A Survival Guide to Drop-Off Selling
Ina Steiner, editor of auction news site AuctionBytes.com, offers a few guidelines to keep in mind when choosing a drop-off store.
Check feedback ratings: Get the store's EBay user ID, which may not be the same as the store's name. Then, look at its rating, a sign of how buyers have liked that store's service. Also note how long it has been an EBay seller.
Look at the store's auctions: Do you like the presentation? Are the descriptions informative and persuasive? How good are the photos?
Research collectibles: If you know or suspect your item is rare or valuable, ask if the store has particular expertise in the subject--most won't. You will probably have to do a little legwork to get a good idea of a fair minimum selling price.
Get references: Follow up with a store's prior customers to learn about their experiences.
Hayden Spring and Arthur D. Thorsberg Jr. contributed to this report.
