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