Johnny K

EBay does have fees involved, no denying that. Also, those fees are higher than necessary (in my opinion), particularly since they've started charging fees for shipping costs, too. Listing is free for the first 50 items per month, so you don't pay unless your item sells; then, of course, the fees are 9% of the total of selling price and shipping charged. Also, if PayPal is used, there's an additional fee of 3% plus 30 cents. On a positive note, eBay does provide a shipping label service through the Post Office, which allows for the USPS reduced online cost plus Delivery Confirmation Number (a necessity) free. I would suggest you determine the weight of a representative model kit, including packaging (Post Office provides free Priority Mail boxes), with taping and labels. You should also remember any inside packaging materials you may use (peanuts, bubble wrap, tissue, etc.). Those figures should give you a basic idea of what a single package will weigh along with the 'fixed' packaging costs. The only real variable you will be faced with is zone location for shipping to Buyer. You can, of course, use eBay's Shipping Calculator, which will automatically figure a price based on location. You can include a handling fee to be added to this figure. Personally, I place a figure on shipping based on furthest zone from me so that I may provide a fixed rate. This protects me from losing money based on distance as well as allows for the occasional partial refund to a customer close by - a tremendous Public Relations gesture that often results in additional future sales. Also note, if you have any unboxed kits, any package under 13 ounces will ship First Class for a fraction of Priority cost. Admittedly, Craig's List may be a viable option for most people, especially in a highly populated area. I don't use it for a variety of reasons, but I am probably in the minority. As mentioned earlier - you will realize much more if you sell the kits individually rather than as a lot to a Reseller.

I got back into the hobby a little over two years ago. Shortly after, I found this forum and several others. I enjoyed them greatly for quite a few months before finally registering at this and one other because I decided it would be nice to make the occasional comment. I've learned a great deal from the various threads and searching through the archives as well as having gotten several ideas from the posted WIPs and 'Under Glass' sections. The benefits offered by this, and similar, forums should be applauded. I also have noticed the tendency to compliment less-than-good (or even average) work here and have been disappointed by it. I certainly understand that one shouldn't discourage another's interest, but also see the harm that may be done by false praise. It's a slippery slope and I'm really not sure what the solution is. I've only built three or four models since re-entering the field, and still have a good ways to go toward finished quality. I did consider posting photos of one of them a month or so ago, but decided against it due to the very subject matter of this thread. Even if I asked for opinions and criticisms, I don't think I could really trust them. Still, while I may refrain from comments (except the occasional acknowledgement of a really imaginative or creative build idea), I will continue to take advantage of the wonderful ideas presented here.

This might help - sems to be a '55. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/08/west-coast-customs-makes-trucks-for-the-expendables/1

Very nice spares build. Impressive. And a resounding 'Yes,' to the earlier suggestions of a CBP.

I'm really not seeing that as a potential problem after seeing some of the other combinations - very creative build you have going on here. As to finding a rear bumper, maybe just a straight push bar?

Couple of suggestions: first, a search through the archives will give you a number of great builds for inspiration. Second, a recent Revell '50 Ford Custom I did had the top removed and was turned into a roadster, lowered a bit, with wood bed and cover. Was actually only one of about three I've done since returning to the hobby and turned out a bit better than I'd thought it would.

It's my experience that - in general - with reference to built models, the 'weathered' and 'rusted' models on eBay sell for more than the 'shiny' ones, though that could easily be due in part to the availablity and demand. Perhaps, if equal numbers of both were available, prices would also tend to be more equal; still, regardless of the reason, take advantage. On a side note, the listing you show is for a 1:32 model - these typically go for less on eBay that the 1:24, 1:25, while the larger scales tend to go for proportionately more. I will admit my opinion may be a bit biased as almost all built models I buy are 'weathered' and 'rusted.'

For the most part, I prefer 1925 through 1934, both cars and pickups, and '37 to '41 pickups. There are a couple definitions for era, and, for that reason, I'd have to include the '50's, not for the new cars produced in that decade, but for the reinvention of the earlier cars and real advent of the Hot Rods.

Very nice - was hoping for some shots of this. Thanks for posting.

Video it, put it on YouTube, leak it to the local news, and watch the fun. Ain't Social Networking great?

That's the way the sellers like it. Quick sale, price wanted. No problem at all with that, especially when I'm selling. But it's also a reason I sometimes bid early to get rid of that pesky 'Buy It Now' price if I'm the buyer. In all honesty, I do sometimes use the 'Buy It Now' price if I think it's a great deal at that price.

Great if you're selling, lousy if you're buying . . . Sniping's usually the best way to go for the lowest price, but I sometimes bid early if there's a very low starting price (want to lock it in), or if there's also a 'Buy It Now' that I want to get rid of hoping for a better end price. Works sometimes - I usually win 3 or 4 auctions a month based on a lowball bid that I don't expect to get at that price.

Excellent suggestion and probably obvious to most, but I hadn't even thought of it - and I've gone through hundreds of kits in the past couple years, many of them open and several rare ones. It's certainly something I'll start doing. Thanks.

Thanks. Nice and clean - good contrast to the weathering of the body. Works great.

Looks good. Very nice job. Any chance of a picture of the underside?

I didn't mean to imply that at all - even though packages do arrive damaged occasionally (and sometimes mishandled), the USPS does a fantastic job overall proportionate to the number of packages moved. Still, I do maintain - from my experience and in my opinion only - that placing a label marked 'fragile' on a package is the equivalent to placing a red button on a wall with the legend 'Do Not Push,' affixed above. As to the OP's situation, I am in full agreement that an eBay (PayPal) filing would certainly result in a complete refund. That is, if PayPal was used, and if he actually would prefer a refund to keeping the model. Compromise on a partial does seem a good way to go.

I Have no way of knowing on this one, but some sellers will certainly do that. A few months ago, I bought a 60's vintage '31 Sedan Delivery. It was built and described as 'some small parts may fall off during shipping . . ,' as is normal; however, when it arrived, many 'small' parts, including tires, were either loose or broken off - and all packed in the rear delivery section of the car. Seller still swears the Post Office did it. No mind, still a good deal for my purposes. I suppose the photo was a very carefully staged mock-up. At any rate, were there photos clearly showing this section of your car in the listing?

Good job on explaining basic eBay and PayPal policy. That 'Fragile' thing, though . . . I think, in actuality, that follows the law of inverse geometric proportion. The more times you write Fragile on the box, the more times it has an 'accident.' I package all my items well, but you won't receive one with Fragile written on it - too much a risk and a red flag - in my opinion.

I only have about 65 complete, unbuilt kits at the moment, plus 8 or 10 partials, and maybe half a dozen builts that I really like. Of the 65, roughly 20 of those are '29, '30, and '31 Ford Woody kits I'm hoping to use for a Community Challenge Build this Summer.

Point taken - sometimes it might be in the buyer's best interest that there's a lack of detail. Was there at least a picture or did you just 'take a chance?'

I'm not sure who I have more sympathy for - the one trying to sell the item or the one who might eventually purchase it. I am constantly in wonder as to how a seller could so sabotage his own sales.

As in most things, the answer lies somewhere in between for me; if I bring something in, or receive a package by mail, my wife asks what it is and wants to see it if she's present. I show her, she says 'That's a cute one," or "Well, that's really a pile of junk," etc. If she's not present, it goes in with everything else and she usually doesn't notice it (she rarely goes into 'THAT' room). The point is, I guess, that I don't feel the need to hide it, but I also don't go out of my way to flaunt it.

I have absolutely no doubt that you understand the need for Priority and Tracking in a deal such as this. I think most Buyers really do; unfortunately, however, some don't. They may be willing to pay the higher price when they really want an item, but during the week or two transit and after arrival, some begin to resent the cost. It only takes one or two to make one rethink International Shipping, but I can only speak from my own experiences with this. While I have stopped shipping kits and parts, which require boxing (and a Tracking Number) overseas, I do still ship paper, or letter-sized, items (such as Decals, etc.) by First Class International Mail and have only had 2 instances in the last year in which the Buyer stated the items were not received. In those cases, I simply took the loss and refunded the monies. The amounts are so minor here that it remains worth it in the long run. That situation is different, though, in that sending a heavy letter remains less than $2.00 in most cases.

Yes, complete sense and I thought that might be the case. And, as stated earlier, it is a compliment to be asked to build one of your items for someone. Congratulations and good luck.

Have you considered just selling him the first one - the one he saw and liked enough to want one like? That way, you wouldn't have to be nervous about building another, plus you could probably improve on the first for yourself. Then again, sometimes the first is special, difficult to surpass. At any rate, it should be a little easier to come up with a reasonable and fair price after the fact of the build.