So, let's say eBay is gone....

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Posted By: Jimi

Let's be real, if it weren't for online auction houses and eBay, or the internet for that matter, card sales would not be as high as they are now.

More people looking at the same cards = more bidding

OK, so now let's take eBay out of the equation. They have finally hit their demise and millions of people are happy, yet sad at the same time. What happens now?

1) Another online auction place takes it throne?

2) Vintage collectors flock to online auction houses such as Heritage, Mastro, REA, etc. and these sites become even more competitive?

3) Not that I really care, but what happens to those who collect the 1990s and 2000s stuff? Other online venues available?

4) We flood the BSTs with crazy "deals"?

5) Do prices take a serious hit?

What do you think?



Jimi

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Posted By: Mike C

1) Another online auction place takes it throne?
My answer - I wouldn't count Ebay out just yet. It wouldn't be hard for them to switch back to what made them famous. Plus, they still have a ton of cash and they really never marketed themselves. A few "sell your junk" tv ads and they might be able to get new customers or returned old ones. "The new Ebay is the old Ebay" ad campaign would work wonders.


2) Vintage collectors flock to online auction houses such as Heritage, Mastro, REA, etc. and these sites become even more competitive?

No. I think the vintage people are already there. I think the collectors are there also. Plus the "common" stuff isn't sold there. Want a Ruth signed bat, go there. Want a SGC 30 T206, out of luck. These houses will never get the "common person" that Ebay got.

3) Not that I really care, but what happens to those who collect the 1990s and 2000s stuff? Other online venues available?
No. No market so these cards will slowly die out. Except Hall of Famer rookies cards in NM-MT condition.


4) We flood the BSTs with crazy "deals"?
Yes. That is the market now. People are looking to sell for cash. It is a great buy time. I have purchased some items for hundreds less than I thought they would be. (I just bought a 33 Gehrig and T206 Cobb for near steal prices, low grade but that is where the market will head).


5) Do prices take a serious hit?
Yes and no. Hard to find and big name cards will continue to sell. There will always be a demand for Cobb, Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, Koufax rookies or high grade material. Mid-level & commons (low to mid grade) will drop but steady out. Low grade of the big names will always sell.

What do you think?
For the person who thinks cards are an investment, they are poop out of luck right now. For the person looking at high end or hard to find items; the market will always be strong. Something will take the place of Ebay, or it will rise from the ashes.

The business model might change a little; I think the key will be getting the volume & quality items. Remember, the first Ebay auction was for a broken laser pointer - who knows what the future holds but something will happen.

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Posted By: Jason

Unless eBay changes their policies on payment options and feedback they will fail. Good powesellers are leaving in droves. Ebay was a great idea back when they offered auctions. It was when they got greedy and started implementing "new" ideas to bring more revenue that ruined the auction site and now it is more of a store hosting site. I was as guilty as the next seller at one time because I had alot of store inventory. If a competitor came up with a way to get back to the auction basics then it could give ebay a run for thier money. Of course this would take tons of capital and time and marketing. I am toying with an idea for an auction site. The downside to going back to auction only format is policing bad sellers or dealing with scammers.

Now, my take on the card market.....I think some issues are going through an adjustment, but vintage cards will only get stronger. There is alot of room to move up in the baseball card collectible hobby..it is nowhere near the coin or art hobby because it has not been around as long, but there are more people coming into the vintage market and there is only so many vintage cards. Eventually demand will drive up prices. I predict post war prices will get stronger next as well as rarer type pre war cards. I do not think the economic crisis will have a huge impact. I think people will have to put money somewhere and collectibles and antiques always stand the test of time. My 2 cents.

Jason

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Posted By: Bryan Long

Ebay is not going anywhere. Whether we like it or not, there will always be an ebay or an ebay-like imposter. The "common" collector has a great resource to sell items while not being forced to deal with auction houses. As someone who speaks from experience, dealing with auction houses can be very nerve-racking - and it is not their fault. If you have never done it before there are a ton of questions that neither party can answer. Ebay, for some reason, doesn't seem to have that associated with them. At least not for me.
Now is a great time to buy cards - if you can afford it. Prices on a ton of cards have fallen, but like others have said here . . . there will always be some cards that will hold value no matter what market we are in. Cobb, Johnson, Matty and others will always be on demand. Other pre-war cards have dropped in price, but in time those cards will go right back up as well. Buy while you can, as long as you don't have to sell them soon. I wish I had a much bigger card budget.

.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

I do think the powers that be over there need to leave things alone for a while and let the customer base adjust to the changes already made.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: Fred C

They've changed so much crap in the last year. It really doesn't allow people to get used to anything in particular. All said and done ebay still will be the number 1 auction portal on the web. As much as people dislike it, people still use it.

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Posted By: samuel

if ebay goes something else will appear in place of it. I believe jason is right that vintage cards, especially pre-war, will only appreciate in value.

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Posted By: Scott Fandango

ebay is not going anywhere.....they are a household name...they were the first and they will always be the best...they may have their ups and downs but they were in the right place at the right time...

as much as some hate them, any competitor is light years away...