eBay - A Dealer’s Viewpoint

Sensationalized mass media stories like the recent hoax of a human kidney available on eBay grossly distort actual events. Daily, thousands of Interneters conduct mutually satisfactory transactions using eBay. Good news rarely makes headlines. Fred Dwyer, an Internet Info reader and eBay dealer (feedback rating 104, no negatives) is one of the building blocks that make the “largest cyber-flea market” such a success. I asked him to share his thoughts with my readers.

Here’s Fred

Thanks Bob. Several years before my retirement from IBM, I started a small wedding photography and videography business. A nagging worry that I would have nothing but time on my hands after departing “Big Blue” fueled my desire to try something new. That was over 10 years ago and it now seems like another lifetime. Frankly, retirement is great! During the first three “golden years,” my wife, Joan (a professional tennis instructor), and I designed and built a new home. While this major project consumed a lot of effort and energy, I still found time to use the Internet; a skill learned during my days at IBM. As the World Wide Web (WWW) evolved during the early 90s, I transitioned from e-mailer to a Web surfer and Usenet newsgroup user. The Internet was much smaller in those days and less chaotic.

When a friend asked the value of an old Canon camera brought back from Japan around 1950, I went to the Net. Just a little investigation uncovered that is was probably a good collector’s piece. It would bring at least $600, I guessed. I posted it for sale in the rec.photo.marketplace news group. It sold for over $700. Wow! I was hooked.

Along Comes eBay

In the old days (that is four years ago in Internet parlance), I found eBay. Immediately, I recognized it as a marketplace specifically for individual sellers like me. Here was the reincarnation of the ancient Greek agora where everyone came together to buy and sell. I became a tag sale regular. Early on, I was the person asking, “Do you have any old cameras you would like to sell?” “Previously owned cameras” became my specialty.

Dick and Marie Sturdevant are well known Newtowners. Dick’s camera store in Danbury had a used camera corner. I found a few nice collectibles there, but perhaps more importantly, I got to know Dick Sturdevant and relied on his expertise and honesty – a fine gentleman. When a customer needed to liquidate a camera from an estate sale, he referred that person to me. Our friendship and mutual respect grew. Unfortunately, Dick sold his business to a large chain. The used camera corner was gone.

What Is Collectible?

All Leicas and Rolleis, many Nikons, Canons, some Zeiss Ikons, and Voigtlanders are sought after by collectors. In fact, specific models from every manufacturer are in demand. Both buyers and sellers have become more sophisticated and selective as eBay evolved. Before listing a camera on eBay, I thoroughly inspect the piece. The listing must detail both functional and cosmetic condition. Sadly, cameras, even when stored in perfect working order, may die on the shelf. Photoelectric elements deteriorate, lubricants dry out, and mold attacks glass (the lens elements) and leather. After determining condition, an eBay listing is written and posted along with its image. A number of images of cameras and accessories sold on eBay can be viewed here: http://members.xoom.com/FredDwyer/camera.htm.

Payment for eBay Sales

Often, my eBay camera sales range in price from $40 to $500. Currently, I accept payment by money order, check or cash. However, times change. A growing number of services are now available for private sellers to accept credit cards. For example, BillPoint comes close to a conventional merchant account. The seller pays a per-transaction fee based upon the amount of the transaction. It requires a seller agreement, which ties the service to the seller’s bank account, authorizing BillPoint to deduct any owed funds directly. Frankly, this feature leaves me a bit uncomfortable. Nevertheless, BillPoint is being promoted by eBay as a “service enhancement,” categorizing the business relationship as a “strategic alliance.” Another highly popular offering is PayPal. With this program, there is no charge for either the buyer or the seller. PayPal makes money for those short periods when funds sit in user accounts. The commonly used term is “the float.” Count me in for this. I am signing up. (Bob Brand: I use PayPal and like it very much.) While BillPoint is international (a big plus for some sellers), PayPal, at least currently, is limited to US transactions.

Truly International

Cameras and Big Macs have one thing in common: they are found all over the globe. Through eBay, I have sold cameras and accessories to customers in Italy, Belgium, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and Canada. Many eBay sellers are hesitant to offer products to people outside the US. Not me. Camera lovers/collectors are found all over the planet. Payments take a bit longer, often several weeks. When shipping a camera, there is the extra step of filling out a customs form. Other than that, it is the same as dealing in the US.

A Few Disappointments Along the Way

Since trading on eBay, I have had two disappointing purchases and two less than ecstatic customers. For the two unhappy customers, the resolution was easy; I refunded all their money (shipping too). One had a valid concern; the other was unreasonable in my view. It didn’t matter. My motto: “The customer is always right.” (Bob Brand: I have found that the majority of high-volume eBay sellers share Fred’s outlook.) In one disappointing purchase, after several e-mail exchanges, the seller refunded my money. In the other case, the camera worked when received, but malfunctioned a day later. A quick e-note to the seller brought no reply. In the world of eBay trading, this is a bad sign. It seems like an admission of guilt. Perhaps he knew it was a “lemon law headache.” This was a new seller with very low feedback. Frankly, I took a chance knowing I was at greater risk because of the weak buying/selling history. It was a lower priced item. It was only a small loss. On the positive side, in the vast majority of eBay transactions, I have come away feeling that I have made a new friend. Essentially, I treat the people who bid (and buy) cameras that I offer the way I want to be treated. This, for me, is the secret of success that runs throughout the eBay community.

User ID: freddwyer

I like nice cameras. I also like the many people I have met through my transactions on eBay. If you have a question about an old camera but The Antiques Roadshow is not coming to your town any time soon, drop me a note: freddwyer@earthlink.net. I will try to help.