Sale Advice

I'm probably the wrong one to chime in as I seem to lose money every time I sell something lol.

If I've seen something out and about and end up spending $35 bucks on an axe and then somewhere down the line figure I'll pass it on then, in my mind, I imagine $35 plus shipping but that same $35 plus shipping ends up closer to $50 now for someone else. If I saw the same axe locally for $50 I would likely pass on it - conundrum.

There is also the strange idea that every axe head should cost $5 regardless of what you paid because some guys can find them in droves over and over in their areas. But believe me that the same guys who complain that their Belknap with bevels should cost $10 for them will end up costing someone else a lot more down the road.

We got that sale forum going with the idea of selling vintage axes but with several exceptions it is mostly higher end hawks that seem to move there.
I guess it probably comes down to what you paid - are you looking to get that back?

Handled axes cost more due to their shipping so maybe you could remove the heads to make shipping on them $8 flat rate and potentially get two heads in one box to save the buyer through combined shipping. You can try to sell them in lots - $15 medium flat rate boxes can hold several at a time.

Bladeforums is a bit of a dichotomy but here are some things to keep in mind:

1. If you have a lot of axes, you are a glutton but if you don't then you haven't "Made it".
2. If you have nice/rare axes, you are a hipster. If you have old worn axes you are a salt of the earth.
3. If you don't use every axe like a "rented mule" then you have no business owning them but if you do then you don't respect them.
4. If you pay for an axe you are a sell out, if you don't then you are a step up in virtue.
5. If you pay little for a nice axe you should offer more, if you pay more you are a sucker.
6. If you sell axes then you are only here to take advantage of the audience, if you don't then you are selfish .
7. If you clean up your axes then you disrespect history, if you don't then you once again disrespect history.
8. If you clean up and sharpen your old axes, you should ask for less because they are tampered with, if you don't clean them up then you should ask less because they next guy has to do it.
9. If your axe comes from a nonagenarian WWII vet it's cool, if the same exact same axe came from an antique shop it's not.
10. If you find an axe and share it here it is cool, if you acquire that same axe from someone else then it's not so cool.

The list goes on but I do hope that clears things up!

*Sorry, my actual advice is before the "list of contingencies"
 
I've noticed we don't see many axes for sale on BF, I always wonder if shipping is the reason. Seems like most are RMJ's and the like, with a miscellaneous hawk, like H&B, or a gransfors. Items that sell high enough to cover the shipping charge.
 
Having to get rid of your collection stinks, but if that's your whole collection people could pm you about axes they are interested a la JB's hauls. I for one don't think I've ever intentionally visited the for sale sub-forum, but I visit here generally at least once a day. Just my two cents.
 
bikerector said:
I've noticed we don't see many axes for sale on BF, I always wonder if shipping is the reason. Seems like most are RMJ's and the like, with a miscellaneous hawk, like H&B, or a gransfors. Items that sell high enough to cover the shipping charge.
Click to expand...
That’s exactly my observation as well and the reason I didn’t know if guys even looked for vintage there.

Agent_H said:
I'm probably the wrong one to chime in as I seem to lose money every time I sell something lol.

If I've seen something out and about and end up spending $35 bucks on an axe and then somewhere down the line figure I'll pass it on then, in my mind, I imagine $35 plus shipping but that same $35 plus shipping ends up closer to $50 now for someone else. If I saw the same axe locally for $50 I would likely pass on it - conundrum.

There is also the strange idea that every axe head should cost $5 regardless of what you paid because some guys can find them in droves over and over in their areas. But believe me that the same guys who complain that their Belknap with bevels should cost $10 for them will end up costing someone else a lot more down the road.

We got that sale forum going with the idea of selling vintage axes but with several exceptions it is mostly higher end hawks that seem to move there.
I guess it probably comes down to what you paid - are you looking to get that back?

Handled axes cost more due to their shipping so maybe you could remove the heads to make shipping on them $8 flat rate and potentially get two heads in one box to save the buyer through combined shipping. You can try to sell them in lots - $15 medium flat rate boxes can hold several at a time.

Bladeforums is a bit of a dichotomy but here are some things to keep in mind:

1. If you have a lot of axes, you are a glutton but if you don't then you haven't "Made it".
2. If you have nice/rare axes, you are a hipster. If you have old worn axes you are a salt of the earth.
3. If you don't use every axe like a "rented mule" then you have no business owning them but if you do then you don't respect them.
4. If you pay for an axe you are a sell out, if you don't then you are a step up in virtue.
5. If you pay little for a nice axe you should offer more, if you pay more you are a sucker.
6. If you sell axes then you are only here to take advantage of the audience, if you don't then you are selfish .
7. If you clean up your axes then you disrespect history, if you don't then you once again disrespect history.
8. If you clean up and sharpen your old axes, you should ask for less because they are tampered with, if you don't clean them up then you should ask less because they next guy has to do it.
9. If your axe comes from a nonagenarian WWII vet it's cool, if the same exact same axe came from an antique shop it's not.
10. If you find an axe and share it here it is cool, if you acquire that same axe from someone else then it's not so cool.

The list goes on but I do hope that clears things up!

*Sorry, my actual advice is before the "list of contingencies"
Click to expand...
I don’t have too much in most of these and would be willing to remove the heads to help on shipping. Not looking to make a ton of $$ just passing these on to others that might like them.

Love the response by the way.
 
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Nbrackett said:
That’s exactly my observation as well and the reason I didn’t know if guys even looked for vintage there.
Click to expand...

I know I look every now and then but nothing ever comes through, so the bay or flea markets are where I usually get my heads and then new axes are usually cheaper because of free shipping anymore, especially for axes for use.
 
A17 said:
Having to get rid of your collection stinks, but if that's your whole collection people could pm you about axes they are interested a la JB's hauls. I for one don't think I've ever intentionally visited the for sale sub-forum, but I visit here generally at least once a day. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...
That’s the ones I’m looking to move on. I’ll keep the more special ones for now. Like these below and ones from family.



 
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I certainly hope for the best, and I probably can't add much beyond what's already been said.

Only thing I can think of is that original or vintage handles may complicate things.

Oh and you might want to look into JB's packing method if the handle isn't going to be removed, he just folds a couple thick layers of cardboard around stuff and uses a healthy amount of duct tape.
Seems to cut down on shipping costs over what an actual box big enough to fit an axe would.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I certainly hope for the best, and I probably can't add much beyond what's already been said.

Only thing I can think of is that original or vintage handles may complicate things.

Oh and you might want to look into JB's packing method if the handle isn't going to be removed, he just folds a couple thick layers of cardboard around stuff and uses a healthy amount of duct tape.
Seems to cut down on shipping costs over what an actual box big enough to fit an axe would.
Click to expand...
What’s ironic about this is that I just packaged up 5 of the above in a self made box of thick cardboard and LIBERALLY wrapped it with duct tape before taking it to the post office. In case anyone is curious it cost $36 to priority ship all 5 with a total weight of right at 25lbs.
 
Nbrackett said:
What’s ironic about this is that I just packaged up 5 of the above in a self made box of thick cardboard and LIBERALLY wrapped it with duct tape before taking it to the post office. In case anyone is curious it cost $36 to priority ship all 5 with a total weight of right at 25lbs.
Click to expand...
Interesting, this may be a situation where the flat rate box shines.
I know with small stuff the flat rate boxes end up costing more, but surely there has to be some point where you encounter savings.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Interesting, this may be a situation where the flat rate box shines.
I know with small stuff the flat rate boxes end up costing more, but surely there has to be some point where you encounter savings.
Click to expand...

I don't think they have flat rate boxes that would fit a full-size axe (we looked). I have been sneaky with the "game board box" which is great for machetes, choppers, and forest sized axes. You have to order (free) them from USPS but they don't have the standard weight price hike for large slabs of steel.

I'm completely with you on just the heads though.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Interesting, this may be a situation where the flat rate box shines.
I know with small stuff the flat rate boxes end up costing more, but surely there has to be some point where you encounter savings.
Click to expand...
Priority Mail gets exponentially expensive quickly with weight and distance. Heavy stuff is where flat rate shines, if it’s just heads.
 
Agent_H said:
I'm probably the wrong one to chime in as I seem to lose money every time I sell something lol.

If I've seen something out and about and end up spending $35 bucks on an axe and then somewhere down the line figure I'll pass it on then, in my mind, I imagine $35 plus shipping but that same $35 plus shipping ends up closer to $50 now for someone else. If I saw the same axe locally for $50 I would likely pass on it - conundrum.

There is also the strange idea that every axe head should cost $5 regardless of what you paid because some guys can find them in droves over and over in their areas. But believe me that the same guys who complain that their Belknap with bevels should cost $10 for them will end up costing someone else a lot more down the road.

We got that sale forum going with the idea of selling vintage axes but with several exceptions it is mostly higher end hawks that seem to move there.
I guess it probably comes down to what you paid - are you looking to get that back?

Handled axes cost more due to their shipping so maybe you could remove the heads to make shipping on them $8 flat rate and potentially get two heads in one box to save the buyer through combined shipping. You can try to sell them in lots - $15 medium flat rate boxes can hold several at a time.

Bladeforums is a bit of a dichotomy but here are some things to keep in mind:

1. If you have a lot of axes, you are a glutton but if you don't then you haven't "Made it".
2. If you have nice/rare axes, you are a hipster. If you have old worn axes you are a salt of the earth.
3. If you don't use every axe like a "rented mule" then you have no business owning them but if you do then you don't respect them.
4. If you pay for an axe you are a sell out, if you don't then you are a step up in virtue.
5. If you pay little for a nice axe you should offer more, if you pay more you are a sucker.
6. If you sell axes then you are only here to take advantage of the audience, if you don't then you are selfish .
7. If you clean up your axes then you disrespect history, if you don't then you once again disrespect history.
8. If you clean up and sharpen your old axes, you should ask for less because they are tampered with, if you don't clean them up then you should ask less because they next guy has to do it.
9. If your axe comes from a nonagenarian WWII vet it's cool, if the same exact same axe came from an antique shop it's not.
10. If you find an axe and share it here it is cool, if you acquire that same axe from someone else then it's not so cool.

The list goes on but I do hope that clears things up!

*Sorry, my actual advice is before the "list of contingencies"
Click to expand...

I shared your ten point list with my best friend who is not at all into axes and is pretty much a typical real (as opposed to typical media) millennial. She was chuckling pretty hard by the end.
 
What part of the world do you live in? Some of us might be reasonably close to each other. ;)
 
I’m in East TN.

I thought I’d have a little interest through the Axes, Hatchets and Tomahawks for sale but nothing.
 
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