Hi T,
I use eBeans to help keep track of my print collection. It's marked private so only I can view it. I wish there was something similar available for movie posters.
As a member of the forum, you can add prints to your collection when you are signed in. You can list items for trade/sell. You can list prints you are seeking, and there is a feedback system where one can request feedback after a trade.
When you select "view print" (the window that shows the sales history with the price graph), on the left hand side of the window, there are several choices under Item Options:
Trade or Sell
Add to Wanted
Add to Collection
By selecting one of these options, you can do any of these three things:
Selecting "Trade or Sell" gives you the option of listing the print at your price in the forum as being available for sale or trade. I am not often a seller, but sometimes I buy something and struggle to understand why I bought it in the first place. Sometimes my taste changes and things that I thought I couldn't live without, are now expendable. Showing the item is for trade, sometimes will get me offers via the forum. Most offers are junk, but I would say on 25% of the offers, I sell something without having to go through eBay.
Selecting "Add to Wanted" means that prints I am interested in will show up on my eBeans homepage. There is a window for eBay tracking when prints on my list show up on eBay, and there is a window for members who have selected the previous "Trade or Sell" option. This has helped me track down many prints I was looking to acquire conducting private trades or purchases.
Selecting "Add to Collection" allows me to save specific prints to my collection. When I do so, I can indicate the condition, make notes such as the print number, add who I purchased the print from, how much I paid, and when I received the print. I can do this for each item which currently covers 451 prints/handbills/posters.
Another cool thing is that there is a button on 'My Page' titled "Save Collection" which outputs a pdf file of all prints in my collection with all the details I entered when I saved each one to my collection.
I use this for my records and insurance purposes. I have a policy through American Collector's Insurance. Several prints needed to be itemized, and having this feature made it really easy to list the impacted prints.
As far as horror stories go, I have been burned a few times where my definition of minty-prime condition was not shared by my seller, but frankly, that happens to me on eBay about the same frequency.
In general, I have had excellent experiences making trades or purchases through the eBeans forum. As always, caveat emptor. Check a seller's feedback on eBeans. Ask for pictures. Use PayPal. Never send a "gift" payment. Stress good packaging so your print arrives undamaged. Ask for tracking. Suggest insurance to the seller so if there is the "rare" problem, they will be protected. Remind them that you are protected by PayPal.
If any of those requests scare away your seller, that is probably for the better.
If you want more information about how to use eBeans for your print collection, please PM me.
J
