Need help selling my collection

[biggies]

I turn 65 Friday and after about 55 years of collecting I've decided to sell the bulk of my collection.

I'd like to know what some of you sages recommend.

I will be getting rid of complete or near complete sets from 1933 Goudey to 1980 Topps, all baseball. Generally very nice cards. All raw, although many were once graded but I freed them from their cages. (I do keep the grading strips with the cards).
I have reached out to a couple of consigners, Greg Morris and Probstien, pretty pricey but maybe the way to go.
I'd like some advice please.

Thanks, Bob

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by biggies

I turn 65 Friday and after about 55 years of collecting I've decided to sell the bulk of my collection.

I'd like to know what some of you sages recommend.

I will be getting rid of complete or near complete sets from 1933 Goudey to 1980 Topps. Generally very nice cards. All raw, although many were once graded but I freed them from their cages. (I do keep the grading strips with the cards).
I have reached out to a couple of consigners, Greg Morris and Probstien, pretty pricey but maybe the way to go.
I'd like some advice please.

Thanks, Bob

Contact fellow member Aquarian Sports Cards. Scott owns a smaller AH and might be just what you are looking for. I have bought and auctioned stuff through him with zero problems.

[NiceDocter]

When you say pretty pricey, the standard buyers commission is now 20% which for better items is frequently made up for by the greater publicity and marketing an auction house will bring. Sellers commissions are negotiable to a greater degree and sometimes can be waived depending on what you are selling and how much it expected to go for. In some rarer cases a part of the buyers commission can be refunded to you the seller but that usually means big ticket items (over 100K) which some of your sets may qualify for. Good luck and enjoy your sales. Its fun to see things go to new owners who will appreciate them ! Rocky

[brianp-beme]

To me it sounds like the OP is interested in consigning these (or a good chunk of the collection) for individual sale, since he mentioned Greg Morris and Probstein, both who mainly auction individual cards.

Greg Morris is definitely a viable option, as is the previously mentioned Scott at Aquarian (auction house name is The Collector Connection). My favorite is Brockelman Auctions (who at 0% sellers commission definitely is an attractive feature), but a place like Sterling Sports Auctions could also be a reasonable choice as well (but, as far as I know, some sort of sellers commission likely).

Maybe a mix of auction houses would be the ticket, being that this collection seems quite wide-ranging in eras and popularity/value, and since some sets would likely be best breaking up, while perhaps the later ones to be actioned as complete sets.

brianp(arker)-beme

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

To me it sounds like the OP is interested in consigning these (or a good chunk of the collection) for individual sale, since he mentioned Greg Morris and Probstein, both who mainly auction individual cards.

Greg Morris is definitely a viable option, as is the previously mentioned Scott at Aquarian (auction house name is The Collector Connection). My favorite is Brockelman Auctions (who at 0% sellers commission definitely is an attractive feature), but a place like Sterling Sports Auctions could also be a reasonable choice as well (but, as far as I know, some sort of sellers commission likely).

Maybe a mix of auction houses would be the ticket, being that this collection seems quite wide-ranging in eras and popularity/value, and since some sets would likely be best breaking up, while perhaps the later ones to be actioned as complete sets.

brianp(arker)-beme

+1 Agree regardless good luck

[GrewUpWithJunkWax]

It's a part of the hobby that seems to not get much attention. I certainly haven't looked into it that much, but probably wise to keep an eye on that side of collecting.

[perezfan]

Try contacting Al or Andrew at Love of the Game. I bet they can beat the Ebay Sellers' rates, and will provide you stellar service in every possible way.

Here's the contact info...

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/contact/

Best of luck!

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

People are all giving good recommendations here.

I have yet to manage to do any business with Al at LOTG, but have heard nothing but good. When even your competitors praise you, you just might be doing something right! I've been in this business a long time, and Al's is the lone auction house I've heard only good things about from everybody.

As to Greg Morris. I've been a buyer for years. Again, I haven't sold anything through them, but everyone I know who has done so has been content. I can tell you that as a buyer, it's rare that I ever win anything, as Greg almost always gets higher prices than I'm willing to pay. I am usually bidding on 1950's-70's commons from him. It sounds like you have a lot of that sort of material. You might be best served to send such cards to him for your best return, as cards will be sold individually. The auction houses will tend to bulk a lot of this stuff in group lots, which isn't the best idea for you.

[refz]

This is all good advice, do yourself a favor do not sell it on marketplace. I honestly think you’ll do alright with your collection as is, skipping the grading, but don’t get me wrong if you have big ticket items the grading will fetch you more if you have the time.

[jchcollins]

I've never sold anything through a consignor, but I will say I'm pretty much constantly amazed at the prices Greg Morris can get for raw vintage on eBay. I've yet to see anyone else sell high grade or even midgrade raw for close to graded prices for so long. There are Youtube videos out there as tutorials for working with Greg, it all seems pretty straightforward.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

I've never sold anything through a consignor, but I will say I'm pretty much constantly amazed at the prices Greg Morris can get for raw vintage on eBay. I've yet to see anyone else sell high grade or even midgrade raw for close to graded prices for so long. There are Youtube videos out there as tutorials for working with Greg, it all seems pretty straightforward.

People used to say the same thing about PWCC.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

People used to say the same thing about PWCC.

I don't remember PWCC ever dealing pretty much exclusively in raw cards. GM gets the prices they do because they are one of the few large sellers whose raw grading is trusted.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

People used to say the same thing about PWCC.

PWCC isn't Greg Morris.

Good luck to the seller and auction company.
.