Porcelain Sign Question

[waywardangler]

Hosman, did you see your Fire Chief sign on that Texaco gas pump on Pickers tonight?  There it was, right on the bottom part of that red pump that had the rotating cylinder for the hose.  It was when they stopped at the guy that had the Keep Out signs posted all over and he had the bibs and beard.

[hosman321]

I saw one on pickers before, was it a rerun? I haven't watched tonight's new episode yet, I usually catch it later in the night.

[waywardangler]

No, it was a new one.

[hosman321]

Sure wish that gas pump was attached to my sign.    It was very cool.

[hosman321]

And man, I want that red Ford sign they bought so bad!

[mart]

And man, I want that red Ford sign they bought so bad!

Don`t think my budget for junk would handle that price !! 

[hosman321]

Me neither mart!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Good luck with your auction and keep us posted. The signs look great!

[hosman321]

Rackin' up the views and watchers, but still at $40. 

[waywardangler]

How many watchers do you have?  I figure at least half of the watchers are bidders and the other half are just interested to see what it goes for.  Most of the bidding will occur in the last minute if they want it.

[hosman321]

8 watchers, 77 views, 1 bid. 

[hosman321]

I never ever would have sold that sign for $46. I'm thoroughly pissed. Oh well, you live and learn. Should have started it higher. 

[waywardangler]

I see that you had a lot of views on that sign.  Maybe the trimmed condition held it back?  I have been experimenting with a higher opening bid and free shipping, low opening and fixed shipping, and some other stuff.  Free shipping does not seem to drive prices higher.  Low opening does not work unless the item is in demand.  Not sure what is the hot ticket to do.  I am going to be listing more as I have stuff to get rid of.  Maybe the key is to just throw enough stuff up there and average it out.  Some high, some low, some break even, and some losers.  Maybe a reserve on that sign would have been in order.  The market is hard to figure out.

[hosman321]

Thanks for your advice wayward. It definitely is damaged and in rough shape. But I just thought it would bring at least $75. I need to realize that I only spent $15, so it was a good profit. I just need to work on my emotional attachment to these items. Or, only get emotionally attached to the items that I am most passionate about. Now I gotta go look in the antique room for something else to list. I've got to earn money to pay back that textile I bought. I already have my eyes on another one, too.   

[waywardangler]

3x your investment (minus the fees) is darn good.  A.Pickers operate on less than that.  I try to not get emotionally attached to anything I sell.  I like to sell, make a profit (the hard part), and then buy something I really want with the profit. That way I think I come out ahead.  I think you are doing the same with buying the textile.
I also buy stuff way out of my areas of expertise and hope for some good returns. I do not buy glass. Glass collectors are really picky and I can't figure age out by looking at it. I do watch all the shows and hope to broaden my knowledge there.  Smalls are always good to sell because you never notice them missing like you would a chair.