Quote:
Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb
Is it easier to buy a card on eBay or via AH?
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I'm slightly paranoid that this is a joke, and you're not really asking. But at the risk of looking like a tool for stating a lot of obvious stuff, the answer probably depends on what you mean by "easy".
Also probably depends on how you weigh various elements.
eBay is often pretty quick. For BIN stuff, you can buy it on the spot, and often it gets shipped within a few days. If it's going through the authentication guarantee, then that can add a week (give or take) to your turnaround. Most eBay auctions last for 7-10 days, so it tends to be pretty quick. Also don't have to worry about a buyer's premium. The closing process for eBay auctions is also pretty easy - when the time comes, whoever has the highest bid wins. No extended bidding. At the same time, if you're dealing with a seller who's not well known, then there's always the possibility that they might play their own games, which is no fun. eBay also has the advantage that there's really no registration requirement. Anyone can sign up and bid. While there are some drawbacks there, for a buyer it makes the process a little easier. eBay also tends to have pretty small bid increments, which is nice.
eBay also tends to have pretty simple saved search features that make it easy to check if anything new has come online since the last time you checked. Although certainly some will tell you that those searches aren't perfect.
For most AHs, the process can take longer. Most sizeable auctions last for a few weeks (except for the smaller weeklies). Usually they have a registration requirement, which can take a few days or longer. They will want references, and some may even require that you submit documentation about your ability to pay. Some have an exciting closing process that can drag on for a while as long as people keep bidding, which can often last well into the night, particularly if you're on the east coast. Some AHs limit the forms of payment, as many don't accept credit cards, so that can add another layer of fun. And if you're paying by personal check, then it will add to the turnaround time to get your item. Most auction houses also have exciting minimum bid increments that can get pretty wide as an item rises in price, which not everyone loves, as you might be forced to increase your bid by $1k, when you really only wanted to go up by $500.
Most AHs also don't have a real easy way to save searches. So you're usually left to do manual online searches. And even then, sometimes exciting stuff doesn't get picked up and so I often find myself working through the entire online catalog just to be safe.
Ultimately, I buy from anywhere that will sell me stuff, and that has the stuff that I want, which is becoming harder to find these days. So personally, I'd focus less on ease of use, and focus more on finding the stuff that you want at a price that works for you. The rest is just details and process.