When to sell privately, when to use auction house?
 

I wonder how others here decide when to use an auction house vs sell their higher priced ($1k+) cards vs selling privately (here on BST, vintage FB pages, etc)

I have had good luck selling cards at this price point on some of the better run, well monitored FB pages dedicated to vintage. But I wonder where the line is when an AH brings more eyes and possible better yield for somewhat “common” higher priced cards?

I certainly understand the logic of the more rare and valuable items going to auction - but I worry the lack of a real price floor for cards that are easier to obtain and where the same card may have several versions of the same card that I am selling.

For instance, when I was looking for my red portrait Cobb some years ago, I recall seeing 6-8 of them available in one of the premier AH catalogs.

I would imagine this is a “knowable” and has a somewhat measurable answer- I may review VCP prices for similar cards sold during the relative came period of time. I’ll share my analysis when I am done (more fun than work anyway).

For folks here who are AH leaders, I would love to hear your thoughts too -

Thx

Jeff

I would think speed comes into it. Unless you get an advance from the auction company in question you are going to get your money quicker from the private sale (assuming the listing doesn't languish for months)

I think on "commodity" cards, things that aren't truly rare, even if they are valuable, there's very little risk of not hitting a decent baseline number at auction as the demand is high enough to protect you. That being said I wouldn't want to be the 8th Red Cobb in a given auction.

There is more danger with an unusual item, whether it's a high grade example of a Mantle Card or something truly rare. The supply may be low, but the demand is also low so it's the auction's job to make sure those eyes get to it. If they succeed, then it may well outperform what you ask in a flat price sale.

Jeff, it is truly a hard thing to gauge. My initial thought is to have a conversation with an AH before you consign about what your item might bring, should you consign it now or later, etc.

I truly believe there is wayyyy too much stuff in auctions these days, especially common items. I think a lot of these items should be sold privately.

Thx Drew... am wondering about that as well.

You can't have too many gallons of milk.
 

I don't know, I think there can be other views that are valid also.

Let's take a T206 red Cobby or a Goudey Ruth batting (144)....

They are both staples of our vintage hobby. There are thousands and thousands sold every year. AH's have 10, or more, of each on the T206s and can have 5+ Goudey Ruths. But every single one is different and will get a different price, regardless of grade, even if the same. Of course, there are parameters and comps, but a comp isn't going to be the exact card (unless it is :cool:). For my collection, I really want higher end examples, for the grade, of cards that are easily found. On super rare type cards, I take what I can get!

Both of these would fetch good premiums to most others in their respective grades. We talk about it all the time. And as is always said, the best looking examples get the best prices. VCP is a great service but if you don't drill down to the card, then it's less meaningful. And yes, I understand averages too, but still..

I guess what I am trying to say, is you can never have too many gallons of milk on the shelf, or T206 Cobbys or Goudey Ruth 144s. (before anyone asks, there are some spider wrinkles near Cobbs head)
.

I would not consign commodity type cards. I don't see any advantage (well, convenience I suppose) to selling it yourself or giving to a major ebay seller who will charge you less.

To me it really is a matter of what is important to you. From a basic stand point you can look at time, convenience, risk, and fees. I feel like these should be obvious, but maybe not.

Time - How quickly do you need the money and get the item sold. You can get the money quickest selling yourself or to a dealer. An AH, without an advancement, will take longer as the card needs to be sent to them, prepped, wait for the auction, and then have the funds send to you.

Convenience - How much effort do you wan to put out? AH takes on all the headaches. Sell on your own you have to deal with customers, shipping, scanning, collecting payments, negotiating, unhappy buyers, etc.

Risk - Do you want to dictate a price or let someone else? Going with an AH there is a chance the card goes higher, but also chance the card goes lower than expected. Are you willing to sell your $3k card for $2k at auction, or would you rather have kept it if you knew you were only getting $2k? Selling yourself you don't have to go through with the deal if the offers aren't to your liking or you can price the cards in a manner where you only sell if you get a premium. Risk might not be as much of an issue with common cards in common grades, but still we have all found bargains in auctions.

Fees - Sell yourself your fees are usually going to be lower. Facebook is free. BST here is free. Maybe you have paypal fees or Ebay fees. AH needs to pay their employees whether that is through a Buyers Premium, Sellers Premium, or a straight commission you're not getting the full amount of the total sale.

Awesome feedback… I think I will first try to sell privately for the many reasons listed above. If we don’t get the prices we want, we can always turn to an AH down the road.

FYI, here are the two will be posting for sale soon

Beautiful cards!

I know, thx! Selling for a friend… wish I could buy them myself.

Beautiful Cards !!

Those are awesome. You don't need an auction house for them.

I would guess this board gets the eyeballs of a large segment of the vintage market of heavy hitters, big spenders. Not all of them of course. Selling here always a great move. The issue is that even among the informed consumers on this board, there is presently a huge disconnect in what a fair price is for a lot of items. If an item is of some significant value, I am skeptical a deal will be worked out "among friends". That's why 99% of "make me an offers" go nowhere.

Potential buyer: "I could do $3,000."

Potential seller: "Uh, ok . . . that might be a typo but I'll just be polite and say no. Thanks for looking."

But of course there may be other benefits to a private sale.

Definitely having a price is the best way forward.

Here is a good start, but some of these FB card groups have over 40k members. More eyes there I would believe.

As long as you're not looking to break world records, like many people seem to be, cards like those should sell easily for a strong price.

I would give these both to REA and be done with it. You will do very well.