Tack on ebay - help/success stories please!

S

Suziq77

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 May 2011
Messages
1,632
Location
South East
Visit site
I have finally decided that lots of surplus tack that isn't being used must find a home - the horses are at livery these days and I don't have the storage space or the spare cash to keep saddles etc "just in case" I end up with a[nother] horse to fit them. No more horses :(

So I have tried horsemart, horse gossip, horse & hound classifieds and pre-loved. No one wants my tack! One of the saddles is nearly new and really must go. All english leather, nothing I think of as "tat". So now I am going to pluck up the courage to try ebay and hope that I get some decent bids.

So here's the thing, I have tried advertising on ebay before and got no bids on any of the items I've put on (which included snowboards etc).

Please can I have some tips from anyone who has successfully sold tack on there?

ps - I don't want this thread pulled as "advertising" so please PM me if you have questions about what I am selling, I just wanted this to be a request for help to maximise the chances of my adverts finding buyers. Thanks :)
 
Have sold a decent amount of stuff including tack and 3 (good quality!) saddles on ebay recently, so far so good, and the clearout continues!

Take good pictures, if there are any identifying marks or areas of wear/repair then as well as commeting on them in your add take a good photo of the area. In good light, focused and clear. Make your title picture a good clear one of the whole item.

Go though in your description every little thing, don't assume that people know a particular item has a certain attribute - point out the obvious! If it can be measured, measure it! Make your title line very clear as to what you are offering, in what condition and what size/colour.

You can get good price for things on ebay, but you do need to be realistic about their worth. We sold an immaculate condition 17 1/2 inch thorrowgood for pretty much new price, and a second hand decent condition ideal gp for about £180. Non adjustable or older saddles don't have a massive value compared to their cost new. No matter how good the condition, for non-adjustable saddle you seem to be looking at 1/2 rrp absolute tops.

For more valuable things they seem to go better if you can have a low start price and a reserve rather than a massive start price - consider the value of the item if setting a reserve as it costs a fair bit more for the listing.

Best of luck!
 
Hello :)

You must must must take good pictures. That's the most important thing.

Second most important thing in attracting lots of bidders is to start the price low. If you want, set a reserve but don't start bidding at what your reserve value would be. People are stupid and like to think they're getting a bargain, so they'll pay as much or more if you can persuade them into a bidding war.

I've found horse bits always sell really well on ebay so I'm sure you'll be fine :)

O, and you can PM me what you have 'just incase' if you like. Not that I need anything!! I definitely am not getting anymore horses :eek:
 
Take decent pictures and have a realistic start price. Things are only worth what people are willing to pay so if you have a start price that is equal to or just under the price something would be new from a shop people won't bid, remember to factor postage into this too, there have been items I was interested in until I realised by the time I added in postage it would be cheaper to buy from the shop. If you can offer postage on larger items it will also improve your market.
 
Hi there,

I've sold loads of my tack on e-bay when i had a clear-out recently...BUT it was all for very little money, at 99p start and nothing went for much more than about £30. i just don't think people are willing to pay a lot for tack they haven't seen/tried/had fitted to their horse before parting with their cash.

Have you tried local horsey facebook pages?
 
I recently tried to sell my decent saddle on ebay and the bids only got up to £150 - I'm very glad I put a reserve on it.

I sell on ebay all the time, so know how to write a good ad, take good pictures etc, but it seems that even with decent stuff people only want to pay pittance for it. It's a shame.
 
Agree that you must must have good pictures and a reasonable start price I put my green guard on there for 15 which went up to 41 with more interest just put a reserve.

Also pm me as you may have what I'm looking for :)
 
Thanks everyone for the help so far - I should have said I have already tried local facebook groups too and made it clear I could bring things for a try on to 4 or 5 different counties in the south east (I work in London and travel quite a lot with show horses). I've been asking 60% of the current retail price for one of the saddles, perhaps that's too high but I am loathe to give it away, particularly when I would be prepared to take it for a try on session....

I think my pics are good enough, I don't want to post on here but have PMd people who kindly offered to take a look and give me some tips :)
 
I've sold several saddles on ebay- decent ones too.....although you have to be realistic. You may get less than you want but put a reserve so they don't go for a pittance.

Plenty of photos and measurements....I usually put what type of horse it was used on or what it wouldn't be good for etc (eg wouldn't suit anything without withers).

Try and make your ad finish on a sunday evening about 8pm....;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top