Ebay vs. Auction houses....

11235813 · July 2, 2008 5:03AM

Was just reading the thread about the 100,000 card lot controversy, and it got me thinking....given how Ebay is stacking the deck against sellers, why aren't more people selling stuff through auction houses instead of on Ebay?

Not only do you get to keep a higher percentage of the final sale price with auction houses, but the whole selling process is a lot more relaxing since they handle the entire payment process after the auction is over. You don't have to worry about deadbeat buyers, receiving negative feedback, or any of the other things which add stress to the Ebay experience.

The only downside is that it takes longer to get your money, but if your managing your cash flow well, that should not be an issue.

These days, the only stuff I sell on EBay is low-value stuff that the auction houses don't want. Any high value items I save for the next big auction.

Ebay has become so stressful from the sellers perspective that I'm suprised that people are still selling high value items on it.

Leiascards · July 2, 2008 5:08AM

Most people don't like waiting for payment. If I get a card to sell I don't want to really own it for more than a couple of weeks. To make money you have to move money. You make the money on anything you intend to resell when you BUY it not sell it.

The seller in that 100K card controversy ASKED for that problem by not listing the cards individually. I seriously doubt he followed any of the other procedures Paypal has lined out since he was willing to take Paypal on a pick-up

RonBurgundy · July 2, 2008 5:19AM

Hell will freeze over before any of my stuff sees an auction house.

RB

11235813 · July 2, 2008 5:23AM

Ron,

Am curious why you have that attitude....any particular reason?

Allen · July 2, 2008 5:28AM

<< <i>The seller in that 100K card controversy ASKED for that problem by not listing the cards individually. I seriously doubt he followed any of the other procedures Paypal has lined out since he was willing to take Paypal on a pick-up >>

You are kidding right? List out 100,000 cards individually? I think he did a great listing with that auction as far as pictures and description. The PayPal and pickup is a dumb thing though. Also I am not sure auction houses are looking to move 100K card lots like that, I am sure they would cherry pick some of his vintage and sell it, but that would only get him a grand or two and he would be stuck with the total junk.

earlycalguy · July 2, 2008 5:34AM

I don't think it's too commonly known you can get zero sales fee from an auction or at least negotiate the fees with them. Getting paid quickly has it's benefits. nice to put a buy it now listing up and be getting paid within 24 hours...sometimes less. you can use that money to buy cards over and over again while you are still waiting for the auction house to have their auction and then to get paid.

Leiascards · July 2, 2008 5:39AM

No I am not kidding. Its not the dollar amount that is the problem here its the stupidity in listing 100,000 cards in one lot. There is no way the seller can protect himself in any way form or fashion. He can take the buyer to civil court and say the buyer took these cards out and failed to return them. The judge is gonna want to see proof how can the seller prove these items were ever sent.

You don't realize that MOST buyer Paypal fraud on Ebay is LESS than 50.00. Since I have been selling on Ebay I have had about 20 Paypal claims only one was over 100.00. The vast majority were under 25.00. I won the one over 100.00. I have to in process right now for fraudlent use of a CC for a grand total of 26.00 from the same loser who is now NARU.

There is alot more to this story than we have heard. Everyone is declaring the buyer is a scammer. Where is the proof? Were there 100K cards or 1000 sent we don't know this do we?

I guess the thought of a scamming seller is just mind blowing.

storm888 · July 2, 2008 5:55AM

"...Everyone is declaring the buyer is a scammer...."

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I don't see any evidence that the buyer is a crook.
He is a sophisticated seller/buyer.

The ONLY problem I see is that there is NO WAY for
the seller to KNOW if the buyer is being honest when/if
he returns the cards.

.........................................

I doubt many of the cards were suitable for sale by an auction outfit.
EBAY was the right venue; the seller just used VERY faulty tactics.

Leiascards · July 2, 2008 6:00AM

That is the whole point the seller opened this door. I doubt he counted to see if it was 100K cards. Under that assumption alone if there were only 97,000 sent then the seller did not describe the auction accurately and is guilty of a SNAD claim. Did he make a list of EVERY card sent? I doubt it..

RonBurgundy · July 2, 2008 6:12AM

When auction houses start conducting themselves with ethics, maybe I'll reconsider. I think that day is a long way off.

RB

11235813 · July 2, 2008 6:34AM

<< <i>When auction houses start conducting themselves with ethics, maybe I'll reconsider. >>

Ron,

Can you elaborate (without naming names or getting yourself into trouble)?

The interactions I've had with auction houses so far have generally been pretty good, so I'd love to hear the opposing viewpoint.

Matt

Flintboy · July 2, 2008 8:04AM

If the GREAT Ron Burgundy sez so, then that opinion is good enough for me!!!!!

WinPitcher · July 2, 2008 8:11AM

Josh

auction houses will not take just anything. You have to have material that they want too.

Steve

WinPitcher · July 2, 2008 8:15AM

I agree with Lejas, the seller was just asking for trouble.

That deal needed protection and the seller gave it all away.

Steve

Mickey71 · July 2, 2008 8:29AM

Does anyone want to buy my 1962 Cepeda- Maris card PSA 8 for $5,000. This one still boggles my mind about an auction house. JMO. The card is not rare, not in super high grade, not Ruth, Cobb, Mantle, not from a Caramel pack or cigarette pack, not particularly old, could have been bought on ebay for $150 at the same time, etc. Sometimes things just do not make sense. A PSA 8 1952 Topps Mantle for 2 million would make more sense than than 5 thousand for that card. Plus remember, even with top all bids it would take 2 bidders to make this happen. Anyone know the winner and under bidder in that auction? Also, I'm not going to be greedy- my PSA 8 is for sale for $4,200====a bargain at large auction house prices. There has also been talk of in house bidding at these large auction houses--- How can this be allowed? This point alone would have even the most gullible person skeptical.
Mickey71

blades3 · July 2, 2008 11:42PM

Bigger auction houses usually won't take any single lot worth less than $500. If you have smaller items, you have to put them in a big lot that may or may not make sense together. It costs the auction houses so much to photograph, list, put in the catalog, distribute the catalog, run the auction, advertise, etc. that they can't just fill out the auction with $100 items. The only way you can get a bunch of smaller items in is if you have one really big-time item that they want so badly that they are willing to take some of your crap along with it. That being said, if you have items they want I feel auction houses are the best way to go for the seller. Some have problems with ethics (I'm guessing shill bidding is one of your gripes), but there are plenty of well-run, good ones to choose from.

Ebay vs. Auction houses....

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