Selling off old stock?

[Xander Chia]

I come across this from time to time and always wondered about it. I was downloading images of nihonto for reference purposes when I noticed something. Even though the item was just listed for sale, the information displayed regarding the image (forgot what it’s called) shows that it was taken months and occasionally even years ago. Questions started to pop up inside my head, why would a seller delist an item only to list it again years later?

[DoTanuki yokai]

I have seen some sellers reducing prices and list items new for example with new description or adding picture of certificates. Also I think they buy blades they had years ago in stock back and list it with the old pictures but actually I think there are many possible reasons. 

[Seth]

  On 11/26/2022 at 5:23 AM, Xander Chia said:

I come across this from time to time and always wondered about it. I was downloading images of nihonto for reference purposes when I noticed something. Even though the item was just listed for sale, the information displayed regarding the image (forgot what it’s called) shows that it was taken months and occasionally even years ago. Questions started to pop up inside my head, why would a seller delist an item only to list it again years later?

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The info on the pics is Exif data. Maybe in some scenarios, people dive in head first, and then the new wears off and they realize they aren't into Nihonto as much as they thought and sell back to the dealer? I can see that happening, have quite a few compulsive friends that do not think things through.  

[Curran]

  On 11/26/2022 at 12:17 PM, Seth said:

 

The info on the pics is Exif data. Maybe in some scenarios, people dive in head first, and then the new wears off and they realize they aren't into Nihonto as much as they thought and sell back to the dealer? I can see that happening, have quite a few compulsive friends that do not think things through.  

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Yes, basically this and also, interests or focus changes. I've sort of maxed out Higo tsuba collecting short of getting into the Juyo ones, which is a big price jump. I've found myself focusing more on higher end pre-Momoyama tsuba from early tachi tsuba, ko-tosho, to the best ko-kinko I can find. For each one in, out must go a Higo tsuba. Sometimes I or a dealer upload old photos, rather than bother to take new photos.

 

[Xander Chia]

Thanks Cristian. I can see sellers hoping that the new descriptions would be more attractive than the old ones.

 

Thanks Seth. I can relate to that, just purchased a handful of tsuba and realised that I may have spent too much. I’m guessing it’s probably easier to sell back to where you purchased from than finding a new buyer.

 

Thanks Curran. Didn’t think of that. I wonder if I would be able to sell a part of my collection as I am quite sentimental.

 

It’s interesting to see items being relisted after so long. I couldn’t find the images of a wakizashi I downloaded as my camera roll is organised by date. Turned out to be the oldest pics in the entire album, it was relisted after 9 years! There’s also a yari that I’ve seen been marked as sold like a couple times now.