opinions: best time of year to sell to collectors

[thecatspajamas]

I'm somewhere in between (an individual who runs eBay auctions year-round), and would say that I typically see better action (more and higher bids) in the fall run-up to Christmas and in the winter time once the north/northeast starts getting snow regularly. Summer is traditionally worse for me on auctions, with the traditional explanation that fair weather and family vacations tend to draw bidders away from their computers.

[Ladder7]

March, 2004

[JSteele]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

I typically see better action (more and higher bids) in the fall run-up to Christmas and in the winter time once the north/northeast starts getting snow regularly.

I would have thought that Christmas would be slow for collecting since it may be harder to justify spending money on cardboard rather than shiny presents for the wife and kids?

"Sorry Timmy, you didn't get a new bike, but take a look at this 100 year old Hughie Jennings card I just got!"

[drc]

Vintage baseball collectors buy year round. No better or worse season. Years back I was a bit surprised to learn that people still actively bought and sold baseball cards online even when the season was over. No off season deals to be found.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by JSteele

I would have thought that Christmas would be slow for collecting since it may be harder to justify spending money on cardboard rather than shiny presents for the wife and kids?

"Sorry Timmy, you didn't get a new bike, but take a look at this 100 year old Hughie Jennings card I just got!"

Well, it depends on what you're selling (which you didn't specify). Cardboard may be slower, but signed balls, bats, etc tend to sell quickly to Mrs. Collector, presumably to be used as gifts.

And I agree with David as well: if you have something unique, hard to find, or a particularly nice specimen, the time of year won't affect bidding so much. And if you're not running it as an auction, then it won't affect bidding at all

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Well, it depends on what you're selling (which you didn't specify). Cardboard may be slower, but signed balls, bats, etc tend to sell quickly to Mrs. Collector, presumably to be used as gifts.

And I agree with David as well: if you have something unique, hard to find, or a particularly nice specimen, the time of year won't affect bidding so much. And if you're not running it as an auction, then it won't affect bidding at all

I agree with Lance.

I would also like to add that from a buyers perspective, mid-late December through early January generally is a time that some of us are at home more with possibly more access to eBay. I'm often am puzzled why I infrequently find anything interesting to buy during this time of the year. Other collector friends on eBay mention the same to me. This seemingly would be a great time to list items to sell. Food for thought for all sellers...

[JayZim13]

I buy, sell and collect. As a seller I only try to sell from End of September thru May and avoid any holiday weekends. I buy all year but especially in the summer months. There are always people on vacation or just not interested as they are in leisure mode and therefore there are usually less bidders.