A question for those considering leaving the hobby.

[x2drich2000]

Ditto both Pete and Peter. Different items require different selling methods. There is a big different between a $3k card and groups of mid-grade 60's topps.
I would also if possible just sit out for a while. It seems like everytime I make a rushed decision I end up regretting later.

[1952boyntoncollector]

You have been talking about leaving the hobby since i can remember. You also sell your own cards and are knowledgeable about all the auction methods and how to sell cards. I think you are the one that could offer the answer to this more than anyone here so not sure why you asking.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

You have been talking about leaving the hobby since i can remember. You also sell your own cards and are knowledgeable about all the auction methods and how to sell cards. I think you are the one that could offer the answer to this more than anyone here so not sure why you asking.

+1

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

You have been talking about leaving the hobby since i can remember. You also sell your own cards and are knowledgeable about all the auction methods and how to sell cards. I think you are the one that could offer the answer to this more than anyone here so not sure why you asking.

Don't be a ****. Times have changed a lot in the last year or so. Hopefully, even you can attest to that.

[Case12]

If your goal is not top dollar, there are members on this forum that buy full collections. Make a list and they make an offer. You like the offer. Negotiate. Then box it all up and send to them. I did this with my entire military and astronaut collection. Great transaction with buyer. Made a new friend and made some other transactions later.

[buymycards]

I don't plan on leaving the hobby, but I was giving this very question some serious thought a few nights ago. What if I have cancer and the doctor gives me 6 months to live?

What would I do with my:

Card show inventory? Take it to a show and try to blow out the entire inventory to another dealer at a greatly discounted price?

eBay inventory? I don't know. Maybe do the same thing? I could discount it very heavily on eBay and sell what I can before I blow out the remainder.

My personal collection? I would probably start by reaching out to board members in the BST and try to sell the whole works. Take what money I can get and move on. Possibly an auction house, although I may not be alive to see the results.

Hopefully, that scenario won't occur and I can keep buying stupid amounts of cards and memorabilia. Also, when I am buying a collection, my favorite part is when I am going through all of the boxes and tubs of junk.

[bobbyw8469]

I don't plan on leaving the hobby, but I was giving this very question some serious thought a few nights ago. What if I have cancer and the doctor gives me 6 months to live?

It is defintely somethign EVERY collector should consider. I may consider Lee Behrens and someone else said Steve Novella. Honesty is the most important aspect for me (along with quick pay). I'll probably do a hybird. Use someone for the pricier stuff (over $50) and maybe right here on the BST boards for the stuff over $50. The auction side here doesn't appear to get much activity, but there are a few sellers selling religiously there, and if I were to firesale stuff there, that might promote interest even more.

[Leon]

You can make your own rules on the BST auction section. So if you want to try to move an expensive card just start out at a fair minimum. IF it doesn't sell you have wasted 5-10 minutes but it is free to try. No risk. No taxes either.
I can't buy almost anything online anymore without being taxed. I don't mind taxes but would prefer not to have to pay them.
Personally, I think our whole tax system sucks. On some items the repeated sales tax can equal more than the item is even worth.

I would look at a hybrid sale if I sell again. The first time was orchestrated and I got a nice auction catalog of all of my stuff for future reference.

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

It is defintely somethign EVERY collector should consider. I may consider Lee Behrens and someone else said Steve Novella. Honesty is the most important aspect for me (along with quick pay). I'll probably do a hybird. Use someone for the pricier stuff (over $50) and maybe right here on the BST boards for the stuff over $50. The auction side here doesn't appear to get much activity, but there are a few sellers selling religiously there, and if I were to firesale stuff there, that might promote interest even more.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Don't be a ****. Times have changed a lot in the last year or so. Hopefully, even you can attest to that.

You have told me many times you are about to leave the hobby and I just said you know more than most people about card values and how to sell them so I was not trying to troll etc.

If its a mortality issue, you are really asking about time. The more time you have to sell , the more you can get top dollar. If have to sell in a few months, you likely wont get top dollar.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

You have been talking about leaving the hobby since i can remember. You also sell your own cards and are knowledgeable about all the auction methods and how to sell cards. I think you are the one that could offer the answer to this more than anyone here so not sure why you asking.

Agreed

[MULLINS5]

Bobby - I'm getting out. Just started listing cards 0.99/no reserve/7 day auctions. Whatever it goes for, it goes for. Time with my family and space are more important to me now more than ever. Whatever is left I'll toss in the trash. Best of luck man.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by MULLINS5

Bobby - I'm getting out. Just started listing cards 0.99/no reserve/7 day auctions. Whatever it goes for, it goes for. Time with my family and space are more important to me now more than ever. Whatever is left I'll toss in the trash. Best of luck man.

What is your ebay ID?

[iowadoc77]

Originally Posted by MULLINS5

Bobby - I'm getting out. Just started listing cards 0.99/no reserve/7 day auctions. Whatever it goes for, it goes for. Time with my family and space are more important to me now more than ever. Whatever is left I'll toss in the trash. Best of luck man.

Great perspective on time on time with family. Much more valuable than any collection!

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by iowadoc77

Great perspective on time on time with family. Much more valuable than any collection!

agreed... who cares about getting that extra 5% or whatever that takes even more time to research and ask about if you have limited time. Most people that have been active for 20 years buying and selling know what they are doing to get most of the money in a short time even if 'losing out' on a few dollars..time is money..

[Leon]

Can't argue with spending more time with loved ones. Too bad you couldn't do both (stay and have more time with family) ....Good luck with the sales.

Originally Posted by MULLINS5

Bobby - I'm getting out. Just started listing cards 0.99/no reserve/7 day auctions. Whatever it goes for, it goes for. Time with my family and space are more important to me now more than ever. Whatever is left I'll toss in the trash. Best of luck man.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Leon

Can't argue with spending more time with loved ones. Too bad you couldn't do both (stay and have more time with family) ....Good luck with the sales.

Leon....didn't you recently go through this? I thought you sold a big collection thru Heritage? Or were you just pruning?

[ALBB]

Interesting comment about - getting out and spending more time with family...I never consider sports card collecting as something that would take that much time away from family ?....but I guess a really passionate collector could get so wrapped up in it..maybe on the computer 8 hrs a day..running to every card show within 4 hrs...constantly involved in auctions,...and don't forget being on Net54 site..7 times a day LOL

[Leon]

Yes, I sold my whole card collection in 2015. The impetus was my daughters college tuition. I figured after I sold a few hundred k to pay for it (it will be a bit more with her Masters) then I might as well sell everything and start over. And I always said I was way too heavy in cards, financially, relative to the few pennies of cash in my piggy bank. But I never intended to get out, just downsize and start over. It took away some financial stress doing it so that was good. I think it was also good for the forum (I am sure some disagree) as I was able to get rid of a few pain-in-my-rear members and not care about the consequences.

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Leon....didn't you recently go through this? I thought you sold a big collection thru Heritage? Or were you just pruning?

[Rhotchkiss]

Presumably you are considering leaving the hobby, in part due to things that PWCC has been accused of. If this is the case (and it is a clear assumption), then I think it would be disingenuous (to say the least) to use PWCC to sell your stuff.