I Sold It

SUSSEX COUNTY-A bronze sculpture had just gone for $200. A Hummel figure sold for $650. And while that was happening, Karl Fillgrove, owner of iSold It, located at the Wantage Plaza, worked with several customers who had come to pick up merchandise, as another worker handled an incoming printer that would be put on the auction block, The block being a computer and the auction house being eBay. Fillgrove's "store," open since July 9, is an outgrowth of the computer age. His slogan is: "Drop off your stuff/We'll sell it on eBay." The store is part of a franchise that boasts 500 locations nationwide. "A lot of people are afraid of putting their information out there because of identity theft,so they deal with us," he said. "We isolate the seller from the buyer. You don't have to worry about irate people coming after you either." Others to to iSold It for the convenience. Fillgrove said he will take any item brought in, and his staff will take it from there. The company photographs the item, researches similar items to establish a comparable cost, writes a description and posts it on eBay. On a recent day, Diane Paladini, who photographs the items, was working on a collection of gleaming Harley-Davidson coins. Katelyn Intveld, who "lists" the items, said, "It's important to get every last detail about the item you are auctioning, so we have individual books for antiques and collectibles, and so forth." She was working on a description of a Department 56 grouping. There are a few parameters for accepted merchandise. An item can not exceed 130 inches in combined girth and lengthy and may not weigh more than 150 pounds. It must be legal to sell on eBay, and the expected sales value must be $30. The item is listed for seven days. The store's staff field any questions from prospective buyers, process payment, and pack and ship. Christine Sharlow of Sussex Borough who had brought in a Play Station said, "If it works out, I have a lot more stuff at home." Most items can be shipped, but Bruce Baldwin of Bradford, Conn. said the three hour ride to personally pick up a clavinova (a digital piano) was not a problem. "The price was right, and it was worth the trip," he said. There is no up-front cost, and if the item doesn't sell, it can be picked up within 10 days of the auction close. Unclaimed items are donated to charity. When an item is sold, a 30 percent commission is deducted on the first $500 and 20 percent on the remaining amount over $500. The store also deducts eBay fees. For example, if an item sells for $100, the customer will receive $63. Fillmore has no problems working with computers, having been a programmer with Bell Atlantic and, most recently, Chubb Insurance. He and his wife, Susan, who is the director of learning at Grove Day Care Center at the Church of the Good Shepherd, have lived in Sussex County for more than 35 years. They reside in Franklin. iSold It is located at 205 Route 23 North, Sussex. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 973-702-4004; fax 973-702-4006; online at i-soldit.com.