New to Selling Saws on Ebay

[computeruser]

Ok, I'll admit it - I've never purchased or sold anything thru eBay. So I'm kinda new to the whole sell-it-online thing.

With that having been said, I have a like-new MS290 that pretty much sits on a shelf that I simply don't use, so I'm thinking about selling it on eBay since the idiots there are willing to pay near-retail for a used saw. I cannot imagine being able to sell it locally for that kind of money, based upon what I've seen in the local paper and local craigslist.

So my question is this: is there something going on with eBay saw sales that I'm not seeing, something where I'm going to end up wasting my time or getting burned, or is what I'm seeing with used MS290s going for $250 what is actually happening?

 

[spacemule]

I've used Ebay quite a lot, both buying and selling, and have never been burned. Just use a little common sense. The major problem you have selling is people who bid and then change their minds later. Also, be sure to state everything you can find wrong with the saw, and it's also useful to put some kind of "as-is" disclaimer in. You would be surprised what some people expect when they buy something.

I would suggest you purchase a couple of items first just to see how the process works. Sellers don't expect as much as buyers.

 

[motti]

My suggestions - take your time. Watch Ebay's chainsaw sales, and note the final selling price, and what the text said. You'll notice that a lot of the same models selling are very dirty (so you can offer yours as 'minty fresh and clean'), or that they don't work, are missing parts (and yours is complete, and runs), etc etc. Be sure to mention things on yours that are wrong, but also be sure to mention things that stand out (it runs, new chain, lots of pressure, has a case, extra bar, etc).

I have also noticed that things seem to go in waves. There are good times to sell saws, and I'm sure the weather and seasons have to do with this. Don't sell your saw at the wrong time of year (or when the market is flooded with the same models).

Good luck with the auction.

 

[Andy1234]

You could take it to a place that specialises in selling stuff on ebay for people. They charge a percentage, but also take care of all the details.

My local UPS store will list something on their account just so they can get the shipping. Of course, they deduct the listing and other fees, and it helps to give them a detailed description. Typically, if it sells quick, you get a check 3-4 weeks after you drop it off.

By the way, I've never used their service, I just wanted to give you an option. I list all my stuff personally.:monkey:

FWIW,

Andy

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

Just be honest, and take very good detailed pics. List everything you know about the saw. If you have any extras you dont need, throw it in there with it. You need to get some feedback started before you sell anything, or it might not bring enough money in the auction. Hope this helps. Oh also set a paypal account up, people seem to bid more on things that can be paid for through paypal, it protects the seller and the buyer.

 

[SmokinDodge]

Wash the saw! You would be suprised how many saws get thrown on E-bay without a bath. Be very thorough with the description, be as accurate as possible. Use clear, close up pictures. Might want to state as is, no returns, it is a used item. Sometimes people will get a saw, get the parts they need, put their busted ones back on a claim item is significantly different than described and want a full refund ! And finally, hold off on giving the buyer feedback until you know they are happy other wise they can leave negative feedback when it is not due.

Don't let anything discourage you from making your sale. The very first thing I sold on E-bay was an well used 041 that went well over local market value.

 

[McCullough]

Advice on selling on eBay can fill books. Please don't bother buying one because it will not help your situation.

I think your far better off finding an associate or friend who already has a eBay account, preferably with a high feedrate rating of say 99.5 or greater based upon at least 1000 or feedback counts. Your're simply not going to command that kind of price for anything with low or no feedback - no perceived trust - no high bids.

You'll need to provide a very detailed description. DO NOT use terms like "mint", "excellent" or other generic terms which in reality are meaningless because one person's excellent is entirely different than another persons. Simply describe the saw in great detail as it current exsists and let the buyer deptermine it worth based on its worth. Include everything thats consider wear such as missing paint, how worn is the bar, etc... The description should be a good as another picture!

Provide pictures, preferably from a digital camera. Don't take picture of the saw sitting on a dirty work bench, etc... Use a plain white background, such as a sheet of white newsprint so all they see is the saw. Take multiple angles shots from all sides - pop the external covers off so they can see inside. More photos the better! If you are completing the auction yourself be sure not to include extremely large raw photos from your camera in the auction as they take forever to load (most still people use 56K dialup) - reduce the size of photos by reducing their physical size and/or run them through a program to compact their file size.

I would advise against using PayPal! There is no real PayPal protection for buyers and sellers (PayPal has been fined twice by the Attroney General of New York). There are so many scams on eBay and PayPal it would make your head spin! Example scam: After you email the buyer their UPS shipping number they immediately cancel their PayPal payment even before the package arrives in an attempt to steal it (sometimes you can have UPS recall your package in such cases; however, your still ou the shipping - if not your out your product). In all such cases PayPal and eBay did absolutely nothing to help - remember they are not your friend!

 

[blackoak]

First thing I do when I sell a saw is clean it up as best as it can be cleaned. List anything that is missing or broken. I list the bar and chain size, condition and pitch and gauge. Not always, but I try and do a compression check and list what it is, or pull the muffler and tell what condition the piston and cylinder is in. If I sell a saw that is in good condition, or one that I would be happy to get, I will offer their money back if they are not happy within a few days after they receive it, less the shipping charges. If I do give a refund it is after I get it back and check the saw for missing or exchanged parts. So far I have only had two guys ask for a refund and everything checked out. If I sell a saw as a parts saw I state that it is for parts and that the saw is being sold as is.
99% of the sellers and buyers on Ebay are honest, but it the 1 % that you got to watch out for. As far as Pay pal I have never had a problem with them. You do have to be careful and use some common sense. Never give your pass word or credit card numbers on line. Ebay or Pay will NEVER ask you for this information through an email.
If and when you do sell your saw drain all the gas and oil out and remove the bar and chain before you ship it and pack it very secure with crumpled up newspaper or bubble wrap. Place the bar and chain in the bottom of the package. This will save shipping charges as it will make your package smaller. I have sold close to 600 saws and I don't know how many parts and I have never had any major problems that couldn't be worked out. Just be honest in your description and you will not have any problems. Good luck

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Like has been said, clean it up. Folks will indeed pay significantly more for clean/freshly painted (relative to older metal saws) saws. I've sold 056's for $100 more than I expected...just because they had a fresh coat of paint on them. It's all about how you present it. Don't try to oversell it. You'll see guys advertise 029's as professional timber saws. You sell it as that, and the dumbass buyer will expect it. Sell it was what it is-one of the most popular general use, farm/ranch capable saws produced.

And post it so the auction will end on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Alot of folks cruise ebay on the weekend afternoons just for fun. You'll pick up alot of traffic if it's available on the weekend, and those cruising see that it's ending in the next few hours, compared to ending on a Tuesday morning at 9:35 or something like that. Alot of folks snipe stuff now, but I've gotten some saws for a song because they end on a weekday morning, and I work nights. Those weekend shoppers will jack up a price quickly if they see it available to them in the next few hours. It's almost an impulse purchase for them.

Jeff

 

[retoocs555]

I'll keep my ebay advice short for once this time. Wait until hurricane season and you will top the retail price on that saw opcorn:

 

[lesorubcheek]

Hurricane season 2006 started today!

Dan

 

[retoocs555]

Hurricane season 2006 started today!

Dan

You're right, technically. Maybe I should be more specific. Wait until there have been at least 1 or 2 named storms that come inland and cause lots of damage.

 

[computeruser]

Thanks for the info, guys. I appreciate it.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Like has been said, clean it up. Folks will indeed pay significantly more for clean/freshly painted (relative to older metal saws) saws. I've sold 056's for $100 more than I expected...just because they had a fresh coat of paint on them. It's all about how you present it.

Yep. And if it doesn't need paint, but is a bit dingy looking, give it a light coat of veggie oil with a paper towel. It will photograph MUCH better.

 

[West Texas]

The Summer time is usually a slow time for selling saws. The first freeze in the Fall sends all the 'would' be woodsmen to the store for a chainsaw. Oct-Dec chainsaws are usually out of their mind if its a clean nice looking saw.

Monitor ebay for Stihl chainsaws and you will notice that the newbies, those that have a zero by their name, will bid up a saw for several days before the end of the auction. But the old pro's usually wait until the last few minutes, jump in and buy the saw.

If this is a one time sale, be sure you put in the 'as is' cavet and describe it as accurately as you can, with emphasis on its merits. There are some scammers who buy good saws, strip them and then return them claiming its been misrepresented. So be forthright and honest; and, cover your butt at the same time.

 

[havvey]

ebay

:deadhorse: I think the guys covered it well. 555 is a master seller. use a reserve if you have a minimum price you need to get. There are a lot of scams but sell it as is no refunds NONE! I can't figure out the prices on ebay either some are real high some are real low.:jawdrop: use honesty and a lot of pictures. Be prepared as some buyers are chronic whinners.

 

[klickitatsacket]

Most of the advice has already been given you that you will need. 4 quick things to elaberate on.
#1 information: people love as many pictures and facts as possible. So give it to them at least 6 pictures and tell them everything about the saw you can find including sales brochure information.
#2 Sell your item so that it ends on a Friday through Sunday and between 7:00PM and 10:00PM EST. Auctions that end at these times and days bring the most money
#3 Do not end an auction on a holiday. Nobody is home.
#4 Summer is the worst time to sell your saws for price. The end of September the prices are on the up swing and fluxuate till the end of April and then start to fall off. July through August being the worst.

 

[romeo]

Ebay is a good source of saw scrap and parts

E-bay is tricky. I have bought 2 saws on Ebay and I came out good both times. But when I bought them I expected them both to be junk and needing to be scraped or rebuilt. It seems like a good way to get rid of junk saws for top $. If I am going to buy a used work saw that I am going to count on I would probably rather buy a trade-in from the local shop that has been gone through. My brother gets 1 and 2 year olds in on trade all the time and usually sell's them at reasonable prices. Plus I like to look at something before I give up my hard earned cash, especially when it is used.

Ebay is an excelent source for discontinued or obslete parts, new and used. I have found parts on Ebay that I couldn't find anywhere else.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Most of the advice has already been given you that you will need. 4 quick things to elaberate on.
#1 information: people love as many pictures and facts as possible. So give it to them at least 6 pictures and tell them everything about the saw you can find including sales brochure information.
#2 Sell your item so that it ends on a Friday through Sunday and between 7:00PM and 10:00PM EST. Auctions that end at these times and days bring the most money
#3 Do not end an auction on a holiday. Nobody is home.
#4 Summer is the worst time to sell your saws for price. The end of September the prices are on the up swing and fluxuate till the end of April and then start to fall off. July through August being the worst.

Good stuff here.


I allways show pics of the saw cutting wood.


I usually show it quartering some maple or hickory and then show a closeup of the saw sitting on top of the curly fries.


Doesnt mean much to us, but most people have never seen chips like this and will be impressed.


My saws usually sell with BIN within 1-3 days.