a fantastic start. I believe you are right on the cost effectiveness. Now, if I can get my sales up the the feebay level.......

You can list Collectible items that are less than 20 years old providing: They are listed as collectible from an outside source, i.e., Hallmark, Precious Moments, etc.

P.S. Thanks to you I made 40.00 without selling a thing. Thanks for using us as a reference.

Ooooh, RubyLane pays for referrals?? Must be a pyramid scheme /sarcasm.

DL: 2 MORE sales $90 - My subs. is paid for YEAHHHHHHH, listing more and if my daughter doesn't get out of the way - I might just list her too......, but she doesn't qualify for vintage, LOL

Purple: NO sarcasm, we are fragile, personally I'm having FEEbay Withdraw syndrome. Don't know about DL? For me is like a lost in the family.....LOL I will not rest until the Killer (J.D.) is put behind bars...........

Just when to Ebay to look up some stuff, and I have to say is DEAD, usually I would find at least 6 or 7 items to compare from, and now I'm lucky if I find one from a desperate soul who is just trying to sell it for any low amount??? I found a ton of NEW stuff, but almost nothing of Antique or Vintage quality.

I think we have to offer value/deals to our customers, but I don't think we should be forced to give it away......I'm certain that had I listed the items I sold at Ruby on Ebay, I would have received less than 50% of what I got at Ruby's, not to mention Fees from Ebay and Paypal.......

Since I consider my online selling as additional income (of course I need the additional $$ don't get me wrong), I'm not in a rush to start giving it away. If the item is unique in nature, as many of the items I have, then I could wait a little for someone who is willing to appreciate it and who will be willing to pay close to what I want for it.

I'll try to finish my inventory on Ruby within the next month, and expand to other venues carefully.

Got to go...on my way to drug store to see if they have an Ebay withdraw sympton Patch.........

Way to go Sam,
I am very happy it is already working out for you. Only gets better from here I hope. I am not suffering withdraws as bad as I was; however, I havn't sold on feebay since May, so I have had a little more time to deal with it all. Plus my husband is an expert Antique Restoration Craftsman and he carries the load quite well.

@prg,
Unfortunately it is just a one time referral payment. I wish it was a pyramid. Imagine the funds that would build on an Antique sales site. Sam was kind enough to list us as a referral, much to my surprise, but hey, if anyone else would like to mention us, at $40 to $100 referral payment, I don't mind a bit.

DL: I need your husband.....really. I have a 3 porcelain antique items that need restoring, do you guys do outside work??? Let me know.

Purple: is really an awesome person, and I just love his sense of humor and the helps he provides. But a Pyramid.....wow imagine the $$$ we could make, I'll start contacting people on Ebay ASAP.......hopefully they will see the light.

DL: From what I was able to see on Ebay I don't think we are missing a thing......Saw items that use to sell, as completed without no bids. I mean really "0" and this was people listing items at below what I would consider an excellent price even as a re-sale. For the first time ever had a coupon for a 10% off any purchase at Feebay - and NO I will not use the thing......and as I said before, I'll be completely out by NOVEMBER 1 do or die........