Looking for eBay tips on high priced items

[john_k]

A local church has asked my wife to help them sell a 14th century document on eBay. She has a lot of experience selling and buying on eBay, but it is all with lower cost items like kids toys.

Does anyone have any experience and advice for selling higher priced items? In particular, I am wondering about promotional methods external to eBay. I have suggested that they might spend a few dollars on AdWords with some highly targeted keywords. Do you think that is a good idea? Any other promo methods out there?

The item in question is a one of kind manuscript that has been appraised at around $2,000.

[edited by: john_k at 2:53 pm (utc) on Nov. 30, 2004]

[stef25]

try and find relevant newsgroups and post your sale there, saying its available on ebay. ive done the same with rare stamps

there must be a little web corner where afficionados of such products hang out

[hannamyluv]

You might just want to check and see what it would cost to have an auction house sell your item on ebay or even at the auction house themsleves.

[Syzygy]

Your church has a unique 14th century manuscript and someone has valued it at $2,000 (a bit over £1000)?

I seriously suggest a second opinion! Either a leading antiquarian book/manuscript specialist, or one of the top auction houses.

As for selling a 600-700 year old ecclesiastical medieval relic on ebay... I would really encourage that to be rethought!

Syzygy

[Essex_boy]

having worked in the Antiques trade for a number of years Id hope your valuation was by one of the big auctions. Christies, Bonhams etc etc If its been done by Joe blow auctions it may well be incorrect or at least not the most precise valuation.

I think id try it a specialised sale with one of the big names first if it didnt sell then try Ebay.

Do you know of a good dealer in this item near you? He may be willing to take it on a commission basis youd get a far higher price in the end.

I can suggest a dealer in Cambridge UK who may well be interested. Im not connected, just bought from them in the past.

[Syzygy]

I'm confused! John_k, you are in the USA, yes?

Your church has an 'artifact' dating back to around 1300CE. In Europe today, just about anything of that age (& particularly uncatalogued) would be considered a real treasure.

So, there is a unique 'artifact' in the USA, in a church, that pre-dates the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620 by around 300 years, and someone values it at $2,000.

The church is not a stand alone place of worship? It is connected to, and reports to a higher diocese? The diocese will not treasure it? The local Bishop wants to 'flog' it off & doesn't consider it of major historical value - even though it pre-dates the Mayflower by three centuries?

It is Medieval European (?), and, regardless of what it is, would be an important addition to any museum. But it wants to be 'flogged' on ebay for a couple of grand?

I am confused! Any light..?

Syzygy

[john_k]

Thanks to everyone for your help! I am passing along the concern voiced here that they should seek one or more additional appraisals.

Also, my original post said 14th century. But afterward, I was given some more information and it is actually a 15th century (circa 1480) document.

I'm confused! John_k, you are in the USA, yes?
Your church has an 'artifact' dating back to around 1300CE. In Europe today, just about anything of that age (& particularly uncatalogued) would be considered a real treasure.

So, there is a unique 'artifact' in the USA, in a church, that pre-dates the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620 by around 300 years, and someone values it at $2,000.

The church is not a stand alone place of worship? It is connected to, and reports to a higher diocese? The diocese will not treasure it? The local Bishop wants to 'flog' it off & doesn't consider it of major historical value - even though it pre-dates the Mayflower by three centuries?

It is Medieval European (?), and, regardless of what it is, would be an important addition to any museum. But it wants to be 'flogged' on ebay for a couple of grand?

I am confused! Any light..?

Syzygy

I don't know how they obtained the documents other than that they were obtained along with a rare bible.

[hannamyluv]

So, is the antiques roadshow comingto your area soon?
[pbs.org...]

;)

[john_k]

So, is the antiques roadshow comingto your area soon?
[pbs.org...]
It's been here before. And this may actually be where they had gotten their valuation. So far all of my info has come second hand. They told my wife that it was valued at a TV auction show, but she didn't ask them which one. I will get a chance to talk to them in the next few days and yes, that is a question on my mind also.

[john_k]

I did manage to speak with one of the Fathers for a few minutes last night. He agreed to hold off on eBay and inquire with some of the auction houses. I read a couple of the postings from this thread to him and voiced my own concerns. That was enough. So thanks to everyone for your help!

I will get a chance over the next few days to talk to him some more about it. Hopefully I can get some more information as to the history of the documents as well as to how and when they came into possession.

I'll post updates here to let you know how it all turns out. Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions.