Selling tackle

[Richard Booty]

I’ve sold the odd bit of tackle both on here and on eBay, but with an impending house move I’m going to have quite a few bits to sell. A friend mentioned Facebook marketplace and Vinted as other places to try. My only experience on FB marketplace was disastrous and I only know Vinted as my kids have used it. Anyone have any views?!

 

[Adam Francis]

If you have items that are easily posted then I don't think you can do go wrong with eBay. Is also now free.
I've sold plenty of stuff over the years without any issues.
The rods and anything that's tricky to post the marketplace might not be bad, but you'll have a load of time wsters!

 

[Bob Watson]

Market place is good if you use a bit of common sense, cash on collection or before posting.

I sold a motorbike on MP a few years ago, the lad came, looked, bought the bike subject to test ride, transferred me the money on the understanding that if he damaged the bike he bought it, if he didn't like it he got a refund. He rode it and took it away with my money in the bank.

Nothing wrong with MP it just attracts idiots as does any other selling platform.

 

[David Clewer]

Don’t forget Gumtree, which is also free and quite easy to use.


Dave

 

[Paul Whiteing]

I've sold more than 100 things on Marketplace, apply my own set of "rules".

Cash only; text on Messenger give postcode and road name only; arrange time and get them to text once they are in your street and only then do I give house number.

Can't be ar#ed to phaff around posting stuff normally but will use EVRI for small stuff as can get price online, get payment by PayPal and drop off 100 yards from home. Read bad things about EVRI but never yet had problem.

 

[Chris Belcher]

I've also sold plenty on FBM - mainly tackle but also other excess household items - including several pairs of skis and my other halfs VW Touran (sold in 24hrs a couple of years ago) One of the main benefits is locality - most 'completed' sales are 8 out of 10 times within a 20mile radius and are pretty much immediate - ie if the buyer is legit they will push to complete before anyone else does - on this basis they are usually also expecting a 'bargain'. If the AD has zero responses within a couple of weeks then you know its unlikely to sell / is too niche / too expensive etc and you may need to readvertise / resign to Ebay

For tackle specifically on FBM I -

1 - Do a quick search under your specific item to ascertain how many others are advertising the same or similar and at what price

2 - Join as many 'local' and 'national' Tackle Specific sales sites (for Carp Fishing there are 100's but there are also plenty for General Coarse / Specialist) and advertise across all these pages in the first instance

3 - Ensure your AD has decent photos and a realistic but aspirational description. Also always state the real condition - Fair / Good / VGC / Mint / As New etc

4 - Set a fair but slightly higher than usual price, as buyers will ALWAYS want to knock it down (you need to account for this) General rule for me is 60% RRP for anything As New or Mint with a sliding scale thereafter. Rare / out of stock or 'in vogue' items you can sometimes get more

5 - Always ask for the buyers details (eg mobile phone number) and address to ascertain legitimacy. If they don't at the very least provide a mobile number walk away. Keen buyers will also message and keep up comms etc. If they go quiet / do not respond, then again walk away

6 - If really local and/or its large or expensive I generally always offer to deliver (within reason) or meet in the middle. Most serious buyers will be happy to do this

7 - Never give away your home address - if they insist on collecting I always meet somewhere public and close to my house (eg Supermarket / Pub carpark etc) for peace of mind. Simply get them to phone you when they are at the venue and meet them within 2mins! Again most if not all serious buyers will be happy to do this

8 - If you agree to post ensure the postal fee is separate and you are paid in full first by bank transfer / paypal with fees paid (so you don't pay the fees) I always usually post on the day of receipt and provide photos of the item addressed and packed followed by the receipt and tracking number. This mitigates any nervousness on the buyers side

Personally rarely if ever use Ebay / Auction items unless they've been gathering dust for too long / lost value / haven't sold through FBM / this forum / other forums etc

Good luck with sale!

 

[Paul Whiteing]

7 - Never give away your home address - if they insist on collecting I always meet somewhere public and close to my house (eg Supermarket / Pub carpark etc) for peace of mind. Simply get them to phone you when they are at the venue and meet them within 2mins! Again most if not all serious buyers will be happy to do this

I find it better that buyers come to my house (never let them in but deal at the door). I found several times that they don't show, and meeting at a "venue" is not convenient. I know of occurrences where people have done this at a pub car park and been mugged.

8 - If you agree to post ensure the postal fee is separate and you are paid in full first by bank transfer / paypal with fees paid (so you don't pay the fees) ........

Personally if they mention bank transfer I say no thanks, I won't give my bank details to just anyone.

But otherwise some useful points there Chris

Overall I find lots of people don't even read the listing.
Questions like "where abouts do you live?" - it says where in the listing
Questions like "will you post?", even though it says "collect" in the listing. Sometimes they ask nevertheless - maybe ok for small items but a bivvy?, a fishing rod?, a heavy item?, a bunk bed?, a 4 burner BBQ?

 

[Richard Booty]

Thanks all - very helpful advice