Replies

1. 
   pcooper | Oct 19, 2006 10:39pm | #1

   Well, I have sold a lot on ebay, (not tools always) but the thing about ebay is supposed to be the feedback rating is the basic way to see if a seller is reputable or not. IF they have negative feedback, then don't mess with them. If they have good feedback and a lot of it, then I'd be ok with them.

1. 
   HoustonHeights | Oct 20, 2006 12:55am | #2

   Thanks for your response.  I agree that feedback scores are very important.  

   Perhaps I should have asked if anyone has favorite sellers that they go back to time and time again.  Which ebay hand tool sellers consistently sell high quality antique/collectible tools? 

   I ask because I get tired of wading through the sheer volume of postings, searching for the really good stuff.  It would be much easier to look at the offerings of a handful of dealers that consistently sell top shelf merchandise.  Any help?

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 20, 2006 03:33am | #4

   "I agree that feedback scores are very important."  Elaborating here, not for you so much as lurkers who might be reading what we say -- it's not just the FB number or even the percentage that's important, but what people say.  Always go in an read the comments people make. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   pcooper | Oct 20, 2006 03:39am | #5

   I thought about that after I posted but never got around to saying it. I often read the feedback to see just how well satisfied someone is. It is worth the time. I did find someone that I got a lot of lumber from a few years ago and went back several times to purchase again just because I got a good deal and anyone that read my feedback would have known it.

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Oct 20, 2006 03:18am | #3

   H.H. , It would help to know if you are looking for good user tools or if you are a collector looking for the next Stanley #1 NIB? Pat.

3. 
   ctsjr | Oct 20, 2006 05:22am | #6

   Howdy Heights

   One person I watch is robwrs (seller name).  He is in Michigan, sells interesting stuff and is IMO honest about what he says and sells.  He's starting his auctions higher now than he used to, and he stopped taking PayPal a while back.  He's the only tool seller I watch consistently.  He does a good job of cleaning up tools; rust and such without ruining the patina or character of the tool.  I've corresponded with him about cleaning up tools.  Good guy.  Tom

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
1. 
   mvflaim | Oct 23, 2006 04:57am | #7

   The three sellers I have found on Ebay that do a good job listing and selling antique tools are:

   ifonlythesetoolscouldtalk

   mr.peabody

   zeek101

   ifonly... and mr.peabody usually list on a constant basis. Zeek101 hasn't listed anything for a while but when he does, he gets good money for his tools.

    Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I'll remember, but let me try and I will understand.

4. 
   platymapus | Oct 23, 2006 05:23pm | #8

   Feedback can be very misleading.  When I purchase a product on ebay the moment I pay for it I should receive feedback, I have fulfilled my obligation to the seller.  Most sellers wait until the buyer has left FB before they do it.  That way they still have some leverage if the buyer gives -FB for poor shipping or poor product.

   As far as tools go, I offten find authorized dealers selling at a discount w/ shippments coming directly from the mfg.

   Platy

1. 
   mvflaim | Oct 23, 2006 06:00pm | #9

   Platy,

   I used to leave feedback right away once the buyer paid for the item. Then one day a buyer threatened to give me negative feedback if he didn't receive his tool within the next couple of days. He lived in CA and paid for Parcel Post but expected it to arrive in three or four days when sometimes it can take up to ten. Never again. If there is something wrong with the tool or something happens during shipping I will always try to work something out with the buyer and occassionally have done so. But too many times I have had buyers who expected too much from me or want me to refund them money for damage that the post office did to the package. I won't take responsibility for the Post Offices mishandling of the package even when the buyer buys insurance. They need to take it up with the Post Office.

    

    

    Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I'll remember, but let me try and I will understand.