Love the Old West but not sure about buying these items on okay?Are you a collector of antique saddles, holsters, chaps, spurs or Native American goods?There area fewvery important factors that are often overlooked by both buyers and sellers, such as detailed item condition and shipping that often lead to unhappy transactions. Here are a few tips to ensure you get what you've paid for!
Overall Information for Buyers
Some things to consider before bidding: condition condition condition / Shipping / the ASQ
1. Check the photos carefully and if they don't show all angles, damage and repair, or are a proper representation of condition, you should use the 'ask seller a question' link to request more pictures or information. The problem here is in the photography. Large items such as chaps, saddles, and large rugs or blankets are difficult for sellers to photograph and frequently have inadequate pictures. Ask the seller for closer pictures, don't be shy! Most sellers are positively responsive and would be happy to provide more photos. Expect wear, butbe sure the seller understands the meaning of "DRY ROT", which is irreversible on leather goods. They shouldaccurately describe all damage in woven fabric like Native American textiles. Ask them to examine the fabric for repairs or bleeding dyes if they don't mention it in the ad.There should be no surprises when you open that box, you should know exactly what you're getting.
2. Shipping for large items can be prohibitive! If there isn't a shipping calculator at the bottom of the page, or the shipping fees are not stated, don't bid until you receive a shipping estimate from the seller. okay recently announced changes to restrict exhorbitant shipping fees and that is a bonus for all buyers, but you still don't want to jump into unknown pricing when buying items that are particularly large or heavy. Items that weigh 10-25 pounds will usually ship more cheaply on UPS. Ask the seller if they would consider this method before the auction ends.Very largeitemscan beshipped inexpensively via Greyhound!
All the answers to these questions are probably familiar toyouas a knowledgeable buyer or collectorbut don't forget that in many instances your seller won't know the difference between a bullet and a cartridge and even if they did, they couldn't tell you the caliber of the loops on a gunbelt..so be sure to ask specifics about the item you're looking at. Sellers are there to sell..they don't usually collect gun leather..thats's your hobby ;-) If they don't mention or don't show in the pictures, ask, ask, ask!
Many okay sellers sell a wide variety of items, everything from re-gifted housewares, antique wooly chaps to linens and craft items. Don't be misled into thinking they are as anxious to collect as you. You ardent collectors out there can probably teach us okay sellers a thing or two about your area of expertise and there is hardly a single seller who would balk at a friendly email that educates them on what they are trying to sell. Sellers want to please you, the buyer but you can expect that once in a while, you need to educate them on how to present the item of your area of interest. No self-respecting seller wants an unhappy buyer and one of the best ways to prevent a transaction-gone-wrong is to have a dialogue before the auction ends. Every auction page has an "ask seller a question" link, sometimes referred to asan ASQ form. Try to provide enough time before the auction ends in case the seller is away, at least 12 hours if possible. As a seller, I spend nearly every Friday morningto Sunday evening on acquisition: picking garage sales and live auctions in order to purchase items to sell online, travelling to local ranches and out of State auctions, shows and salesto bring you the Best of the West and I want happy buyers. Don't be shy,and try tobe timely!
Information for Sellers
Some simple suggestions to encourage bidding and incur happy buyers
Silver Bits, Spurs,
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