FYI, when non-film sellers list home-movies for sale on ebay, they are unable to answer the many questions we film collectors have.
So, you found some home-movies at an estate or yard sale and think that you've struck gold. Maybe you have, but you better be prepared to do your homework. Potential bidders will be private film collectors and stock footage companies. Here are some examples of the questions you will be asked.
Does the film have sprocket damage?
Does the film suffer from Vinegar Syndrome? (the chemical breakdown of the film due to poor storage)
Are there any splices?
What is the film stock? Kodachrome, Eastman, Dupont, etc?
What date code is on the film stock?
Is it sound or silent?
When non-film sellers list home-movies for sale on ebay, they are unable to answer the most of these questions. In fact, they cannot answer even the most basic questions. Many sellers do not know the difference between 8mm, Super8 or 16mm. Most have never even screened the film(s) due to the lack of a projector.
In one example of a non-film seller listing films on ebay, the seller stated that the title of the film was "Tails Out". Tails out is a marking on the film stating that it needs to be rewound! After several email exchanges with film collectors, the seller acknowledged buying 150 films on a lark. If he plans on making decent money on these films, he will need a projector, a splicer, new leader, film cleaner and a set of rewinds.
I've prepared an inspection report for sellers to fill in while screening a film in preparation for auction.http://www.16mmfilms.com/pdf/Inspectionreport.pdfTrue top dollar deals come from experienced sellers who supply screen shots and an accurate description of the film's condition. If all of this sounds like too much trouble, you may want to consign your films to a film dealer. Money CAN be made selling film, but knowledge, patience and expensive equipment is needed.
Eric said he has been collecting 16mm films since he was 8 years old and has been selling on ebay since 1997. His ebay id's are: 16mmfilms.com and film2vid.com. Eric also supplies footage for TV and Hollywood feature films. 16mmfilms.com has over 2000 16mm collectors as registered users.
You hit the nail on the head. The online world cannot survive without the offline world. I have found that the smart dealers kept their booths or shops and have used the online venues as just another place to sell. They, like my husband and I, have found that some things simply bring more when placed in front of the world instead of the residents of their hometown or the tourists who stop at their mall to shop. However, the bulk of our business (and it is a large business) still takes place across a counter where we can converse with our customers, get to know them, becoming close friends with some and always, treating them with respect when they accept our invitation to shop with us.
We never forget that just opening our doors is an invitation to the public to enter our store and shop. We are careful to be polite and helpful. Our Chattanooga Convention and Visitor's Bureau put it rather nicely and to the point - "Be sure to welcome your customers and visitors - after all, we asked them to come here!"
The companies of the internet should not forget that, either. In my personal opinion (meager though it may be), ebay has done so. However, many of the other auction companies who struggle to compete with ebay still welcome their visitors (buyers and sellers, alike) and treat them with respect and consideration. My personal experience with ebay was just one of millions of such stories. I hear horror stories almost every week told by dealers who were ripped off by dead beat bidders, had their merchandise switched by an unscrupulous buyer or were sold an out and out fake by an unscrupulous seller. The fact remains that scam artists exist everywhere. It is too bad that ebay, as the leader in the industry, leaves its boards to be policed by its users, divorcing itself from controlling what happens under its very nose.
However, my main message is not against ebay, per se, but rather, in support of BOTH the online and offline world. That is why I said you hit the nail on the head. In this day and age, we both need each other.
My husband buys on the internet and sells in our mall and he buys in other malls and sells in our mall and on ebay! Many, many other dealers buy in our mall and sell on ebay, as well. I've always said that if it wasn't for dealers buying from other dealers, we would all be out of business.
Again, I enjoy your newsletter very much and think you and your husband supply a much-needed voice to the world of online selling. I'm also gratified and thrilled to hear that voice in support of the offline world, as well. We are still out here and always will be - thank you for recognizing us.
Carol Hudson
easttown (on ebay)
Owner of East Town Antique Mall in Chattanooga, Tennessee
