Sell my old paintings on eBay

[BusinessSmack]

I am looking to sell several of my friends old paintings on eBay; does anyone have any tips for me? I don't want to get stuck with just listing fees.

Additional Info.

1. Some pictures have signatures some don't..
2. want to sell them cheaper but not lower the value of the other pictures.
3. best things to include in the description?

Please check out their site to give you a better idea of whats going on:
http://annettewinkler.com/

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[armed]

Just create a normal ebay listing, the fees wont be huge.
And another thing is that selling paintings on ebay may not be the best idea as shipping costs can be quite large and not many people are prepared to buy a painting without seeing it irl first.

~Armed

 

[niceness8000]

I agree totally. Also, if you don't know much about the value of your artwork you won't get the proper value out of it. You'd hate to learn years dowen the line that you sold a painting worth thousands of dollars to the highest bidder on ebay for $4.75

 

[tubeincreaser]

Selling artwork on eBay does not normally work that well. I know this since I work in the art field, I have a client who does custom oil paintings, eBay did absolutely nothing. Twitter is what brought us to success with all the athletes that want to get artwork done now. Armed, shipping costs aren't that much depending on how big it is. Also, quite a few people are willing to buy a painting without seeing it, that's how all of our clients do it.

 

[BusinessSmack]

True but most arn't the top of the line products and I will probably do buy now only for a reasonable price.

tubeincreaser: There is a twitter account for the new site the artists works on, hopefully she will get good leads from there too. I'll let her know to work more on it.

If eBay isn't the best do you have any other sites that would be better?
I might make a few backlinks for the ebay listings on craigslist in populated areas - think that would help?

Thanks for all the tips so far.

 

[blanko]

Kill your friend, the value of the painting will go up after he's/she's dead.

 

[abyssal_miss]

If I were you I'd list on etsy instead. I believe there's a lower fee, and people on etsy are willing to pay bigger prices for hand made, custom, and unique art. People on ebay are usually looking for a deal.

 

[bertbaby]

Selling artwork on eBay does not normally work that well. I know this since I work in the art field, I have a client who does custom oil paintings, eBay did absolutely nothing. Twitter is what brought us to success with all the athletes that want to get artwork done now. Armed, shipping costs aren't that much depending on how big it is. Also, quite a few people are willing to buy a painting without seeing it, that's how all of our clients do it.

I tried eBay and agree that this is not the way to sell paintings.

 

[robotx]

Thanks for the heads up on this one guys. I was also wondering about this. I have a cousin who is a wonderful artist and everyone loves her work, but she doesn't make money at it. She lives in a rural area where there just isn't a lot of buyers. She gives most of her stuff away. I wanted to help her make money. Checking out etsy.

 

[LeMerovigian]

I wouldn't mind listing a few for you if you'd like? If I may make a pointer artist bio is of essence. Artist appreciate art but that's no matter because they usually don't have the means to purchase. To others need I say "athletes buying art bit of a "oxymoron" you 're selling the idea as well as the art itself. eBay,Facebook,twitter will help bring attention to the work you must use all means. Quote on the "red roses" piece ? pm me-

 

[suave]

I talk to a couple of friends that have tried that and they mention that ebay really a good market for artist they suguested to try Etsy that you might have a better chance of making money, good luck
Regards
Suave

 

[MadCashMoo]

I second that eBay is not very good for selling art.
Do a search and click on "completed listings" and you will see.

If you sell with BIN, I would advise you to price it slightly higher and offer a "Best offer" option. (it is free to have that)
Make sure you put up a clear and sharp photo (yes, basic but many people don't).
Advise for the description is, in addition to describing the fundamentals of the artwork, include also some story about it.
Things like what made the artist draw this, where is the inspiration from, any resemblance to famous people/ places/ things/ etc. .... and any interesting comments around it.
For things like art and antiques, such things can do a lot to boost your sales and listings.

 

[nickburdall]

good luck