Selling on ebay........

[Odie]

Here's someone else that is selling on ebay. Doesn't look like he's very successful, and those turned items he sells appear like he's not doing much more than recovering his cost for the wood.

Wish him luck, but for one to be successful on ebay, it looks like he's got to have a better plan..........

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http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/rileyvernon58#item160321713705

 

[Odie]

Here's another seller on ebay.......

This person appears to be selling a few of his bowls. All look to be fairly small, but his prices seem to be in an area that is likely to give him a little "pocket money"!

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http://stores.ebay.com/Woodturnings-by-Frank-Parker

 

[Odie]

Then, of course, there's the occasional used bowl. This one is 13" in diameter and only $5.99! There is no way to compete with that!

Of course, it might sell for more than that, but I've been seeing a few used bowls on ebay today......all at extremely cheap prices. If it does sell for more, I doubt that it will be much more.


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http://cgi.ebay.com/Wooden-Bowl-by-...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:5|294:50

 

[George Guadiane]

This guy David-Walsh seems to sell a lot of his pieces (see completed auctions - if you are a member and signed in).
I have been selling antiques and collectibles on eBay for a decade or so.
I tried selling some turnings on eBay a while ago, gave up FAST. I would rather turn em and throw them in the stove for the prices that they seem to get. Heck, if you look for turning blanks, THEY seem to go for more than the finished pieces of comparable quality, no matter how good the turning work is.
I have concluded that the only way to get fair prices is to let people touch them (craft shows - galleries - etc.).

 

[Odie]

This guy David-Walsh seems to sell a lot of his pieces (see completed auctions - if you are a member and signed in).
I have been selling antiques and collectibles on eBay for a decade or so.
I tried selling some turnings on eBay a while ago, gave up FAST. I would rather turn em and throw them in the stove for the prices that they seem to get. Heck, if you look for turning blanks, THEY seem to go for more than the finished pieces of comparable quality, no matter how good the turning work is.
I have concluded that the only way to get fair prices is to let people touch them (craft shows - galleries - etc.).

Thanks for the heads up on David Walsh, George.......

I've added him to my list of favorite sellers that I check up on from time to time.......just to see how they are doing, and if they are selling......what their methods are.

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[Malcolm Tibbetts]

I would have to agree: in general eBay is not a great place to sell high quality wood turnings, but I did have great success with the one piece that I did sell on eBay. The vessel that I made for my video, "Seggy's Dream" was placed on eBay as a 100% donation to the American Cancer Society. I timed the posting of the YouTube video with the eBay auction and I mailed copies of the video to a number of collectors. I was much honored to generate a $5600 donation to the ACS. If you haven’t seen the video, it’s still posted on YouTube; just do a search for "Seggy's Dream". 🙂🙂🙂

 

[waltben]

A few years ago I spent the winter selling pen blanks on eBay, and also listed several bowls. I did sell a couple for decent prices, but I listed them in home decor, not turned wood. The pen blanks kept me in beer money, but it all really wasn't worth the effort, and I shut it down when we were getting ready for our first show in the spring.

 

[Odie]

I would have to agree: in general eBay is not a great place to sell high quality wood turnings, but I did have great success with the one piece that I did sell on eBay. The vessel that I made for my video, "Seggy's Dream" was placed on eBay as a 100% donation to the American Cancer Society. I timed the posting of the YouTube video with the eBay auction and I mailed copies of the video to a number of collectors. I was much honored to generate a $5600 donation to the ACS. If you haven’t seen the video, it’s still posted on YouTube; just do a search for "Seggy's Dream". 🙂🙂🙂

That's pretty much how I see things, too, Malcolm.

It looks to me like most turners who try the ebay route, end up being frustrated with the experience. My best guess is most, but not all potential buyers on ebay are "bargain shoppers" when it comes to art in any form.

I've seen your turned art pieces before, and you do beautiful work!......I agree that your works wouldn't be well suited for the type of sales that take place on ebay. This is not to say that it can't be done, as I am aware of one turner that seems to be pretty successful with ebay sales. That particular person sells quite a few very small bowls that are likewise very simply made (read: small time/materials investment).....and relatively low prices.

Most of us have our own "style" and "tastes".......I, for one, would be hesitant to modify these personal preference priorities in order to generate sales. I suppose if I did, I might be able to make a little money on ebay......but this isn't the reason I turn......so, it would be a dis-service to myself to alter my turnings for the sake of money.....in other words: "sell out" my quest as an artist, for an objective that is less satisfying. (the pursuit of money)

Certainly, I'm probably not the only one on this forum that would like to make more sales than I currently do, without sacrificing individuality......that's a very difficult objective. I do make a few sales in art galleries, but not nearly enough to consider quitting my daytime employment......and I probably never will, unless some miracle happens to give me "name recognition".

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