HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 06 28 Informational 101 Results Of Computer Equipment Sales On Ebay COMMISSION AGENDA
Informational X
Consent
ITEM 101 Public Hearings
Regular
June 28, 2010 Mgr. / Dept.
Regular Meeting Authorization
REQUEST: Information Services wishes to update the Commission on the
results of selling computer equipment online via eBay.
SYNOPSIS: This agenda item serves as an update to Commission on results and our
experiences of selling computer equipment online via the online auction website
eBay vs. selling our items at Gideon Auction.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Surplus assets disposal requests are generally submitted to Commission on the
first Commission meeting of every month. The majority of our surplus asset items
go to auction while a limited number of items get posted on eBay. To date, two
auction sets have been conducted by the Information Services Department on
eBay.
The first auction set was for the sale of seven (7) Motorola MC7095 PDA devices
with associated accessories that included an extra battery, SD Card, vehicle
charger, and belt case for each of the seven units. All seven items were sold as a
group in a single lot auction. Although the auction was originally scheduled to
run for seven days, it was closed after four days to accommodate the needs of a
ready, willing, and able buyer who met the reserve price. The selling price for the
seven items was $3,500.00 yielding a net balance of $3,341.65 after the deduction
of associated eBay and PayPal fees of $158.35. Shipping was handled separately
by the customer.
The second auction set was for the sale of five (5) surplus Panasonic Toughbook
CF -29 laptops with their hard drives removed. Each laptop was auctioned
individually. Of the five laptops, one sold successfully. An attempt to obtain one
of the other laptops fraudulently was made by another buyer. The buyer was
REGULAR MEETING - JUNE 28 , 2010
AGENDA ITEM - INFORMATIONAL 101
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reported to eBay for further investigation. All five auctions ran for seven days.
The selling price for the single laptop, including a shipping /handling fee, was
$164.50, yielding a net balance of $116.68 after the deduction of all associated
eBay, PayPal, and actual shipping charges totaling $47.82.
We sent one set of the same laptops to auction with Gideon Auctioneers and the
laptops were sold in two lots. The initial lot sold for $413.60 and the second lot
sold for $140.80. Total proceeds from the laptops thru Gideon Auctioneers were
$554.40.
In summary, we have found in certain circumstances we have had greater success
using Gideon Auctioneers to sell surplus items and eliminate the chance of
fraudulent activity as was experienced with the laptops on eBay. However, we
will continue to evaluate eBay as a resource for selling surplus assets where
appropriate and continue to keep the Commission informed of our progress.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item other than the revenues
gained via the sale of surplus assets.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS:
The surplus assets disposal list is posted monthly to the City's website under
Public Notices; no other communication efforts are needed at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
This agenda item is for informational purposes only.
ATTACHMENTS:
There are no attachments.
is \admin_docs \agenda items \fy 201 0 \062810_comm_ informational_ 101 _online_auction_update.docx