EBAY: Would This Be a Turn-Off for You?

[rmbittner]

Shaintiques:
Thanks so much for the explanation re: BriarBid. Makes perfect sense now.
Thanks, everyone else, for all of the helpful feedback. I appreciate it.
I didn't mean to give the impression that this pipe is in bad shape. It's just not up to what I've found when I've bought cleaned/sanitized estate pipes myself.
Finally, I thought it might be helpful to just share a quick iPhone photo of the pipe I'm talking about. For the record, it's a Charatan Special, Lane-era, with a six-sided shank, the "Made by Hand in City of London" stamping, and the original Double Comfort stem (which has the CP insignia, although it's faded a bit). I'm guessing this is a 70's-era pipe, but I really don't know. In case the perspective is off, it's a straight pot, 6" long, with what I can only call mixed grain. (I just wanted to give you all a shot that showed the top of the bowl as well as the whole stem.)

Bob

 

[gmwolford]

My practice from now on with pipe sales, will be to post pipes there first and let the guys on here know whats what and then if they don't sell go over to ebay. And on Briarbid you can choose the option in the midst of the sale page to accept trades.

+1
Just like a used car, one that is detailed will bring more money than one that isn't: one that's tuned up and inspected will bring more money, too. If you don't need the cash right now for PAD or other needs, I'd hold onto it from the "unsure" sound of your post as to if you really want to sell it.

 

[rmbittner]

Greg wrote:

Just like a used car, one that is detailed will bring more money than one that isn't: one that's tuned up and inspected will bring more money, too.

Agreed!
If I have anything in my favor for selling it as-is, though, it's the fact that it is a one-of-a-kind handmade pipe by one of the great English pipe companies.
Bob

 

[numbersix]

If I have anything in my favor for selling it as-is, though, it's the fact that it is a one-of-a-kind handmade pipe by one of the great English pipe companies.

This pipe and others like it (i.e. ones that have rabid followers) will often go for high prices (even more than they may be worth) regardless of how clean it looks. That one looks to be in good condition, so IMHO, whether you cleaned it or not, probably will bring in close to the same money.

 

[rmbittner]

numbersix wrote:

This pipe and others like it (i.e. ones that have rabid followers) will often go for high prices (even more than they may be worth) regardless of how clean it looks.

Well, that would be my hope!
I just have to add that I picked this up on eBay for a price that seemed way below its true value. And the seller knew it. It was the only time I've ever received an angry note from an eBay seller complaining about how low my winning bid was! (I don't know if he expected there to be a lot more bids or not, but he should have set a much higher opening bid.)
Bob

 

[numbersix]

(I don't know if he expected there to be a lot more bids or not, but he should have set a much higher opening bid.)

Funny. I actually feel kinda bad for sellers who lose an item on a low bid (except of course when I win the bid!) Ebay is funny like that - sometimes a great item falls under the radar and those are the ones you hope to win.
I was able to snag a beautiful 835 ODB Dunhill for a fraction of its value —just $7 over it's starting bid—there were only 3 other bids on it (all snipers like me).
I am sure the seller was thinking "WTF"?!