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Author
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Topic: Selling Films on eBay
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David Baker
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 233
From: Hamilton , Ohio
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted December 28, 2012 09:56 AM
Hey gang I have been selling / buying / Trading Super 8MM Magnetic sound films on eBay for many years now and have some interesting experiences to share with you . Most good ; some bad , thanks to the " seasoned " film collector .
We all know film stock prints have a tendency to fade colors over time . Especially when 30 - 40 years has passed since the print was produced . The type of film stock used is also a factor .
Very seldom have I found a REALLY GOOD colorful print of something , but when I bought films from overseas they tended to be in better shape than USA purchased prints .
One thing I found is that we all " rate " the quality of a used print differently . I may think it is in " good " shape , whereas my buyer will be quick to disagree and state it was " fair " . Or if I stated " the beginning leader or title is missing " they also complain that " scenes where missing " , well knowing that the superimposed titles where put over scenes from the print . Or the film did have vivid colors and played fine on my projector but the buyer complained " it was dirty " .
In all these cases , I allowed the buyers to KEEP the films AND refunded their money ! ( One time a print I sold was damaged in shipment also ) They ended up leaving positive feedback , but gave a low star rating for " item as described " . These collector's ended up on my blocked bidder list for a while , until they became a little more civil in their treatment of other sellers .
Come on guys , if you are looking for that " pristine , perfect print " , 40 years later , expect to pay a HIGH PRICE .
I found that MANY collector's want everything CHEAP but won't offer what it's worth anymore .
Recently , on eBay , a color / sound print was being offered and a collector asked a question about some film details and was told by the seller " if you are going to be critical about the condition , please don't bid ' . Needless to say , the seller DIDN'T get a bid on their film print .
I recently purchased a color / sound feature on eBay and the description stated " like new " . Do you think I really will find it in that condition ? No , I don't think so ( because of the age for one thing ) , but , no matter , it will be a joy and much fun to screen it !
So my advice to the seller of Film stock on eBay is : KNOW who you are selling to , UNDER RATE your film condition and start your bid at what it's really worth , otherwise YOU get ripped - off by the buyers who want that " eBay bargain " !
HAPPY COLLECTING / HAPPY NEW YEAR GANG !
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Dave
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Michael O'Regan
Film God
Posts: 3085
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted December 30, 2012 03:19 AM
Bill,
I had a similarly comical situation with one of our forum members here. I won't embarrass him by naming him.
I asked a few questions on a print he was selling, which he answered readily.
However, for various personal reasons, none of which were any of the sellers business, I didn't bid on the item. I was contacted by the seller with a rant, asking why I asked so many questions and never even placed a bid, calling me a time-waster, etc. and was told I was now blocked from bidding on his auctions. To be honest, until I found out exactly who the seller was, I thought I was dealing with some kid who knew no better.
Yes, ebay can be a strange place, but I've also picked up some nice prints there.
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Hugh Thompson Scott
Film God
Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted December 30, 2012 05:13 AM
That's very true Michael, I haven't as yet sold anthing on ebay,
I have been very fortunate in that all purchases are as described,
but I feel this feedback routine is a bit like a protection racket
in the way that, if you don't tell everyone what a good seller I am
or in anyway slight me, I shall block you and not sell my future items to you.It does deal in threat,like "Trick or Treat" at the
time of Halloween,again,even in jest, a threat.Is this an American
ideal where there is always a price to pay if you don't acquiesce,
given that ebay originated in the USA.
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David Baker
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 233
From: Hamilton , Ohio
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted December 30, 2012 07:46 AM
Thanks Hugh . Over the years I've gotten some REALLY NICE prints from sellers in the UK ( off eBay ) , Derann , Independent , ect.
Great condition films like THE TIME MACHINE , WAR OF THE WORLDS , WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE , SAMSON AND DELILAH , THE TEN COMMANDMENTS , SODOM AND GOMORRAH , LAST DAYS OF POMPEII , WITCHFINDER GENERAL , DR. PHIBES , KING KONG VS. GODZILLA , GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER , GHIDRAH THE THREE HEADED MONSTER , THE MUMMY'S SHROUD and THE LOST CONTINENT to name a few .
Oh and by the way gang , I wasn't complaining - just relating some selling / buying experiences . I've NEVER had a bad experience from buying outright from any seller in the UK , or collector here in the USA . ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Dave
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