Selling clubs on ebay

[John_Findlay]

Am beginning to amass a bit of a spare bag full of relatively new wedges and woods which I know I'll not use again so I'm considering putting them on ebay, as they seem to go for decent money still.

Any advice from those who've done this? Birdieman? I'm sure you'll be experienced.

What do buyers expect? Bubble wrapped and boxed, for example?

 

[Golfer2112]

I've bought a few small (< £50) value items on ebay, none of them golf related and have never been disappointed. I think the key is the rating of the seller by other buyers.

In your case j_f, if you haven't sold much (or indeed anything) before on ebay you'll have a poor rating and not much in the way of buyer recommendations. This might be a problem but as you are clearly an honest and upstanding guy, a couple of good bits of feedback should work wonders.

Boxed and bubble-wrapped: yes, for golf clubs this would be expected. Make sure you factor the costs/hassle factor into your p&p but at the same time make your p&p reasonable and not an obvious rip-off (all to common on ebay).

Just my $0.02. I am sure that there are other posters with more experience than me. gl.

 

[madandra]

I have bought and sold 70-80 golf clubs on ebay(250+ feedback)
I would always pay a visit to my local pro os shop
and ask for some driver boxes. The retailers get them sent in from the manufacturers and keep the boxes. Just be careful as you cannot send a driver to europe by International Signed For as it is too long. I look at the postage and packing other sellers are quoting to get a good idea as to the average cost.

 

[GB72]

SOld 2 golf bags and a couple of clubs. My local American Golf has given me boxes and bubble wrap is cheap enough. Posted a driver today and it cost £4.35. A gof bag cost £9.35 to send. As for prices, a bit hit and miss really. Have been looking for a Nike Sumo and have seen them go for anything from £70.00 to £130.00

 

[birdieman]

John,
I have bought and sold lots on Ebay, golf stuff included. For selling just be exact in your description, if there is a mark or scratch mention it, dont try and tell people it's better than it is. If you are brutally honest you'll get interest. Always have decent pics, not blurred and dark. Also post quickly, buyers always appreciate that. In that respect you want a paypal account. Fees are high but so what, still miles cheaper than going to a shop. I have 100% feedback on 450+ transactions. I would also recommend a signed for courier so you can keep track of your parcel.
I have had 2 or 3 dodgy buys, not bad out of 450+ deals, got a copy Cleveland CG10 once and an obviously fake Polo shirt, I have saved a fortune using Ebay and have cleared out mine and my mothers attic of unwanted junk - you wont believe what people will buy!
For buying check feedback carefully, never buy from anywhere outside UK, Eire or USA imho. Lots of pro shops using Ebay now which is good. If a seller has no picture or 25 of the same club to sell -avoid. Bubble wrap and boxed is best for clubs. Hope that helps.

 

[John_Findlay]

Thanks guys. Lots of good advice as usual. I've polished the clubs, will get some boxes from the local Pro, take my photos and get bubble-wrapping...if I can resist the temptation to pop it all first.

Jeez. Some of you are real ebay officianados. Never bought or sold before ... so here goes with the big clear-out.

 

[madandra]

Once you pop you can't stop John. You will have your garage empty in jig time. Let us know your seller ID cos I may be interested.

What have you got on offer.

 

[John_Findlay]

Jeezypeeps, Madandra. You ARE an addict! Step away from that credit card. Those shiny clubs, those shiny clubs...

Seller I.D. is croygolf5 and I'm gonna start slow with 3 clubs I don't use anymore now that my bag's more settled.

1. A Taylormade 3 wood. The r580xd. Stiff flex, mid torque, medium tip.

2. A Cleveland 52 degree gap wedge. The Tour Action 900 series. Low Bounce. Original steel shaft.

3. A Pelz X wedge (64 degree). Import from Dave Pelz's website. Excellent club but don't have much call for it.

Should have the photos done tomorrow for uploading.

 

[BillyBigTime]

I see you've been a member for over three years without any activity John! If you are wary of eBay, don't be as it has saved me a fortune in regards to clubs. All my clubs have been bought from it and I believe I have saved in the region of £700-£800 at least in putting the set together.

I have only sold one club, a Callaway FT-3 driver, and it all went smoothly. Listen to Birdieman's advice and you won't go far wrong.

P.S What's your seller ID Birdieman?

 

[simplyme]

John - can you post on here when you have added please?

I am interested in the wedge and have a couple on my watch list already

Cheers

 

[birdieman]

Sorry BillyBT, I like my anonymity here, if I give out my ebay sellerID it would be too easy to get my cover blown!

 

[thebelgie24]

yeh then we would find out you really are bogieman from golfpunk!

 

[birdieman]

I am loyal to GM, golfpunk is for a demographic somewhat younger than me I expect! A pair of chinos, polo shirt and a v-neck sweater is about as golfpunk as I get!

 

[thebelgie24]

ok we believe you

 

[medwayjon]

I have only ever had one bad experience on ebay. I sold some clubs for a friend by collection only. The buyer bid £124 and turned up with £100 still expecting to take the clubs.

As a whole I find ebay to be a useful tool and have sold fishing gear for ridiculously high prices on occassions. Even old rubbish out of the loft has sold ok.

 

[Teetotal]

I am a recent convert to ebay. I have always been suspicious of anything like that and was worried I would get ripped off or buy something dodgy but you have to remember that people are essentially good and the rating system is a great idea. I have only brought and sold one club (all okay!) but I've booked a day off work and plan to get rid of all the sh*t in my garage so I can get my car in it this winter!

 

[GB72]

Never bought a club of ebay but am increasingly wary of the number of fakes. Perhaps an article in the magazine or a thread on this site giving tips on how to spot a fake may help. An example would be that apparently all fake Nike Sumo drives have the same serial number and that the fakes have an alignment mark on the top whereas the real ones do not.

 

[John_Findlay]

Wow. Lots of replies.

I've now popped my ebay cherry and listed the clubs I mentioned.

Billybigtime;- I registered on ebay years ago out of interest but never did anything about it. Wasn't necessarily suspicious but the comments you guys have made has certainly made it easier to feel comfortable with the process. Or maybe I just didn't have anything to sell 3 years ago. Jings. I must be getting affluent!

 

[Junior]

I got burned ... thought i was buying a brand new cleveland halo from a guy with good feedback, turned out it was an obvious fake. If I buy from ebay now on, I always make sure the item is used.

 

[birdieman]

Junior,
If it's a fake your seller is in contravention of rules unless he said on the description that it was a clone. Report the item as fake and you'll get your money back - dont let the schisters get away with it!