Ebay has been a big part of my collecting illness

[pipoman]

for 18 years this month. I have sold some stuff, I buy more than I sell admittedly, but even more than the buying I love to look at the coolest treasures which come out for sale. Beyond my budget and often outside of my collection interests I see many things which are just cool, artistic, treasures of the past. I usually search auctions only, because I am not interested in seeing people's overpriced "buy it now" stuff..I want to look at things which will likely sale. I take particular joy in seeing an obvious-to-me home run which the seller is obviously unaware what they have, watching the price rise and then a huge snipe at the end...knowing the seller is stuck to the ceiling.

I started buying and selling seriously in 1990. I was in a low paying route sales job so I would hit antique stores, estate sales, and auctions. I had a book shelf full of books of specialized buyers. Tony Hyman's book, Trash to Treasure, and the Antique Trader made me thousands by listing collectors interests. I didn't have any money so I would see something in an antique store, then call a buyer that evening and price it doubling the price, if the buyer agreed they would send the money. I would call the antique store and have them hold the item for me (until I could buy it with the buyer's money).

Here's today's favorite eBay find...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HY-QUALITY-COFFEE-ROTHS-JR-YOUNG-CARDBOARD-CUT-OUT-SIGN-ORIGINAL-TIN-PORCELAIN-/121020510784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2d627240

I think it's been for sale for a while or there was another one at some time or other. I just love die-cut lithography..the colors are so vivid and the graphics so nostalgic of good feelings. I would make a spot in my new kitchen for this if it wasn't quite so pricey, at the same time I believe someone may pay the asking price.

BTW, I don't know this seller, just like the piece..

[grasswire]

1. very interesting post, thanks!

A fascinating strategy! Never thought of your way of picking for other collectors. Did you sell directly, without using eBay to protect both of you? Did you take photos while the item was still in the shop?

[pipoman]

2. This was

before eBay. eBay changed everything. Over the coarse of 10 years dealers were selling all of their best finds on eBay and antique stores, and collecting will never be the same again. Now collectors can find most things in their area of interest by watching eBay. I like eBay, for the most part. Without eBay, certain aspects of my collecting interests would have taken a lifetime and thousands of miles of travel to assemble what I have in 18 years.

eBay also changed values. Collectables tend to be regional. For example, one of my interests is Keen Kutter tools and cutlery, in the pre-eBay years a Keen Kutter cigar box would bring $400 in good condition. It turns out they were produced and distributed in Pennsylvania and not rare as previously believed, instead scarce, now they bring $75-$125 on eBay. There are many things like this..it has been an interesting turn of events over the last 20 years.