Ebay is dead. Or is it?
RonBurgundy
Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
So I had a healthy round of auctions finish up earlier this week. It wasn't intended to be a test of the slimmed down category system but that's the way the timing worked out. Here's what I gleaned:
1) Low pops continue to be like catching a falling knife. If you have them, dump them. My free advice is if you're set building and have high dollar low pop cards, dump them and buy a grade down, then come back in a couple years when the low pop is half the price. Note: this doesn't apply to certain sets or cards that will always be tough, but if it's anything in the 60's not named George Witt or Don Landrum, get out of them.
2) Hall of Famers in high grade still sell well.
3) Good time of year to sell football.
4) I didn't notice any measurable difference with the new category system. The same numbers of people I would expect to watch my auctions, did.
5) One thing I've noticed on Ebay the last year or so is that the amount of sniping or last minute bids that occurs has declined.
6) This is, I think, the worst time of year to sell baseball cards (August and September). With that said, I was within 8% of what I had hoped to net from the sales. Most of that came from one card.
7) As time goes on, people have got to get out of this notion that VCP is the end all be all when it comes to pricing. Especially pre-1960 stuff. As Ebay changes and evolves, so will pricing and there has to be some tool that takes into account private sales, store sales, etc. Bobby, are you listening? Joe? Joe, if you develop something that's a hybrid between VCP and SMR, you'll have a winner.
8) I am very concerned about the fees.
I'm curious what everyone else thinks.
1) Low pops continue to be like catching a falling knife. If you have them, dump them. My free advice is if you're set building and have high dollar low pop cards, dump them and buy a grade down, then come back in a couple years when the low pop is half the price. Note: this doesn't apply to certain sets or cards that will always be tough, but if it's anything in the 60's not named George Witt or Don Landrum, get out of them.
2) Hall of Famers in high grade still sell well.
3) Good time of year to sell football.
4) I didn't notice any measurable difference with the new category system. The same numbers of people I would expect to watch my auctions, did.
5) One thing I've noticed on Ebay the last year or so is that the amount of sniping or last minute bids that occurs has declined.
6) This is, I think, the worst time of year to sell baseball cards (August and September). With that said, I was within 8% of what I had hoped to net from the sales. Most of that came from one card.
7) As time goes on, people have got to get out of this notion that VCP is the end all be all when it comes to pricing. Especially pre-1960 stuff. As Ebay changes and evolves, so will pricing and there has to be some tool that takes into account private sales, store sales, etc. Bobby, are you listening? Joe? Joe, if you develop something that's a hybrid between VCP and SMR, you'll have a winner.
8) I am very concerned about the fees.
I'm curious what everyone else thinks.
Ron Burgundy
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
0
Comments
Dave
To my surprise, I woke-up this morning to find both had been bought using the buy it now prices.
Now, as for fees. They are huge and the double whammy of Ebay and Paypal is killing me.
mathew
drugs of choice
NHL hall of fame rookies
<< <i>6) This is, I think, the worst time of year to sell baseball cards (August and September). >>
Unless the player you are selling is in the playoffs. Then you are hoping that player has a good/great postseason.
<< <i> This is, I think, the worst time of year to sell baseball cards (August and September). >>
conversely, that makes it the best time of year to buy them.
but, this does not always apply.
it seems that whatever i'm currently after, several others want them too.
w/o a challenege it's no fun anyways.
Link 1
Link 2
I don't think the category selection change is a big deal - most people search by key words so they still find what they are looking for.
ebay and paypal fees - I can't complain about either fees. being able to accept a credit card payment thru paypal is a deal at 3% fee. when you go to a store and hand them your credit card the store is being charged at least 3% from visa, amex, etc. many rewards credit cards for mileage/cash back etc - the stores are paying 4% in fees for those. ebay fees - If I am charged 8% fees on average - that's fine with me. with DSR ratings I get 40% back which now makes ebay fees less than 5% - an even better deal.
people complain about a 'double fee' from ebay since they own paypal. they are providing 2 different services and charge for both accordingly. I get my water bill from the city of Seattle - they charge me for water and garbage/recycling on the same bill. since I am already paying the city for water should the garbage and recycling be free?
<< <i>
people complain about a 'double fee' from ebay since they own paypal. they are providing 2 different services and charge for both accordingly. I get my water bill from the city of Seattle - they charge me for water and garbage/recycling on the same bill. since I am already paying the city for water should the garbage and recycling be free? >>
And since your water volume usage doesn't effect the garbage fee, its not double billing.
By essentially requiring buyers to use PP, they are in fact double charging sellers.
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<< <i>I don't think the category selection change is a big deal - most people search by key words so they still find what they are looking for.
ebay and paypal fees - I can't complain about either fees. being able to accept a credit card payment thru paypal is a deal at 3% fee. when you go to a store and hand them your credit card the store is being charged at least 3% from visa, amex, etc. many rewards credit cards for mileage/cash back etc - the stores are paying 4% in fees for those. ebay fees - If I am charged 8% fees on average - that's fine with me. with DSR ratings I get 40% back which now makes ebay fees less than 5% - an even better deal.
people complain about a 'double fee' from ebay since they own paypal. they are providing 2 different services and charge for both accordingly. I get my water bill from the city of Seattle - they charge me for water and garbage/recycling on the same bill. since I am already paying the city for water should the garbage and recycling be free? >>
Please explain to me how to get 40% back with good Dsr ratings, because even if I am at 4.9 across the board I only get 20% ?
<< <i>
7) As time goes on, people have got to get out of this notion that VCP is the end all be all when it comes to pricing. Especially pre-1960 stuff. As Ebay changes and evolves, so will pricing and there has to be some tool that takes into account private sales, store sales, etc. Bobby, are you listening? Joe? Joe, if you develop something that's a hybrid between VCP and SMR, you'll have a winner.
>>
A patient bidder can meet or beat VCP on almost any card offered on ebay auctions. Over the past 18 months I have only paid above VCP for the exceptionally high quality card for its grade. I've lost on many, many cards, but still win 15 to 20 a month. I will use VCP to negotiate, but I won't use it as a tool to badger a seller. If I feel I can't get the card for VCP average or lower I will just move on and eventually get it for my price. People who badger sellers on price are abusing VCP.
I don't believe VCP is pushing prices down because I still get out bid on HOF football (1935 to 1963) all the time and I see many cards going for well above VCP. But, I've also been able to get great bargains by watching the VCP trends and making an educated guess on what the lowest bid I can make and still win the card.
Ultimately, VCP adds to the adage - Knowledge is Power
Tony
Kiss me twice.....let's party.
<< <i>I don't think the category selection change is a big deal - most people search by key words so they still find what they are looking for.
ebay and paypal fees - I can't complain about either fees. being able to accept a credit card payment thru paypal is a deal at 3% fee. when you go to a store and hand them your credit card the store is being charged at least 3% from visa, amex, etc. many rewards credit cards for mileage/cash back etc - the stores are paying 4% in fees for those. ebay fees - If I am charged 8% fees on average - that's fine with me. with DSR ratings I get 40% back which now makes ebay fees less than 5% - an even better deal.
people complain about a 'double fee' from ebay since they own paypal. they are providing 2 different services and charge for both accordingly. I get my water bill from the city of Seattle - they charge me for water and garbage/recycling on the same bill. since I am already paying the city for water should the garbage and recycling be free? >>
Totally Disagree - PIGPAL sucks.....it is a monopoly.... open your eyes and FEEBAY sucks ........ it is a monopoly. chaz
#1 - low pops - the definition of what a low pop is could change. If (and that's a big IF) current registry collectors hang onto their cards and do not sell their collections, future pop 10's could sell as well as current pop 5's, if for instance, 7 of the 10 are put away in long term collections and only 3 are out there circulating. Competition and therefore price, will also depend on how many new collectors surface over the next several years
#4 - I agree with your assessment on the category change. It is an inconvenience for some "browsers" of categories, but if a buyer wants your product, they should be able to find it over a 5 or 7 day auction.
#7 - It is funny how many of my auctions end real close to VCP average. I do think that if ebay someday removes the auction format, VCP will help me set accurate BIN prices.
I am also concerned about fees, and that is why sellers now must use every available method of reducing them (ie, ebay bucks, cashback on paypal debit card)
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
VCP will never have private sales because they can never be confirmed, to easy to move the market if you want to.
I have never had a problem with ebay fees, they provide a service that no other can compare too. It's far from perfect but I have made way to much off buying and selling to have any issue with it.
Nice thread; I also was a little concerned about the category changes. I currently have several auctions up, both raw and graded, and haven't noticed a change since the recent eBay changes. I've been keeping track of the watchers, and haven't seen the quantity decrease. I have one low pop card up for sale that has me a little worried and has relatively few watchers, but I'm sure it will do fine.
"Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it"
<< <i>Sure, VCP helps a buyer. I'm not arguing that. My point is that instead of a tool that is used to help determine market value, it's become gospel. >>
I totally agree.
Mickey71
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
<< <i>I really think it's tough to make generalizations off a few sales. In my opinion you really need 1,000 sales over a time period to really see any true trends. The thing with Ebay, as we all know, is it's all about having the SECOND bidder. With only one highly interested party your card sells for $50. If you get TWO then maybe the prices jumps to $75. It's not like you need 50 bidders. It really only comes down to the last TWO. I have sold some CRAP over the years for much more than I thought possible due to this... and at other times had nice items sell for less than anticipated becuase that second big bidder never entered the bidding. It does not matter if it's baseball cards or something else. You need two BIG bidders to do well. >>
<<< You need two BIG bidders to do well. >>>
yea, either that or a shill. LOL
<< <i>Sure, VCP helps a buyer. I'm not arguing that. My point is that instead of a tool that is used to help determine market value, it's become gospel. >>
I remember back in the day when Beckett was taken as gospel. When I ran my card shop, people would come in all the time wanting to sell cards. They would demand that the left column on Beckett was the price card shops were expected to pay them and the right column was what they would be expected to pay.
1) Sniping is down
2) Football sells well in football season and baseball sells well in baseball season when football isn't running
3) Low pop 10s bring good money
4) Ebay/paypal fees are high
5) VCP is not always accurate
This is really mindblowing stuff.
So you're leading me to believe the following:
1) Sniping is down
2) Football sells well in football season and baseball sells well in baseball season when football isn't running
3) Low pop 10s bring good money
4) Ebay/paypal fees are high
5) VCP is not always accurate
This is really mindblowing stuff."
Genius, huh? I'm Ron Burgundy?
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
<< <i>
<< <i>Sure, VCP helps a buyer. I'm not arguing that. My point is that instead of a tool that is used to help determine market value, it's become gospel. >>
I remember back in the day when Beckett was taken as gospel. When I ran my card shop, people would come in all the time wanting to sell cards. They would demand that the left column on Beckett was the price card shops were expected to pay them and the right column was what they would be expected to pay. >>
actually that Beckett left/right combo worked quite well for a time....it made wholesaling in bulk a breeze.....imagine a time when you could empty out someone's garage and schlepp 80's crizap around knowing that you would be virtually assured of low Beckett.....there should have been a commercial partnership with U-Haul back then, but it was a pleasure until the interest finally dried up.
Also, Ebay is great for buy sub $1000 cards. Most big time dealers want to sell cards over $1000 bucks and ebay isn't as good a marketplace for the higher end cards.
My Bossy cards (still have over 100 of them) are not doing so well. That's OK with me. I'm in "liquidate" mode as most sellers are.
Back to the Gretzky. I'm not giving those cards away for nothing. They have demand and demand has value.
The other cards have lower demand. I'm happy with an exchange of feedback and to help set builders.
I had a PSA 3 Patrick Roy Topps RC sell for 10.50 this week
Also this week my Topps Yzerman RC PSA 9 didn't sell for opening bid of 24.99
same for my Topps Bourque RC PSA 7
As far as the "big sellers" who ask a lot for their cards: I am sure people tell BMW he is high, come on - the guy knows this. He is just in the position to where he doesn't have to sell the particular item. I have some items like this. My attitude is: "if it sells, it sells. if it doesn't, it doesn't - but I'm not 'giving' it away."
I'm curious how Beckett was able to calculate the "value" of cards before the internet. I'm guessing through shows and dealer feedback.
Patrick
Patrick
//////////////////////
Any details you can share here?
It is common for buying accounts to be "limited"
after a certain amount has been spent. The limit
can be lifted, if the buyer chats with PP.
Receiving-limits can also be lifted or raised, but
it is necessary to chat with PP to make it happen.
<< <i>Is anyone here familiar with Half.com? They are partners with eBay but use a different system to sell and list items (books, video games, movies, media, etc) I really think that model would be perfect for sports cards, with one of the only additions being to upload actual pictures. No listing fees. Small commission. Paypal not necessary.
Patrick >>
////////////////////////////////////
EBAY bought Half in 2000.
Here is the seller signup scheme from Half.
seller account creation
...........
Half was an early run at the AMZN model.
It really would not be great for collectibles,
though some crossover biz might materialize.
The EBAY UA governs the use of Half, yet the
terms/rules are substantially different on Half.
The OP gives good advice: dump your psa 10's now and buy them back at a cheaper price a year or so from now.
<< <i>I have a lot of Gretzky items on eBay. They are doing OK but are limited to about 2-4 people in the registry.
My Bossy cards (still have over 100 of them) are not doing so well. That's OK with me. I'm in "liquidate" mode as most sellers are.
Back to the Gretzky. I'm not giving those cards away for nothing. They have demand and demand has value.
The other cards have lower demand. I'm happy with an exchange of feedback and to help set builders.
I had a PSA 3 Patrick Roy Topps RC sell for 10.50 this week
Also this week my Topps Yzerman RC PSA 9 didn't sell for opening bid of 24.99
same for my Topps Bourque RC PSA 7
As far as the "big sellers" who ask a lot for their cards: I am sure people tell BMW he is high, come on - the guy knows this. He is just in the position to where he doesn't have to sell the particular item. I have some items like this. My attitude is: "if it sells, it sells. if it doesn't, it doesn't - but I'm not 'giving' it away."
I'm curious how Beckett was able to calculate the "value" of cards before the internet. I'm guessing through shows and dealer feedback.
Patrick >>
Patrick-
As to your question about how Beckett was able to calc values, I think they used to publish in the notes to their guides that they were the result of input through shows and from dealers. BUT what I always thought was really cool was that each issue of early Beckett baseball mags had a page that you could rip out and mail back into Beckett with your own price feedback! Does anyone else remember this? The page had about 50 lines where you could indicate which cards that you thought were going up or down? I remember seeing this in some issues probably 90 or 91... I'm sure that feedback wasn't biased at all.
-Michael
Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
"I don't think the category selection change is a big deal - most people search by key words so they still find what they are looking for."
Disagree .......
Example ~ How many times have you gone to the store for one item and walked out with 10 +++ ????
Presently ~ If 71's are your thing you'll have to type in 1971 for the list ----> the problem is ~ all you get is 71's
I like the old system because, besides 71's ~ you'd also come across some 72's 73's 74's 75's etc. ......... stuff you weren't planning on buying or looking for, but since you came across them ...... the urge to look and take a peak is irresistible. ~ you know the rest of the story