What's a fair percentage for ebay consignments?

holeinone1972 · August 12, 2008 2:46AM

I am going to be getting some coins to sell on consignment. What is a fair percentage to ask for?

Time for photos, listing on ebay, covering paypal fees, shipping.

Thanks Rob

erroid · August 12, 2008 3:14AM

I consign for a friend at 10%, he pays all fees; 20-25% and you eat the fees, seems reasonable.

AmericanCopper · August 12, 2008 3:15AM

15% for slabbed coins - 20% for raw (more grief involved with raw). Consigner pays all the fees - Paypal/Ebay. That seems to be the standard. I have consigned literally hundreds of coins to many sellers, both on and off the board after I got burnt out selling on my own. I had owned many of the coins for many years and so my losses by consigning were offset by their rise in demand.

291fifth · August 12, 2008 3:33AM

You should have a minimum fee per lot. If you don't your consignors will be tempted to dump large numbers of low value coins on you for auction. The low value coins aren't worth your time or trouble if you don't have a minimum fee per lot. (I've done this and learned from experience.)

Tvac897 · August 12, 2008 3:50AM

I charge 15% when i consign.

cinman14 · August 12, 2008 3:52AM

just ask Russ...

boyhowdy · August 12, 2008 5:08AM

I charge 10% to buddies and 15-20% for purely business transactions.

Steve

MrEureka · August 12, 2008 6:01AM

I think a flat fee (for labor) plus a small percentage (for profit) is ideal.

CertifiedGoldCoins · August 12, 2008 6:01AM

<< <i>You should have a minimum fee per lot. If you don't your consignors will be tempted to dump large numbers of low value coins on you for auction. The low value coins aren't worth your time or trouble if you don't have a minimum fee per lot. (I've done this and learned from experience.) >>

That's what I did a few years back, about $8/coin, IIRC

zeebob · August 12, 2008 6:41AM

Friends - I generally only charge enough to cover listing fees, shipping etc. Works out to 10%. I don't take any commission.

Not Friends - cover fees + 10% commission or $5 whichever is greater. On eBay that's a whopping 20%.

My favorite dealer will accept consignments at 10% commission and that includes his costs.

mrpotatoheadd · August 12, 2008 6:54AM

I had a dealer who wanted me to sell some stuff for him a while back. He asked how much I'd charge- after some figuring, I told him I'd do it if I was reimbursed for the fees off the top of the sale + a percentage of the remaining at the following rates: 15% for sales under $150, 10% for $150 to $300 and 5% for sales over $300.

He told me that didn't sound fair- to me. So he offered to pay me 25%, 15% and 10%.

smokincoin · August 12, 2008 7:11AM

I really don't understand how anyone could make anything selling on eBay through a consignor. Where is the profit if, approx., 25% gets taken right off the top?

291fifth · August 12, 2008 7:18AM

<< <i>I really don't understand how anyone could make anything selling on eBay through a consignor. Where is the profit if, approx., 25% gets taken right off the top? >>

Many potential sellers, especially older ones, can't do their own photos. Without photos the coins will be assumed to be sub-par material and will bring low bids.

In addition, the real goal may be simply to raise cash. Profit is an unrealized dream for most collectors, especially those who never learned how to grade (and that is most of them!)

Lakesammman · August 12, 2008 7:49AM

Depends on the value, really.

jdimmick · August 12, 2008 7:58AM

Value makes a big difference!! It takes no more time /effort to list & sell 10 coins that avg 500 each than 15 each. I just got finished selling off two people's collection first one was approx 25k and the other 45k. I charged between 10-12% plus they paid all fee's.

IMO, anything significant and over 15% and they pay all fee's is too much and I would loose the opportunity to sell it as they could find other parties intrested. unless it was a bunch of low dollar coins that didnt amount to a whole lot in the end $ wise.

JIm

OnWithTheHunt · August 12, 2008 8:43AM

I've sold a few collections on consignment and charged 25 percent, whether I used ebay or not. I pay all auction fees. Never had a complaint, and the people still got more than if they went to a B&M.

IrishMike · August 12, 2008 8:46AM

<< <i>I really don't understand how anyone could make anything selling on eBay through a consignor. Where is the profit if, approx., 25% gets taken right off the top? >>

If you consign to someone who can really dial up the contrast on their camera or is an expert in photoshop you can make a great deal more.

What's a fair percentage for ebay consignments?

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