Best way to make $100/month selling cards?

leadoff4 · October 12, 2007 7:58AM

Thoughts... I'd like to hear thoughts on how I could make $100-200 a month buying and selling from home. It would be mostly eBay. Is it possible without setting up at shows?? Thoughts are appreciated.

kingraider75 · October 12, 2007 8:01AM

You can, but it's not worth the time. You can flip some vintage graded materials, but it's all about timing. The amount of time involved is not worth the net result as a hobby/part-time gig. You can make more at a fast-food joint on a per hour basis.

TomGshotput · October 12, 2007 8:05AM

Buy low, sell high

ldferg · October 12, 2007 8:12AM

you can work yourself into NOT enjoying the hobby if you're not careful.

GoDodgersFan · October 12, 2007 8:17AM

I totally agree with kingraider75. I, for one, can make at least $100-200 a month from e-bay transactions, but the time
commitment would equate the net return to working at a fast food outlet. My time is money and this card business
is just too brutal.

I am impressed on how 4SC is able to stay in business for this long. Ya, another topic for sure.

Besides, I enjoy this hobby because it is fun and it brings back some great memories.

Tom

PasadenaMudSlide · October 12, 2007 8:28AM

you can work yourself into NOT enjoying the hobby if you're not careful.

Amen, brother.

Tried the eBay business. You know, buying from BBCE, grading and selling. Uff Da. Not for me. Did this for about three years. Found myself in the deep RED real quick.

Not to bash PSA, but if one were to earn consistently accurate and solid grades, it could be done. The inconsistency of the grading companies is enough to drive a grown man batty.

My hat's off to those that can do it.

But we all know that story ... all too well.

Bosox1976 · October 12, 2007 8:54AM

Buy one high end 1950's or 1960's set a quarter and auction off all cards individually. Labor intensive, but clearing an average of a buck a card after all fees is very possible. Cherry pick a couple for yourself too.

It is not the selling that is time intensive (if you use turbolister, paypal shipping with labels, buy decent shipping materials, etc.), it is the buying at a discount that takes the time.

Use a rewards credit card too - if you buy a $6,000 set once a quarter and (pay it off religiously), and use the same card for fees, etc., you'll also rack up a free trip a year.

Other than that method (which isn't perfect), it is too much of a grind. Bartend one Saturday night a month for a catering company instead.

leadoff4 · October 12, 2007 9:09AM

How much time(hours) are we talking about per week guys? I'm not trying to make it a job, just trying to make a little $$ to still be able to buy more occasionally. Bosox, I appreciate your response. I think that may be the ticket but one would have to have a pretty high eBay feedback number in order to instill confidence in enough buyers. My feedback is approaching 400 at the moment.

ldferg · October 12, 2007 9:26AM

if you are married and/or you have kids, i would not recommend doing it for money...regardless of hours.

if you are wanting to sell raw cards, bosox has a good recommendation.

if you are wanting to do graded, you have to figure in the time it takes to receive your grades...waiting 2-3 months on a submission that you are counting on for the $$$ to buy more inventory will drive you crazy....assuming you are sending to PSA and using a bulk/special method rather than guaranteed turnaround.

thedutymon · October 12, 2007 9:28AM

Good day,
I do it, I make about $200-$300 a week, occasionally much more depending on what I can find to sell. And I agree with everybody else.
1. Don't do it to make money, That won't work!!!
2. Don't do it to get more cards for your self, that works somewhat, almost all of my Registered sets are basically free because of Big deals I did and stashed a few away for myself. On the flip side of that I have bought some large lots and been lucky to make back % 10 to %25 on occasion.
3. Don't do it if you do not have some backup (I mean Cash), you will not succeed if on the occasion you aren't or can't shell out $500-$1000 for a deal. Nickel and dime will get you penny and nickel !!!! That doesn't mean you have to be Daddy Warhol just have an average income with some fluff you can afford to lose.
4. Do Do it if you love the hobby and/or like me have an addiction to the hobby and use every means in your disposal to minimize the out of pocket expense. In other words make it be part of a grander sceme.
5. Do do it if like me it keeps me from deeper and darker habits, such as when I am dealing with cards which is very time consuming, I am Not hanging out at the Bars, Ect.......

So in closing unless you are like the very Few and Far between (4SC) you will not as you stated just end up somehow with a magic formula to make an extra $100 a month.
Hope this helps
Neil

leadoff4 · October 12, 2007 9:37AM

ldferg, yes... I'm married with a 2 1/2 year old and another due December 26th

jskirwin · October 12, 2007 10:22AM

Daddy first, husband second - hobby later.

TheCARDKid · October 12, 2007 10:30AM

There's some different approaches to take...

-You have to have a very well defined core competence, something that you're good at. Alot of people spread themselves too thin, trying to do everything...graded, raw, modern, vintage, sets, singles.

If you had an eagle eye and could grade really well, the average person could make at least a few hundred a month going through lots, commons, etc. Time intensive perhaps, but not alot of risk. I.e. risk of going broke, or sitting on inventory that you cant move.

But if you try to do that and other things, you're spread too thin.

-Some models dont work part time. Like Steve Harts model at the BBC Exchange or 4SC, where it only works with high turn over.

-I would only get into buying auction lots to break up if I had a clear financial advantage...i.e. breaking a $5,000 lot to make $5,800. Not, buying 50 singles at $100 each, hoping to turn a profit.

Some guys try to turn $500 Cracker Jack PSA 8 commons into $800. There's too much uncertainty with that.

Maybe look into deals that other people don't like. Some wait around for months to get full price (707 or other high priced dealers). Maybe short term wholesale.

Aarons has a really cool business model on ebay. Strictly raw cards from the 60,s 70's, 80's. Very accurately graded. Stellar feedback. A good following. He gets prices others dont because of his reputation.

leadoff4 · October 12, 2007 10:32AM

I've got that covered. I've been off work this week(foot surgery) and will be off all next week. I'll have time to surf eBay a lot looking for deals.

leadoff4 · October 12, 2007 10:39AM

I'm not into modern at all. Mostly vintage singles 50s-70s but I don't have anything against doing packs or sets from the same eras.

OAKESY25 · October 12, 2007 3:45PM

I have had some luck.. but put in a ton of time.. but have had less luck buying raw and grading..
it is too hard over the internet looking at crap pics... anything worth grading has probably been graded...
or if it is that nice.. they probably won't list it on ebay... I have hit a few diamonds, a lot of times I buy a card on chance and if I don't like it..
relist... and start over... the fee's are killer.. so even if I flip a $40 card... I need to sell it for 48 to break even.. some people list like crap and that makes a difference... I have not done a bulk grading order... I do about 10 cards at a time.. and that is painful... 150 bucks mostly have just made back my money to break even... with grades always coming in at least 1 grade under... I really almost think...that some graders grade the card.. and then subtract one to be safe... I have a lot of 6's that look much cleaner then some 7's I see.. same card... same year... but for whatever reason... they weren't feeling it

f2tornado · October 12, 2007 4:08PM

It can be done. I don't make nearly that much a month but probably could if I wasn't so gun shy making purchases.

1. Reputation. It takes time to build this up through feedback as well as gaining repeat customers. All the usual suspects go in here. Reasonable shipping, quality product, quick delivery, being polite, and knowing how to handle adverse situations.

2. Focus. The more you know in a specific area of the hobby the more likely you will succeed. There is nothing wrong with mixing some modern with vintage either. Some of the new prospect cards make for some of the greatest flips. (i.e. You should focus on a couple areas of the hobby but have at least minimal knowledge of other areas so you know to scoop up a bargain that falls in your lap.

3. Presentation. Get good at producing quality scans and item descriptions. A customer is more likely to pay more when the item is presnted well.

4. Start small. Test the waters in certain areas of the hobby to see where you get the most bang for the buck. Going all in can be a disaster.

5. Set limits. Time has value. My wife hates when I spend too much time on eBay. Hard to place value on family time. Set a wallet limit as well. If successful, eventually you will be able to roll over inventory without dipping into the wallet.

6. Keep it fun. Perhaps you will buy and sell cards from your favorite team or certain players you admire. The more fun you are having the more likely you will spend the time needed to succeed.

7. Learn the ins and outs of eBay. How to package items and what you need to protect yourself from fraud. Know the best time to sell.

8. Get a damn good grading eye. This is where one area where a seller can really ramp up the profit margin.

9. Tax man. If you are making a few hundred bucks a month you will need to keep records and report profit as income or risk the consequences.

10. Don't neglect your collection... reitterate, keep it fun.

grote15 · October 12, 2007 4:37PM

Even a shrewd buyer needs some luck to consistently make a profit flipping cards on ebay on a regular basis.

DeutscherGeist · October 12, 2007 5:00PM

This discussion has come up before. People wanted to make their hobby self-sustaining, meaning the money they make off selling cards will be used to expand their hobby so that no money from income earned at the job or family savings is used. That is hard to do and requires a lot of patience.

I agree with those who say that working at a bar over a weekend will produce way more money than selling cards for a month.

Starting a card selling business is so much harder than maintaining one. Once you get a system going, then things will be good.

You need start up cash and count on not seeing immediate returns. You can buy huge lots of baseball cards at auction houses. The lot will cost $20,000, but you are getting pennies on the dollar. Then you need a big room with a clean desk and good lamp and go through the inventory and pick out single cards worth submitting to PSA. Having the big start up money and the room to work on the cards is something most people don't have the luxury of. The room has to be private too because it will be stacked with cards all over the place and not well protected. If any one else walks in, there can be a lot of inadvertant damage.

I have been wanting to do what you are doing, but my problem is the space and finding the time. I am overworked with responsibilities at this time, so I cannot enter into this time commitment now.

Those are just things to keep in mind.

rube26105 · October 12, 2007 5:17PM

i do it and make alot of $,gold powerseller,i dont sell cards alot though,just getting into that,,most of mine is miltary stuff, ret and been doing it since 1999,patches and military memorabilia are much easier lol-they dont need to be graded!!!cards are a complete diff story and alot more time consuming!
randy

leadoff4 · October 12, 2007 10:16PM

5. Set limits. Time has value. My wife hates when I spend too much time on eBay.

f2tornado, this is probably my biggest obstacle.

easydoesit · October 12, 2007 10:36PM

The best way to make to $100 a month on ebay selling cards is to start with $200 and be willing to take the loss.

OAKESY25 · October 13, 2007 4:42AM

I started with 2-3k on my credit card... and slowly paid it off as I was selling.. but I am with you...
my wife hates it.. and I really need to pull back... it probably isn't worth my time.. but it is a hobby... and my goal was to actually pay off my credit cards with profits from my hobby.. a little at a time.. not for it to be a job... and I enjoy it.. and I found this board and some cool people on it.. that are willing to offer help and advice.. and that is cool

Goodsport40 · October 13, 2007 1:14PM

Leadoff, we should start a "my wife hates it when I spend too much time on Ebay" club. I feel your pain!

Seriously, I have tried several ways of making decent money on Ebay and I'm still looking. Many factors against the small seller, some of which have been mentioned here, are in play.

However, I am an optimist and I'm going to keep trying. Besides, it is always best to keep in mind that this is supposed to be fun!

Robert

dontippet · October 13, 2007 1:22PM

The best way I have found is to find an untapped area of the hobby. For me, I have had recent success with two items. First was to get a bunch of tallboys graded when PSA allowed them on their $5 specials. A lot of mid 80's tallboys had few graded cards, and the set registry guys would pay good money for these cards. The second was when I started collecting tickets and getting them graded. Again, this market has few graded offerings, but a few people with deep pockets willing to pay good money for tickets that rarely came up.

My point is to find a nitch that people need but few have it for sale. Unusual items, as described above, seem to do well.

bhl2359 · October 14, 2007 1:04AM

One word: Plastics.

2dueces · October 14, 2007 1:17AM

<< <i>One word: Plastics. >>

Can I be your plastic's saleman?

BobaFett72 · October 14, 2007 1:29AM

what about Latex?

vanderlay Industries!

2dueces · October 14, 2007 2:34AM

<< <i>what about Latex?

vanderlay Industries! >>

Didn't Jerry already decide who his Latex salesman was?
Of course it was after he pulled his pants up!!

Best way to make $100/month selling cards?

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