High Guys, New Member, need some advice.

MurphDawg

I've got a rather large card and memorabilia collection that was my fathers, and I am trying to sell it for my mom (no joke). My questions are concerning what are the best ways to sell this large collection to realize the most profit. I do not have any experience selling on e-bay and from what I understand in order to get the best bids there, you definetely need to have lots of feedback or be an experienced seller (plus I don't have the time or know-how in order to set-up and run these auctions) I do feel like I know a good bit about the hobby and I definitely understand that I might not necessarily get full SMR for all these cards, but I have quite a few high-end vintage cards that should go for a good bit. I've had about 20-25 of the high-end vintage cards sent in and graded by PSA and some have turned out well. I looked into consigning the highest-value graded cards to an experienced dealer and then selling the rest of the raw cards some other way. But I don't like the fact of having to pay 15-20% to someone just to sell the card for me. One card in particular that I sent in and was graded was a 1957 Topps Mantle which got a PSA 8. Now SMR on this card is something like 2,000 or 2,200, and hopefully it would get around this much on e-bay auction, but I couldn't really stomach the thought of paying someone $350-$400 just for listing this one card, not to mention the rest of the cards. Any advice on a better way to do this which won't end up costing me a fortune and eating into the profits. I don't mind paying someone, but that 15-20% seems high. Would I be better consigning to a big auction company, to an individual dealer (or selling to an individual), trying to sell them on e-bay myself (not really an option)? The vintage collection is about 1,500 cards from '52 Topps through '60 Topps. Most of the cards are in good shape. Also, there is a large memorabilia collection including about 50-70 signed baseballs, lots of HOF'ers. In particular there are about (3) Dimaggio balls, (5-6) Mantle balls, (5-6) Ted Williams balls, and many more. Should I have the highest valued baseballs sent in for PSA/DNA cert.? Or should I just try and sell them raw? (The prices to have baseballs authenticated look to be rather high)? Also, is there anyone who will buy or consign all of the cards and memorabilia together, because I would rather not have to sell everything piece-meal? Who are the best and most reputable people to deal with? Any honest advice that anyone can give me would be much appreciated. I am not an expert, so I know you guys have more knowledge about this than I do. Thanks

Southsider

Consider that the fees you'll pay to an auction house or dealer (you can do better than 15-20%) are more than made up for that in advertising, increased bids, and ease of administration. As a low-feedback seller on ebay you won't get nearly the action or high bid prices that an established dealer will.

I just had 60+ auctions end on Sunday and I wish I had someone else handling all the packaging, invoices, etc. It is quite a pain and worth paying for in some circumstances.

dgbaseball

MurphDawg

Check your private messages.

Dave

qualitycards

MURPH - I do consignments on eBay, if you want to Email, call or PM we can discuss it further....jay

baseballfanatic

I dont know of any large auction house that would take a lot like that. Ron Oser used to do "mish mosh" lots, and with pretty good success, but since he went with Mastro, those days have been long gone. The most important thing is to have patience. You will have a ton of people making offers coming out of the woodwork. Everyone that will be making an offer is doing so with a profit margin in mind. In order to eliminate the middleman and make your own profit, just take it one slow step at a time. Join PSA and get free submissions. Look up what a certain card is worth in its condition and use your own judgement if it is worth it to have it graded. Take one ball and have it graded. The three stars that you mention should easily cover the postage and grading fees and leave you with a nice profit. If you had a 57 Mantle come back an 8, even with no feedback, you would easily turn over a nice profit. There are known scams of people with little or no feedback, or even excessive negative feedback, and they consistantly garner top prices. Once you slowly build up your feedback, then you can start to sell nice ungraded cards or small lots. If you want to maximize your profits, the ONLY way you can do it is by yourself, so take your time, use common sense and open up an account to start socking away your profits....

CDsNuts

Sell the cheaper items first in many separate lots and build up your positive feedback that way. Once you get over 100 rating with 100% positive, people will normally bid with confidence.

Lee

Treetop

Matt,

Are you Matt Murphy the DJ that calls himself the "mouth of the south"?

Thanks
MKW

Davemri

If your looking for a good consigner, look no further than Jay. He is as good as they come.

dave

softparade

I have dealt with Jay in the past on a couple of cards, plus I have noticed him around in other places and have very good reason to believe the guy is TOP NOTCH.
I would contact him if I were you...

Dan

Stone193

<< <i>High Guys, New Member, need some advice >>




Welcome Murph!

Boy, did that thread title give me the wrong impression!

Good luck selling the stuff and I will say, as a long time collector, Jay aka "Qalitycards" is the right choice!

mike

softparade

I have been to many hippie fests Mike, that bowl does not impress me

MorrellMan

Another vote for Jay; he's the best.



<< <i> But I don't like the fact of having to pay 15-20% to someone just to sell the card for me....I don't mind paying someone, but that 15-20% seems high. >>



My suggestin: get over it. Whatever the rake is, you're not only paying someone to sell the card, you're paying for his built-in exposure, hobby credibilty, knowledge and marketing ability, not to mention all the time consuming labor involved in pricing, posting, fielding questions, resolving issues, collecting funds, packaging, shipping - I can't stress strongly enough: Get over it. "Maximizing" profits is not the same as keeping all the money for yourself. I could be wrong, but I suspect that handling this sale by yourself will produce less revenue with a lot more investment of time and frustration on your part.

NewJerseyMeatHook

I've roasted many bowls larger than that one, too, Mike!!

jackstraw

I would go with Jay also! I have dealt with him a few times and he is a pro at packaging, scanning and selling on Ebay !

mtcards

No matter what you do, if you decide to sell it yourself, do NOT say in your auction you are selling it for your mom. Most people see that as a scam in the making.

MurphDawg

Thanks for all the good advice guys. I've had some good suggestions and contacts from many of you.

MtCards, I appreciate the heads-up, but I really am selling this stuff for my mom (I would honestly like to hang on to all of it, but it's technically not mine anyways), this was my father's collection, and he passed away from cancer about 5-6 months ago. And obviously she doesn't know the first thing about handling something like this so it's up to me. Not giving you a sob story or trying to pull a scam on anyone, that's just the God's-honest truth, so believe what you wanna believe.

pandrews

MurphDawg

Guys one more quick question related to earlier post, I have about 40-50 Exhibit cards, I think they are from mid to late '50's or so, includes a Mantle, Mays, and lots of other stars and HOF'ers. Any idea what these are worth, if anything? I can't seem to find much info on them. Thanks

baseballfanatic

<< <i>Thanks for all the good advice guys. I've had some good suggestions and contacts from many of you.

MtCards, I appreciate the heads-up, but I really am selling this stuff for my mom (I would honestly like to hang on to all of it, but it's technically not mine anyways), this was my father's collection, and he passed away from cancer about 5-6 months ago. And obviously she doesn't know the first thing about handling something like this so it's up to me. Not giving you a sob story or trying to pull a scam on anyone, that's just the God's-honest truth, so believe what you wanna believe. >>



Dont take what Mt said the wrong way. If you are going to sell it yourself, Ebay is loaded with auctions that say "Father had heart attack-all cards must go". When people read these things in an auction, most knowledgable card collectors immediately smell "scam" and stay away. I'm sorry to hear about your father, but many Ebay scam artists stoop to any low or lie to try and make money. Just come across as you know what you are talking about, give honest descriptions, and you should be fine. BTW, the exhibits dont carry much bang for the buck since there have been scores of hoardes of them found. Most will bring about 3.00-5.00, but all you need is two people wanting the same card. Sometimes they sell best in groups of 4 with a star and 3 commons as a lot.....

softparade

PA, I am now offically impressed! Woooo Hooooo

mtcards

Dawg- Like someone said earlier, I wasnt trying to imply you were scamming, just that there are literally thousands of ebay auctions that start out with the life events you are describing in their auction title and/or description. Most experienced ebayers will see that as a "Look Out" even though you are running an honest auction.

rbdjr1

<< <i>

<< <i>High Guys, New Member, need some advice >>




Welcome Murph!

Boy, did that thread title give me the wrong impression!

Good luck selling the stuff and I will say, as a long time collector, Jay aka "Qalitycards" is the right choice!

mike >>



Yes, most definately consign your items.

Remember "May day is jay day!" But do not wait until May! You do not need the huge hassle of trying to "do it yourself!" CONSIGN!

rbd

P.S. Forget that bowl! Sprinkle some of his ashes in the bong, along with some of that real special stuff! I promise he will stay with you always in ways I can't even begin to explain here! btw, seriously Murph, I lost my dad, who succumb to cancer two years ago, so I can feel some of your pain! I agree with most who have posted here, consign! I hope you do well with dad's collection, and hope those funds help you and your mother? Good luck!

edit: p_a, ahhh, never mind, I just forgot what I wanted to write...

DirtyHarry

Welcome and good luck with your endeavor. I am not as expert as many of the esteemed members of this board. I have to say that during the time I have visited here....there has been nothing but kudos from members dealing with Jays Cards. In addition, his input is always highly professional. I don't know him, never had a dealing with him....but respect him and everthing posted about his business.

You cringe at "fees", but as pointed out, you must realize that items will sell at greater value when handled by a reputable, professional source. This, in essense, negates the "fees."

If you feel you know what you are doing, and can research values and write compelling descriptions for Ebay auctions...then seek out an Ebay sellers assistant with an established account who will do it for you on a flat rate. Provide them the goods and descriptions..and they can handle it from there. But I think the above option is a better idea. Regards.