|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 1, 2021 18:16:21 GMT -5
I have a dozen pseudo M41s that I regularly use to support and supplement events. In the course of accumulating uniform items I have rescued a similar number of M43s. They are frankly not getting used much and frankly are getting somewhat valuable and are too nice to just loan out. I have a wide assortment of sizes. All are free of rips, tears and free of paint stains. Most have light fraying on the cuffs and a few have fraying at the collar but all have been field repaired. They are all fully functional and everyday wearable. (buttons, present and correct) It's silly for me to have so many. They seem to bring $100.00 plus on ebay in this condition. Id rather they go to folks here. Shipping in the continental US is $15.50. I can supply pictures and details. Most fit 38inch chests to 42". Some have the early M43 Khaki liners. Late 44 and Korean War had OD inner colors. Shades on these vary from very bold OD to an even light faded OD.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 3, 2021 23:34:26 GMT -5
I hate Ebay generally. Fees add up, their rules and restrictions are draconian and they expect us to treat 75 year clothings items as if we were Nordstroms. I have had funds held up and ended up eating shipping and sending a full refund because the clothing didnt fit them (the size was in the listing!). I have had people ask to combine shipping and then claim they only received one of the thres items. Since I only shipped one box after months of dispute i had no "proof" the buyer got 2 free items. Ebays own message thread showed the buyers request! Having said all that right now militaria is hot on Ebay and bringing big money. Apparently a good time to sell.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 12, 2021 0:15:58 GMT -5
I have so far sold 4 of M43s and a Mackinaw Coat on Ebay that i listed. The M43s have all gone for $85 to $125.00. The Mackinaw went for 98.00 which was kind of disappointing. I have 3 or 4 more M43s. All in great shape including a size 12 WACs M43 . The womenss M43 remained unchanged from WW2 thru Vietnam era. I also have a couple HBT fatigue jackets and a Pacific tropical light jacket. In addition I have a large reproduction HBT camo jacket (US Army) reproduction.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 12, 2021 23:52:51 GMT -5
I have 20 items currently listed on Ebay. My listing name is Williejoe1. I have almost entirely WW2 items. Things are selling. I am just moving items that are redundant or simply dont find their way into events. In some cases they are originals and just too precious or valuable to loan out.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 14, 2021 16:40:18 GMT -5
I also put some prop, non functional replicas on Ebay and i really cant explain it but they are selling like crazy for rediculous amounts. I fear the buyers are going to be pissed. I describe them accurateoy post 15 pictures from all angles start them low and in some cases they have brought double what I had hoped for. I just sold a prop totally non functioning Garand for $185.00 and I have another currently at $148.00 with 4 days left. The buy it now was $125.00. Ebay is crazy. A WW2 tanker helmet brought $279.00. I was expecting perhaps $175.00. Original double buckle boots brought $260.00.
WW2 collectibles are hot right now. Maybe with Covid hobbies are the thing?
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 19, 2021 15:11:24 GMT -5
All of my M43s sold and brought anywhere from 78.00 to $148. The larger sizes seem to bring more. I also found some curious items I forgot I had assorted HBT jackets and trousers for example and lots of cool hats. I also found a lovely cotton polin jungle jacket that I thought was Nam Era that was dated 1944. It was a small size, my wife grabbed it and has adopted it. I finally figured out it was her uncles who served in the 442nd during WW2 and later Korea. Her only surviving uncle Danny (out of 7 who were in the 442nd) speculated that it was Korean War issue. Tets was on Okinawa post war when deployed to Korea. Danny was later stationed in Okinawa and was issued the same type of jacket. He did not deploy to Korea. The only reason he didnt think it was his was he threw all his Army stuff out and Tets kept alo of his.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on May 2, 2021 12:54:20 GMT -5
Since starting my purge I have sold 28 items. This freed up some capitol to buy some other items that will fill out my loaner gear. Sometimes an actual item that either wasnt finding use or was simply too nice to loan out allows me to buy 3 reproductions and still have some extra dough. Knowing what fills in needs, my goal is to have less overall inventory but more items that are likely to be used. I still have dozens upon dozens of items to liquidate. Some of my items that I thoughg were hot either didnt see or simply didnt bring what I expected while other things were way more valuable than I thought.
I need to make a few more of these dummy Garands as they sell for close to what I can buy an S&T Garand for. I need some derelict Garand stocks as I have (or can make) the other components to make 5 more of them.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on May 3, 2021 22:31:01 GMT -5
I am selling four to five items a week but in the course of checking on things I'm selling I come across things I want buy so for every four or five dollars i bring in a dollar is going out. Ebay is adding tax on all purchases. No doubt the right thing to do but something else to factor in. Sales instigate auction fees and paypal deductions and include fees on the shipping charges. If you charge exact shipping you actually lose money and if you charge a little more buyers feel like they are getting ripped off. Starting the first of the year ebay will report gross sales as INCOME to the IRS! Never mind that the items sold cost something so its not pure profit. Lots of reasons to dislike ebay and no doubt reasons folks are finding alternative ways to market private posessions.
|
|
|
Post by aj czarkowski on May 10, 2021 14:21:12 GMT -5
Just curious, ebay will be reporting gross sales to the IRS starting the beginning of this year, or is that something happening next year? Either way absolutely ridiculous. I sold off the vast majority of my airsoft collection on ebay recently (almost all WWII guns), and I was shocked at the fees ebay charged. I sold all the guns for well under what I actually paid for them. And as you mentioned, if you charge exact shipping you lose money because it ends up being more than the estimate!
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on May 13, 2021 21:40:41 GMT -5
Ludicrous. Obviously if you still have them you could show receipts for whatever you paid for the ultimately sold items and levy that against the revenue but what a pain. Most of the things I'm selling are items I've acquired over multiple decades.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on May 31, 2021 12:37:54 GMT -5
In the last 90 days according to EBAY I have sold over $4,000.00 worth of stuff. I suspect they are including shipping fees in that total? Somethings brought way more than I was expecting and somethings brought way !ess or didnt sell at all. It has helped with my property taxes and has culled the garage somewhat. It has also allowed me to fill some holes in my loaner gear. An actual historic piece typically allows me to buy 4 reproduction items (or more) and I end up with items I'm not afraid to lend out. Having now held dozens of events I'm getting a clearer picture of what I need and what I dont. Costumes in a variety of sizes are a must. Velcro leggings change everything and springer airsoft guns are just much easier all around. (They also enhance game play with less stalemate, static battles)
|
|
|
Post by aj czarkowski on Jun 1, 2021 12:32:32 GMT -5
After looking into it, Ebay is including shipping fees in that total as they have done the same to me. They also include the prices of items that didn't even sell (ridiculous isn't it?).
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 2, 2021 11:52:42 GMT -5
I caution everyone to consider and fully understand the exploitive and draconian revenue streams Ebay charges. If you "sell" an item and the buyer doesnt pay you,you are charged the commissions (roughly 10%) unless you submit a statement of non payment within the allotted time frame. The commissions on shipping is the most rediculous as more often than not I didnt charge enough for shipping. Buyers rate you on fairness of shipping and if you charge more to cover the commission you get dinged and warned by Ebay not to berate them. If you're too critical of the item you are listing or too candid in describing why you dont accept returns. They threaten to ban you. Pay Pal...don't even get me started!
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 28, 2021 17:17:12 GMT -5
I managed to sell about 50 items that were no longer essential to me and only got burned by one buyer who claims he never received the item. In spite of a tracking number that proves otherwise. Ebay/ Paypal always sides with the buyer so a full refund was sent to the buyer. Fortunately it was under $100.00. Probably in the posession of a porch pirate? I choose not to believe that the buyer burned me but who knows? With some of the capital I bought other items to fill some perceived needs. I have discovered that smaller but heavy items should be shipped USPO using their flatrate boxes. Larger packages especially items that aren't overly heavy will be way cheaper though UPS or FedEx. I discovered a bit too late that items sold through Ebay are offered a slight discount if upon the receipt of funds you pre print yourshipping label. Its not a big enough discount to cover the auction fees they charge ON THE SHIPPING but it takes some of the sting away.
Its also a great tool for estimating shipping before you list because with the weight and measurements you get quotes for UPS Fed Ex and USPO. I wish I knew both of those tips 2 months ago. I under estimated shipping a lot.
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jul 22, 2021 18:28:55 GMT -5
In the course of selling off all these M43s which all went away. I discovered that one had an interesting little passenger in the pocket. As I has packing it up to ship I found a Zippo lighter with a engraved outline of an LST 1158 and U.S.S Tioga Country. It also had a bobcat face on the lighter. A little research revealed that LST 1158 served in the Pacific and remained in active duty through Vietnam. Cool little collectible. Has to be fairly rare?
|
|