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Is anybody else fed up with the clutter of Buy It Now's on Ebay?

This probably has already been discussed, but I didn't get in on the discussion if it was discussed. Is anybody else fed up with the clutter of Buy It Now's on Ebay? Seems like that every search I do has nothing but Buy It Now's. Everything seems to be priced way above market value and items sit there stagnant for what seems like forever. I really wish Ebay would go back to being a mostly auction site. This comes from a buyer's perspective AND a seller's perspective.

Shane

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Comments

  • when i search, i always go to the left border and hit:

    AUCTION ONLY

    best ebay feature

    get rid of all the overpriced BIN, that were set when 30% cashback was active...
  • Wait until the 100 free auctions a month start after 3/31 and you'll see a clutter of auctions instead of BINS between new sellers and store owners moving some of their stuff to the other format.
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Wait until the 100 free auctions a month start after 3/31 and you'll see a clutter of auctions instead of BINS between new sellers and store owners moving some of their stuff to the other format. >>



    What are some of the details on this? Will the insertion fees be free? If so, the final value fees will probably be upped to compensate. I had not heard about this.

    The only thing about hitting the auction only button is I'm afraid I might miss something I'm looking for that is in a BIN format. (Though that rarely happens).

    Shane

  • BrickBrick Posts: 5,001 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Agreed that most BINs are vastly overpriced. When I search for cards on my radar I usually go to ending soonest to see if there are any bargains to be had. I will also go to BIN only newly listed to see if a card I need is only moderately overpriced. I have picked up a few that way. A fairly priced BIN will not go unsold a long time so it is necessary to go to newly listed. BTW this DOES NOT work for 1960 Topps PSA 8s. Do not attempt this as your computer will explode. Only go to those BINs ending soonest after I have picked through them.
    Collecting 1960 Topps Baseball in PSA 8
    http://www.unisquare.com/store/brick/

    Ralph

  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Another thing that is aggravating is seeing something that I really need for my Cardinals team set collection, and it is way, way, way overpriced, and it sits there forever. I keep thinking, "why doesn't this guy just auction the thing and let the market take over." For example, I have been looking for a 1974 Topps Action Emblem St Louis Cardinals card for a very, very long time. There is one on Ebay now that's been listed now for about a month and the seller wants $395.00 for it. I think the SCD value is less than $100. I would probably give $100, but not $395. I know it's the seller's right to list something and put whatever price they want. I understand that, but it's also my right to get a little ticked when I see it too.

    Another example that had a decent ending - I had been looking for a 1974 Topps Puzzle Bob Gibson for several years. There was one on Ebay with a Buy It Now for $225. It had been sitting there for at least 3 (maybe 4) years. No way was I going to give that for a puzzle that booked for around half that. I was very patient. Finally, a couple of months ago, I saw one and snatched it for around $150. That $225 puzzle still sits there, and it will until an idiot comes along.

    Shane

  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    you need to lose that "the book says" mentality and decide what you want to pay for something, then set the bar where you think you'd want to meet it until that item comes along.....if something is so rare that it encourages a seller to inflate the value, then that means they want a buyer less patient than you......as for the glut of BINs, i find it very hard to complain when quite often i use a BIN as a link to a seller's other items and occasionally find something better to watch or buy, in fact picking through the garbage dump has actually led me to a couple sellers i go to regularly now.
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>you need to lose that "the book says" mentality and decide what you want to pay for something, then set the bar where you think you'd want to meet it until that item comes along.....if something is so rare that it encourages a seller to inflate the value, then that means they want a buyer less patient than you......as for the glut of BINs, i find it very hard to complain when quite often i use a BIN as a link to a seller's other items and occasionally find something better to watch or buy, in fact picking through the garbage dump has actually led me to a couple sellers i go to regularly now. >>




    I agree about "book value" mentality. It even seemed weird typing it. I realize that book value means nothing most of the time. However, the 2 items that I mentioned are so rare, that the only things to go on are "book value" and a single Ebay seller's price.

    Shane

  • MorgothMorgoth Posts: 3,950 ✭✭✭
    Ebay has definately gone from a auction site to a flea market site. I don't look at the buy it nows unless i am looking for something for my sets. I have found deals on buy it nows but I don't have the patience to sift through 1000s of listings looking for 2 or 3 deals.

    I am a bottom feeder buyer anyway and normally won't pay more than 80% of VCP or last sale price for anything, if I win I flip or sell at local shows.
    Currently completing the following registry sets: Cardinal HOF's, 1961 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1980 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, Bill Mazeroski Master & Basic Sets, Roberto Clemente Master & Basic Sets, Willie Stargell Master & Basic Sets and Terry Bradshaw Basic Set
  • AllenAllen Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭
    I only look at auctions and I sell with mostly BIN. I know what you mean when you see something you really want, but it is BIN way over the value. I have put several cards I would rather not sell up with a big Buy It Now just to see if I could get any action. I have sold a few of them. The BINs that really annoy me are the $599 2007 Exquisite Yamon Figurs cards, they sell for $5 when listed so why even have that in your store, at least lower it to $199 haha.
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>you need to lose that "the book says" mentality and decide what you want to pay for something, then set the bar where you think you'd want to meet it until that item comes along.....if something is so rare that it encourages a seller to inflate the value, then that means they want a buyer less patient than you......as for the glut of BINs, i find it very hard to complain when quite often i use a BIN as a link to a seller's other items and occasionally find something better to watch or buy, in fact picking through the garbage dump has actually led me to a couple sellers i go to regularly now. >>




    I agree about "book value" mentality. It even seemed weird typing it. I realize that book value means nothing most of the time. However, the 2 items that I mentioned are so rare, that the only things to go on are "book value" and a single Ebay seller's price. >>



    in this case the "book" IS the buyer, the book is you.....the seller knows this.

    sometimes, what you need to hope for is a random nutball that overpays, then the next time that same item comes around, maybe it could be had for less.....but, it sounds like the items you are seeking will require some decision-making due to their rarity and at some point if you want it you gotta pay.
  • vladguerrerovladguerrero Posts: 4,077 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I only look at auctions and I sell with mostly BIN. I know what you mean when you see something you really want, but it is BIN way over the value. I have put several cards I would rather not sell up with a big Buy It Now just to see if I could get any action. I have sold a few of them. >>



    +1
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>you need to lose that "the book says" mentality and decide what you want to pay for something, then set the bar where you think you'd want to meet it until that item comes along.....if something is so rare that it encourages a seller to inflate the value, then that means they want a buyer less patient than you......as for the glut of BINs, i find it very hard to complain when quite often i use a BIN as a link to a seller's other items and occasionally find something better to watch or buy, in fact picking through the garbage dump has actually led me to a couple sellers i go to regularly now. >>




    I agree about "book value" mentality. It even seemed weird typing it. I realize that book value means nothing most of the time. However, the 2 items that I mentioned are so rare, that the only things to go on are "book value" and a single Ebay seller's price. >>



    in this case the "book" IS the buyer, the book is you.....the seller knows this.

    sometimes, what you need to hope for is a random nutball that overpays, then the next time that same item comes around, maybe it could be had for less.....but, it sounds like the items you are seeking will require some decision-making due to their rarity and at some point if you want it you gotta pay. >>



    I see your point. However, I believe in this case with rare items, the book has some indication of past sales.

    Shane

  • i have not sold anything at auction in over a year. On a large majority of my stuff (non cards) I redirect them after purchase to buy from me directly. I have moved 80% of my business to directly invoicing them via PayPal. My card sales have seen higher prices. I put a fair price i would be very happy with and do a best offer option. 90% of the time i get my full price.

  • You know what I'm fed up with, guys opening NEWER JUNK WAX and pulling PSA 10's of stars and putting BIN's of $29 - $99.00. Get real image

    I think they hope to get so new collector seeing a PSA 10 and saying WOW what a deal.
    Trying to climb the 1954-55 Topps Hockey ladder for the second time.



  • << <i>

    << <i>Wait until the 100 free auctions a month start after 3/31 and you'll see a clutter of auctions instead of BINS between new sellers and store owners moving some of their stuff to the other format. >>



    What are some of the details on this? Will the insertion fees be free? If so, the final value fees will probably be upped to compensate. I had not heard about this.

    The only thing about hitting the auction only button is I'm afraid I might miss something I'm looking for that is in a BIN format. (Though that rarely happens). >>



    Here's the info on the auctions:
    http://finance.yahoo.com/news/eBay-Introduces-Free-Auction-bw-4047715000.html?x=0&.v=1

    Here's the info on which format is right for you according to ebay:
    http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/FeeIllustrator2010.html

    The FVF did go up for these auctions a bit. I have seen some places do the math on who benefits and who doesn't. I thought I read that store owners who don't sell much will be affected which, if true, means that the BINs will drop to encourage sales or will be turned into an auction. I like that the free part only applies to those with low starting bids. Right now with the five free a month, sellers can start at a high amount with nothing to lose.
  • mtcardsmtcards Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭
    Ebay has totally FUBARED their site with these new policies which go into effect in two weeks. Case in point, I havent sold on ebay in almost/over a year now. When the 99 cent MB with no listing fee comes up, I will be listing 100 items of carp, since I have no risk on them. Same thing thousands of others will do and you will end up with a large clutter of high BINS (which I dont have a problem with) and 99 cent garbage


    As for the book price discussion, on rarer items, there is NO book price. Past sales are just that. These items, even more so than non rare items, are pretty much along the lines of "Here, I have it, if you want it, you will pay me this much...if not, I will keep it until you change your mind" type items. Check out the SMR on cards. On rarer items, the price is generally HIGHER than book, sometimes much more so. And thats just cards.


    Edited to add: When I was working on my 99 SP Authentic Football Master Set (Still am, just not as religioiusly), I needed a Keyshawn Johnson insert that booked for $1.00 to finish the insert run. It was put up with a BIN of $2.95, I bought it. My need outweighed book price.
    IT IS ALWAYS CHEAPER TO NOT SELL ON EBAY
  • YES.................The glutony of BIN's is so overwhelming, at times i just dont want to even search things. I have been complaining to myself for months. image

    Also sick of "SMR says" and "looks like", for example, looks like a 6, well its a friggin 2...................its a 2!
    Same as to me: (i have a Chevette, looks like a Corvette, well, still a friggin Chevette!)

    Out
  • BINs should require the BO feature
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    If I'm Ebay, I go and create a second site that is like the "old Ebay" - auctions old school, and charge more for it. Then keep the existing one for their new flea market bidness. Kinda like old Coke and new Coke, except you're charging 50 cents for old Coke and 25 cents for new Coke, and not cannibalizing either bidness.

    But I'm just a broadcaster. What do I know? image
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>As for the book price discussion, on rarer items, there is NO book price. Past sales are just that. These items, even more so than non rare items, are pretty much along the lines of "Here, I have it, if you want it, you will pay me this much...if not, I will keep it until you change your mind" type items. Check out the SMR on cards. On rarer items, the price is generally HIGHER than book, sometimes much more so. And thats just cards. >>




    I agree. That's why I get so frustrated when I see something I need because most of the time, I ain't givin' in. image

    Shane

  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If I'm Ebay, I go and create a second site that is like the "old Ebay" - auctions old school, and charge more for it. Then keep the existing one for their new flea market bidness. Kinda like old Coke and new Coke, except you're charging 50 cents for old Coke and 25 cents for new Coke, and not cannibalizing either bidness. >>



    Fabulous idea. They really ought to do that. However, that makes too much sense, so it probably won't happen. Isn't it funy how that works? If something makes sense to the masses, it probably won't get done.

    Shane

  • I don't think over all the dollars are there. That's why guys are going with the BIN's or starting auctions at higher prices. I follow BBCE auctions and over the past few months more and more of his items are not starting at $.99 From what I remember all of his items started at $.99

    I don't want to list a card I paid $50 for a couple years ago at $.99 and get maybe $25 for it.

    The little guys like me don't have the money to spend like I had a few years ago.

    Just my thoughts - Jeremy
    Trying to climb the 1954-55 Topps Hockey ladder for the second time.

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,144 ✭✭✭


    << <i> don't want to list a card I paid $50 for a couple years ago at $.99 and get maybe $25 for it >>



    I am totally with you there. It only takes a couple of times of buying a card for $500+ and auctioning off for $200 (when VCP average is $900), to burn yourself out on auctions. If the bidders would actually SUPPORT the auctions, then maybe you would stop seeing a glut of BIN's. But as long as valuable items are being given away at rock bottom prices for too long, then the BIN's aren't going away - as a matter of fact, they will only get WORSE!! Noone likes to lose money!
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,486 ✭✭✭✭✭
    ebay:

    ya know - it is what it is - maybe because I don't sell - I'm happy to have a source that's opened up the world to me.

    I could go to a 100 little shows/sales/hobby shop and never see the variety available on ebay.
    Mike
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    Well, maybe when you bought the card for $500 you paid too much for it. Very possible if you bought a low pop, which are like catching falling knives.
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
  • Do people really not know how to click "Auctions only"?
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,144 ✭✭✭
    I do!!!! I am trying to fill in my 1955 Bowman set, and all the BIN's aren't even close!!!
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i> don't want to list a card I paid $50 for a couple years ago at $.99 and get maybe $25 for it >>



    I am totally with you there. It only takes a couple of times of buying a card for $500+ and auctioning off for $200 (when VCP average is $900), to burn yourself out on auctions. If the bidders would actually SUPPORT the auctions, then maybe you would stop seeing a glut of BIN's. But as long as valuable items are being given away at rock bottom prices for too long, then the BIN's aren't going away - as a matter of fact, they will only get WORSE!! Noone likes to lose money! >>



    In that situation, the card will just sit there if you list it as a Buy It Now.

    What I try to do when I buy a collection is to buy it so that I can move it within a few weeks in an auction format. An auction, most of the time, is the market value.

    Shane

  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Do people really not know how to click "Auctions only"? >>



    When you look for rare stuff, you will probably miss many things if you do that.

    Shane



  • << <i>

    << <i>Do people really not know how to click "Auctions only"? >>



    When you look for rare stuff, you will probably miss many things if you do that. >>



    So I take it your issue is less with the clutter of BINs and more to do with the prices.
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,169 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Do people really not know how to click "Auctions only"? >>



    When you look for rare stuff, you will probably miss many things if you do that. >>



    So I take it your issue is less with the clutter of BINs and more to do with the prices. >>



    Both.

    There are BIN's that clutter, and there are BIN's that are so high priced that they get stagnant and sit there for 5 years (and yes, it's aggravating when it is something that I need).

    Shane

  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "...An auction, most of the time, is the market value...."

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

    Actually, an auction is just a snapshot in time.

    Auctions, over a long time period, have the ability
    to trend prices toward ZERO. They also have the
    ability to dramatically decrease the number of items
    offered for sale; sellers are not interested in paying
    EBAY for the privilege of losing money.

    When the fee/format change kicks in, we will see
    an initial spurt in auction listings. After the first few
    weeks, they will decline AND BIN-counts will soar.

    99-cent closing prices are not what sellers have in
    mind when they list, but it IS what they will get when
    they are buried in the rollout of the new scheme.

    Outside of collectible cats, auctions are dead and
    dying on EBAY. Customers at the world's largest
    outlet mall wanna buy stuff; not bid on stuff.

    BINs are the future in ALL EBAY cats. Buyers will get
    used to paying retail prices or they will find new venues
    to build their collections; I have NO clue where those
    new venues might be.

    ........................
    /////////////////////


    ecrater has moved into 2nd place in listing counts:

    February 16, 2010

    eBay 39,509,134 +75907

    eCrater 2,941,960 +803

    Bonanzle 2,636,840 +11511

    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • UlyssesExtravaganzaUlyssesExtravaganza Posts: 832 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think this is the result of a bad economy. If it was better, people are happy to let it play out and accept market value. Lots of bidders, lots of demand, great prices in a good economy. With lots of disappointing final sale prices, sellers are making the decision that it's okay not to sell their product at all rather than accept what they don't feel is an adequate price. In an auction, you can have a guy willing to pay $100 for a card and nobody else willing to pay more than $35. So the final sale is around $36. If you list it at BIN, you could get your $100. Straight auction, you lost a potential $66. BIN is for the patient person who either believes if it doesn't sell right away, he will get a better price in the future or does not mind holding it or someone willing to sell only to the high bidder at his max price. I think you saw a similar trend in the housing market before it collapsed. You had all these people who paid top dollar for their homes in the boom. As the boom cooled off and starting heading the other direction, the people who had purchased high didn't want to accept market value. So in a lot of cases, people waited and there were incredibly weak home sales. Sellers didn't want to accept a loss. Buyers didn't want to pay prices that they didn't feel were justified so there was a stalemate. Then the bottom fell in as bills came due and banks needed the money and people didn't have the option of holding out for a better time. There are cards I have put out there as BIN, didn't get what I wanted and then set it up for straight auction and got a much lower price. Straight auction is a surrender to market conditions which these days aren't so good.
  • jimradjimrad Posts: 2,777 ✭✭✭
    I agree with most of what I have read here, but I must say that when it comes to BIN's from people that aren't the biggest sellers on Ebay I have made
    many requests to the seller that I would buy he item if his BIN was ......then I give a price I would pay......and I have had many adjust their BIN to my
    request and I use cashback and buy it. So I really have grabbed a few items I wanted. I have had no success with big power sellers on this strategy.
    Positive transactions with: Bkritz,Bosox1976,Brick,captainthreeputt,cpettimd,craigger,cwazzy,DES1984,Dboneesq,daddymc,Downtown1974,EAsports,EagleEyeKid,fattymacs,gameusedhoop,godblessUSA,goose3,KatsCards,mike22y2k,
    MULLINS5,1966CUDA,nam812,nightcrawler,OAKESY25,PowderedH2O,relaxed,RonBurgundy,samsgirl214,shagrotn77,swartz1,slantycouch,Statman,Wabittwax
  • MorgothMorgoth Posts: 3,950 ✭✭✭
    Actually storm they will either get used to paying retail prices OR quit collecting and do something else. I think that happens more than we want to admit in this hobby.

    Take someone trying to put together an 80s baseball set graded (doesn't matter year or maker) and all of the sudden his 2 to 4 dollar graded commons are now 7.99 due to nobody listing these as auctions anymore or wanting to have a loss leader. 7.99 may be the "retail" amount to make a decent profit but when it drives everyone out of collecting that set what good did it do?

    The other avenue you mention is probably raw cards not graded cards as people will just switch back and live with the frustration of overgrading versus the wallet busting reality of collecting all graded sets.
    Currently completing the following registry sets: Cardinal HOF's, 1961 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1980 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, Bill Mazeroski Master & Basic Sets, Roberto Clemente Master & Basic Sets, Willie Stargell Master & Basic Sets and Terry Bradshaw Basic Set
  • this has proven to be a most excellent thread. I always love it when Storm weighs in.
  • gameusedhoopgameusedhoop Posts: 3,633 ✭✭✭✭
    Offered on a card this morning, guy had it @ $100 BIN with BO. I offered $45, pretty much inline with VCP:

    2/6/10 eBay Auction $64.88
    12/20/09 eBay Auction $60.00
    11/12/09 eBay Auction $44.78
    9/27/09 eBay Auction $71.00
    9/24/09 eBay Auction $64.78
    8/24/09 eBay Auction $99.99
    8/20/09 eBay Auction $56.00
    8/15/09 eBay $42.43
    8/6/09 eBay $68.26
    4/29/09 eBay $38.60
    4/26/09 eBay $47.50
    4/2/09 eBay $49.06
    3/7/09 eBay $54.00
    3/1/09 eBay $31.33
    2/20/09 eBay $18.27
    2/2/09 eBay $59.67

    Not a card I had to have, but would take if Icould get it at my price. The guy's response: "you should have took $100.00 underpriced", it's BIN is now set at $200!

    There are at least 4 others with the following BIN prices currently listed:
    $180 w/BO
    $160 free shipping
    $152 w/BO
    $105

    and one for bid @ $69 with no bids and 31 hours left.

    Makes you wonder if he really wants to sell.
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,144 ✭✭✭
    I love this thread.......it brings up good points on both sides of the stream. I am just waiting for CarolJ to chime in and chastise us :-p
  • In the world of collectibles, most sellers are becoming more knowlegeable and thus more greedy. If I sell an item that I have very little money in, I will let it go at auction and it moves usually at a low price. I make very little on the transaction and sometimes lose some money. If I have money involved it would be rediculous to auction it and let it be sniped at the last second. When I use a buy it now, I always include or best offer. When I buy currency, I like to make an offer. You would be suprised what sellers take when the item hasn't moved in a while. Just my thoughts
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭


    << <i>When I buy currency, I like to make an offer. You would be suprised what sellers take when the item hasn't moved in a while. Just my thoughts >>



    Good point. I view every BIN that's been around a while as automatically containing a BestOffer option. It never hurts to offer.
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq


  • << <i>Actually storm they will either get used to paying retail prices OR quit collecting and do something else. I think that happens more than we want to admit in this hobby.

    Take someone trying to put together an 80s baseball set graded (doesn't matter year or maker) and all of the sudden his 2 to 4 dollar graded commons are now 7.99 due to nobody listing these as auctions anymore or wanting to have a loss leader. 7.99 may be the "retail" amount to make a decent profit but when it drives everyone out of collecting that set what good did it do?

    The other avenue you mention is probably raw cards not graded cards as people will just switch back and live with the frustration of overgrading versus the wallet busting reality of collecting all graded sets. >>



    I don't know how anyone really makes money selling a PSA graded card at 7.99 avg grading cost 5.00 + S/H both ways + the cost of the mailer and the card holders, of course this is why I hardly ever send in anything older than 1975. Then you sell it on Ebay for 7.99
    which in reality means 7.99 - .85 ebay fees - .53 Paypal fees = net sale of 6.61- grading fees/S/H and at best you break even, it would have been easier just giving the card away ungraded.
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭
    Enough of the 'market price' nonsense. If you consistently sell baseball cards at 'market price', you will go broke. Why? I'm glad you asked! Because most of your competitors are operating with ZERO profit motive. Take a look on these boards- how many guys here can be expected to make money going forward on their buying and selling? Probably less than 2%. Ebay has no barriers to exit or entry- it's very nearly the paradigm of perfect competition. And if you're competing against people who are willing--indeed, perhaps even indifferent- to incurring losses on their transactions then you, too will incur losses if you're willing to sell at the same price as your competitors.

    There's one way to make money on collectibles on Ebay- buy at the right price, be patient, and sell for more than market value. That's it. The only other avenue is to have a model like DSL or 4SC where you sell graded cards in bulk and gain a competitive advantage by paying less than the average schmuck in per-card grading fees. Outside of that, you need to sell for a premium price- otherwise you're just spinning your wheels. Again- the market price on Ebay is the break-even price, because the people who establish the market price are happy to break-even. I cannot break it down any simpler than that.



  • TabeTabe Posts: 6,236 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Offered on a card this morning, guy had it @ $100 BIN with BO. I offered $45, pretty much inline with VCP:

    Makes you wonder if he really wants to sell. >>


    Average price among the 16 you listed works out to ~$55. I'd have turned you down too.

    Tabe
  • gameusedhoopgameusedhoop Posts: 3,633 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Average price among the 16 you listed works out to ~$55. I'd have turned you down too. >>



    But would your next step be to double your current BIN price? Seeing where it was already above every card that had sold on ebay for the last year, hopefully not.

    My offer was just that...an offer, a vehicle to open discussions about the item in question. If he had come back around $60 I may have taken it. I was just looking to spend some extra $$ and get a decent card. I don't know what he was thinking, but he should draw up a will, that card will still be with him when he passes if he keeps it at $200.
  • With the present economy, I think sellers that don't need the money are not going to list good/rare items in an .99 auction.

    I have said this before: with everyone wanting to buy at 10% back of VCP last auction or average you will see more and more BIN's.
    I am greedy just like everyone else I want my auctions to sell at 50% over VCP and I want to buy at 50% of VCP, I don't see either one happening. Like Becketts (this is only a guide) I think buyers & sellers need to remember: VCP this is only a guide not the bible.

    I think a some ebayers are PITA buyers that used to come in my store:
    customer: I am trying to finish my 1985 Topps set here are the 50 cards I need. see I bought these boxes at Walmart and don't want to buy another box.
    seller: let me dig through this 5000 count box (10 minutes later), Good news I have all 50 cards with a few semi stars.
    Customer: how much ?
    seller: 1.50 or .03 cents a card.
    Customer: I'll give you 1.00 out the door No tax.
    Seller: sorry no 1.50 + tax = 1.59
    Customer: waves a dollar bill at me.
    Seller: I smile Rip the 50 cards in half throw them in the garbage and tell the customer to go to Walmarts with their %@## list. or I smile smash the corners of the cards on the counter and say here you can have them for free now.

    Ahhh Now I feel better.

    image
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Average price among the 16 you listed works out to ~$55. I'd have turned you down too. >>



    But would your next step be to double your current BIN price? Seeing where it was already above every card that had sold on ebay for the last year, hopefully not.

    My offer was just that...an offer, a vehicle to open discussions about the item in question. If he had come back around $60 I may have taken it. I was just looking to spend some extra $$ and get a decent card. I don't know what he was thinking, but he should draw up a will, that card will still be with him when he passes if he keeps it at $200. >>



    Yeah, my experience has been that about 1 in 10 offers that I make result in a counter-offer. Some sellers just either aren't into that or get huffy the way yours seems to have done.
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    No. I have found many a good deal with BIN's on ebay.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • I have never had any experience like that. I've made about 40 best offers. I've either been accepted or gotten a counteroffer. In every case, we eventually found a number that we agreed upon and made a deal. Of course, I never offer 25% VCP. I'm usually offering what I feel is a reasonable number, and generally I won't waste my time with an offer of a card that is ridiculously overpriced. If I see a $30 card that is priced at $200, why bother with an offer?
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.
  • Throw out VCP avg, I haven't seen many guys on the BST page asking for VCP avg.
    Trying to climb the 1954-55 Topps Hockey ladder for the second time.

  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,144 ✭✭✭
    I ask for VCP average, as well as I have seen others ask for VCP average. Seems like the new breed of buyers want it for 50% off of VCP average......JMO.....
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