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Opinions Requested: to open an eBay Store with my inventory, or not?

MULLINS5MULLINS5 Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Hi all, I see a lot of sellers on eBay selling commons and other various cards/memorabilia and am wondering what you think is the best route to sell?

Last year I opened a Half.com store (which is free and a fantastic way to sell/buy books, DVD's and other media, and would be a GREAT model for selling sports cards) and with an inventory of close to 1000 books, I sell at least one/day which is nice side income for a college guy. I'm thinking about doing the same with my cards as I see eBay stores with 1000's of commons and feedback in the 1000's...obviously their system works and I'd like to do the same with the cards that I have.

So what do you guys think? Have some advice or tips? How do you feel about stock photos?

Thanks in advance,

Patrick

Comments

  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭

    It's worth a try.

    I don't like stock photos on collectibles, but some folks use them.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • BrickBrick Posts: 5,001 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A stock photo for a sportcard would not be a good idea IMHO.
    Collecting 1960 Topps Baseball in PSA 8
    http://www.unisquare.com/store/brick/

    Ralph

  • CubsFan41CubsFan41 Posts: 513 ✭✭


    << <i>A stock photo for a sportcard would not be a good idea IMHO. >>



    My interest goes away instantly with stock photos.
    Looking for Cello packs with Bill Buckner on top
  • GarabaldiGarabaldi Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭
    I have to agree
  • BarfvaderBarfvader Posts: 2,859 ✭✭✭✭
    I actually don't like stock photos on anything. Much prefer to see the exact item I am purchasing.

    Jeff

    Miscut Museum

    My Mess

  • SOMSOM Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭
    I, too, will never by a card listed with a stock photo, Patrick
  • mknezmknez Posts: 1,992 ✭✭✭
    I stay away from auctions that use stock photos too.

    ------
    stupid print dots

  • SmuggoSmuggo Posts: 425 ✭
    An item listed with a "stock photo" on ebay is the same as an item listed on a BST Board with no price. I move on immediately.
    Collecting Pre-War, Pre-War HOF Types, Pre-War Postcards
  • MULLINS5MULLINS5 Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭
    Thanks guys, no stock photos it will be. I'm not a fan of them myself, but I've never been on the selling side for commons...1,000's of scans.

    I think at 17/month I will give it a try.

    edit: $17/month for eBay store
  • waxpackwaxpack Posts: 547
    I had a store for a while but closed it. I think for it to be worth it you need to sell alot of items.
    Trying to climb the 1954-55 Topps Hockey ladder for the second time.

  • cardbendercardbender Posts: 1,831 ✭✭
    With the eBay fee changes happening soon, I think the lower priced store is not a good idea with lower priced stuff, due to the fact that they now will charge 20 cents per item/ per month/ to list it for 30 days. So if you list 1000 commons a month, the fee's just for listing it will be $200 + $16.95 for the store fee. You're at $216 a month without having made a single sale.

    With the middle priced store at $49.95/month, they charge a nickel for a 30 day listing. So with that format you're at $50 for a 1000 items, + $50 for the store fee, or $100 total.

    I believe the above is correct on the fee's unless I read the eBay fee increases that are rolling out soon wrong.

    I honestly believe you need to have at least $5000 in inventory with at least 200 items listed in order to run an eBay store and at least make a little money while doing it. Plus it's a lot of work to run a store trying to keep up with the listing, scanning, packaging, shipping, leaving FB, keeping track of paperwork for taxes, etc.....
    Just my two cents.

    Good luck whatever you try.
  • earlycalguyearlycalguy Posts: 1,247 ✭✭


    << <i>Thanks guys, no stock photos it will be. I'm not a fan of them myself, but I've never been on the selling side for commons...1,000's of scans.

    I think at 17/month I will give it a try.

    edit: $17/month for eBay store >>



    you may want to check but i think ebay store subscriptions are going up a good bit in the next month or so. today's rate is the $17
  • PowderedH2OPowderedH2O Posts: 2,443 ✭✭
    Here's an example where a Stock photo works just fine Stock photo auction
    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.
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭


    << <i>With the eBay fee changes happening soon, I think the lower priced store is not a good idea with lower priced stuff, due to the fact that they now will charge 20 cents per item/ per month/ to list it for 30 days. So if you list 1000 commons a month, the fee's just for listing it will be $200 + $16.95 for the store fee. You're at $216 a month without having made a single sale.

    With the middle priced store at $49.95/month, they charge a nickel for a 30 day listing. So with that format you're at $50 for a 1000 items, + $50 for the store fee, or $100 total.

    I believe the above is correct on the fee's unless I read the eBay fee increases that are rolling out soon wrong.

    I honestly believe you need to have at least $5000 in inventory with at least 200 items listed in order to run an eBay store and at least make a little money while doing it. Plus it's a lot of work to run a store trying to keep up with the listing, scanning, packaging, shipping, leaving FB, keeping track of paperwork for taxes, etc.....
    Just my two cents.

    Good luck whatever you try. >>



    Sounds like a job for a retiree!!!! is there any value in opening a store and listing commons from the 70's and 80's or is that a waste of time????
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