Need guidance from an experienced seller.

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Catcat16

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So I have a bunch of bottles I’d like to sell. Infact anything I post on here about is for sale. Don’t get me wrong I am a collector, but I specifically collect mini bottles and when I dig I find both big and small so I’d like to make some room as I’m up to my neck in bottles right now. My room is filled. I’m actually trying to raise money to get my car fixed so I can go find new locations to dig. But unfortunately I am new to all of this and don’t know where to start. Google has been a huge help but there are many more questions that google doesn’t seem to have the answers to. I was going to try and sell on a bunch of different platforms like Letgo, Facebook swap and sell, etsy, possibly eBay. But I see that there is a section on this site that allows for auctions and selling. Can anyone explain how I would go about that? All I see is people saying they are selling on other platforms and to go there to buy so I don’t know if that’s what this is or not. Is there anyone reading this that has experience selling bottles that could shed some light on the best options I should look into or have any tips or info that would help me? I would really appreciate any help I realllllllllly need it. Here’s some examples of what I have. Mind you this is like 10% or less of my entire collection. Thanks for your time -Caitlin.
 

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yacorie

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So you have a few options out there and I’m sure many people have their own preferences. Here are my thoughts, others may disagree. These are in no particular order.

1. eBay - the biggest advantage is you have lots of exposure to people. Everyone knows eBay. The downside is fees. 10% to eBay and 3% to PayPal. Then you deal with feedback, returns etc. this is my least favorite.

2. Facebook - there are lots of bottle groups out there you can join, including for sale groups. You might not get the highest values for average stuff but you also don’t pay the eBay fees and I find it a much more enjoyable experience.

3. Letgo/Etsy - I don’t sell or buy here but it’s an option

4. This website - you can post bottles for sale here too. Again no fees and you just have to post some pics

I’m sure there are many options out there.
 

embe

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If there is a bottle show or local collector in your area, that might be another way to get them evaluated/sold. That way you don't need to worry about shipping.
 

martyfoley

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The easiest option may be your local flea market if it is big and attracts a lot of people. It's just a matter of getting up early, setting up a table, paying the fee, and see what happens. Another option may be a local auctioneer who may be able to sell some for you. You can't get away from fee's unless you have your own yard sale. Other possible venue would be to put some in a consignment shop in your local area. Ebay is a possibility but only for your very best bottles as the collectors on there want better bottles not the common stuff. Hopefully this will give you some ideas.
 

ROBBYBOBBY64

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Got alot of nice bottles. I sold on ebay before. Fees are always a down side but i have no problem if the bottle is big money and desirable. Lots of buyers is a plus.
 

Catcat16

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Got alot of nice bottles. I sold on ebay before. Fees are always a down side but i have no problem if the bottle is big money and desirable. Lots of buyers is a plus.

what kinda fees are we talking here? Like if I sold a bottle for 50$ how much of that would be taken on eBay?
 

Catcat16

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So you have a few options out there and I’m sure many people have their own preferences. Here are my thoughts, others may disagree. These are in no particular order.

1. eBay - the biggest advantage is you have lots of exposure to people. Everyone knows eBay. The downside is fees. 10% to eBay and 3% to PayPal. Then you deal with feedback, returns etc. this is my least favorite.

2. Facebook - there are lots of bottle groups out there you can join, including for sale groups. You might not get the highest values for average stuff but you also don’t pay the eBay fees and I find it a much more enjoyable experience.

3. Letgo/Etsy - I don’t sell or buy here but it’s an option

4. This website - you can post bottles for sale here too. Again no fees and you just have to post some pics

I’m sure there are many options out there.
Thanks for your reply this helps big time. I would assume people in this website would only want the really interesting items. So if I was to sell on here is it kind of just a set up between the two people that want to buy from the other? Like if you wanted to buy a bottle from me would you just message me and we swap info and I send it or does this site offer some sort of protection against frauds,scamers, etc. ... I guess basically I’m asking is would I just accept money via pay pal or other, and just directly send the bottle to the person?

also I see a lot of people sell on Etsy but Etsy prices are absolutely crazy and I can’t imagine ppl actually paying for what most sellers are selling their bottles on there for. So I’m not sure about that one. I know they have fees as well.

so in your opinion you would prefer Facebook swap and sell or bottle groups on fb over other options? I was thinking I’d like to go that route.
 

Catcat16

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If there is a bottle show or local collector in your area, that might be another way to get them evaluated/sold. That way you don't need to worry about shipping.

i hear there is an auction place that sells bottles by the box in Delaware (15 min up the road from me) but, seeing how I don’t exactly know how that works either I’m worried that I’ll be tricked into selling a bunch of my best bottles for hardly anything. Like if I put a huge box of milk of magnesias on the table and people bid up to 20 bucks, could they really walk away with my box for that price?
 

Catcat16

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The easiest option may be your local flea market if it is big and attracts a lot of people. It's just a matter of getting up early, setting up a table, paying the fee, and see what happens. Another option may be a local auctioneer who may be able to sell some for you. You can't get away from fee's unless you have your own yard sale. Other possible venue would be to put some in a consignment shop in your local area. Ebay is a possibility but only for your very best bottles as the collectors on there want better bottles not the common stuff. Hopefully this will give you some ideas.

thanks so much it does. How would A person go about selling at a flea market? Like what I have to talk to somebody specific or what I sell to certain shops there.
 

yacorie

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There are a few things to consider when you are trying to decide where to ask. The biggest thing is what is the value of your bottles. If they’re worth 10-15 bucks each or less than your best bet is probably local on Facebook or at a flea market.

eBay fees suck. If you aren’t a top seller - the fees are 10% on the total final value (including shipping). In addition, PayPal takes 3% plus 30 cents per transaction.

in your example - let’s assume you sold a bottle for 50 dollars - including shipping. You would lose $6.80 to fees. Then you have to ship the bottle and let’s assume that’s another 10 bucks for argument sake. Now your 50 bucks turns into 33 dollars - still not too bad.

however, if a bottle sells for 15-20 dollars and you have to take fees and shipping out of it - then you’re talking a few dollars.
People will always factor shipping costs into the overall cost for the item. Also, eBay now charges sales tax to the buyer so they factor that in also.

mid you sell direct to a collector - no one has to eat fees and you could sell that same bottle for 40 bucks and everyone is happier
 

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