Today was the last day for several books that I had listed. I was unsure if they would sell -- other than being great copies in good condition of first editions, I knew nothing about them other than that other copies had sold previously. I didn't really have my hopes high. I'm starting to think that some items are quick sellers and others are space suckers -- Disney equates to Dollars. As far as L. Ron Hubbard goes... well, I said at the time that the Mission Earth series (hell, any example of his writing) is an exercise in masochism and today, eBay agrees.
I am researching the etiquette of relisting items. In my mind, if an object doesn't spark a lot of interest, relisting it indefinitely isn't going to help -- the old definition of insanity comes to mind: same actions, expecting different results. There are a few exceptions to the rule: I will be relisting the Spock doll at some point. Reason says that in that particular case, it's more a matter of the right buyer out there not finding me in time.
The secondary task of research is to determine a set of rules regarding items that don't sell after x attempts.
"Let x make a statement..." - Talking Heads, "Give Me Back My Name"
Back on track, brain.
Ahem... anyway. So, let's say that our good friend and hack-author Hubbard's steaming pile of sci-fi doesn't find a home via eBay in three attempts. What now? I can't let my house start filling up with auction failures. I need a Plan B. Books are a no-brainer, really... Half-Price books will give a small exchange and if I end up with enough, then my son will be able to get a wordy treat or three. Records, well... there's a used record store near me. I have been avoiding stepping in the place recently since I know there are a couple of Zoogz Rift releases that are calling my name and I want to wait a while before growing my own personal collection any further. But, perhaps they might take a few records off my hands if they don't go on eBay... yet even then, I may still be stuck with leftovers. Hm... take up skeet shooting?
And what about the other items of interest? This is why I am not out buying everything in sight -- at a certain point, I have to accept that some purchases are going to be mine and only mine. The garage sale proprietors can keep their Coca-Cola Polar Bear trinkets... that's the last thing I need cluttering my abode. (Well, other than perhaps 1970's-looking sun dresses, and I've seen more than my fair share of those as of late.)
There is less than an hour left on the Kasparov trainer... An item like this I won't feel bad about having around as an occasional pastime, but I would rather it sell. There hasn't been any further activity on it since yesterday as far as views or watchers, so I'm starting to think that it'll join Spock in the "relist" area of the room.
The nice thing about this being a hobby is that I do have time to consider the alternatives, and I have the space to do so... for now.
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