Is snipe bidding killing the hobby?

[cfhofer]

Just depends on if you think eBay is/was vital to our hobby. 10-15 years ago the pieces that were coming up for auction on eBay was simply amazing. EBay made our hobby accessible to everyone, even the non-collector. People who didn't have a clue about sports memorabilia were listing items daily. Collectors didn't need to look elsewhere for quality pieces. I think we can all agree those golden days are gone.

EBay is now a huge dumping ground, with a rare diamond in a sea of turds. With 98% of sports memorabilia listed at a fixed price eBay's auctions (and snipe bids) have become irrelevant to the hobby. Either the pieces have dried up (which seems the majority opinion here) or sellers have just abandoned eBay auctions (my hopeful opinion).

[1952boyntoncollector]

well I don't think its good for the people who 'didn't have a clue' were selling in the old days...sounds like they were getting a raw deal...if it means now that the sellers now are getting fair prices I don't think its bad that sellers aren't getting ripped off....and im a buyer mostly..

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by cfhofer

Just depends on if you think eBay is/was vital to our hobby. 10-15 years ago the pieces that were coming up for auction on eBay was simply amazing. EBay made our hobby accessible to everyone, even the non-collector. People who didn't have a clue about sports memorabilia were listing items daily. Collectors didn't need to look elsewhere for quality pieces. I think we can all agree those golden days are gone.

EBay is now a huge dumping ground, with a rare diamond in a sea of turds. With 98% of sports memorabilia listed at a fixed price eBay's auctions (and snipe bids) have become irrelevant to the hobby. Either the pieces have dried up (which seems the majority opinion here) or sellers have just abandoned eBay auctions (my hopeful opinion).

Not sure what your agenda is, but you seem to have a lot of hatred toward ebay - albeit much of it I agree is justified. You make good points, but for me ebay auctions are far from being irrelevant to my hobby/collection. It certainly is harder to search and find items, and requires more patience, but I am still purchasing many items on eBay through auctions. Maybe not all gems, and mostly smalls, but still adding valued items to my collection. It seems many people on here are continuously posting some quality items that they picked up on eBay. Golden Days gone? Yes. Irrelevant to the hobby? No, not in my opinion, at least for my hobby.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Not sure what your agenda is, but you seem to have a lot of hatred toward ebay - albeit much of it I agree is justified. You make good points, but for me ebay auctions are far from being irrelevant to my hobby/collection. It certainly is harder to search and find items, and requires more patience, but I am still purchasing many items on eBay through auctions. Maybe not all gems, and mostly smalls, but still adding valued items to my collection. It seems many people on here are continuously posting some quality items that they picked up on eBay. Golden Days gone? Yes. Irrelevant to the hobby? No, not in my opinion, at least for my hobby.

plus how many people here on B/S/T who are pretty knowledgeable collectors with nice wares inevitably say 'sent to ebay' and post the link........seems like good as ever..

[cfhofer]

No agenda, just a discussion on the hobby. I would prefer a shift from AH listings (with 30-40% buyers premiums) back to eBay auctions.

[mjkm90]

Couldn't agree more with Mark, Joe, and others that NOTHING is killing the hobby. Now, there is frustration over lack of material hitting the market and those markets have, in some cases, matured, peaked, bottomed, adjusted to the broader economy. or temporarily dried up.

The Spalding is a perfect example. These are but a few examples of amazing artistry in our hobby. Regardless of how many I have seen over the years, I always appreciate them and they are just the tip of the figural collecting iceberg. Few pieces have the WOW factor of a Spalding to a collector who sees them for the first time. Remember...we are ole farts in the collecting world and there are youngsters entering their solid earning years who will experience the same awe we did. Put your good stuff out there and protect it with reserves etc. and see what happens.

I believe the market for quality will be timeless and nuances and frustrations with selling venues will come and go over time. If you love something, you will find a way to win an auction or jump a sale.

Here I am the day MY Spalding arrived years ago and one of my children mocking me LOL

[cfhofer]

Great final points Mike! Congrats on a fantastic piece too.

I notice you are from Ann Arbor. I have a website dedicated to early Univ of Michigan football memorabilia (mostly autographs and photos). Check it out sometime: vintageuofm.tripod.com

Thanks for the discussion gentlemen. It has been an honor chatting with you.

[Jewish-collector]

cfhofer - Nice website of Michigan FB memorabilia. I used to collect Jewish FB memorabilia, a lot were from Univ of Michigan (Benny Friedman, Harry Newman, etc,...)

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by cfhofer

Just depends on if you think eBay is/was vital to our hobby. 10-15 years ago the pieces that were coming up for auction on eBay was simply amazing. EBay made our hobby accessible to everyone, even the non-collector. People who didn't have a clue about sports memorabilia were listing items daily. Collectors didn't need to look elsewhere for quality pieces. I think we can all agree those golden days are gone.

EBay is now a huge dumping ground, with a rare diamond in a sea of turds. With 98% of sports memorabilia listed at a fixed price eBay's auctions (and snipe bids) have become irrelevant to the hobby. Either the pieces have dried up (which seems the majority opinion here) or sellers have just abandoned eBay auctions (my hopeful opinion).

I don't know about "irrelevant" but I basically agree. Problem is, the auction houses rarely have what I'm after either. I don't want pre-war but I do want quality, last half 20th century.