Decline in eBay listings?

[Thromdog]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

Is it just me or has there been a steady and growing decline in the number of pre-war eBay listings (especially for mid- to higher-graded) in past months? Perhaps I am just getting more selective but the number of cards I have 'watched' has plunged since last year. Is this real? Also, the reason? It seems like more and more auction houses perhaps a reason. Your thoughts?

Back to the topic on the listings, I have to agree. My watchlist/bid list has also dwindled substantially over the past year. I think you're right that it's likely due to being more selective.....I have a couple dozen to finish the monster and halfway through Delongs. As for auction houses, I have to agree with that too. More of them and they are providing offerings more often through the year.

But, I personally think after getting serious these last 2 years, ebay still continues to be the best deal financially for buyers who are diligent, patient, and understand what they are buying. You just have to get around all the fluff and overpriced BIN's.

[iowadoc77]

There are still plenty of deals to be had on ebay and I do a ton of deals off ebay with reputable sellers who are very often willing to negotiate a much lower paypal price outside of the ebay confines. i know it is a risk, but a very low one with paypal's buyer protection (if you do goods and services).

ebay better for buyers in many aspects

ebay not better for sellers in many aspects.

[Thromdog]

Originally Posted by iowadoc77

ebay better for buyers in many aspects

ebay not better for sellers in many aspects.

+1

[Bpm0014]

It's a shame too because many collectors aren't aware of the auction houses and soley rely on ebay. When I started putting together my T206 set, I only knew about ebay. Halfway through I stumbled upon Net54 and auction houses. I then realized I overpaid for most of my set.

Same here!

[ullmandds]

it was inevitable...ebay has continuously jacked up selling/paypal fees...combined with not organizing/policing the vintage bb card area well at all. How many kicks to the groin can we take.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I completely disagree. If anything, the trend is going to be towards the ebay model and sellers such as PWCC and Probstein and others who are efficient, have lower costs, take a lower percentage of the realized price, and pay much quicker than most auction houses. Perhaps not for the very high end material, but for everything else.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

It's a shame too because many collectors aren't aware of the auction houses and soley rely on ebay. When I started putting together my T206 set, I only knew about ebay. Halfway through I stumbled upon Net54 and auction houses. I then realized I overpaid for most of my set.

Same here!

well that would mean sellers are doing well on ebay versus other places for those cards..so not sure why the trend would be to list less of those cards if they are making the most money selling on ebay if you are stating you would of paid less at other places....you may of stopped but there are others doing the same thing..

[iowadoc77]

I think there is a good model with some of the sellers like probstein and PWCC, but the shill bidding drives me crazy so i usually just stay away because i know it will go for more than i want to pay. Each continue to have their place, but i do see the vast majority of high end stuff going the route of the auction houses, except for those incredibly over-priced BIN items that I think some sellers put on there just so people know they have them. Example E98 Ty Cobb PSA 9 for $43K ish. Been there a long time. As have many others

[Peter_Spaeth]

Auction houses, on the other hand, have no shill bidding issues, and stuff never goes higher than you want to pay.

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by iowadoc77

I think there is a good model with some of the sellers like probstein and PWCC, but the shill bidding drives me crazy so i usually just stay away because i know it will go for more than i want to pay. Each continue to have their place, but i do see the vast majority of high end stuff going the route of the auction houses, except for those incredibly over-priced BIN items that I think some sellers put on there just so people know they have them. Example E98 Ty Cobb PSA 9 for $43K ish. Been there a long time. As have many others

Eric how can you tell if there is shill bidding on a card ???

[Touch'EmAll]

Lets say a buyer is willing to spend $1,000. on a card. If the seller lists on ebay for BIN $1k there will be 10% ebay fees and then Paypal fees to net the seller approx. $875.

If the card went to, say, REA, there is a 20% buyers fee, so the buyer is willing to bid $830. making it about $1,000. cost after the juice.

Assume no auction house seller fees for the seller, ebay BIN gives a better net price. However, I can see how an ebay true auction is just too risky for seller.

[GregMitch34]

That's a good analysis but you have to factor in that some bidders at AHs, even though they know they should factor in the added 20%, often willfully ignore it in the heat of battle...

[Orioles1954]

As a seller, I don't seek to make serious money on ebay. More or less, it's just to get rid of stuff I don't care about or want anymore on the cheap. If I'm looking to make significant money the auction route is the only venue for me. Even if I group hundreds of cards together I still make around the same amount if I had pieced them out on ebay. Sellers have diminished and many reliable buyers have gone by the wayside as well.