(2) Ebay Executives flew here for a meeting this morning ( they just left ) .... nice people , we had a nice meeting.... they gestured that there might be some flexibility on the 9%...the "suits " are still working it out... I think they came here to assess the potential fall out....
meanwhile , I have a meeting on monday to discuss designing my own web site so we can be up within 10 days....
we'll see how this one plays out....that's the skinny....
<< <i>Great. Looking forward to conducting business through you, Rick, regardless of the course you take.
Best of luck! >>
Yeah me to,got another box ready to go,gonna wait and see if I should jump in on new website or just continue to go ebay route and smash some more vcp prices,like the Ray guy last week,very nice!
The Biggest hurdle is getting a wide enough customer base to support the wide array of stuff that probstein sells. Most of the successful non-auction ebay auctions houses and websites have a bit more of a niche, and they focus their attention on certain types of buyers. Currently probstein offers everything under the sun and I don't think he will be able to do that going foward and remain successful.
www.sportsnutcards.com Specializing in Certified Autograph Cards, Rookies, Rare Inserts and other quality modern cards! Over 8000 Cards in stock now! Come visit our physical store located at 1210 Main St. Belmar ,NJ
<< <i>Not so sure about that. His reputation is what attracts people toward doing business with him. >>
I think people who have this perspective are overlooking one major factor. MANY of his auctions are seen by people (like myself) doing various due diligence "searches" on ebay and running into his listings, and not necessarily religiously looking at his updated listings twice a day or whatever. >>
I agree. I do buy from Probstein frequently, but it's never because I check "the seller's items". It's usually because he has a card that showed up during my search of a player or a set.
I think people who have this perspective are overlooking one major factor. MANY of his auctions are seen by people (like myself) doing various due diligence "searches" on ebay and running into his listings, and not necessarily religiously looking at his updated listings twice a day or whatever. >>
Im just like you, I dont search Ricks auctions but I stumble upen them often. Maybe I should though, I missed out on a Hugh Douglas PSA 10 a while back that he had.
I can say I've never had a bad experience with Probstein. Bought several cards. eBay is just so {{insert word that starts with F and ends with D here}} , they screw up everything. It's almost as if eBay sets out to screw every seller at least once, never caring to correct a problem, and often using draconian methods against many sellers. I no longer sell on eBay, haven't since 2009. Don't miss it, don't need it. I'll buy, but I wouldn't sell if the eBay genie showed up at my door with Johnny Walker Black and a $3000 check. Not worth the trouble IMO.
Yes we find rick's cards on searches. Mostly thru ebay emails. That he will lose.
However I can do a search and find a card I might like to buy....once I find either Probstein or pwcc I then search thier auctions.
Both seem to have what I want and usually in auction format...not excessive BIN pieces that can only sell to someone who has to have it NOW.
I think both have built great reputations and following to break away.
So good luck building your steel mill mr. Carnegie
One thing I might add for rick...have a great search engine that we can find specific cards. 4SC has one. Maybe be able to email customers from a 'want list.'
In reality although Rick may be a major player in sports cards and memorbilia he's probably not a drop in the bucket vs the big picture of ebay so they may not want to be willing to bend.
Bend for one you set a prescendence to bend for two.
I'll buy either way. But certainly hope Rick can venture off ebay.
Collecting PSA... FB,BK,HK,and BB HOF RC sets 1948-76 Topps FB Sets FB & BB HOF Player sets 1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
Still confused why folks think that an online store will work for Rick. How many of those record prices were achieved via BIN vs auction? Looking at his sales history in eBay he sold ~28k items via auction and ~5k items via BIN. People are more likely to set record prices when bidding on an auction where it will only be a record as a worst case scenario (ie their bid gets maxed or close to it) but they are hoping to get the item for less. As far as I can tell BIN/fixed price sales don't have the same effect, there is no chance of getting the item for under your "max" price. I think this helps explain why you sometimes see auctions end for higher than the same item available at BIN. I certainly think it is worth a shot for Rick to try out the online store model but I fail to see how it will work out for him. How many of his consignors are going to be happy waiting for an item to finally sell vs the short turnaround for auction listings? In the end Rick needs eBay far more than eBay needs Rick. I do wish him the best of luck if he abandons eBay.
If PWCC's recent auction results are any indication, I don't see Brent abandoning ebay anytime soon. I would agree with Robb that Rick needs ebay more than they need him, and that Rick's sales results will suffer should he conduct all his listings through his own site.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Prices resulting from this new higher demand and record sales will more than offset ebay's ridiculous fee raise. Not only that, but if they stay on ebay, they will likely see their business increase, as more sellers may send stuff to consignment rather than deal with ebay's climbing fees and mistreatment of sellers
<< <i>Prices resulting from this new higher demand and record sales will more than offset ebay's ridiculous fee raise. Not only that, but if they stay on ebay, they will likely see their business increase, as more sellers may send stuff to consignment rather than deal with ebay's climbing fees and mistreatment of sellers >>
I think the fees will just cause more sellers to park items as BIN's, allowing them to pass on the fees. Either that, or shill their auctions and pass it off that way. Bottom line - serious sellers are going to want more control over the final tally mark as the fees for valuable items increases.
Probably won't have much of an effect on casual sellers, who were already paying the 9% fvf. Ultimately, though, I expect ebay to become even more of a bore than it was already. Hopefully, another player will emerge, but as storm pointed out numerous times it isn't likely.
Personally, I have no horses in this race, but I do think the horse track stinks!
There is an ebay seller that I have purchased from on multiple occasions. The first time I used a BIN. Included with the card was a business card stating to contact him for other types of purchases. I contacted him and received discounts on all my future buys as long as I did not buy using ebay or pay using Paypal. In the last year I have spent about $3000 with this seller. My point being is I think Rick or Brent could do the same, basically using ebay as an advertising tool. 4SC already does this.
One other thought, as large as Brent & Rick are, if they worked together, maybe along with a few other large ebay sellers such as San Diego Collectibles, they could have a pretty good starting clientele to a new sports auction avenue.
There's an element that is being missed here. This egregious move will cut down eBay's volume in collectible sales.
As a collector, I've been buying and selling '53 Bowmans on eBay for 14 years, but unless feeBay shifts on this, it takes me out.
We know the fee increase is just going to be passed on to the sellers/collectors, anyway. To compensate, all BIN sellers will ask quite a bit more for their cards, and in turn, collectible activity on Ebay will slow down sales considerably.
Collectors will find other more efficient sources to buy and sell their cards.
With this move, they take me out of it completely, both as a buyer and a seller . It won't be worth my time to sit here bidding on auctions or trolling for reasonable buy it now listings, as eBay will get the lion's share of any resale.
<< <i>One way to look at it is that a customer who accounts for about 0.0035% of a company's revenue is pretty much inconsequential. The other way to look at it would be that the $0.5 million or so that Probstein provides ebay pretty falls straight to the bottom line and no business likes to let a half a million dollars of profit walk out the door. Even still, it's all too obvious that Probstein needs ebay a lot more than ebay needs Probstein. However, I wish his business well regardless of what form it takes. >>
Don't forget that ebay will also lose all of the paypal fees associated with those ebay transactions. Perhaps another $200K? So now, their exposure may be approaching $700K. No company is going to just turn its back on a $700K potential hit to the bottom line. That's why ebay had a couple of reps come out to visit him.
Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all "right-thinking" people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
effective May 1st, 2013 , these are Probstein123's consignment rates for ebay ....
over $2500 , you get 90% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $1000-$2499 , you get 89% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw 100-$999 , you get 88% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $50-99 , you get 87% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $25-49 , you get 86% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $10-$25 , you get 85% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) below $10 , you get charged $1.00 per auction plus 8% of the final sales price
** We have a staff of 13 people and can handle voume , but posting priority is given to high dollar items and slabbed items.
for shipping: Probstein123 PO BOX 1079 Clifton NJ 07014
Please call me anytime to discuss your collection/consignments... thanks rick 973 747 6304
Yes, those rates are actually not too shabby at all, especially considering the potential increases we were expecting to see. This is good for both buying and selling.
This is where most of the action take place, at least for the common collector of graded cards:
100-$999 , you get 88% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
This is actually in line with PWCC's current rates of $200-$500 at 12.5% and $500-$1000 at 11%. Not much of a change.
Those rates are great Rick! Glad to see you were able to reason with "the Bob's". ==> thanks, so far the reaction has been very positive...I think Brent updated his site with his new rates as well... Consignors to both PWCC and Probstein123 will be very happy....
I think these rates will make everyone happy compared to the alternatives
effective May 1st, 2013 , these are Probstein123's consignment rates for ebay ....
over $2500 , you get 90% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $1000-$2499 , you get 89% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw 100-$999 , you get 88% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $50-99 , you get 87% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $25-49 , you get 86% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) btw $10-$25 , you get 85% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees ) below $10 , you get charged $1.00 per auction plus 8% of the final sales price
Nice looking V1; however, how are you different from the many other auction houses out there? Same or similar 19% buyer's commission, 30 minute rule (so no sniping), etc.
Also, will you be hiring a copy writer to enhance your descriptions?
Comments
(2) Ebay Executives flew here for a meeting this morning ( they just left ) ....
nice people , we had a nice meeting....
they gestured that there might be some flexibility on the 9%...the "suits " are still working it out...
I think they came here to assess the potential fall out....
meanwhile , I have a meeting on monday to discuss designing my own web site so we can be up within 10 days....
we'll see how this one plays out....that's the skinny....
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
Best of luck!
<< <i>Great. Looking forward to conducting business through you, Rick, regardless of the course you take.
Best of luck! >>
Yeah me to,got another box ready to go,gonna wait and see if I
should jump in on new website or just continue to go ebay route and
smash some more vcp prices,like the Ray guy last week,very nice!
Needs'
1972 Football-9's high#'s
1965 Football-8's
1958 Topps FB-7-8
Specializing in Certified Autograph Cards, Rookies, Rare Inserts and other quality modern cards! Over 8000 Cards in stock now! Come visit our physical store located at 1210 Main St. Belmar ,NJ
<< <i>
<< <i>Not so sure about that. His reputation is what attracts people toward doing business with him. >>
I think people who have this perspective are overlooking one major factor. MANY of his auctions are seen by people (like myself) doing various due diligence "searches" on ebay and running into his listings, and not necessarily religiously looking at his updated listings twice a day or whatever. >>
I agree. I do buy from Probstein frequently, but it's never because I check "the seller's items". It's usually because he has a card that showed up during my search of a player or a set.
Justin
Retired - Eddie Mathews Master Registry Set (96.36%) Rank 1
Im just like you, I dont search Ricks auctions but I stumble upen them often. Maybe I should though, I missed out on a Hugh Douglas PSA 10 a while back that he had.
Sure, setup a new site. See how that goes.
==> don't forget about Johnny Walker Green, Gold and Blue !!!
Johnny Walker Blue is quite smooth
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
<< <i>eBay is just so {{insert word that starts with F and ends with D here}} >>
Fjord?
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
However I can do a search and find a card I might like to buy....once I find either Probstein or pwcc I then search thier auctions.
Both seem to have what I want and usually in auction format...not excessive BIN pieces that can only sell to someone who has to have it NOW.
I think both have built great reputations and following to break away.
So good luck building your steel mill mr. Carnegie
One thing I might add for rick...have a great search engine that we can find specific cards. 4SC has one. Maybe be able to email customers from a 'want list.'
In reality although Rick may be a major player in sports cards and memorbilia he's probably not a drop in the bucket vs the big picture of ebay so they may not want to be willing to bend.
Bend for one you set a prescendence to bend for two.
I'll buy either way. But certainly hope Rick can venture off ebay.
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
I certainly think it is worth a shot for Rick to try out the online store model but I fail to see how it will work out for him. How many of his consignors are going to be happy waiting for an item to finally sell vs the short turnaround for auction listings? In the end Rick needs eBay far more than eBay needs Rick. I do wish him the best of luck if he abandons eBay.
Robb
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Not only that, but if they stay on ebay, they will likely see their business increase, as more sellers may send stuff to consignment rather than deal with ebay's climbing fees and mistreatment of sellers
if they increase to 9% flat, my bill would exceed 80K a month...
that's a huge increase....
I do think ebay is gonna come back with a counter offer to the 9%
I'll keep you posted, should happen later this week....
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
<< <i>Prices resulting from this new higher demand and record sales will more than offset ebay's ridiculous fee raise.
Not only that, but if they stay on ebay, they will likely see their business increase, as more sellers may send stuff to consignment rather than deal with ebay's climbing fees and mistreatment of sellers >>
I think the fees will just cause more sellers to park items as BIN's, allowing them to pass on the fees. Either that, or shill their auctions and pass it off that way. Bottom line - serious sellers are going to want more control over the final tally mark as the fees for valuable items increases.
Probably won't have much of an effect on casual sellers, who were already paying the 9% fvf. Ultimately, though, I expect ebay to become even more of a bore than it was already. Hopefully, another player will emerge, but as storm pointed out numerous times it isn't likely.
There is an ebay seller that I have purchased from on multiple occasions. The first time I used a BIN. Included with the card was a business card stating to contact him for other types of purchases. I contacted him and received discounts on all my future buys as long as I did not buy using ebay or pay using Paypal. In the last year I have spent about $3000 with this seller. My point being is I think Rick or Brent could do the same, basically using ebay as an advertising tool. 4SC already does this.
One other thought, as large as Brent & Rick are, if they worked together, maybe along with a few other large ebay sellers such as San Diego Collectibles, they could have a pretty good starting clientele to a new sports auction avenue.
<< <i>we paid ebay 41K in ebay fees in March...
if they increase to 9% flat, my bill would exceed 80K a month...
that's a huge increase....
I do think ebay is gonna come back with a counter offer to the 9%
I'll keep you posted, should happen later this week.... >>
You seem to have helped your situation with the discussions, I wonder how Brent has fared through all of this?
eBay Store
Greg Maddux #1 Master SetGreg Maddux #2 Basic Set
<< <i>
<< <i>we paid ebay 41K in ebay fees in March...
if they increase to 9% flat, my bill would exceed 80K a month...
that's a huge increase....
I do think ebay is gonna come back with a counter offer to the 9%
I'll keep you posted, should happen later this week.... >>
You seem to have helped your situation with the discussions, I wonder how Brent has fared through all of this? >>
I hope Rick or PWCC can catch a break with there discussions. If not I expect to see a jump in collectors selling there own cards.
As a collector, I've been buying and selling '53 Bowmans on eBay for 14 years, but unless feeBay shifts on this, it takes me out.
We know the fee increase is just going to be passed on to the sellers/collectors, anyway. To compensate, all BIN sellers will ask quite a bit more for their cards, and in turn, collectible activity on Ebay will slow down sales considerably.
Collectors will find other more efficient sources to buy and sell their cards.
With this move, they take me out of it completely, both as a buyer and a seller . It won't be worth my time to sit here bidding on auctions or trolling for reasonable buy it now listings, as eBay will get the lion's share of any resale.
My wife will be happy, but I'll miss it.
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
<< <i>Does Rick or anyone have any updated news regarding the fees? >>
I was wondering this also. PWCC web page has no updates. Hope something gets worked out.
<< <i>One way to look at it is that a customer who accounts for about 0.0035% of a company's revenue is pretty much inconsequential. The other way to look at it would be that the $0.5 million or so that Probstein provides ebay pretty falls straight to the bottom line and no business likes to let a half a million dollars of profit walk out the door. Even still, it's all too obvious that Probstein needs ebay a lot more than ebay needs Probstein. However, I wish his business well regardless of what form it takes. >>
Don't forget that ebay will also lose all of the paypal fees associated with those ebay transactions. Perhaps another $200K? So now, their exposure may be approaching $700K. No company is going to just turn its back on a $700K potential hit to the bottom line. That's why ebay had a couple of reps come out to visit him.
This is known as “bad luck.”
over $2500 , you get 90% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $1000-$2499 , you get 89% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw 100-$999 , you get 88% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $50-99 , you get 87% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $25-49 , you get 86% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $10-$25 , you get 85% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
below $10 , you get charged $1.00 per auction plus 8% of the final sales price
** We have a staff of 13 people and can handle voume , but posting priority is given to high dollar items and slabbed items.
for shipping:
Probstein123
PO BOX 1079
Clifton NJ 07014
Please call me anytime to discuss your collection/consignments...
thanks
rick
973 747 6304
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
Does the $2,500.00 pertain to one item, or can it be multiple items ?
thanks
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
This is where most of the action take place, at least for the common collector of graded cards:
100-$999 , you get 88% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
This is actually in line with PWCC's current rates of $200-$500 at 12.5% and $500-$1000 at 11%. Not much of a change.
Thanks for the info!
==> thanks, so far the reaction has been very positive...I think Brent updated his site with his new rates as well...
Consignors to both PWCC and Probstein123 will be very happy....
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
<< <i>So where's the web site Rick? >>
You should be answering questions, not asking them...
<< <i>
<< <i>So where's the web site Rick? >>
You should be answering questions, not asking them... >>
+1
aconte
<< <i>
Consignors to both PWCC and Probstein123 will be very happy.... >>
Hey Rick,
Were you for real about going with your own website ?
We're you preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best ?
I just felt deep in my bones that you and ebay were going to work this out.
we were prepared to launch our own site ...but that site is on hold for now....
ON HOLD SITE LINKY
I think these rates will make everyone happy compared to the alternatives
effective May 1st, 2013 , these are Probstein123's consignment rates for ebay ....
over $2500 , you get 90% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $1000-$2499 , you get 89% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw 100-$999 , you get 88% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $50-99 , you get 87% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $25-49 , you get 86% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
btw $10-$25 , you get 85% of the sales price ( probstein123 pays all ebay and paypal fees )
below $10 , you get charged $1.00 per auction plus 8% of the final sales price
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
<< <i>
<< <i>So where's the web site Rick? >>
You should be answering questions, not asking them... >>
+1,000,000
Work in progress - Unopened Racks/Cello/Wax with star power for Baseball, Football and Basketball
Collecting unopened 80's boxes and graded packs
I may be hoarding too much 80's junk wax but I like it!
Nice looking V1; however, how are you different from the many other auction houses out there? Same or similar 19% buyer's commission, 30 minute rule (so no sniping), etc.
Also, will you be hiring a copy writer to enhance your descriptions?
hi, the site is a dummy site...we are not launching any auctions on it...
Probstein123 is only selling on Ebay...
Ebay Store:
Probstein123
phone: 973 747 6304
email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com
Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!