Overpriced cards

brian1961 · #1 10-21-2014, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runscott

So here is some wisdom for you: not all ebay buyers are as smart as you. And even the smart ones now feel that ALL BIN cards are probably overpriced - sure, they could look up values, but it's now more of a psychological thing. If I price all of my cards at a price that will earn me five cents profit - guess what? They won't sell for the asking price (or they rarely will). I'll get low-balled by a certain percentage on every one of them. The take-home message is that buyers aren't looking for a fair deal - they are looking for a steal. So to play the game, sellers overprice their cards, buyers then respond with a discounted offer, and the cards sell.

No, sellers aren't looking for a "rube" - they are looking to stay in business. If I showed you my accounting for this year you would stop whining.

Scott, very well expressed. Among the key statements you make is one I shall repeat yet again:

"The take-home message is that buyers aren't looking for a fair deal - they are looking for a steal."

The smug remarks from almost every National attendee was how cards were so ridiculously overpriced. Just wait 'til its THEIR time to sell. The National vendors conduct their business just as they do on eBay. Price something nice very steep. Then negotiate with a serious buyer. As for someone who loves the card, but grimaces at the price and won't even ask about a counter offer---HERE THEN is the stupid one.

---Brian Powell

Runscott · #2 10-21-2014, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian1961

Scott, very well expressed. Among the key statements you make is one I shall repeat yet again:

"The take-home message is that buyers aren't looking for a fair deal - they are looking for a steal."

The smug remarks from almost every National attendee was how cards were so ridiculously overpriced. Just wait 'til its THEIR time to sell. The National vendors conduct their business just as they do on eBay. Price something nice very steep. Then negotiate with a serious buyer. As for someone who loves the card, but grimaces at the price and won't even ask about a counter offer---HERE THEN is the stupid one.

---Brian Powell

Thanks Brian. I hate to get into that discussion, as I completely understand the frustration of ebay buyers and naturally, I don't want to alienate them; however, many of the ones who post here are making no effort to understand what's happening. I think if you are going to complain about ebay in this manner, you should also post your ebay handle. That way the sellers who you dislike so much can save you the problem of accidentally bidding in their auctions.

As a buyer, you can filter out sellers whose prices you dislike - it is very easy. I use that feature to filter out keyword spammers, but you can do it for any seller.

bnorth · #3 10-21-2014, 02:56 PM

I must be in the minority. I think eBay/paypal fees are very reasonable. Try opening a real store once and see what your expenses are. Trust me you will no longer complain about eBay fees.

My one slight complaint on eBay fees are that they are a flat % now. I liked the old step system. On higher end items the fees should be slightly lower than on cheap items under $100.

I have never understood those that go into a brick and mortar store and think that eBay prices are what they should pay. eBay is a crap shoot at best, in the B/M store you get to look at and touch the actual merchandise you are going to buy. This goes for everything not just our hobby of cards.

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