eBay wasteland

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Wasteland,LOL

It is still by far the best option out there. They lowered the selling fees so now we have to complain about waiting a coupe days to get paid. People complained about fraud so now eBay adds a step to protect customers of high end cards and now people complain about that. eBay was full of full time dealers NOT paying taxes or even a real licensed business. They are getting rid of all these scabs so now we complain about that.

I personally like all the new changes.

I don't hate the platform or the company. The have no control over collecting and reporting taxes and limited control over fraud. Just seems like volume has dried up bigtime on what I'm interested in collecting. Compared to a few years ago the change is striking. Particularly in higher end stuff, I think sellers are largely going elsewhere for a variety of reasons.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I don't hate the platform or the company. The have no control over collecting and reporting taxes and limited control over fraud. Just seems like volume has dried up bigtime on what I'm interested in collecting. Compared to a few years ago the change is striking. Particularly in higher end stuff, I think sellers are largely going elsewhere for a variety of reasons.

I agree on being less stuff on eBay. I really notice it on the rare harder to find items I collect.

As a longtime honest tax paying business owner I love that eBay is getting rid of all the non tax paying losers running a fake business. It seriously sucks that it also chased away a lot of people that use eBay to sell extra stuff around the house they no longer need or use. Same goes for the card collectors that are selling a card(s) they have had for years that they no longer want to buy something new for their collection.

[Exhibitman]

I don't think volume of quality vintage material has dried up because of eBay's policies, which are 'meh' to most people. It is FOMO: with the market for vintage cards off to the races and so many cards rising precipitously in every auction, only someone who needs cash flow now is going to sell good stuff. Otherwise, the smart move is to hold until the market levels off a bit. I know, timing markets is tricky stuff, but this is the best shot ever to really cash in. People watch. They saw what basketball did at the start of the price surge, and now see that same pattern in baseball. I sold some highly appreciated basketball early into the price surge, but still missed out on nearly 2x the profit by not timing the market a bit better. The volume of stuff going through auctioneers right now is astounding. I know of several boomers with highly appreciated, very deep collections getting out in anticipation of retirement. They aren't gonna spend years unwinding their collections at retail on eBay. They go to AHs.

[darwinbulldog]

The one change that I've really never forgiven them for is eliminating the sportscard pre-1930 category as a search criterion.

[Snapolit1]

I think there is a lot of truth to that Adam. While people may have sold off some of their top stuff years ago on eBay, now they are sitting back and just waiting. And will deliver it to an AH when they want to get out en masse.

I can recall PWCC auctions from years ago where it seemed there were PSA 7 and even 8 Ruth and Gehrig cards all the time in auctions. Sometimes there would be 5 or 6 high end Gehrig and Ruth Goudeys in different variations in every auction. Now you see ebay sellers (yes, I realize PWCC is no longer on eBay) selling a single PSA 2 or 3. Just seems like people are banking the good stuff.

I also collect photos and memorabilia. Ebay has been basically useless. A few known sellers boosting prices up to absurd levels ("OK, I just bought this at RMY last week for $1400, let me list is for, uh, $8000 . . .") but not a lot more than that. Forget about cool obscure stuff. Just not seeing it.

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I don't think volume of quality vintage material has dried up because of eBay's policies, which are 'meh' to most people. It is FOMO: with the market for vintage cards off to the races and so many cards rising precipitously in every auction, only someone who needs cash flow now is going to sell good stuff. Otherwise, the smart move is to hold until the market levels off a bit. I know, timing markets is tricky stuff, but this is the best shot ever to really cash in. People watch. They saw what basketball did at the start of the price surge, and now see that same pattern in baseball. I sold some highly appreciated basketball early into the price surge, but still missed out on nearly 2x the profit by not timing the market a bit better. The volume of stuff going through auctioneers right now is astounding. I know of several boomers with highly appreciated, very deep collections getting out in anticipation of retirement. They aren't gonna spend years unwinding their collections at retail on eBay. They go to AHs.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I think there is a lot of truth to that Adam. While people may have sold off some of their top stuff years ago on eBay, now they are sitting back and just waiting. And will deliver it to an AH when they want to get out en masse.

I can recall PWCC auctions from years ago where it seemed there were PSA 7 and even 8 Ruth and Gehrig cards all the time in auctions. Sometimes there would be 5 or 6 high end Gehrig and Ruth Goudeys in different variations in every auction. Now you see ebay sellers (yes, I realize PWCC is no longer on eBay) selling a single PSA 2 or 3. Just seems like people are banking the good stuff.

I also collect photos and memorabilia. Ebay has been basically useless. A few known sellers boosting prices up to absurd levels ("OK, I just bought this at RMY last week for $1400, let me list is for, uh, $8000 . . .") but not a lot more than that. Forget about cool obscure stuff. Just not seeing it.

A PSA 2 or 3 Goudey Ruth is not good stuff? I consider you a friend but would like to punch you right now.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Carter08

A PSA 2 or 3 Goudey Ruth is not good stuff? I consider you a friend but would like to punch you right now.

2s and 3s are fine, but they are not 7s and 8s

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I also collect photos and memorabilia. Ebay has been basically useless. A few known sellers boosting prices up to absurd levels ("OK, I just bought this at RMY last week for $1400, let me list is for, uh, $8000 . . .") but not a lot more than that. Forget about cool obscure stuff. Just not seeing it.

A big +1 to that. For a while now, it seems I've been checking my bookmarks more out of the fond memories of finds from years gone by rather than any real hope of coming across new ones. No doubt about it, desirable rare stuff of all kinds has gotten squirreled away in collections over the years as eBay--"America's yard sale"--brought out stuff for us collectors to scoop up just for the bidding, an inevitable process that seems to have pretty much run its course. Nothing like it used to be, but it sure was fun while it lasted! And because the hunt's the thing, it will probably continue to be part of my days til those, too, are over.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

A big +1 to that. For a while now, it seems I've been checking my bookmarks more out of the fond memories of finds from years gone by rather than any real hope of coming across new ones. No doubt about it, desirable rare stuff of all kinds has gotten squirreled away in collections over the years as eBay--"America's yard sale"--brought out stuff for us collectors to scoop up just for the bidding, an inevitable process that seems to have pretty much run its course. Nothing like it used to be, but it sure was fun while it lasted! And because the hunt's the thing, it will probably continue to be part of my days til those, too, are over.

Well said. My visits to ebay these days are more akin to visiting a "Baseball Card Collecting Museum" than browsing/shopping. It's a little bit sad to me what it's become.

[T205 GB]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I don't hate the platform or the company. The have no control over collecting and reporting taxes and limited control over fraud. Just seems like volume has dried up bigtime on what I'm interested in collecting. Compared to a few years ago the change is striking. Particularly in higher end stuff, I think sellers are largely going elsewhere for a variety of reasons.

To much disposable income and the price spike in modern cards fueled a new wave of collectors 2018-2020. Some used their money and bought vintage with their returns from the sales of big cards. I am willing to bet that we see a massive increase in the 3-5 range as collectors scramble to secure copies of cards they want in the best condition they can afford. Just in the last 45 days the 33 Gehrig has doubled in price and probably with continue for a while as season is fast approaching. Honestly I think we are going to see Williams, DiMaggio, and Clemente become unobtainable in mid to high grades very soon.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by T205 GB

To much disposable income and the price spike in modern cards fueled a new wave of collectors 2018-2020. Some used their money and bought vintage with their returns from the sales of big cards. I am willing to bet that we see a massive increase in the 3-5 range as collectors scramble to secure copies of cards they want in the best condition they can afford. Just in the last 45 days the 33 Gehrig has doubled in price and probably with continue for a while as season is fast approaching. Honestly I think we are going to see Williams, DiMaggio, and Clemente become unobtainable in mid to high grades very soon.

I personally think this is pretty spot on. A lot of collectors back into vintage because of early pandemic boredom like me or whatever the reason aren’t particularly interested in set registries or high grades. For a Koufax rookie, I found a new label 2 that by good the difference between that and a 4 or 5 plus is lost on me. I’m just happy to own a really nice looking awesome piece of history. I think there will continue to be pressure from the bottom on such cards.

[Leon]

I predict lower grade cards will appreciate nicely....(says the guy who collects them).. It's just about the only thing I can afford anyway!
And I think we have, for quite some time, seen better specimens in lower grade go for multiples of one in higher grade, which didn't look as nice.
This one has added value due to the borders..though it's kind of ragged at top.

Back to topic. There is definitely a lot less great cards on eBay than there used to be. And if they are there the prices are multiples of what they would sell for in auction. Oh well...I still search for stuff LOL
.

[notfast]

Has anyone looked at the t205 Cobb PSA 2 thats listed via Probstein and compared the pic to the PSA image?

Where did the wrinkle go on the ebay listing?

[Touch'EmAll]

Wow, that's the biggest T206 top/bottom I have ever seen ! At least as big as the Jumbo Wagner. I don't know how you get these super eye appeal for the grade cards, but congrats.

So. are yesterday's "collector grade" todays investment grade?

[aconte]

From a buyer's standpoint, ebay is still ok for me for some graded cards I look for. Still a lot of cards come up from time to time.

Selling is more of a pain these days.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Leon

I predict lower grade cards will appreciate nicely....(says the guy who collects them).. It's just about the only thing I can afford anyway!
And I think we have, for quite some time, seen better specimens in lower grade go for multiples of one in higher grade, which didn't look as nice.
This one has added value due to the borders..though it's kind of ragged at top.
.

That's an incredible card, Leon. A blazer with amazing borders!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

That's an incredible card, Leon. A blazer with amazing borders!

Thanks Hank. To be a bit more transparent on the price. It was a bit sub 10k...which was fine for me. If one went to auction I think it would get up there...

And another recent ebay purchase... Type 1, 8 x 10, from the movie Slide Kelly Slide..


.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks Hank. To be a bit more transparent on the price. It was a bit sub 10k...which was fine for me. If one went to auction I think it would get up there...And another recent ebay purchase... Type 1, 8 x 10, from the movie Slide Kelly Slide.

Man, you're blowing me away, and I take back everything I said about eBay. That is one fabulous photo, and if stuff like that is still popping up, I'll keep looking for my niches, at least, a while longer. And thanks again for your work on the forum, if I'm not buying a lot of great things anymore, it's great to be able to see them here.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks Hank. To be a bit more transparent on the price. It was a bit sub 10k...which was fine for me. If one went to auction I think it would get up there...

And another recent ebay purchase... Type 1, 8 x 10, from the movie Slide Kelly Slide..


.

Leon, isn't it nice that there is an integrated pair of boys practicing slides and covers before Jackie broke the barrier. Great 'foto. A keeper, for sure.