Selling a piano on eBay

[Paul Chick]

Hey, Cy.
When Paul Jr. and I were doing uprights, we put them on eBay, and had god
luck. Paul did the computer work and did get a PayPal account. (Since then,
I set up my own.) It does take a little time, but I still use it for
purchases. I/we feel it offers a bit of security for you, the buyer has to
have the money or ability to charge it, and show that to PayPal before the
transaction. We sold units to Florida, Utah, etc.  The prospects liked
pictures and a brief technical report, but it was the photos that would sell
them.  The buyer pays the freight. Art cases sold right away. I have found
articles on eBay that I have purchased and used PayPal with great
success...hope this helps.

Paul C 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Cy Shuster
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:43 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Selling a piano on eBay

I've been asked by a customer to help sell a piano.  I've taken ads in 
several papers, with few results.  I'm thinking of putting it on eBay. 
Several concerns come to mind, namely the overseas overpayment scams and so 
on, but those can happen from newspaper ads, too.  I asked eBay if it would 
be OK for me to auction an item I don't own, and they said it would (the 
customer is not very computer literate).  Ideally I would walk him through 
setting up his own account, but it takes time, especially with the PayPal 
part.

What advice do you have about the listing: number of days, starting price, 
reserve, forms of payment accepted?  Or don't do it?

--Cy--
ABQ, NM