Major Auctions v. eBay

[sports-rings]

I explained my side to ebay but they sided with him.
He got a full refund (incl. shipping) and got to keep the item while I recieved my only negative feedback in 8 years on ebay.

And then people wonder why ebay has so little "good stuff" anymore?

[drc]

I think in general, and overall, items sell for more at major auctions,but that's just in general not a rule.

It used to be at least you could buy nice bulk lots at the major auctions, like Mastro, and make a good profit breaking them up. Dont' know how that works anymore.

Picking one example (Heritage to ebay) doesn't prove anything, as you can find examples that work the other way way round. I've seen buy things on eBay and consign for profit at Legendary or REA.

As a buyer/seller you just have to find good buying deals no matter where they are-- eBay, antique store or REA.

eBay is a nice venue and you can get genuine $$, but can be messy and time consuming. A lot of people consign their collections to a big auction so it can be sold all at once and some one else is handling the whole thing. A lot of people aren't into writing auction listings, sending invoices, etc.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Goes both ways, all timing and luck as one bidder either way can add a lot of $$$ on both ends. You might win your next card for $2000 and sell it for $750. The last four cards I won on ebay went for less than half of the previous sales in the exact same card/grade.

[barrysloate]

I agree with Johnny S. completely. Venue is pretty much irrelevant. Getting a high price at auction is all about who is bidding, period. Find the right combination of bidders and you might set a new price record. Offer the same lot a month later when these same bidders have lost interest and you might get a weak price. Auctions are a crapshoot and it's always good to sell something when it is hot, and the buyers are out there. I've had incredible results on ebay, and I've consigned to the biggest auction houses and gotten killed. And vice versa.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I agree with Johnny S. completely. Venue is pretty much irrelevant. Getting a high price at auction is all about who is bidding, period. Find the right combination of bidders and you might set a new price record. Offer the same lot a month later when these same bidders have lost interest and you might get a weak price. Auctions are a crapshoot and it's always good to sell something when it is hot, and the buyers are out there. I've had incredible results on ebay, and I've consigned to the biggest auction houses and gotten killed. And vice versa.

well said! I totally agree!

I recently sold my Razor BAbe RUth cut auto on eBay when I noticed that there were a lot of bidders bidding on Ruth auto cards and I got 2500 more than I thought I would get.

[Exhibitman]

Amendment to the rule:

It is possible to do very well flipping auction lots because anything I consign to a major auction will sell at a bargain basement price.

[drc]

Been there done that, Adam.

I once bought a cabinet photo for $3,000, resold via major auction for $1,500 then a few years later saw it sell for $13,000.

The only benefit for me is I tell people I once owned a $13,000 photo.

[terjung]

I really think it depends on the card(s) in question and it also depends on the auction house. Some cards are better on ebay and some are better in AHs. Selecting the right auction house will also depend on the card. For example, I wouldn't consign PSA 4 Goudeys to REA, but might throw them on ebay with a low start or to a smaller auction house. I probably wouldn't put a really scarce, high dollar card on eBay with a low start, but might throw it to REA (or Heritage, or Sterling, or B&L, or...)

I hate to answer with "it depends", but it really does.