As I've mentioned before I have a hobby of finding and fixing old sewing machines. Everyday I look on E-bay and Craigslist, among other sites, for sewing machine related items. One of the most frustrating things about searching thru these sites is to find a listing with no picture, and worse no description of the item being sold. Just saying "sewing machine - $40.00" doesn't do much to peak my interest in purchasing. But another thing that is annoying is when someone lists a sewing machine but only shows the table that it is in. If I was only buying the table that would be okay, but if it comes with a machine I want to see what it looks like before taking the time to call or e-mail about it.
I've seen often seen listings in which they show 2 or 3 or more pictures - all of the same view - from the back. For someone interested in buying they aren't seeing what they need to make a decision about purchasing.
Think about the pricing when you list something. Look at what others have listed and sold for. A common item, whether antique or vintage, unless it is in absolute pristine like new condition with all of it's parts and totally functional, should not have an outrageous price on it if you are serious about selling it. Putting $1000.00 on a common sewing machine of which literally, millions were made, is outrageous.
So here are some suggestions that can be used for listing something for sale, whether a sewing machine, or anything.
1. Take at least one clear close up picture in good lighting. Two or 3 pictures at different angles will be even better.
2. Do a little research about your item and write a good, and honest description of the item when creating the listing. In the instance of an old sewing machine, to list a machine that weighs about 40 pounds as being a Singer Featherweight solely for the purpose of misleading that purchaser because Featherweights bring in higher prices - that's is highly dishonest. A Featherweight weighs about 12 pounds. That's a big difference in weight from the 40 pound machine.
3. If it is missing an important component, like the cords needed to run it, - say so. If the wiring is bad, and that would be obvious, say that too.
4. Dishonesty in listing something for sale gives places like E-bay and Craigslist a bad reputation - if everyone did that the purchaser would turn away and not bother with either site, and then we wouldn't have their services anymore.
5. Clean up, as much as possible, what you are selling. Dusting, gently wiping down with a damp cloth, putting some furniture polish on a cabinet or table will make your item interesting when you take a picture and make your listing. In using the damp cloth, first try it on a small area to see that it won't damage the surface of what you are wiping down. You don't want to make your item worse than it already might be.
Putting some thought into what you are listing will go along way to getting it sold, put money in your pocket, and make the purchaser a happy person.
Edey
