Trading/Selling/eBay?

otwcards · March 25, 2008 7:54AM

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting frustrated by a few posters (not all that offer to trade or sell) that offer items up with "make offer" or "accepting offers," then after you send them an offer at or above recent transactions and/or VCP, they tell you they've decided to put it on eBay? No counter, no bottom line, just that they're going to put it on eBay.

I've had this happen a couple of times, and I can understand if my offer was a low-ball number, but I've noticed since, that some of these items have gone for less than I offered as I have decided not to bid and open myself up to potentially allowing for shilling (not to suggest that anyone here would do that).

Perhaps if traders/sellers would put a minimum on the offers they will consider it would save a lot of time and frustration. I understand the items are theirs and they can do as they please, but...

Maybe I'm just being a little picky. Perhaps this is in the wrong folder. But it's just food for thought as when I notice these items on eBay or offered on these boards at a later date, I'll pass. To me, it just wreaks of an attempt to milk out a few extra dollars.

fattymacs · March 25, 2008 8:16AM

That does sound shifty/cheesy to me. Isn't there a fee incurred to sell on ebay? If you offered at / above VCP they were foolish to turn it down(my opinion). I may eventually post some items for sale/trade here but I don't sell on ebay so I'd be stuck with the best offer or keep the card(s).

tugboat2648 · March 25, 2008 8:18AM

I couldnt agree more...

Im also not a big fan in general of making offers on other peoples cards- everyone seems to have an amount in mind when they sell stuff so why not just post it with the cards
I personally rarely buy from sellers here who dont set asking prices

fattymacs · March 25, 2008 8:42AM

I really wouldn't know how to set a firm price on a raw card, for graded I'm subscribed to VCP. I do have Tuff Stuff and Beckett BBPlus mags laying around but "book" value is usually unrealistic from what I've been told. I'd have to post stuff and say "make an offer", because I wouldn't know how to price it.

warrencenter · March 25, 2008 9:00AM

I fully agree with you. I have had the opportunity of selling a few graded cards on the CU forum and the folks here are a pleasure to deal with (vs the hassles of eBay). When selling cards I always give an asking price...which may or may not be negotiable. Someone who asks for a "best offer" is usually just fishing.

Bosox1976 · March 25, 2008 12:25PM

I buy and sell here often, and I always list a price when selling. I rarely (if ever) inquire about a card without a price. Same reason I don't like card shows I guess.

RonBurgundy · March 25, 2008 1:41PM

Along those same lines, it's sorry that people post cards for sale then 2 hours later list them on Ebay. WTF? Why waste the time on the post unless it's a subtle way to blast some Ebay spam.

Note to these sellers: if you think it's going to get me to look at your Ebay listing, it will most assuredly have the opposite effect. File it and forget it.

Ron

Bottom9th · March 25, 2008 8:43PM

I agree, but it does go both ways.
How about when someone inquires on prices, you send them your prices then never get any response - counter offer or otherwise?

otwcards · March 26, 2008 8:38AM

<< <i>I agree, but it does go both ways.
How about when someone inquires on prices, you send them your prices then never get any response - counter offer or otherwise? >>

Courtesy is a two way street and should be exercised ALWAYS.

When I receive a counter offer, I either accept or pass, but I make certain to afford the seller the courtesy of a prompt reply.

One of the most interesting things is when a buyer or seller goes into buy/sell mode and offers every story in the world to attempt to justify their price. Typically the buyer will offer that it's a weak card or that recent sales prices have been declining while the sellers usually pipe in that the card is high end for the grade or that recent sales have been climbing. Since I am either interested in buying the card or selling the card, I'm pretty sure that I would be aware of the current market for the item, hence my offering or sale price.

VitoCo1972 · March 26, 2008 4:23PM

I have to chime in here as someone who has bought and sold a few things on these boards in the limited time I've been here. As a buyer, you're always looking for a bargain. Most everything offered here is going to be available on eBay at any given time so there is no need to pay anything above VCP here - as VCP is essentially an eBay resource on most cards.

As a seller, sometimes you just don't know what a card is worth. Just tonight a gentleman asked about a 61 fleer card that i have. I really didn't know what it was worth (yes I have VCP on it but if you told me it would have to go for less I would understand - same goes for more). That said, I do know how much I have into the card. I can't list it for what I know I can get for it - which is significantly less than I have in the card. And since I know I can't list for how much I have in it - and I really am not sure how much I should expect to get (aside from VCP), I asked for an offer to see if it would appease my peace of mind that I'm not taking a complete bath - I think this has to be ok.

Trading/Selling/eBay?

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