| Using the "Completed listings" feature on eBay | | | | is absolutely critical. Unless the rod, reel or lure is |
| allows antique fishing tackle collectors find real | | | | very rare, then the difference between pristine |
| information on what vintage fishing reels, lures and | | | | and very lightly used can make a dramatic |
| rods have actually sold for under auction | | | | difference in value. New collectors often overlook |
| conditions. | | | | tiny scratches and wear marks that ding value. |
| With the increase in demand and values for | | | | Make sure that you look carefully at the listing |
| collectible fishing tackle, including vintage lures, rods | | | | photographs to determine condition. |
| and reels, many new collectors struggle with | | | | · Is there a box? Some of the boxes in |
| determining the value of their finds. When I am | | | | my extensive collection of vintage Swedish fishing |
| asked to appraise collectible any fishing tackle, my | | | | reels are more valuable than the reels inside. The |
| first advice is always to start with the | | | | same rules of condition apply to boxes. The same |
| "Completed listings" feature on eBay, as it is a | | | | applies for instruction paperwork and other |
| great free tool for determining the value of similar | | | | "goodies that would have been original to the |
| collectibles that have sold on eBay in the last 30 | | | | boxed item. |
| days. | | | | · Is the model exactly like yours, and of |
| To use eBay's Completed Listings feature, first | | | | the same age? A slightly different model reel, rod |
| type in the item that you want to value in the | | | | or lure might have significantly higher production |
| search box at the top of the page. On the left | | | | runs, impacting value. |
| hand column check the box for "Completed | | | | · Was the bid volume heavy? Greater |
| listings" and finish by clicking search at the top of | | | | numbers of bidders generally means that the |
| the page. The result is a list of all items that | | | | sales price is more reliable. If there are only 1 or 2 |
| match your search criteria which have auctions | | | | bidders you have to guess as to whether there is |
| that have ended within the last 30 days. | | | | a strong market for your collectible item. |
| Because the Completed listings feature only | | | | Although not perfect, eBay's Completed listings |
| searches titles, not descriptions or listing bodies, it | | | | feature is a great appraisal tool. It works best on |
| is usually helpful to make the search phrase | | | | collectible fishing tackle items that have had |
| broader than you would when searching for active | | | | several recent sales. For extremely rare pieces, |
| auctions. For example "Ambassadeur 5000" will | | | | sales prices can vary wildly depending on how |
| produce better results than "Ambassadeur 5000 | | | | many heavyweight collectors were on line during |
| in box". In this case the words "in box" might only | | | | the time that the auction was live. I have always |
| appear in the listing body. | | | | preferred this "real life" appraisal system rather |
| Compare the results to your collectible reel, rod | | | | than a book value that can be months or years |
| or lure, noting the following: | | | | out of date in a volatile marketplace. |
| · Did the completed item actually sell? If it | | | | The bottom line is that there is a wealth of free |
| did not hit reserve, or had no bids then the | | | | collectible fishing tackle information on eBay. Take |
| information is considerably less reliable. | | | | advantage of it, but before making a large |
| · What was the condition of the collectible | | | | expenditure check several sources rather than |
| fishing tackle listed compared to yours? Condition | | | | trusting in one "expert" opinion. |