Help Pricing Worthless Cards :)
BINatVCP
Posts: 49
Hey all,
Finally managed to get my childhood collection sorted into team lots in an effort to sell 'em. Don't really want to part with them, but really don't want to move them every two years in the Air Force either, and I figure they are better possessed by someone who wants them.
Anyway, not sure how to price them. Each team has about 600-700 cards in it, primarily from 1988-1997, with a few outliers. It hasn't been picked apart; the Yankees set still has all the Jeters, the Mariners set still has all the Griffey's, etc., but there is nothing particularly valuable. Most cards are in near mint or mint condition, and I tried to remove any that were in pitiful condition, though some definitely fall in the more EX-MT range.
My theory is that there won't be many people willing to pay the shipping, but anyone who is will be willing to pay more than $.99, as well. Was thinking about starting the auctions at $3.99 or $4.99. Any thoughts? Also, how much value do you think I lose by failing to put up a picture? Taking and uploading the pictures would take a fair amount of time.
Appreciate any input!
Brad
Finally managed to get my childhood collection sorted into team lots in an effort to sell 'em. Don't really want to part with them, but really don't want to move them every two years in the Air Force either, and I figure they are better possessed by someone who wants them.
Anyway, not sure how to price them. Each team has about 600-700 cards in it, primarily from 1988-1997, with a few outliers. It hasn't been picked apart; the Yankees set still has all the Jeters, the Mariners set still has all the Griffey's, etc., but there is nothing particularly valuable. Most cards are in near mint or mint condition, and I tried to remove any that were in pitiful condition, though some definitely fall in the more EX-MT range.
My theory is that there won't be many people willing to pay the shipping, but anyone who is will be willing to pay more than $.99, as well. Was thinking about starting the auctions at $3.99 or $4.99. Any thoughts? Also, how much value do you think I lose by failing to put up a picture? Taking and uploading the pictures would take a fair amount of time.
Appreciate any input!
Brad
Check out my eBay listings for vintage graded baseball. BIN items are no more than 105% of VCP Average, auctions start at no more than 90% VCP Average. Refunds available on all sales. Buy and bid with confidence! 0
Comments
As far as selling the hundreds of cards. Organized into teams is OK. Make sure you have a good description of what is to expect from the lot. Taking some photos would be nice. Just take a shot of a team bundle and use that on the auction. I would recommend against putting a shipping price. Just make it 1 cent each card shipping included. So, for 700 cards, have an auction for $7 or $6.99 if you prefer and wait. I am not sure if the shipping will be close to that price, but these cards are not really valuable and very difficult to find a buyer.
Donation is also an option because you will be going through a lot of trouble making an ebay auction in which you will be lucky to recoup your postage expenses.
Just out of curiosity, how much would a priority box cost? I think a small size is up to $4.25. You can fit a lot of cards in there if you place them in team bags of 100. Maybe 400ct boxes....I have seen those used in shipping--they are good being light and the right size offering the right protection.
Do the ebay thing if you like to. There is something to be said about building up your feedback rating.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
<< <i>I don't know if this helps, but I moved in August and threw out 100 gallons of cards from those years. If you're going to list on ebay it's going to take a lot of time and effort. Plus not a big market for those out there. You're better off donating them to a little league or a children's hospital. Just my 2 cents. >>
Thanks for the input...I've got more time than money for the next few months, and I've already invested the time to sort the cards, so I'm going to give it a shot. I actually think it would make a great and not terribly expensive Christmas gift for a kid who really likes a specific team. Looking at past eBay sales, lots like this don't come up all that often, so I'm hoping to be able to sell some percentage of the cards...I've already got a friend's nephew lined up for anything that can't sell, but then he's going to have a lopsided collection of only specific teams!
Sports Card Forum
<< <i>I would recommend you keep just a few representative cards that represent your childhood if you haven't already. I understand about unloading the bulk. But I am sure you have room for 400 or less cards that you can put in penny sleeves and store in a 400 ct cardboard box. It is very space efficent and keeps the cards well. Also, its easy to access the cards if you want to relive some memories. You might regret getting rid of everthing. Just my 2 cents.
As far as selling the hundreds of cards. Organized into teams is OK. Make sure you have a good description of what is to expect from the lot. Taking some photos would be nice. Just take a shot of a team bundle and use that on the auction. I would recommend against putting a shipping price. Just make it 1 cent each card shipping included. So, for 700 cards, have an auction for $7 or $6.99 if you prefer and wait. I am not sure if the shipping will be close to that price, but these cards are not really valuable and very difficult to find a buyer.
Donation is also an option because you will be going through a lot of trouble making an ebay auction in which you will be lucky to recoup your postage expenses.
Just out of curiosity, how much would a priority box cost? I think a small size is up to $4.25. You can fit a lot of cards in there if you place them in team bags of 100. Maybe 400ct boxes....I have seen those used in shipping--they are good being light and the right size offering the right protection.
Do the ebay thing if you like to. There is something to be said about building up your feedback rating. >>
DeutscherGeist,
All good advice. I'm keeping all of my White Sox cards, about 1,500. They're really the only ones I would spend any time looking at these days, anyway, and they are a great cross-section of types/eras of cards I have.
I just drew out the dimensions of the smallest USPS flat rate box to make sure, but you would max out at about 400 cards. All of my lots of more than 600, so it's not quite big enough. Next biggest size is $10.70.
Intrigued by your idea of offering it at free shipping but a somewhat increased starting bid. I don't think I'd price it to break even, but might go slightly higher and still do the free shipping. Do you think $9.99 with a free shipping icon is likely to get more traffic/interest than a starting bid of $3.99 and shipping of $5.99?
OK, you put aside what you do not want to part with, so that is good. So, there is no turning back on doing the ebay thing. I understand when one has more time than money, so we won't let your organizing the cards go to waste.
I think the $9.99 starting bid with FREE SHIPPING sounds nice, clean and attractive. The way ebay is organized, you are given stars for shipping, so the trend has been to move to free shipping. you might have only one person bid, and they will take the whole lot at $9.99, which is OK since its not a very high demand item, but there are a select few collectors who really want these things. The bids might go higher for the Yankees, so basically, you will win some lose some.
I like what others suggested about the BST board. They are easy transactions and paypal is used a lot. It is an easier time selling on this board than on Ebay. The problem with Ebay is that there so many fees and logistics to deal with. You have nothing to lose by first testing the waters here before winding up on ebay.
In the meantime, look for boxes that can be used for shipping. The 800 ct boxes will work, or you will just have to be creative and look for small boxes around the house or somewhere.
Good luck with this.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
Good Luck
Jeff