If there is evil on the Internet, I’ll sum up the heart of it in one little ninety-nine cent word.
eBay
So, I hear you asking, “Why is it so evil?” Well, I’m gonna tell ya. Just as soon as I stop looking for that elusive Disney collectible, be it a pin, cast member item, paper souvenir or geegaw among the 4374 categories or 75239 items listed right now (3/26/03 08:26 PST).
As much as I’m addicted to collecting Disney pins, eBay is to blame for my ability to add to that collection without ever having to leave the privacy of my own home. Imagine being able to shop for any Disney item anywhere across the world (literally) sitting in front of your computer in your own fashionable pajamas. And if that were not enough to get you hooked, Disney itself has gotten into the business by becoming an eBay partner, and offering items direct from the company’s many vaults and warehouses. Even items that didn’t make it as big sellers through the Disney Stores or Disney Catalog are offered as bargains on eBay by Disney.
Don’t believe me? Well, see for yourself.
How about just a taste of those categories instead with a number of items?
Collectibles
Contemporary (1968-Now)
Pins, Buttons (11807)
Other Contemporary Disneyana (2823)
Figurines (2276)
Apparel, Accessories (1129)
Posters, Lithos (1005)
Theme Park Souvenirs (953)
Plush Toys (894)
Toys, Games, Puzzles (830)
Watches, Timepieces (778)
Limited Editions (763)Movies & Television
Video, Film (11136)
Memorabilia (1163)
Wholesale Lots (64)Toys & Hobbies
TV, Character Toys (3335)
Stuffed Animals, Beanbag (2281)
Crafting, Art Supplies (909)
Fast Food, Advertising (695)
Action Figures (628)
Pretend Play, Preschool (469)
Games (463)
Diecast, Toy Vehicles (208)
Electronic, Battery, Wind-Up (128)
Puzzles (122)
Frightening, isn’t it…
And that’s only a sample.
So, what kind of thing would tempt you to jump in and join the bidding on an item? How about pins? Well as of right now, a search of eBay for Disney pins comes up with 4960 items, and in the Disneyana category, that only drops the number down to 4878. Let’s go one further and just look for Cast Member pins. That cuts it down to 1350 items, and going even further into Contemporary Disneyana (1968 to now) and then down to Cast Member Exclusives, there are only 124 items. Everything from a Donald Duck – Disneyland 44th Birthday Button (at only $3) to a large collection of Cast Member items (for only $400).
Well, you say you are not into pins. How about Cast Member clothing then? Collectible event jackets, uniform shirts, shorts, pants and jackets along with patches, hats and badges all can be found for sale here. I have even seen current issue Disneyland Resort nametags (made to order with your name) or current issue DLR Security uniform badges and patches all for sale here. Was it any wonder that there have been CM wannabe’s getting onto the property in costumes they bought, perhaps online?
I will admit to having purchased a few classic uniform pieces myself on eBay. The most expensive was a Club 33 waiters jacket for which I paid way too much, and no, I won’t say just how much. Another find was a great Animal Kingdom shirt with a pattern of all kinds of animals peaking out of the jungle. It doesn’t have an inventory control barcode tag, and came to me in it’s unopened plastic bag. However, I have several waiters and chefs jackets, all plain white from the Disney Cruise Line, that do have those tags, even though the seller assured me that these items were never put into service, but sold for clearance by Disney.
It is any wonder that Disney has issues with inventory for CM costumes…
If you feel underpaid, why not put up some uniform pieces for sale on eBay? In their own way, these folks are doing the devil’s work by keeping the market going for these black market items. Why stop with uniforms? A while back, there was another scandal when a CM from merchandise had been found with all kinds of items they had saved for sale off-property at a discount to either local merchants or swap meets. Another story I recall had a local merchant calling the park because he had been offered a certain Audio Animatronic figure for sale. Anything for a buck, right?
Disney’s doing it’s own part to keep the sales going as well. Lately, their auctions on eBay had a glut (yet again and again) of leftover costumes from Robin William’s “Bicentennial Man” or more costumes from Tim Allen’s TV “Home Improvement.” Someone keeps cleaning out a basement someplace where they stored leftover art once displayed in the rooms of the Disneyland Hotel. The same framed, and mounted (or in some cases not) concept art prints of the Jungle Cruise have been offered for sale again and again.
Sometimes there are unique items. John Stamos was the lucky bidder who snagged the big Disneyland sign that used to take up space along Harbor Blvd. Shipping was probably as much as the cost on that one. There have been old parking lot signs, attraction posters, uniform patches, and even theme park vehicles for sale here. Missed that favorite Disney Store decorative piece? You’ll find it for sale here, too.
I can’t fault Disney for trying to increase the revenue streams. Heck, much of this is just junk stored out back somewhere. But as the saying goes, one man’s junk is the treasure of another.
And perhaps that is the key to the success of eBay.
This all started because a husband was trying to help his wife sell her collection of Beanie Babies online. The rest is history. While many of the Internet companies have come and gone, or have rarely, if ever, shown a profit (hello? Amazon?), eBay continues to grow in the number of daily transactions as well as in revenue and profits. If there was ever a company who did not want to see sales online taxed, I must imagine eBay is it.
Simplicity is the key to a happy sale for both a seller and a buyer. To list an item for a successful sale, all it takes is a good concise and clear description, an image of the item (no photo is the quickest way not to sell or get a lower price for any item), and an easy way to pay for it. Personally, I prefer Paypal. I have heard of folks who have experienced problems with it. eBay now owns Paypal, having acquired it last year. For the buyer, there is no charge to use Paypal. For the seller, a small charge applies for each transaction. eBay charges a fee for a seller to list an item and then collects a percentage of the final sale price as well. A variety of item services are also offered including how your item is listed.
If you can think of an item, you’ll probably find it for sale on eBay. Disney collectibles are only the start. As Jim put it, this is the world’s online garage sale.
Here’s Roger’s About Me eBay page. Besides using eBay for Disney purchases, he has used it for railroad and other collectible purchases. Last year, a great deal of Christmas shopping was taken care of well in advance thanks to eBay.
Next week? Well, no bright flashes of insight yet, but where there’s smoke…
So? Like what you’ve been reading here in Roger’s columns? Well, here is one way to show your support! You can use his Amazon PayBox to keep him plugging along on more tales.