For most collectors, condition is extremely important, so here is a handy checklist that I use in my auctions and some other useful tips on postage and plastics.

Condition Checklist

If you are selling a Bakelite or plastic item, please ensure that you inspect it for all of the following;

Chips or Scratches (See Note*) - Are there any? are they very much on the surface or are they deeply etched?

Splits (See Note*) - Are there any? Is there any affect on the form or function of the item?

Uneven coloration - Has the object been exposed to strong sunlight, fading exposed areas?

Surface lustre issues - Is the object consistently shiny on all display surfaces or are there areas of dullness, even after cleaning?

Restoration - Has there been any repairs to, or replacement of parts?

*Note - Give locations and measurements if possible.

If there are any strongly noticeable damage issues with the item, try to include photographs of the problem area if possible.

A thought for the Buyer

If this condition information is not included, (which is most usually an honest oversight), but when asked, the seller does not provide this information, you will have to decide if your need for the item outweighs the condition it may or may not be in.

For International Sellers

Postage from Non European Union Countries (Non EEC) to EEC Countries

Any Bakelite goods that you sell to a buyer in a European Union (EEC) country that have a value in excess of £18.00 GBP are subject to Customs charges (usually Value Added Tax - VAT) and are calculated on the declared value of the item plus the postage costs.

If the item is described incorrectly on the Customs Declaration form, the buyer will be charged full VAT at 17.5% instead of the correct lower charge of 5% VAT.

Plus there are also two levels of clearance fee charged by the UK Mail service for imported parcels.

There is a charge of £13.50 GBP for express parcels (i.e. International Datapost or Euro 48 equivalent)

For all other imported parcels, an £8.00 GBP charge will be applied – so here is an example with this fee charged for an incorrectly labelled parcel.

Item = £30.00

Postage = £20.00

Total = £50.00

Customs Charge at 17.5% = £08.75

Royal Mail Charge = £08.00

Total cost = £66.75

Correctly labelled, the Customs charge would be 5% or £02.50, so the correct cost should have been £60.50 GBP.

Saving the buyer £06.25 GBP minimum (This would be more expensive if a faster postage method is used ) and the seller a fair bit of goodwill…..

So, please, when you take the item to the Post Office to send to the buyer, on the Customs Declaration form, please describe the item and include the sentence

"A collectors item of historical interest, commodity item code 9705 000090"

Bakelite – an historical point

The patent for Phenol Formaldehyde or ‘Bakelite’ as it is generally known, was taken out in 1907, so in fact, the patent will be officially an antique in 2007.

The majority of Bakelite objects seen on E-Bay date from the mid 1920’s onward, yet a lot of sellers describe them as “Antique” – this is incorrect, they are currently a “Collectable” and will not really be antiques until 2020 at the absolute earliest!

An Antique is classed as an item that was made in excess of 100 years ago!

Urea Formaldehyde – Useful information

By the early 1920’s Bakelite was well established, but the search began for another all-purpose plastic, with a wider choice of colour options.

Edmund Rossiter of British Cyanides successfully experimented with Thiourea instead of Phenol, leading to its premiere at the 1925 Wembley Exhibition in England.

Also around this time, Urea Formaldehyde was produced by the British Cyanides company, using the trade name ‘Beetle’ and to the public ‘Beetleware’ became a household name.

Bandalasta Items

An item is not ‘Bandalasta’ unless it is marked or stamped ‘Bandalasta’ somewhere on the item, so please use the phrase ‘like’ or ‘reminiscent of’ or ‘similar to’ Bandalasta - if an item is not marked as such.

It saves those collectors searching for it some time!

I trust that you have found the information that I have provided here of use and will make your buying experiences more pleasurable.

You will find the guide titled "Bakelite and plastic collectables" by e-Bayer Martyn27_uk, very engaging, witty and informative, so check it out!

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© Bakelite Kid 2007