General ( non controversial ) Probstein Question
 

Just a general question that came to my mind as there was a lengthy Probstein thread a few days ago. Now with PWCC, they have a website, really seem to market themselves as the premier internet consignment option for sellers, etc...

How did Probstein become so big? Was he a prominent dealer with vast inventory before the whole internet thing? Does he have strong contacts within the hobby? Did he just go for broke and decide that offering a service selling cards on consignment on ebay was the way to go? ( If so, kudos for becoming a top dog in a very competitive industry )

Just curious, have never bought anything from him, just seems to kind of be a tremendous "American Success Story" if he has built this whole thing from scratch.

Lol
 

three letters:

LOL

How is that funny? I am curious myself....

And so it starts........:D

Bobby! R U kidding me? It is an hilarious response. Dave Pierson

hahahahaha

Good question. If someone here doesn't know, and you're curious, I'd just ask him. He's always communicated pretty well with me.

And yet another wet tablet screen. :mad:

:D

I'm semi new to this concept of consignment with cards. Why do people consign? Why don't people just list it themselves? I don't understand...

Build a reputation for getting top dollar simply because all your auctions are shilled, pretty easy to pick up consignments.

Or if you have a lot of cards for sale and dont want a 1099 from ebay maybe that is the reason. wonder if probstein sends 1099's to consignees?

Packaging and individually monitoring a bunch of auctions is a complete PITA. I can see why people would consign.

i have sold several things and it has been well worth it. because i'm a nobody seller, if i sell directly on ebay, i get wacked with about 12% off the top. the consignors have deals cut with ebay, so they only pay about 7-8%. so the consignor charges me 12-15% which is about what it would cost me anyways and they deal with taking pictures, writing descriptions, marketing the auction, answering buyer questions, and most importantly, dealing with buyers who are not happy with said items. well, well worth a couple (if any) extra percentage points IMO.

How did Probstein become so big?
 

not sure how to reply, but I can say this...

I try and treat everyone how I'd like to be treated....

and I have 3 principles for my consignors :

1) we post their items super fast, we have a staff of 11 and I handle every item prior to posting, I've been a dealer since 1981

2) we have loads of eye balls on our auctions which typically yields to strong sales....

3) we pay our consignors super fast....and our rates are the best in the business....

life is about relationships and I try really hard to make people happy...
thanks for the interest...
rick

Wow! You have a staff of 11 and you can make payroll and other operating expenses on the margin between what you charge consignors and what you have to pay eBay and paypal?

Rick,
Speaking strictly as a buyer, thanks for a half-dozen or so smooth transactions.
Scot Reader

I have bought from him several times and it was a pleasure dealing with him
CN

So with a staff that size they should police the bidding a bit yeah??

I've bought and sold numerous cards through Rick, and I have yet to have a bad experience.

My Juan Marichal rookie came from probstein123 - extremely happy with it. If I didn't have to buy goody bag items for almost 200 kids - I would've bid stronger on that Reggie Jackson rookie tonight - that was beautiful! Ohwell!

Todd

+1 for Rick

Is it really Rick's job to police his consignors? Even if he made them sign an agreement not to bid on their auctions (which is common sense), who would know if some friend of the consignor is bidding. And, frankly, it is NOT Rick's job to play detective on every item he is given to sell. So, stop the witch hunt and move on to real problems

Rich