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Mystery scrapbook auctions are very popular on ebay (See What I Mean) and for good reason. They can be a great way to stock up on your scrapbooking supplies at a great cost. However, there are some things you should know before you bid on or buy a mystery scrapbooking auction and what to expect to receive with your auction. Hopefully this guide will better inform you and help enhance your ebay experience.
I have sold several mystery auctions on ebay and have done well with them and have had very happy buyers. So, some of what I will say is from experience and some is from doing much researching for these auctions.
First Things First
I would first suggest that you decide if you want any one big item, specifically. For example, many mystery scrapbooking auctions are guaranteed to contain a large item, with many smaller things included. Some of the more popular items are:
In many cases, you can win these auctions for equal to or less than the retail cost of the large items and that is not all you will receive.
If you are not necessarily looking for a large item, but need specific smaller items, then try the names in your search. This gives you a better chance of getting more products that can be helpful to you:
Research Your Seller and His/Her Terms
This section does not just apply to mystery box sellers, but to any seller and is mostly common sense. Here are a list of things you should always look for in a seller:
- Feedback score and percent (Specifically, how many negative feedbacks)
- Location
- Shipping costs
- What type of Payment is accepted
- Is any of their feedback for mystery auctions and if so, was the feedback good?
If the seller doesn't meet your requirements, then move on to another auction. There are plenty out there; it's a buyers market. And, don't be afraid to ask any questions.
Be Prepared For What You Will (And Will Not) Receive
You probably know this, but it doesn't always register with a mystery auction: scrapbooking can be expensive and if you are promised merchandise valued at a retail price double the final bid, you may not receive much. I know because I did this with a Gymboree auction. I paid $75 and was so excited to receive $150 worth of Gymboree clothes. When it came in one small envelope and not the big box I expected, I was very disappointed, but the seller had been honest about what I would receive.
In these types of auctions, the seller uses the original retail value of the scrapbooking material, even though it may have been on a 80% off shelf in the store. Why? Because the retail value of the item can be the original retail value, not the sale price.
What You See is Not Necessarily What You Will Get
Read the auction very carefully. Very often, the seller has mutliple auctions and uses the same picture of just takes a picture of the items that May be included. Just because you see some paddle punches in the picture doesn't mean you will be receiving them.
The Fun Stuff
There are some sellers who put a lot of work into the mystery auctions and make them a lot of fun to bid on. They have bonus levels, where when the auction reaches a certain amount, gifts get included. Also, there are auctions where bidders get rewarded if they are, say, the 14th bidder or if they are the person who bids $76.51. These auctions are usually great and have lots of activity.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is if you are an avid scrapbooker and you make scrapbooks for every occasion, then these are great auctions for you becuase you will receive everything from stickers to paper to ribbon and small tools.
If you are a beginner scrapbooker, this may also be the auction for you if you want to grow your supplies and keep some of everything on hand.
If you are only an occasional scrapbooker or make them for spceific purposes (a year in your child's life or family vacation), then you will probably receive a lot of stuff that you may not be able to use.
Have fun, scrapbook and remember, you can always sell it back on ebay!!!
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