Hugh,
Cape Fear Museum has purchased nearly 200 objects for its collection using
eBay. To date, it has been a very pleasant experience. I approached it
very cautiously at first, but after several successfully completed
auctions, I became comfortable with the process. Although comfortable, I
remains cautious due to the fact that people do get burned on eBay.
Everyone I have dealt with has been first class and I have actually had
some very happy surprises. For example, one dealer, upon discovering a
museum won his auction (we do not identify ourselves as a museum on eBay),
donated the object instead of selling it to us. Another dealer sent us a
great addition to the collection as a thank you for helping him straighten
out a problem with another client.
As for what we purchase, I concentrate on objects that can be proven to
have a Wilmington/Lower Cape Fear River region connection. This mainly has
kept us focused on postcards, souvenirs, tableware, brochures, etc. If I
have any questions, I e-mail the seller with my questions and also check
with local experts to help me make my decision. I then check the dealer's
feedback to see what others think of his/her services. So far, I have only
avoided one auction due to a dealer's negative feedback (it was a great
object and it hurt not to bid, but I knew I did not want to take the chance
with our acquisitions budget). At that point, I discuss the purchase with
my curator and we reach a decision to buy/not buy, and if a buy, what is
the top price we will pay. That is the greatest danger; getting caught up
in the process and paying too much. I've done it once, early on, but I've
since learned to control my "buck fever."
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me off-list or give
me a call.
Good luck,
Tim
Timothy S. Bottoms · Registrar · Cape Fear Museum · 814 Market Street ·
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401-4731 · 910.341.4350 x 3011 · 910.341-4037
(fax) · [log in to unmask]
"Hugh H. Genoways"
<[log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask]
UNL.EDU> cc: (bcc: archive)
Sent by: Museum Subject: Use of e-bay
discussion list
<[log in to unmask]
.LSOFT.COM>
02/05/2003 05:30 PM
Please respond to
Museum discussion
list
Does anyone have experience with buying items on e-bay for your museum's
collections? Has it been successful? Did you encounter any problems?
What were they? Any recommendations for other museums looking to fill
specific needs for the collection in this manner? We are particularly
interested in any attempts to purchase Civil War related artifacts in this
manner.
Thanks for your insights.
Sincerely,
Hugh
Hugh H. Genoways
University of Nebraska State Museum
W436 Nebraska Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588-0514
Telephone: 402-472-2012
FAX: 402-472-8949
E-mail: <[log in to unmask]>
Professor
University of Nebraska State Museum
School of Natural Resource Sciences
Museum Studies Program
Chair
Museum Studies Program
Visit our website at <http://www.unl.edu/museumstudies>
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