Tips for Ebay Sellers - An Imaging Primer

[howard38]

Good stuff, Frank. I plan to sell some cards soon but am a complete novice at posting scans and, in fact don't even have a scanner. I'd like to buy a combo printer/scanner due to limited space but am not sure what I need. What specs should I be looking for and does anyone know of an affordable model that would be suitable? Thanks!

Howard

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by howard38

Good stuff, Frank. I plan to sell some cards soon but am a complete novice at posting scans and, in fact don't even have a scanner. I'd like to buy a combo printer/scanner due to limited space but am not sure what I need. What specs should I be looking for and does anyone know of an affordable model that would be suitable? Thanks!

Howard

There have been several threads on recommended scanners. One thing that has been common in all of them is that most combo printer/scanners are absolute crap for scanning cards in slabs. Just do your research before you pick up anything, and be sure to get one that has a CCD element as you will need something that can scan with some "depth" to pick up slabbed cards properly.

[howard38]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

There have been several threads on recommended scanners. One thing that has been common in all of them is that most combo printer/scanners are absolute crap for scanning cards in slabs. Just do your research before you pick up anything, and be sure to get one that has a CCD element as you will need something that can scan with some "depth" to pick up slabbed cards properly.

Thanks, Lance. I did a search for scanner/printer threads but got so many hits that were not relevant that I gave up. A scanner w/a CCD element is also the advice I received from Frank in a PM so I'm definitely going w/that. Good to know that the combo units are garbage as well.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by howard38

Good to know that the combo units are garbage as well.

To clarify, and stress what Lance said. Combo units are garbage for SLABBED cards but still can work quite well for flat items. Most of the crappy photos / scans shown above would have come out just fine on even a low-end combo unit. I get better scans off of my combo unit for flat items than I see posted on many auction sites.

[howard38]

That's good to know, Taylor, as I only have a couple of graded cards to sell. I still may opt for separate units but do you of any combo units that would be suitable?

[tschock]

Originally Posted by howard38

That's good to know, Taylor, as I only have a couple of graded cards to sell. I still may opt for separate units but do you of any combo units that would be suitable?

Sorry, I really don't. I bought a Dell V305 a few years ago for like $30-$35 (not even sure if these are still available) but I'm sure there's looks of comparable units. Low grade cards, but here's an example of the kind of detail I can get with the V305 (default settings).

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by howard38

Thanks, Lance. I did a search for scanner/printer threads but got so many hits that were not relevant that I gave up. A scanner w/a CCD element is also the advice I received from Frank in a PM so I'm definitely going w/that. Good to know that the combo units are garbage as well.

I don't know if ALL combo units are trash, but I've never seen one that had a CCD element, and without that your slabbed card scans will look out of focus regardless of how well the scanner performs otherwise.

I personally have/use 3 different Epson scanners and have been pleased with all of them. The Epson Perfection 3490 is my workhorse (I've burned through 2 and am on my 3rd now), and though they don't make them any more, you can usually pick them up cheaply second-hand. I don't think I've ever paid more than $50 for one (including shipping).

I also have a Mustek ScanExpress 1200 flatbed, which is great for oversized items (11.7"x16.5" scanning bed), but does have a CIS element, so it's only good for flats. It has also stopped responding lately, I think because the sensor that wakes it up when the lid is opened has gone out, but I rarely use it and haven't dedicated time to sussing out the real problem. Otherwise, it acts as a base for my Epson to sit on my desk

[howard38]

Thanks guys, I think I've got plenty of info to work w/now. I Probably am going to go w/separate units. My last question is if it makes a difference that I use a Mac? Are all or most scanners compatible w/both Macs and PCs?

[frankbmd]

LESSON #13 - HAWAIIAN SHIRT TRICK

Go to Honolulu to buy a shirt and I bet you can't find one that isn't marked 50% off. Works for cards too or does it?



This card is marked down 44% on Ebay, but alas no bidders.

[CW]

Originally Posted by howard38

Thanks, Lance. I did a search for scanner/printer threads but got so many hits that were not relevant that I gave up. A scanner w/a CCD element is also the advice I received from Frank in a PM so I'm definitely going w/that. Good to know that the combo units are garbage as well.

Here you go (if you use the advanced search you can search for the word "scanner" in titles only, which will give you threads to check out)...

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=169880

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=163471

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=144776

[frankbmd]

LESSON #14 - WHERE'S WALDO?

Students in the course will immediately recognize the flaws in this image described in LESSONS #6, #7 & #9



However there is another very important lesson to be learned here as the image above is the sole image in an auction for the T206 card of Tom Jones. Where's Tom (Waldo)? I see Doc, Red, Davy, Bobby, Jake. Sammy and Frank. I guess if you've seen one Jones, you have seen them all.

[BlueSky]

Where's Waldo can also be employed to use the Stand Out in a Crowd technique by using lower graded cards around the actual card for sale.

A few of my old girlfriends appeared to use the technique when they went out together.

Originally Posted by frankbmd

LESSON #14 - WHERE'S WALDO?

Students in the course will immediately recognize the flaws in this image described in LESSONS #6, #7 & #9



However there is another very important lesson to be learned here as the image above is in an auction for the T206 card of Tom Jones. Where's Tom (Waldo)? I see Doc, Red, Davy, Bobby, Jake. Sammy and Frank. I guess if you've seen one Jones, you have seen them all.

[howard38]

Originally Posted by CW

Here you go (if you use the advanced search you can search for the word "scanner" in titles only, which will give you threads to check out)...

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=169880

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=163471

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=144776

Ahhh, those are the threads I was looking for, thanks, CW. FWIW, a friend of mine just gave me a slightly used Brother MFC-J475DW. I doubt that it's particularly good but I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. If it doesn't work out I'll check out those links.