To Sell or Not to Sell?

NewJerseyMeatHook

Any longtime eBayers have opinions regarding selling through Christmas/Holidays?

Or is one better off simply taking a break?

Input would be appreciated . . .

Thanks,
Rick

SDavid

I think it's better to not have anything 'big' end between the 20th and the 1st. The sales are worse, IMO, plus the holidays are hectic enough without having to deal with ebay.

lawnmowerman

Rick, IMO I would wai till after the holidays. I am sure the die hard buyers always check out ebay regardless of what time of year it is but it seems everyone is so busy with family and buying other stuff it might be a slow time for sellers. Just my 2 pennies.

Matt

detroitfan2

I agree that ending items between Dec 20 and Christmas might not be a good idea.

However, I am convinced that having auctions that end from Thanksgiving to around now (mid-December) are very successful. My birthday is late November, and every year I get some spending cash from my mom and dad. I have the hardest time spending that money in December because prices seem to be higher than usual. Also, my dad tends to be working one or more vintage sets at any given time, and I'm always on the hook to pick up some cards for my mom to give my dad for Christmas. Last year, I was buying mid-grade 1956 stars like Clemente and Williams. I know they were going for more than they do during the year.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I think the Christmas shopping season is a good time to sell raw cards, especially stars. I think there's more people who are not educated in the card buying business who "impulse buy" during the holidays (i.e. people who will spend more on a raw card that the seller claims is near mint than they would if they'd buy a PSA 5 version which is guaranteed to be real and unaltered).

I'm not sure what to think about the time from Christmas to New Year's. Personally, I have a lot more free time to "play with my cards", which includes surfing ebay during this time. Again, anyone who gets me a Christmas gift (mom & dad) know that I'd rather have cash to buy cards than just about any other gift, so that's what I tend to get. On the downside, the Christmas bills are due, so money tends to be short.

All I know is I've been trying like crazy to use that PayPal 10% off coupon before it expires, and it doesn't look like it's going to happen. All my recent purchases have been in the $20 range, and I'm losing the ones that I tend to win even though I'm bidding 10% higher than I normally would. Every year about now, I swear I'm going to buy "affordable" graded high profile cards throughout the year and list them on ebay with a buy-it-now price that realizes a modest profit during early December, but I never do it. Sorry for rambling . . .

Allen

I agree with the free time theory. I do my Christmas shopping, cram for exams and can't wait to get a break. I try to lounge around and mess with cards as much as I can. Nothing beats spending the textbook buyback money and Christmas cash on eBay. I did well with a highend PSA/DNA Mantle Maris Auto near Christams last year.

kingraider75

I would say it's a pain to sell right now. If you have to send anything with signature confirmation, or some other special service, you have to stand in line. Also, buyers say it takes too long for them to get their items. Plus, the prices seem to go down a little bit also. So, I agree with the board.

zef204

<< <i>I would say it's a pain to sell right now. If you have to send anything with signature confirmation, or some other special service, you have to stand in line. Also, buyers say it takes too long for them to get their items. Plus, the prices seem to go down a little bit also. So, I agree with the board. >>

I agree with the board too, but you can always print postage thru paypal with delivery conf and never have to stand in line.