POTTERY HUNTING ONLINE

I scan ebay most days and check the-saleroom once a week but have never found any other websites that were worth a hoot.
Have I been missing out?

I think Oxfam has its own online sale website

I just had a look,they seem to be getting their prices from the Millers guide

I have emails when certain things come up on french auctions

Not much interesting pottery comes on either in my opinion, well saleroom is not bad, but usually things go for top prices when you take into consideration Buyers Premium etc.

the basic problem with online bargain hunting is everyone's using the same key words

Yes and if the smaller sites are 50 th of the size of eb then you need to search x50 a long to find a bargain.

There's Freebay, and a load of sales Group pages on Facebook these days

Very few ordinary auctioneers know anything at all about Studio Pottery. But problem being, you actually need to be able to check the items physically yourself, to find those bargains.
Mind you everybody else is ding it as well!

I bought a Swindell vessel last month, the condition report came back perfect but the vase had a bit smashed off in the most obvious place.
I sent it back but lost out on my return postage

Hate that ..... and you can't even leave neg feedback...

Best place to sell damaged or restored items is in a traditional auction. The saleroom is full of people bidding online that have never handled the item, have poor pictures to inspect, minimal descriptions and seconds to make up their mind.

As for tips for buying. With ebay it is putting in then hours searching through as much as you can. For traditional auctions being sold online through one of the agents like The Saleroom. Buy bulk or mixed lots. Collectors are the ones pushing up the prices in most auctions not dealers. Collectors rarely buy mixed lots or lots with 6/8/12 of something. A well described lot with good pictures and time on a website like The saleroom rarely sell for less than retail prices. A job lot of 15 60's Poole pottery spears or 4 trays of various studio pottery vases on the other hand you can make money on.

There is that old phrase I have often heard repeated. Buy the best quality example of an item you can afford. Its the most likely to be worth more in later years. That depends of course, in the genre still being fashionable down the line.
Not too sure about mixed Lots. They are often there for a reason. They are not worth a lot in bulk. And next to nothing individually. Unless there are some quality pieces not recognised, its a risky policy. Ebay is now overwhelmed with 'collectables' that used to sell reasonably well. Now,completely dead in the water.

buying for investment is very risky, I have invested in several areas over the years and pottery/collectables has performed worst

Buying 'Art' for investment is indeed Fool's Gold Dan. Look at the literally billions that has been thrown at the contemporary Art Market.....disaster awaits.
Let alone buying from dealers with their margins. It never ceases to amaze me that people buying from Goldmark in Uppingham believe they can make a profit.
Then there is the auctioneers 25%-30% Buyer's commission. The 15% selling commission.....
BUT..
If you going to buy, at least buy the best you can,and something that gives you enjoyment.

Best to buy Pottery on the secondary market, and the work of a deceased potter,  if you want to limit its devaluation when selling on.

If you are buying( or equally selling!] on the secondary market to sell on, then you have to have some knowledge. Ebay is full of overpriced, minor studio pottery that hardly ever sells,but gets continually relisted The ratio twixt dross to treasure is getting ever greater.