I think I can help you with that. I have sold many machines over eBay in the past months, once I even got $682 out of an auction for one of my machines. People go crazy over Christmas time.

Here's one of my more recently sold machines. The most important two factors are pictures and descriptions, assuming you want to sell on eBay. You don't need to give a reason to buy a typewriter, if the potential buyers have reached your listing they know what they want.

link

Notice the long description, highlighting the pros of the machine. This was an ordinary Smith-Corona Silent, but the two things that makes it stand out are that it is a very early model (1st year of production) and it is in stunning shape with all the manuals. I made sure to point that out, while also noting the popularity of the Smith-Corona Super 5 series. I used my knowledge to my advantage, when reading the description you can tell I know what I am talking about.

Photographs are just as important. Because I have few rooms with good lighting and I only have my cell phone camera to use, I take all my eBay photos outside. I make them as detailed and nice looking as possible. 

Also, NEVER EVER say something like "sold as is" or "I don't know much about this particular machine". To get buyers, you need to sound confident. Notice how I said it would be professionally packed and fully insured. Well, now the buyer has nothing to lose by buying it and they are more likely to spend more on it.

Just a few extra tips, including a fresh ribbon is always a huge selling point. It doesn't even have to be a good one, it just has to be fresh. Never underestimate the power of laziness. Also, free shipping is always a plus. It will make it feel to the buyer like there are no hidden costs, even if you raise the price (like I do) to more than it would have costed originally to cover the shipping.

All in all, just try to follow these rules and you're set. By listting the Silent in this way, I effectively turned my $35 typewriter into a $115 one.

Also, how much are you planning on selling it for? I might be interested in buying it myself, my area lacks Underwood standards for some reason and I don't trust non-collectors to pack a big standard properly.

Last edited by JustAnotherGuy (22-6-2015 20:30:35)

A huge plus for any listing is to include a photo of sample typing from the machine, showing that all the letters work.  I'm always hesitant about listings which do not include this.

Thank you so much for your advice! This is my first real listing (though I did sell two to girls at school. It's weird, I didn't actually think I'd sell them) and I want to leave a good impression. I will follow these instructions, maybe with some more bubble wrap, but this will help a lot. 

And at beak,

I did include a full typeface sample, with the red ink too, because I hate it when others don't include it. I don't know if the darn thing even works or even what CPI it has. But I suppose it's always a "surprise" when it does come.