Selling Collection - Need Advice

[Stayfrosty]

Hi all,

Looking to sell about 500 cards in a single transaction or two, and need your advice.

Originally I planned to collect the best 18 cards from each year spanning 1957 - 1989, making for a nice 9 card page binder/display. After years of collecting it's nearly complete but unfortunately, I need to sell.

It consists of 100% hall of famers, and all-stars, with nearly complete runs of all the big names including mantle, mays, aaron, williams, clemente, etc. Almost all the key rookies as well.

They are all raw, with he majority being G-EX.

I understand I'll probably get around 50% of what I paid. What do I do?

Best,
Peter

[raulus]

How big of a hurry are you in? Do you need to cash out in the next week, or can you wait 2-3 months?

That will probably drive the decision whether to sell to a dealer immediately for less, or maybe run through the process of trying to sell through an eBay broker like Greg Morris, and hopefully get a little bit more.

[Balticfox]

If your primary need is to maximize price, sell the cards individually rather than in large groups. Collectors generally aren't interested in doubles for which they'd then need to find a market themselves.

Selling singles through Greg Morris is indeed a viable option that works for many.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Stayfrosty

Hi all,

Looking to sell about 500 cards in a single transaction or two, and need your advice.

Originally I planned to collect the best 18 cards from each year spanning 1957 - 1989, making for a nice 9 card page binder/display. After years of collecting it's nearly complete but unfortunately, I need to sell.

It consists of 100% hall of famers, and all-stars, with nearly complete runs of all the big names including mantle, mays, aaron, williams, clemente, etc. Almost all the key rookies as well.

They are all raw, with he majority being G-EX.

I understand I'll probably get around 50% of what I paid. What do I do?

Best,
Peter

I would post pics and what you want for price on here. With no transaction fees like eBay or an AH you can sell a little cheaper and maybe get a little more cash in your pocket. With G-EX condition cards it won't be a crazy high price so should get some interest. Good luck selling.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I would post pics and what you want for price on here. With no transaction fees like eBay or an AH you can sell a little cheaper and maybe get a little more cash in your pocket. With G-EX condition cards it won't be a crazy high price so should get some interest. Good luck selling.

+1

[Snapolit1]

Selling 500 cards here sounds like quite a bit of work, no?

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Selling 500 cards here sounds like quite a bit of work, no?

And it would take a while, unless you’re willing to price them to move.

But agree that the level of work would be exceptional, even if you offered them in a single bulk lot, simply because the buyers will want to see scans of basically everything.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Selling 500 cards here sounds like quite a bit of work, no?

Welcome to the real world. If you want positive results, you need to work for them.

[Harliduck]

You don't need GM...treat it like a set break...take the time (and effort) and do quality front and back scans...throw them yourself on ebay and list them all at .99 auction. The market will pay (pretty much) what it's worth if you have decent feedback on your account. 2 to 3 days to prep and list...5 or 7 day auction of fun and stress...then a couple of days to pack up and ship (and wait for payment as there will be stragglers). Vualla...sold. Sounds like the cards you have will generate enough interest regardless of shape to have a fun auction.

Selling here is good for no fees, but often times you'll get more money while paying the fees....folks here want a good deal...lol.

[MikeGarcia]

"
.. Vualla...sold. "

... Did you perhaps mean " Viola " ? She's over there , on the couch.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

"
.. Vualla...sold. "

... Did you perhaps mean " Viola " ? She's over there , on the couch.

My kids always spelled it “walla”!

[jupiter451]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

You don't need GM...treat it like a set break...take the time (and effort) and do quality front and back scans...throw them yourself on ebay and list them all at .99 auction. The market will pay (pretty much) what it's worth if you have decent feedback on your account. 2 to 3 days to prep and list...5 or 7 day auction of fun and stress...then a couple of days to pack up and ship (and wait for payment as there will be stragglers)....

I would think this through before brushing off a consignor like GMC. eBay is going to take 13%. GMC takes 25%. So is it worth the 12% difference to you to not have to worry about scanning, listing, shipping etc.? For me, having GMC handle all that was a no-brainer. Also they tend to get higher bids than the average Joe, which can make a big difference.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by jupiter451

I would think this through before brushing off a consignor like GMC. eBay is going to take 13%. GMC takes 25%. So is it worth the 12% difference to you to not have to worry about scanning, listing, shipping etc.? For me, having GMC handle all that was a no-brainer. Also they tend to get higher bids than the average Joe, which can make a big difference.

Another thing the seller wouldn't have to worry about dealing with would be returns, or complaints. Cards ranging from Good upwards would be a pain for the OP to grade/describe accurately. GM handles that all the time.

[wdwfan]

Id second GM. His auctions always start at 99 cents and always go for double or triple the same card with winners have like 90% of their bids with him. So lots of popularity and repeat bidders.

[jchcollins]

Get all the cards graded by PSA. Then, in 9-18 months when you get them back, you will also get offers from the grader to buy the cards they just graded back from you. Because that's not a conflict of interest at all...

[Eric72]

The word is spelled, "voilà."

(Tip of the cap to old school Net54 members who used to routinely correct spelling and grammar errors.)

Walla County, Washington is more than likely a lovely place.

The sound of a viola can be wonderful.

Vualla is an app for the iPad.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Get all the cards graded by PSA. Then, in 9-18 months when you get them back, you will also get offers from the grader to buy the cards they just graded back from you. Because that's not a conflict of interest at all...

Yeah, but it's not PSA making the offers directly. It's a very select handful of their biggest customers...so it's all good. Rainbows and unicorns, I tell you.

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by jupiter451

I would think this through before brushing off a consignor like GMC. eBay is going to take 13%. GMC takes 25%. So is it worth the 12% difference to you to not have to worry about scanning, listing, shipping etc.? For me, having GMC handle all that was a no-brainer. Also they tend to get higher bids than the average Joe, which can make a big difference.

I'll disagree with you a bit here. I think the "tend to get higher bids" is here or there. I've done set breaks many times and I've sold cards higher than I thought...but mostly comes out to the going rate. Same with GM. I've literally bought hundreds of cards from them...in fact bout 15 today. When they do a set break on something I'm working on, I'll go through and put up bids on the cards I want and the most I'm willing to pay (ALWAYS under the lowest BIN of whats available) and what I would consider a good deal...and routinely score many of what I put down. I'll bid on as many as 50 cards...I'll routinely get 20 to 25. While they have a solid reputation...I do like their conservative grades...not every card gets more than going rate. Most sales are pretty common actually. As said, IF the seller has decent feedback and looks trusted, the delta on sales isn't what you think...although a whole lot less work...

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

...although a whole lot less work...

Based on the original post, I’m guessing this is a key element. At least it sure seemed like it based on trying to move the collection in one or two transactions.

[jayshum]

I got an email that Greg Morris is having a special offer in November and only charging 20% consignment fee on raw vintage so that may make them a more attractive option.

[Harliduck]

At 20% that's a no brainer...