Alternative to eBay?
Nikklos
Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭
Hi all - I was a long time contributor on these boards. Some may recall my incessant ripping of vintage packs! I have been selling on eBay for 26 years but had a terrible experience recently that has really made me not want to use the platform again as a seller.
Do you guys recommend any similar type platform to sell cards on?
Thanks so much in advance.
Nikklos
Nikklos
1
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Instagram seems to be popular for sales nowadays.
IG and facebook are popular, but with the change to PPGS, it is more risky now. apparently Goods and Services is no longer protected by PP if they deem one to be selling cards as a business.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Hi Nikklos - I definitely remember your ripping of packs. good to see you back.
I haven't had bad experiences on eBay but the fees have certainly increased and USPS shipping seems to increase 3 times a year. I have done well consigning to Greg Morris but I think you need to consign a minimum of around $6K. The cards I sold that way generated much more than if I sold them on my own.
Facebook all day.
Ebay has never been a safe place for sellers.
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
Hi Baltimore - I remember you too. I think I dealt with Greg Morris before. Thanks. As far as eBay, I’ve sold thousands of bards with no issue until last week. Involving the claim of a buyer receiving an empty package.
Is it a high dollar item? Did you ship with insurance?
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
I have been selling and buying online for decades. This past year which is only 5 months so far
..I have had the most missing packages. I think I'm up to 12 claims so far this year between USPS and UPS. I even go to about 4 different post offices.
Lately I have had two claims paid quickly using shipinsure on pirateship. I also just got two claims paid via collectinsure private insurance.
Nikklos! I distinctly remember your 1970 box rip. Amazing to watch.
I can't help here. I don't sell on ebay, but I have sent cards to COMC because I don't want to deal with buyers and listings.
The card was a $200+ Ohtani - I guess he brings them out of the woodwork. Buyer claim the package was delivered but no card inside - which anyone can claim at any time. eBay decided in his favor without even asking me anything and rejected my appeal with in 1 minute , AI style. I have been raging at nameless faceless eBay employees ever since. I have been gold I will be credited but am still waiting.
If I were ever to use eBay again - which is doubtful - I will block all sales to low feedback buyer - which he was. If a buyer has a history with eBay, they probably wouldnt be able to run that scam too often.
I'm sorry that happened to you. The more recent scam that was shocking to me (but shouldn't be surprising) was using AI to create an image where it looks like the card was crushed or damaged upon arrival. I forget where I saw it, but it was scary - if you didn't look closely, you wouldn't have realized the card was not the same card.
I saw that on YouTube too. But if EBay turns a blind eye and puts no thought into the dispute process it’s going to be a hard costly slog for sellers going forward.
They didn’t turn a blind eye btw when it came to snatching money out of my checking account to give back to this fraudster. And they took the whole purchase price - pre fees. So I paid the fees too and he got a free Ohtani card.
Sorry to hear about the scammer. If you're in the US, you can sell cards $250+ and they will have the Authenticity Guarantee. I love this program as both a Seller and Buyer on eBay. Basically, when it's $250+, the seller sends the card to PSA for authentication/verification (vs. the listing). Once PSA verifies the card vs. the listing, you're in the clear. eBay will pay you, PSA will ship the card to the buyer.
As a Buyer, I also love the program because I don't worry about buying from new sellers. They send the card to PSA for authentication. WHen PSA says it's good -- then I know it's the real deal. I also add PSA Grading for raw cards and then store it in my PSA Vault. This allows me to easily sell cards from my PSA Vault at any time. PSA creates the listing, collects the buyer's money, and handles the shipping. I literally don't do anything except wait for the money to hit my bank account.
This card fell right under that $250 sweet spot unfortunately. I see the value in that program now. But this should be scary as heck for anyone selling anything under $250.
And the really sad part is EBay is going to lose a 26-year client who has sold thousands of high end cards only to benefit a two-bit scammer because no one in the organization seems to care. And if those on top care, the message never gets to them.
Myslabs may be worth checking out. Not nearly as much traffic as eBay but fees are lower. Can’t really comment on seller protections but I’m sure you could google around to read about some experiences.
https://myslabs.com/
Jim
I have used myslabs a couple of times. a couple of times as a buyer and once as a seller. I find that most sellers on that platform are WAY high on asking prices.
I have used veriswap once as a buyer. transaction went smoothly. no experience as a seller/trader
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
For items that are "right under the sweet spot", I recommend setting your listings at $250 (or even higher, but also remember that $249.99 does not meet the threshold) and include the Or Best Offer option. If you have an item listed at $250, or even a milliion, but it sells for really any offer price at all, even $1, it will still go through the Authenticity Guarantee escrow station prior to moving on to the buyer. It is a work-around that benefits both the buyer and the seller.
That is great advice and insight. Thanks!
Sorry to read about your loss. Any chance of naming the eBay buyer so I can block him from my sales. Thanks.
LMROBLES14806
I've had the same problem in the last year with missing USPS packages. I've also had several packages show up 2-3 months after shipment. I dont know whats going on with the USPS these days, but its not good. Its a huge reason why I decided to quit sending submissions to grading companies. Too afraid I wont get my merchandise back.
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
If the card had been 250+ it would have gone to authentication first and seller would have been fine.
That said I received a retaped package recently. Card had been pilfered , I bet seller did not believe me as i was blocked.
I've been on ebay as a buyer for 27 years and have near 5 figs in feedback, guess the seller figure my long con was to get that $40 non Sports card from him without paying
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Thanks. FYI, you can't block or even lookup that username with caps on. The correct version is w/ lowercase
at this point I fear shipping big cards. While i have not lost any personally, I have been hearing too many horror stories. I am also not doing any big transactions on socials anymore. too many scammers and no recourse. PP has been flakey of late with G&S. I have made some pretty big transactions on facebook in years past (over 5 figures) but just dont have the nerve anymore.
I do trust the Ebay authentication system, but i do not trust shipping. I dont see myself sending any big cards out to grading anytime soon either because of this.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I've had great luck buying and selling on facebook.
The key is to join the groups and lurk for a while. You'll be able to find the regulars that you can trust. Whenever someone makes an offer or lists something, I check to see how long they've been a member of the group. If they are real new or even joined that day, I stay away. You can also ask the group for vouches and see who has deals with the person in the past.