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Message started by vaclov on 07/04/07 at 11:20am

Title: How to sell vacuum on ebay
Post by vaclov on 07/04/07 at 11:20am

I'm trying to sell my Electrolux 7000 on ebay and I want to know how I should properly ship the item. I have the original box the vacuum came in but I think its a little worn, can you guys give me some clues as to how to ship canister vacuums in general.

Thanks you guys, I really want to make sure I do it right.

Title: Re: How to sell vacuum on ebay
Post by guess_who on 07/04/07 at 12:02pm

Hi vaclov,

I've bought a truckload of vacuums on eBay by now and they've been shipped to me by mail or carrier.

First I'd say, an eBay shoppers plea, allow shipping fees to remain reasonable. There are sellers who attempt to boost the take by inflating shipping fees well above what they actually are. Clearly state how shipping will be charged -- by rate of flat fee. eBay, I believe has online zip code calculators to make this simple for you.

If you do not have a UPS account and do not post auction items on eBay regularly you're probably better served to use the post office for shipping. Once it's bought and you've received payment, take it to your local post office. Definitely forget about the llittle "we'll ship it for you" franchises as that will in no way prove cost effective.

If the original box is worn, you can chuck it. Being your vacuum is not old the original box will probably be of no significance to a buyer merely looking for a machine for everyday use. Go to your local supermarket, chain drug store or any local business near you and merely tell them you need a big box. They're usually glad to give them to any on who asks.

Packing material is up to you. It's protecting the item from damage that counts. Machines have come to me quite well done in plastic bubble wrap but have also been shipped surrounded with packing peanuts (which I hate), old cushioning foam, newspaper and even old laundry -- not used of course.

You may want to wrap individual attachments, place the hose in a plastic bag and tape separated suction wands together. UPS is known for its brutality to anything enclosed in cardboard. Therefore whatever material you use to pack the machine with, to keep shipping weight in reasonable range be sure that you use a box just big enough to allow an inch or so of protective cushioning all around to protect the items inside if banged or dropped.

Making clear the sales is final, by all means encourage buyers to add on a litte extra for insurance. You should also be able to get this info online if not from eBay then at USPS online --

http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage/welcome.htm?from=home&page=0061calculatepostage

Good luck,

Venson

Title: Re: How to sell vacuum on ebay
Post by Carmine_Difazio on 07/04/07 at 12:15pm

Venson:

Excellent advice and suggestions. However, regardless of the condition of the original box, I would use it to ship the vacuum inside another box for packing and mailing. Why? The box and the vacuum belong together. They started out together and should stay together as long as they possibly can. As long as the box is still available, keep it with the vacuum forever.

I shipped an original Westinghouse tank from 1949 in its original box just a few years ago. The box saw better days, trust me. But everything that came with the tank in terms of the original packing and instructions and the complete vacuum with all the tools were in the original box. I packed in another box for sturdiness and safekeeping of the original contents during shipping.

Carmine D.

Title: Re: How to sell vacuum on ebay
Post by old-timer on 07/04/07 at 12:35pm

You could go to an aerus/electrolux branch and they more than likely will give you a box that the machines came in. Any plastic body machine box will work.The shipping weight should be 20lbs or 22 lbs. Ups does not ship to p.o. boxes.

O.T.

Title: Re: How to sell vacuum on ebay
Post by guess_who on 07/04/07 at 4:42pm

Hi Carmine and O.T.,

I share the sentiment in that original boxes, etc., contribute to provenance or history and are considered of great value by many collectors especially if we're speaking of a circa 1949 vacuum. However, if a vacuum is "new" -- and basically plastic -- I always have my doubts as to its reaching antiquity especially once it changes hands. Then again, who knows the future? This is merely my feeling and no one should give it thought if they feel better about holding on to original material no matter their vacuum's age.

In my own case. though I'll be up the creek without a paddle if I ever move, due to storage constraints it is impossible for me to hold on to boxes. As an instance, I'll be keeping the Hoover Z's operators manual but the box will have to go.

Happy Fourth,

Venson

Title: Re: How to sell vacuum on ebay
Post by guess_who on 07/13/07 at 8:27pm

Just wanted to say I've had another great experience on eBay. A seller with a real eye discovered and put a great 1205 on the auction block and I landed it. He did everything right. So right, I even had to forgive him for the packing peanuts he used when I found the Lux has arrived double-boxed with the peanuts as a buffer between. What can you say to someone like that other than, "Please take my money"?

The meaningful points were of course, an item worthy of pursuit, impeccable know-how in regard to item description, shipping with speed and economy and the execution of the transaction with the greatest of courtesy.

Venson