Preference of Buying Venues

[Johnny630]

Which do you prefer? The action and excitement of bidding/winning in auction houses(including eBay auctions/not BIN or Best Offer) or paying a strong reasonably fair price directly from a seller privately in person or online direct sale platforms such as BST, FB, Ect.

[3-2-count]

I would strongly prefer to purchase an item at a fair price directly from a seller privately.

Many items in my collection have come via this route.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

I would strongly prefer to purchase an item at a fair price directly from a seller privately.

Many items in my collection have come via this route.

+1, always best on private sales but they are not easy sometimes. AH's are where the great cards usually come from. A sign of the times.
And thanks again for this one, Tony!, via the BST. When you put it up there I wasn't looking for one but I saw it and said, wow, that's a great card...

[mrreality68]

I buy most from the Auction Houses only because I do not have connections/networks to find what I want from private sales.

But I do prefer private sales
1. I like to connect with people and making no friends, people with same interest etc
2. Prefer the money to go to the individual than to the auction house
3. Many times trades can be involved where they cannot with eBay or auction houses

[raulus]

I buy them wherever I can find them!!

Typically it seems like a lot of lower-end (and some mid-range) pieces are on eBay. So if that’s what I’m looking for, then eBay is often where I’m going to find it. Needless to say, the Rosen Mantle isn’t likely to be listed on eBay, although every once in a while something really nice will come up there.

A lot of high end stuff tends to come up on auction houses. Not that they don’t also have plenty of pieces that are middling too. But most of the really nice stuff that will go for 5 or 6 figures seems to end up at an auction house. Back when I first started collecting, this used to really piss me off, mostly because it seemed like the 20% bidder premium was ignored by buyers. Over time, I’ve realized it’s about my only option if I really want to buy nice stuff.

Every once in a while, someone will have a piece that I really want, but they’re not looking to sell it publicly. Maybe they are only willing to sell it to the right collection or collector. Maybe they don’t really want to advertise that it’s for sale, because maybe it’s not really for sale. Maybe they’re only really willing to let it go for a “make me move” price. Whatever the reason, sometimes it’s how you get connected to an item. While it’s definitely not common for me, some of the most impossible pieces to find have come to me through private sales. So in that way, it’s certainly a good way to go. Obviously the big challenge here is getting plugged in with other collectors. For me, it’s largely been a function of other collectors reaching out through the PSA set registry, or through collectors in our world who seem to know almost everyone, and are always keeping their eyes open to help facilitate an acquisition for me.

I will admit as an amateur economist that I tend to prefer the process of setting a price that comes through an auction. That way I know (barring auction hijinks) that I’m not just bidding against myself. At the same time, if you’re around long enough, especially for impossible-to-find items, you start to develop a good sense of what is a reasonable price for an item, and what is not.

Bottom line for me is to be flexible. And to always decide on what price works for you and what doesn’t. And don’t be afraid to back away from any venue if the deal isn’t right. Just be prepared for the non-buyer’s remorse that comes if you chose not to get something that you really really wanted.

[rugbymarine]

Great question. I actually enjoy them all. They all take work, whether it's fine-tuning search terms to get ideal results, or scrolling through the plethora of 'monthly auctions'.

eBay: About 50% of my collection came from eBay. It's not what it used to be, but it's still a great way to connect buyers and sellers for thousands of regular issue pre-war and post-war cards, which is mostly what I collect.

Auction houses: About 40% of my collection was acquired through an auction house. For security of transactions, auction houses seem to be the preferred method for items >$500. This may be just an anecdotal observation, but I seem to get the least 'bang for the buck' from auction houses.

Private sale: About 10% of my collection. My favorite way to acquire cards, due to the ability to eliminate the fluff of the transaction costs (Sales tax, buyer's premium). It also has the benefit of building hobby relationships. I've bought and sold and maintained contact and in some cases developed friendships.

[Kidnapped18]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Which do you prefer? The action and excitement of bidding/winning in auction houses(including eBay auctions/not BIN or Best Offer) or paying a strong reasonably fair price directly from a seller privately in person or online direct sale platforms such as BST, FB, Ect.

My preference is private sales, BST then auction houses.

[Casey2296]

I really enjoy the age old art of the trade or cash/trade. There's something hugely satisfying about two collectors helping each other out with their collections. And since this thread is short of cards, acquired this one from Leon in a fun trade.
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[Deertick]

Far and away, my preference is for an in-person auction!

1. The excitement of finding something in a general auction.
2. Prices are generally much, much lower.
3. If you have flipper competition, a lot of the time they are looking for 50% ARV.
4. If you are up against a collector, the art of bidding is such a rush. Knowing when to jump in, being able to jump increments, gauge commitment, set yourself up for other lots, etc.
5. It is almost like hunting, knowing when to ask for an item to be moved up to the block or just waiting it out for 6 (!) hrs.

It has been a lot tougher now that many auctions have embraced a hybrid approach, but many old school auctioneers have little patience for internet lag time and seem to favor onsite action at the hammer.

[Hankphenom]

I realize it wasn't one of the choices offered, but to me, there is nothing like walking the aisles of a show, not knowing what you might come across, then wheeling and dealing with the seller to snag something you find. Of course, shows aren't what they used to be, but they just might be poised for a comeback given the decline of eBay and other online venues for lower and mid-level stuff not deemed qualified for the big auctions.

[Lobo Aullando]

Originally Posted by Deertick

Far and away, my preference is for an in-person auction!

I know they're still around in the coin world, but I haven't seen any in the card world in the few years I've been back collecting. Is it mostly estate (i.e., broad variety) auctions you're hitting up?

[parkplace33]

I would love private sales, but am seeing most of the really good stuff going to AHs.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by Lobo Aullando

I know they're still around in the coin world, but I haven't seen any in the card world in the few years I've been back collecting. Is it mostly estate (i.e., broad variety) auctions you're hitting up?

Yes, but not specifically 'Estate Auctions' as they tend to know what they have and advertise as such. Mainly they are local general auctions, which are usually a group of cleanouts. I had a rotation of about 10 within a 60 mile radius. The tough part was if two or more were held on same day. I'd run around and preview then try to decide how to get what I wanted (if anything) and if it was possible to get to them. But most of them were different days, either weekly or monthly. Covid stopped a lot, but starting to pick back up.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Which do you prefer? The action and excitement of bidding/winning in auction houses(including eBay auctions/not BIN or Best Offer) or paying a strong reasonably fair price directly from a seller privately in person or online direct sale platforms such as BST, FB, Ect.

Private sale all day long.