Liquidating Massive Collection

unclebob

A friend has a gi-normous collection of cards.

I'm looking to jumpstart my ebay collectible store.

We have talked about making a deal, but it is so massive that it is hard to come up with a value.

I was thinking of approaching them with a consignment offer.

I do all the pictures, listing, packing, shipping, collecting, returns, hassles... they supply the material.

What would be a good split minus fees?

Is 50/50 too much to ask?

Sold alot of cameras, coins, and other clutter but never cards.

Thanks in advance...

Dboneesq

There are good sellers on eBay that would give your friend about 85% of the GROSS sales.

mygotta

50/50 of the net sale would be a nice set up.

zep33

Don't forget to consider the tax liability

Mapleleaf

<< <i>50/50 of the net sale would be a nice set up. >>



For the seller maybe. Probstein and PWCC get top dollar and charge only a few percent above ebay fees and get top dollar for the cards.
If it's a friend, I would direct them to either or both of those sellers.

unclebob

I'm thinking of a tiered approach based on sales figures.

I think starting with 25 lots a week in the beginning... using .01 to .99 cent auctions.

In our off season, I could almost make it a fulltime job and boost that substantially.

I could live with 15% if the volume was there....

Got to come up with some weekly figure minus ebay fees...

ChiefsFan1st

<< <i>There are good sellers on eBay that would give your friend about 85% of the GROSS sales. >>



This is correct. But it depends in what we are talking about. Is it 10000000 1989 Topps or older
raw or graded. Is it a lot of junk sprinkled in with a few "good ones"?

Whatever is being sold will dictate what fees are worthy.

unclebob

<< <i>

<< <i>50/50 of the net sale would be a nice set up. >>



For the seller maybe. Probstein and PWCC get top dollar and charge only a few percent above ebay fees and get top dollar for the cards.
If it's a friend, I would direct them to either or both of those sellers. >>



Thank you for the guidance. I will mention this to them as well.

unclebob

<< <i>

<< <i>There are good sellers on eBay that would give your friend about 85% of the GROSS sales. >>



This is correct. But it depends in what we are talking about. Is it 10000000 1989 Topps or older
raw or graded. Is it a lot of junk sprinkled in with a few "good ones"?

Whatever is being sold will dictate what fees are worthy. >>



I get the impression they are all raw. Accumulated over the years from various sources. A staggering quantity was quoted.

The owner had some reservations based on not knowing what actually might be in the hoard. Without either of us getting ripped, I'll approach her about consigning a hundred select cards to start the ball rolling.

70ToppsFanatic

Rick (Probstein) and/or Brent (PWCC) are proabably your best options. Their results are strong, their consignment fees are reasonable
and they are set up to do volume listings.

Perhaps sent each of them 250-500 "lots" and see how each does. They cater to slightly different markets, so you might find that each
might be best for certain types of cards.

fergie23

What years are the cards? If the collection is ungraded you might want to look at grading some of the better cards. The 50/50 fee is not necessarily unreasonable depending on the amount of effort you expend to maximize sales, however you are probably better off using a graduated percentage based on final selling price. Getting 50% of a raw common that sells for $1.60 is fair (to me) but 50% of a $750 mid-grade Mantle would be a bit excessive. To maximize sales you will want to look at grading where appropriate, individually listing commons with BINs rather than $.99 auctions, using Terapeak to research and price listings, etc. Probstein or PWCC probably are not the best bet to maximize the value of an ungraded collection.

Robb

dennis07

If the majority of the cards turn out to be 1986- 1992 baseball then you should consider politely declining your involvement.

1980scollector

I would go through the collection and make him a reasonable cash offer(depending on the hours it will take to sell it, ship it, answer questions etc).


If you don't have the cash to buy it all, I would offer to buy it in "take down" lots.


Where you buy a certain amount a week until it's gone.


The other option is to sell it on consignment. I would suggest 10% after ebay fees(paid by the seller).


However, the last thing I would do is find a deal where I can make a profit and hand it to Probstein/PWCC for free unless I had no desire to do it myself.

jmmiller777

<< <i>I would go through the collection and make him a reasonable cash offer(depending on the hours it will take to sell it, ship it, answer questions etc).


If you don't have the cash to buy it all, I would offer to buy it in "take down" lots.


Where you buy a certain amount a week until it's gone.


The other option is to sell it on consignment. I would suggest 10% after ebay fees(paid by the seller).


However, the last thing I would do is find a deal where I can make a profit and hand it to Probstein/PWCC for free unless I had no desire to do it myself. >>



I like the take down lot idea of buying several thousand a week. However, I would also adhere to what was suggested earlier; avoid 86-92 stock.

3BoyzTrading

This is easy, look over what she has, tell her you'll do it 50/50, wheel and deal with Probstein, have her mail it to him, in lots that make sense(you do the work here) and take 35% from what he sends you.