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Do you remember the first item you ever sold online? Let us know by sending an email to ina@auctionbytes.com and we may publish your story. Today we hear from Margaret Scott and her tale of "The Doll with No Legs."
I love the reaction I get from people when I tell them that the first thing I sold on eBay was a doll with no legs!
Throughout my 32 years as an elementary teacher, I had been dreaming of the little Collectibles Shop I would open after my retirement. Hence, I had a house full of items nicknamed "mom's retirement fund." The crawlspace was lined up with 26 large Rubbermaid bins which my husband had bought for me in which to store my collectibles and dolls, in futile hopes of some semblance of order.
Being tech-challenged, digital cameras and the uploading of photos seemed above my capabilities. But sheer determination kept me motivated, as did several credit card bills I had promised to pay off when I sold my "stuff."
What to sell first? Hmmm? So many bins!
As this was my first attempt at being an online business woman, I decided it would be less stressful to list something that had little value, just in case I really messed up.
A few weeks previously I had purchased a box lot of toys and dolls for the grand total of $5 at a yard sale, and in that box was a doll with no legs. She did have, however, some unusual characteristics. So I decided to list her first.
After doing a search and a bit of research on eBay, I found that, if she had been "all there," she would have been a valuable little gal. She was a 1972 much-sought-after Blythe doll by Kenner. Having a massive hard plastic head with a pull string in back, she was definitely unusual. When you pulled the string, her eyes would close, then open, revealing one of 4 different colours.
But my Blythe had a crack in her skinny little bottom, her hair was a bit frizzy, and her legs were missing. She did have an original dress on, though, and her eyes worked like new.
Well 17 bids later, I sold her to a young mother in Japan who quickly forwarded $719.30 Canadian, the equivalent of $460.00 US at the time. She was thrilled to have won this doll, quite a collector's item in Japan with new Blythe dolls being introduced. She told me that these dolls had virtually the same legs as another doll which was much easier to come by, and the legs could easily be replaced. I think she said they were Skipper legs.
Needless to say, after such a success, I was hooked. I have not had such a good sale since, but every auction that has some action gives me the same thrill!
I love selling on eBay and have been doing it now since 2002. And instead of having to open a bricks-and-mortar shop, I now have one online with eBay (Collectibles from onceateachertoo http://digbig.com/4hakx ), and those credit cards have been paid off for some time!
My retirement is full of new acquaintances and exciting auctions. And reading my Auction-Bytes!
Thanks, Ina, for letting me share my wonderful start as a seller on eBay.
Keep up the good work!
Margaret Scott (onceateachertoo)
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