If you sell cards on eBay how do you decide between auction or fixed price?

[T206Collector]

I just sold off about 300 T206 cards in 20 card bursts over the past week or two on ebay. I did almost every one as a 1-day auction with a .99 cent starting price. The amount of attention was more than sufficient. I did pretty well. I do think I may have done slightly better with the 3-day auction format.

I don't like going more than 3 days because people forget about listings. They get the email in the morning that there is a listing. They check it out and realize it ends in a few hours, and they get to thinking. I like to find the buyers and keep them interested in bidding on the same day.

I often do better with the auction format than I was even asking for in the BIN format. E.g., a $200 BIN that doesn't sell will sometimes sell for $225 or $250. I think BINs get ignored, even if they're reasonable.

Edited to note: This works for T206s because there are SO many collectors. If you're talking about a rare item, you may take a different approach.

[Stonepony]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I just sold off about 300 T206 cards in 20 card bursts over the past week or two on ebay. I did almost every one as a 1-day auction with a .99 cent starting price. The amount of attention was more than sufficient. I did pretty well. I do think I may have done slightly better with the 3-day auction format.

I don't like going more than 3 days because people forget about listings. They get the email in the morning that there is a listing. They check it out and realize it ends in a few hours, and they get to thinking. I like to find the buyers and keep them interested in bidding on the same day.

I often do better with the auction format than I was even asking for in the BIN format. E.g., a $200 BIN that doesn't sell will sometimes sell for $225 or $250. I think BINs get ignored, even if they're reasonable.

Edited to note: This works for T206s because there are SO many collectors. If you're talking about a rare item, you may take a different approach.

I once had a E98 Cobb ( ratty) up on a .99 cent auction or BIN of $800. It sold via the auction at $820- go figure

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

I once had a E98 Cobb ( ratty) up on a .99 cent auction or BIN of $800. It sold via the auction at $820- go figure

You must've had a reserve on the card.

[Stonepony]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

You must've had a reserve on the card.

Nope

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

Nope

Yeah, I think we take for granted that the market is aware of all of its options. Like when an item sells for more at Heritage than the BIN price of the same card on eBay.

Same thing happens to me here when I list something on BST that doesn't sell. Put it on the auction thread here and watch it sell for more. Doesn't always happen, but happens enough that you shake your head.