This is why "pick 10" auctions for sports cards should be legal on ebay . . .

detroitfan2

Auctions such as this actually violate ebay's choice listing policy.

I've always felt this is among one of ebay's silliest rules, and this auction is a perfect example. $85 for 10 1955 PSA 5 cards is about $15-$20 more than what these cards would typically sell for, and this is for a relatively low feedback seller. As this auction shows, the seller wins, the buyer (apparently) is happy, and ebay makes out with more fees.

I'm still in disbelief that these "choose 10" type auctions can "create a bad buying experience", but this crap is allowed to continue.

That is all, just needed to get that off my chest.

-Tom (detroitfan2)

gemint

I think the reason they have a policy against it is not only for the grab bag type auctions but for those where you can get either a very valuable card or junk. It's borderline gambling with the seller possibly never intending to give out the money cards. Perhaps they can make an exception for auctions that don't hide the possible winning cards (such as grab bags), where the buyer gets to select the cards they want and the cards are all of similar value. The 1955 auction you linked would meet this criteria.

detroitfan2

<<I think the reason they have a policy against it is not only for the grab bag type auctions but for those where you can get either a very valuable card or junk. It's borderline gambling with the seller possibly never intending to give out the money cards. Perhaps they can make an exception for auctions that don't hide the possible winning cards (such as grab bags), where the buyer gets to select the cards they want and the cards are all of similar value. The 1955 auction you linked would meet this criteria. >>

Just to be clear, as gemmint mentions, I am talking specifically about an auction that clearly lists a number of cards from a given set and allows the buyer to purchase a specified number (such as 10) of the cards from the list. I was doing this for a while with Heritage SPs. I'd list my duplicates and clearly state that the buyer could choose any 10 from the list, and the auctions were pulled. Yet the grab bag dutch stuff is allowed to continue.

TZAHL

That is a choice auction. It would be pulled if reported. I had mine pulled all the time. I don't know who would choose to report them, but they are 'illegal', but I don't think they should be.

Knopfler

I have done quite a few of the pick 10 auctions. Most of them complete, but some are pulled. The ones that are mainly pulled are for the current year, I guess it's other sellers reporting them to lower competition. Anyway, I have sent quite a few emails to Ebay about the subject and from the responses I have received, it seems that they don't care if the buyer gets great cards or junk. What they ARE very worried about is the seller selling additional cards beyond the 10 to the buyer with listing them on Ebay. In short, they are concerned that they might lose some seller fees. They don't take into account the higher fees they get from most pick auctions. A couple of tips if you want to put up some pick 10 auctions:

Don't use the word "pick", "choose", "any", etc. in your title. Only in the description.
Don't do a 7 or 10 day auction, do a 3 or 5 day auction.
Don't list the option to buy additional cards in the description.
Don't do auctions for current year cards if possible, at least not right when they are released.

And don't worry if you get auctions pulled, I have had probably 20 or 30 pulled by EBay and have never received any further punishment from Ebay besides the pulling of the listing. Good luck.

TZAHL

You didn't have to take the 'online tutorial' of why choice auctions are putting ebay out of business?

That tutorial really got to me. I totally see their point (sc)

jradke4

what are the odd I get a Favre auto in my envelope. none. they wouldnt fit.

Knopfler

Yeah, you're right. I did receive the Tutorial sentencing.