I have an antique Postmaster desk that I love but have no good place for now. I thought about selling it on ebay, but what should I do about shipping? It's huge and heavy. I don't live in a big city (heh, only 2000 people). I'm about 2 1/2 hours from Chicago tho. Does it work if you advertise no shipping, or will haul so many miles to meet them? I know fedex and ups won't take it. Any ideas?
Deb

The best things in life are furry....and flowers!

...no experience selling an item THAT big, but I will tell you what I usually do when I'm thinking about selling something on ebay -- do an ebay search to see if anyone else is listing something similar and how they handle the details like shipping, etc. I'll even add those items to my watch list to see how the auctions end -- prices, bid activity, does it get relisted, etc.

Just my 2 cents.

Jabbergah                                                  

Good idea. I've searched a few times for one but found none.(so I could say rare and hard to find if I list it, right?!! ) I will put it in my watch for a while. Thanks

The best things in life are furry....and flowers!

...would be justified, I think!

Even though there is no POSTMASTER DESK in the listings, if you do a search on furniture>desks you get several hits. I'm surprised how large of desks are listed! Several limit delivery to "local pickup", but some do ship via truck I think. On an item such as yours, I'd be a nervous wreck about damage, though!

Jabbergah                                                  

My experience is with an item much smaller than a desk, but perhaps similar in concept.

I wanted a bigger aquarium, so searched ebay. All of any size at all were pickup only, no shipping. I found one in San Pedro, about 1 1/2 hours from me - gorgeous 55 gallon tank, great price, complete with everything, even fish. I exchanged more email about transporting that item than about any other transaction I've made. But we went to pick it up the next weekend when we already had business in LA, and I absolutely love it!

Put Chicago Area somewhere prominent in your listing, if you do decide to try - that's your best best, geographically, it seems. Also, consider non-ebay venues (gasp!) like local sale papers or antique/estate shops. No chance of being on the good end of a bidding war then, though.

Just a thought.

If I wanted to sell such an item, I think I might try advertising it in one of Chicago's specialty papers. Loads of homes furnished in antiques there. I have sold and shipped a lot of large items, including boats and campers. In this case, I believe you would need to say that the buyer is responsible for shipping. However, I know you will end up hauling it to the nearest packer such as the Box Station, etc. Then in turn, after it is crated or such, the seller contacts a hauler (trucking co.) to pick it up. It would probably not be cost efective..unless it is worth many, many thousands.

That's what I want, a bidding war!! It's one of those things that only a few will want, but since it's really really old and an odd item hopefully bids would go high. Since I really would like to keep it but don't have the space, a high price would be great.

The best things in life are furry....and flowers!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. . .

reposed a very special desk. For years, a small- town postmaster stood at this beautiful, lovingly handcarved desk, slotting mail to his neighbors, friends, and enemies. "Look, Mary sent a birthday card to her Mama. She always was the good one of that family." "Lou got another letter from his son in college in Chicago. Probably wants more money."

Imagine the secrets this massive Postmaster desk has kept!

Own an enduring reminder of our heritage, from the days of careful, one-of-a-kind construction and quality craftsmanship, when furniture was made by an individual for an individual, and each piece had a story.

REMEMBER - Antiques generally appreciate in value! You have to buy furniture anyway - PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT!

Each year, fewer and fewer of these heirloom treasures are offered on the open market. Don't miss your special chance to own this wonderful vintage Postmaster Desk! Bring history to life in your home!

[OK - it's 'out there', I admit! Add a half-dozen beautiful closeup photos in golden Rembrandt-inspired lighting. Lay out your page in a classic Arsenic and Old Lace style (absent the arsenic), then see who nibbles.]

If that doesn't work, try AWESOME! VINTAGE! RARE! SCARCE! MINT!

If even that fails, try FULL OF POWERFUL, HEALING, METAPHYSICAL ENERGY!!! ASSISTS WITH GROUNDING, OPENING CHAKRAS, ACTIVATION OF THIRD EYE, ACCESSING PAST LIVES, AND TIME TRAVEL!

If all else fails, try PLEASE, SOMEBODY! TAKE THIS HAUNTED DESK OFF MY HANDS AND OUT OF MY LIFE BEFORE I GO COMPLETELY MAD!!!!!

Hey, it works!

My Internet provider has a free Ad listing for personal items - non-commercial - for sale. Does yours? I think I would look for a association newsletter for Furniture restoration in Chicago. They buy spruce up and send to auction - big beds. chests & even Pool Table and do their own pickup.
Take a nice picture of it and write a story about it - say its up for adoption for a modest price. Remember get Animals Kids & Flowers in the Photo if you want it printed.In Other Words child dusting under caraffe of spring daffs while Dog or cat watches. Or sleeps on Top. Slam Dunk - NO problem.

LOL Too funny!!

What did that doll and game board sell for? I forgot to go check. And WHY would anybody want to buy something that's posessed??? Bored?

The best things in life are furry....and flowers!

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And WHY would anybody want to buy something that's posessed???

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Don't ask me - I don't even like scary movies!


(Well, maybe a few, like Sixth Sense or Signs. More sci fi than horror. I mostly like movies where they all live happily ever after.)

Ya, me too! I get into the movies too much to watch scary stuff!

MG: can you describe the desk - is it flat or a roll top or a roll top that comes down over 40 cubicles for sorting mail. Is it in two pieces - top and bottom? Just saw one and wondered if we were thinking of the same kind. Any locking drawers?

Once sold a WWII Norton motorcycle... and discovered after the auction ended that the buyer was in Holland. Oops. Should have switched to "US shipments only" for that one.

We constructed an elaborate crate and shipped it off through an international freight company. Not easy, but it worked. Had I been thinking, I would have recalled that many motorcycles arriving in the U.S. are imports, and they come in their own special, pre-made metal shipping frames.

Along that line of thought, perhaps you could consult with a furniture store to see how their freight arrives and ask their advice.

Sending antiques that are fragile through motor freight is not that expensive, but is problematic for insurance. Most freight companies will not insure against damage on antiques - too much opportunity for fraudulent claims. If it is VERY expensive, you can purchase a separate insurance policy to cover a one-time shipment through a local insurance agent. We had to do that for a 19th Century English naval cannon that we sold to a customer in Georgia. $5,000 cannon - policy cost about $400 to insure it. (They have a minimum price for which they will write a policy.)

Local pick-up may be your best option, but would limit sales. No 100% correct answer on that one. Good luck!!

M G: and if you figure it out tell me how so I can sell my giant Drum Set. .. mory

SecondFront, good info, and idea.
...and to the forum!

SecondFront - Really excellent ideas!
You sound like an experienced seller who gets the job done.

I especially like the suggestion to ask regular furniture dealers.

(Was it tough giving up the motorcycle?)

Thanks for the kind words!

Glad to find this program - was previously using a desktop sniper that was prone to 3-5 day outages whenever ebay made small changes.

Giving up the Norton was no problem. I collect vicariously through my customers! (He who is his own best customer is soon to be self-unemployed.)

I have been a good customer for a lot of sellers. Maybe I should get into selling the things I keep buying! Then I could collect without keeping, and maybe support my habit that way. I am considering it.


And, yes, Auction Sniper is great. It has quirks and foibles now and then, but overall makes the ebay process much better.

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Maybe I should get into selling the things I keep buying! Then I could collect without keeping, and maybe support my habit that way.

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I do that... I always seem to buy more than I sell though. I can upgrade an item I have, or sometimes things come along in lots. I keep the best, and sell the rest.