Prewar Card Collector (Brent Hugiens) Question
bobbyw8469
Posts: 7,144 ✭✭✭
Hello all....I was thinking of consigning some cards thru PWCC, but his rates seem very low (10% for a dime card). With the new increase in Ebay fees and with Paypal fees, how does he make any money!?!?!?!!? (it says his fees include those fees)......anyone with experience/advice?
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If he clears 4%, that's $4,000 for his monthly auction. That's on only $100K in auctions. I believe his monthly consignments usually pull in more than that.
<< <i>I hope there are good, informational threads like this monthly... because there are plenty of others that are totally worthless!!! >>
Could not agree more!!
The ebay fee for a $1000 item is $50, Brent would charge $100. So he makes $50.
<< <i>......With the new increase in Ebay fees and with Paypal fees, how does he make any money!?!?!?!!?........... >>
<< <i>I don't care how he makes his money........... >>
Really, because 5 exclamation points and 4 question marks beg to differ.
<< <i>I don't care how he makes his money - I just don't want him to LOSE money!! Maybe my question is this - his consignment fees seem to be very low - and he states that they are inclusive of Ebay/Paypal fees? I just don't see how that is possible - is there any hidden fees that is not listed? >>
I consigned around forty items in his last auction and was pleased with the results. Half my cards were in the $100 to $300 range, and the other half were less than $100. From the final total, he deducted slightly less than fifteen percent to cover fees and his commission. No surprises and no hidden fees. With the fee structure as described on his web site, he earns money for every card that he sells, regardless of realized price. And at around seven or eight hundred items every auction (not including the set breaks that he conducts between auctions), with sales in excess of 100k, I think he's doing pretty well and deservedly so.
<< <i>Thank you Keith. I sell on EBay myself, but I have noticed he seems to have a nice little following, and I think he has AWESOME scans of the cards. For only a nominal percentage over Ebay, it sounds like a killer deal........has anyone noticed how his cards fare in relation to the VCP average? >>
His auctions usually bring more than VCP average, so i dont understand why more sellers wont use auctions instead of BIN'S?
As a buyer, I've found his packaging is prompt and professional.
As a seller, I've found his consignor payments to be prompt. I've never had holdups due to a non-paying bidder.
PWCC realizes an additional profit margin by actually charging what I consider a realistic amount for for shipping - which is higher than most sellers (I wish more sellers & buyers felt comfortable charging / paying this, only seems fair). Additionally, Brent realizes another profit by using Collectibles Insurance Services to insure packages rather than buying more costly USPS insurance for each individual package. I don't begrudge PWCC any of these acts of course. PWCC is a business and these are smart business moves.
I recently consigned a 1986 Fleer Magic Johnson PSA 10 to Brent. When Brent scanned the card, he let me know the flimsy PSA holder fell apart! He volunteered to resubmit the now raw Magic to PSA for me. He did, it came back a '10' again, and he put it in his next auction (where it realized $480, far over VCP average).
Whether buying or selling, I have found Brent Huigens and PWCC to be a significant asset to the hobby.
<< <i>
<< <i>Thank you Keith. I sell on EBay myself, but I have noticed he seems to have a nice little following, and I think he has AWESOME scans of the cards. For only a nominal percentage over Ebay, it sounds like a killer deal........has anyone noticed how his cards fare in relation to the VCP average? >>
His auctions usually bring more than VCP average, so i dont understand why more sellers wont use auctions instead of BIN'S? >>
because they have no clue how to market and sale to maximize their profits under ANY economic situation. Meaning, when sales start to diminish and a few cards go for a low amount at auction they automatically hit the panic button and think the best way to combat it is to put it at a high BIN so they don't give their items away.
In reality, that is when a seller should have MORE auctions and actually SELL their items instead of just listing them. I knew that marketing degree would pay off, lol.
if he's getting the 20% ebay fee discount on his monthly statement then that is part of his profit too.
i doubt he'd go thru the rig-a-ma-roll of listing with eBay unless he was making some decent coin.....i know i wouldn't.
<< <i>How easy is it to set up everything with him? I'm talking shipping, assessment of the cards, etc. Feel free to PM if need be... and again, I must say this is a VERY useful thread. >>
It was very easy. I started with a phone call to Brent to talk about my consignment and answer some questions I had. I followed up with an email that was basically a letter of intent to send X number of cards and listed what those cards were and what the grades were. I then packed them up and shipped them out via registered mail. Depending on the value of what your selling, I would recommend you talk to Brent about the best shipping options.
<< <i> I have noticed he seems to have a nice little following, and I think he has AWESOME scans of the cards. >>
Bobby
You just answered your question, that is how he makes money.
Steve
<< <i>How long does it typically take to get a check out to you after auctions end? >>
I don't know if this is typical, since it's my first time consigning to PWCC, but my card's auction ended on 06/09 and Brent sent out a notice saying the checks will go out on 06/25.
<< <i>
<< <i>How long does it typically take to get a check out to you after auctions end? >>
I don't know if this is typical, since it's my first time consigning to PWCC, but my card's auction ended on 06/09 and Brent sent out a notice saying the checks will go out on 06/25. >>
Same here.