How To Sell Pens?

[Avastgard]

I have decided to sell a bunch of cheap pens I own as a lot, but since this is the first time I sell pens, I would like some advice on the best way to do it.

1) My first question is about where I should sell them. They are almost all cheap chinese and indian pens. I was thinking about selling them as a lot on ebay. What do you guys think? There is a total of 18 pens.

2) My second question is how to price them. Like I said they are all cheap - I didn't pay more than $10 for any of them, although some seem to have gone up in price since then (new). All of them are used, but none of them are severely worn, which leads me to think there wouldn't be that much of a difference in price. What I did to have an idea of how to charge for each one was to compare the price I paid, the current price of a new one and list as asking price the average between both values. The problem with this approach is that it summed up to $147.00, which seems like an awful lot for a bunch of cheap pens. Any ideas on how I could price them more adequately?

Here's a link with a spreadsheet where I included all of them, in case you have any suggestions:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iePsfdk9Kdlc_D7cLbbZJ3cE1xF8yRtQeb5UVlfZExQ/edit?usp=sharing

[two2tone]

The classified section here on FPN would be the best place to start as it has the best target audience for fountain pens.

 

Cheap Chinese pens can be purchased brand new direct from China for $5.00 or less including shipping. My guess is a buck or two a piece would be a reasonable price for the whole lot. Selling them individually would be a problem as shipping cost would far outweigh the pen cost. Cheap Chinese pens that are broken or have issues have zero resale value. The "asking prices" in your spreadsheet are way too optimistic in my opinion.

 

Good luck!

Edited April 4, 2018 by two2tone

[Avastgard]

Thank you for the answer.

 

Dang, a dollar or two for each one is a lot less than what I was expecting to get. But it does sound like a more reasonable price. Let's see what other say.

[pajaro]

Most of the pens I have sold on FPN are pricier, and the audience are mostly interested in better pens if the price is more than a good bargain on low price pens, and in a lot. If you want more money, sell on ebay. Shipping on these pens in ones and twos would be an obstacle..

[PAKMAN]

To sell on FPN you'll need to be a gold member. You have been a member for long enough but need a post count of 30 to go from a Silver member to a gold member. So 12 posts in any sub forum other than Chatter will get you there.

[Uncial]

Before reading two2tone's response I had a figure of one or two dollars per pen in my mind. Sorry, I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

About a year or so ago I listed three lots of ten pens each of cheapies I never used priced at €10 (that's €1 per pen and came up to close to €2 when shipping was added in). Not a single lot sold and I never even had a nibble. Rather discerning lot here I suspect.

[The Blue Knight]

Most of the pens I have sold on FPN are pricier, and the audience are mostly interested in better pens if the price is more than a good bargain on low price pens, and in a lot. If you want more money, sell on ebay. Shipping on these pens in ones and twos would be an obstacle..

 

Have to agree I initially sold on here and FPGeeks and got prices considerably lower than I probably could have. Unless you are in the USA shipping is always going to be a problem as virtually every pen I've sold has gone to a USA buyer and the price has to be fair with shipping included.

[Chrissy]

I tend to do most of my selling on ebay at the moment. They keep sending me offers to sell for no fees, so it seems like a reasonable idea.

[Corona688]

You shouldn't charge the same price as new for a used, modern pen. Even superficial damage should discount some as well. That said you include converters or cartridges which add some value.

 

That vintage reservoir pen could be worth more, though. A vintage pen you've repaired and can say with confidence works isn't anything to sneeze at.

Edited April 4, 2018 by Corona688

[Sasha Royale]

Unfortunately, you are an unknown quantity. A buyer has no idea whether you have maintained the pens well, or not. Some are damaged. Some have been "modified" by persons of unknown skill. Cheap fountain pens are inexpensive and easily acquired. USED cheap fountain pens seldom have any resale value. Shipping cost will be high.

 

I trust that you enjoyed acquiring and using these $147 worth of fountain pens. I hope you did not think of them as investment.

[two2tone]

Two other suggestions:

 

Give them to friends as gifts.

 

Donate them to schools.