Our stories mirror each other a little bit. I found collecting again in approximately late 1996 and joined ebay in 1999, after collecting as a kid in the late 60s and early 70s. I knew it would change the landscape and it has. Good, bad or indifferent it has changed things. Overall I think it has greatly helped the hobby.
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Originally Posted by mark evans
I discovered eBay in 1998 and reinstituted collecting sports cards which I had done as a kid in the 60s. The shift from the auction format to BINs makes eBay less enticing to me as a collector.
I figure I have purchased roughly 500 items since I joined in 1998. The vast majority were won in auctions prior to the shift to the BIN format. Speaking strictly as a collector and without criticism of sellers/consignors, the auction prices to me represent fair market value, as opposed to typically higher priced BINs. And, just as important to me, the auctions were a lot more fun than the current system.
I wonder if it would benefit any seller to list (some of) his items with either opening bid or reserve set 5 or 10% below VCP values. If eBay rules permit, could add a BIN as well effective until first bid. If a dopey idea, so be it. Little effect on me regardless, as tough to feed the collecting habit on a gov't pension.
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