What is the best way to ship 25 factory sets?

frankhardy

I am thinking about listing 25 Topps factory sets from 1986 to 2012 in one large lot on Ebay. What would be the best way to ship?

mb2005

Let the buyer choose (and pay); depending on what they choose, they could end up paying more for shipping than the cards are worth.

LarkinCollector

Personally, I wouldn't even try on eBay, Craigslist/LetGo/ seems like the ideal way to sell something that heavy. What if the buyer opens a SNAD and you end up having to eat shipping both ways?

mtcards

Not going to be a worth endeavor. I have about 25 wax boxes of junk wax baseketball from 1989-1993 and was going to "one lot" the batch and found that shipping is brutal. USPS wouldnt ship anything over 70 lbs, so you would have to go with UPS/Fed Ex if it is under the weight limit or ship as freight which is way too much.

Best way would be to put them in lots and use a flat rate box if possible. I think you can get three in the longer medium box if they are full size sets.

70ToppsFanatic

Local pick up

GoDodgersFan

Total agreement with Craigslist or ebay LOCAL pick-up. Shipping is high and damage is likely.

dennis07

Donating to Goodwill or the like is an option. The tax deduction can come in handy next year. Load up the vehicle and drop off. Done.

frankhardy

Originally posted by: dennis07
Donating to Goodwill or the like is an option. The tax deduction can come in handy next year. Load up the vehicle and drop off. Done.

I think you are vastly underestimating the value. I have Topps Factory Sealed Sets from 1986 to 2012 (only missing 97 and 98). A similar lot on eBay sold for over $1400. Even if I got $1000, I would be ok with that.

My first thought was to break them up into lots of 3 and ship in USPS flat rate boxes, until I saw that listing I was referring. That prompted me to ask how to ship such a large lot. I messaged the seller and he said he shipped via media mail and got by with it. They fit into 2 boxes and they shipped for $30 each. However, baseball cards are not supposed to be shipped via media mail. It is very limited as to what you can shop via media mail.

I will probably sell in lots of 3 or less.

grote15

I would not ship media mail. That is in violation of postal regulations and they can open a media mail package to confirm that bound printed matter is inside. Not worth the risk.



Large flat rate priority box would likely be the most efficient and least costly method to ship.

MULLINS5

Not only is it against postal regulations and subject to inspection, but your box is at a very high risk of being severely abused by the post office.

MULLINS5

Also, if a similar lot sold for about $1400 and you're happy with $1,000 that gives you $400 to play with in shipping costs.



I think the best way is going to be via USPS Priority Mail. Play around with the shipping cost on the flat rate large box vs the standard large priority box to see which is higher.



Best of luck!

Cakes

I would try the BST with pick up only option first.

dennis07

Originally posted by: frankhardy

Originally posted by: dennis07
Donating to Goodwill or the like is an option. The tax deduction can come in handy next year. Load up the vehicle and drop off. Done.

I think you are vastly underestimating the value. I have Topps Factory Sealed Sets from 1986 to 2012 (only missing 97 and 98). A similar lot on eBay sold for over $1400. Even if I got $1000, I would be ok with that.

You are right. I am clearly out of touch.

thebaseballcardkid

Originally posted by: LarkinCollector
Personally, I wouldn't even try on eBay, Craigslist/LetGo/ seems like the ideal way to sell something that heavy. What if the buyer opens a SNAD and you end up having to eat shipping both ways?

Just state that there's a 50% restocking fee.

Estil

Some people like myself enjoy collecting all the Topps and other sets from a particular era. And a run of Topps sets have always been popular just like those in coins who want to do a whole set of a particular coin (like Lincoln cents or something). Not everyone can be a high roller you know

thebaseballcardkid

Originally posted by: Estil
Some people like myself enjoy collecting all the Topps and other sets from a particular era. And a run of Topps sets have always been popular just like those in coins who want to do a whole set of a particular coin (like Lincoln cents or something). Not everyone can be a high roller you know

I agree. Collect what makes you happy. It's what gives our hobby its broad appeal.

By the way, the heaviness will have them randomly opening or damaging the container if you try to use media mail.

Estil

Yeah, don't skimp on the packing material, especially since the buyer could likely be a new collector and bought this as a starter run. You wouldn't want to give a possible new hobbyist a poor first impression for sure!