Looking for alternatives to selling on eBay

raulus · #1 11-16-2024, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obcbeatle

Monopolies suck. But only my opinion.

Monopolies are no fun, unless you’re the monopolist.

At the same time, I’m not convinced that the label fits, particularly in our world. eBay has been losing a lot of consignments to the more traditional sports card AHs, and my sense is that trend has accelerated bigly in the last few years. Partially from self inflicted wounds. Probably also partially from tax reporting rules that impact eBay but not the AHs.

If anything, the demise of eBay as a serious place to buy cards, and particularly auctioned cards with low starting bids, has been the bigger issue.

Naturally, your place in our world may be a wrinkle that makes it difficult to play in the AH space. Or maybe you’re concerned that the AHs don’t offer a compelling value proposition for your stuff. All of which could definitely be true.

bcbgcbrcb · #2 11-16-2024, 07:59 PM

Just about anything vintage baseball (especially pre-war) priced right will sell on Net54, even run of the mill stuff if near or below current market. If you are looking to get eBay or above prices, your items will probably need to be particularly interesting for one reason or another, ie- marquee player, rarity, high-grade, etc. It’s much easier for buyers looking for run of the mill stuff to search on eBay where they likely have dozens of copies to choose from. That’s why your price point on here is the key enticement to find buyers for that stuff.

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #3 11-17-2024, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Just about anything vintage baseball (especially pre-war) priced right will sell on Net54, even run of the mill stuff if near or below current market. If you are looking to get eBay or above prices, your items will probably need to be particularly interesting for one reason or another, ie- marquee player, rarity, high-grade, etc. It’s much easier for buyers looking for run of the mill stuff to search on eBay where they likely have dozens of copies to choose from. That’s why your price point on here is the key enticement to find buyers for that stuff.

I can mostly only speak to autographs, but in the nearly 20 years I've been here, sellers have to be practically giving the stuff away if it's going to sell in the BST section. The only exceptions are, as you say, high demand items. People want bargain basement, otherwise they're not opening their wallets. I so much wish it made more sense to list here, but I've never held a fire sale and never will. The best material has always fared better for me using other outlets. It's understandable that everybody wants a deal; it just doesn't help the sellers unless they're looking to quickly liquidate at bottom dollar.

I think there has only been a single occasion where I listed something on the BST that was out of my usual wheelhouse. The material wasn't even this board's usual wheelhouse, but certainly closely related. I priced the material a touch under recent sale prices, but not dramatically. A week later, a very kind buyer came along and paid me my price. We were both happy with the transaction, and it's always rewarding to deal with a friendly person. Thanks to that experience, I'm certainly more open to listing unsigned material on the BST should any of it come my way.

scooter729 · #4 11-17-2024, 09:21 AM

I wish more people realize the benefit of selling on here vs. eBay is that you're saving on fees, and if you pass some of that along in the price, it'll go far.

A common item which sells on eBay for $100, will net you around $85 when you sell it on eBay. So if you go to sell it on N54, list it for $90. Or maybe even $85. A buyer is more likely to buy it here for the slightly lower price, you may end up netting out higher - everyone wins (except eBay).

Don't try to sell that common item for $110 on here or even $105; it won't work. But remember that you're saving a good chunk for not having to deal with fees - price it smartly, and it'll sell.

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #5 11-17-2024, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter729

I wish more people realize the benefit of selling on here vs. eBay is that you're saving on fees, and if you pass some of that along in the price, it'll go far.

A common item which sells on eBay for $100, will net you around $85 when you sell it on eBay. So if you go to sell it on N54, list it for $90. Or maybe even $85. A buyer is more likely to buy it here for the slightly lower price, you may end up netting out higher - everyone wins (except eBay).

Don't try to sell that common item for $110 on here or even $105; it won't work. But remember that you're saving a good chunk for not having to deal with fees - price it smartly, and it'll sell.

Sure, but how about the same price, and the buyer still saves the sales tax? Then, it's an even nicer win on both sides. It shouldn't perpetually have to cater to the buyer at the expense of the seller. Let both parties make off a bit better. I guess that's unfair to those who reside in OR, MT, AK, NH and DE, not to mention us Canadians, but...

To further bolster your suggestion, my lone successful sale in recent memory was structured just as you outlined.

swarmee · #6 11-17-2024, 10:38 AM

COMC for all kinds of trading cards that would sell individually for between $2 and $100.

Balticfox · #7 11-16-2024, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raulus

If anything, the demise of eBay as a serious place to buy cards, and particularly auctioned cards with low starting bids, has been the bigger issue.

Truth!

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