Hello, and thanks to all who take the time to submit an answer. Regardless of what your reply is, at least I know that "something" in my question kept a hold of your view. 
I have a rare, vintage, "Murphy Combat" "USA" WWII Fighting knife in excellent condition that I recently put up for sale on eBay. I didn't want to get it just taken from me so I set the auction with what I thought was a very reasonable starting bid. I also included a "buy it now" offer that was still below "current value."
This whole attempt to sell the knife in this way brought up a whole list of questions I didn't know, I didn't know. lol
So, if anyone would like to take a stab (pun intended at answering them for me, I'd really appreciate it. Okay, here goes...
1. "Current value" - In the real world does this actually mean, "Whatever someone's willing to pay for it is what it's worth?"
I understand that patience is a virtue, and that just because I want to "sell" a knife, does not mean that someone wishes to "buy" a knife. But at the same time, when dealing with rare, vintage, or hard to find collectibles, aren't collectors looking "all" the time?
2. "EBay, the biggest garage sale in the world" - I understand that eBay is the "quick-e-sale" kind of place, but at the same time I've actually found that for many items, eBay is one of the very first places people look these days. Does this hold true for rare, vintage, or hard to find collectible knives? Or does a listing on eBay in some way taint the item? When dealing with higher end collectibles like the Murphy Combat, is it better to try a different format? If so, what might some of those be?
3. "Forums and Selling" - As I thought up this question, I decided to open up a new window and use it to check this site's discussion board. Because of the fact that I noticed that there is indeed a category for selling, and that said listings are only for "Gold and Platinum Members and subscribed Dealers Only" I wish to make it clear that I am not trying to sell this knife on this site at this time. In fact, at this time I will reject any offer that comes from this thread as I am only attempting to get some questions answered, and am NOT trying to violate the spirit of the terms and conditions (rules) of this site.
THAT SAID, is it safe to assume that selling an item like this might be better served by using a more "targeted" site such as this? Are some forums more set up for this type of thing? Or is it maybe worth looking into upgrading my account even if I don't plan on selling any more than one item?
4. "Sheathless in Seattle" - The Murphy Combat Fighting Knife was originally paired with a leather sheath manufactured by one of a couple different makers. I understand that in the case of the Murphy Combat, the sheath can often mean almost as much as the knife itself. But at the same time, it's the knife that is the sought after item... Isn't it?
How much difference would a fixed blade such as the Murphy Combat sell for if it did not have the original (or any at all for that matter) sheath for it?
Well, that's about it.. Basically I guess all of it really comes down to, "How do you sell a knife in this day and age?"
Thank you to any and all who take the time to reply.
I'll try and stand close by most of the day so that any who wish to make this a discussion won't have to keep checking back over and over just to see if I've read their reply or not yet.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
policetac
I have a rare, vintage, "Murphy Combat" "USA" WWII Fighting knife in excellent condition that I recently put up for sale on eBay. I didn't want to get it just taken from me so I set the auction with what I thought was a very reasonable starting bid. I also included a "buy it now" offer that was still below "current value."
This whole attempt to sell the knife in this way brought up a whole list of questions I didn't know, I didn't know. lol
So, if anyone would like to take a stab (pun intended
at answering them for me, I'd really appreciate it. Okay, here goes...1. "Current value" - In the real world does this actually mean, "Whatever someone's willing to pay for it is what it's worth?"
I understand that patience is a virtue, and that just because I want to "sell" a knife, does not mean that someone wishes to "buy" a knife. But at the same time, when dealing with rare, vintage, or hard to find collectibles, aren't collectors looking "all" the time?
2. "EBay, the biggest garage sale in the world" - I understand that eBay is the "quick-e-sale" kind of place, but at the same time I've actually found that for many items, eBay is one of the very first places people look these days. Does this hold true for rare, vintage, or hard to find collectible knives? Or does a listing on eBay in some way taint the item? When dealing with higher end collectibles like the Murphy Combat, is it better to try a different format? If so, what might some of those be?
3. "Forums and Selling" - As I thought up this question, I decided to open up a new window and use it to check this site's discussion board. Because of the fact that I noticed that there is indeed a category for selling, and that said listings are only for "Gold and Platinum Members and subscribed Dealers Only" I wish to make it clear that I am not trying to sell this knife on this site at this time. In fact, at this time I will reject any offer that comes from this thread as I am only attempting to get some questions answered, and am NOT trying to violate the spirit of the terms and conditions (rules) of this site.
THAT SAID, is it safe to assume that selling an item like this might be better served by using a more "targeted" site such as this? Are some forums more set up for this type of thing? Or is it maybe worth looking into upgrading my account even if I don't plan on selling any more than one item?
4. "Sheathless in Seattle" - The Murphy Combat Fighting Knife was originally paired with a leather sheath manufactured by one of a couple different makers. I understand that in the case of the Murphy Combat, the sheath can often mean almost as much as the knife itself. But at the same time, it's the knife that is the sought after item... Isn't it?
How much difference would a fixed blade such as the Murphy Combat sell for if it did not have the original (or any at all for that matter) sheath for it?
Well, that's about it.. Basically I guess all of it really comes down to, "How do you sell a knife in this day and age?"
Thank you to any and all who take the time to reply.
I'll try and stand close by most of the day so that any who wish to make this a discussion won't have to keep checking back over and over just to see if I've read their reply or not yet.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
policetac
