eBay Mess

[Anthony S.]

Originally Posted by Matt

I too never liked the ridiculously overpriced BINs, though I can't say they detracted that much from my eBay experience - if given an option between having them as true auctions vs having them as BINs, obviously we'd all want them to be true auctions, but we're probably dealing here with having them as overpriced BINs, or not having them at all. Keep in mind we need to minimize seller risk to attract sellers, so allowing sellers to set reserves/BINs they are comfortable with is important. Not sure how to automatically distinguish between a reasonable BIN and an overpriced one, even though we all know it when we see it. Certainly am open to any solutions to that issue...

Off the top of my head, and perhaps a horrible idea, how about allowing a seller to list an item twice at his absurdly-high BIN, and then if --- and by if I mean, when --- it doesn't sell the second time, give them the option of either removing the item from the site for 30 days or re-listing the item at a lower price. And not a penny lower, but perhaps a set percentage.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Anthony S.

Off the top of my head, and perhaps a horrible idea, how about allowing a seller to list an item twice at his absurdly-high BIN, and then if --- and by if I mean, when --- it doesn't sell the second time, give them the option of either removing the item from the site for 30 days or re-listing the item at a lower price. And not a penny lower, but perhaps a set percentage.

Anthony - I have thought of the same thing - it's not a bad idea. I'm open to other options as well...

[barrysloate]

I thought of the same thing. If a dealer pops onto the site and lists a thousand cards with clearly overpriced BIN's, he needs to be charged a fee on each lot after a certain period of time. That's the kind of listing you really want to discourage.

Here's my early prediction: if you can develop a real auction site, in the spirit of the early days of ebay, you have an excellent chance of it being a huge success. I think collectors will love it and flock to it.

But if the site is instead mostly overpriced BIN's with very little inventory moving, then I don't think it will work. Collectors will quickly tire of it and move on.

[painthistorian]

Easy solution-

If you are going to have a collectibles on line site...
You would have 2 types of listings, BIN/best offer type on one screen selection and low minimum bid auction style, these would both be offered but not in the same listings if you choose to filter all BIN's out just as e bay did however fees should be based on zero listing fees for auctions as they should be charged when SOLD to get more people to list this way, and offer the other format should have an upfront fee for 7-14 days, if it does not sell, you cannot relist at that price or higher for 30 days and a smaller fee schedule if it does sell.

MIXED lots should also be able to be sorted easier as everyone loves to sort through lots to break up instead of single cards(graded or ungraded)

[ibuysportsephemera]

Leon/Matt,

Why not make the site pre-1979 sports cards and memorabilia only....A true vintage site?

Jeff

[Exhibitman]

One of the reasons you get them more and more is that Ebay doesn't charge a seller more as the price of the BIN rises, unlike an auction. It is the same $0.35 for a $2,000 BIN as a $20 BIN. I know that I will periodically list cards that I don't really want to sell at BINs that I don't expect to get, just on the offhand chance that someone will grab the card at the BIN. If you were to construct a system where the BIN price dictates the listing cost, you would ratchet back on the silliness.

[Wite3]

Maybe this will be a good thing...ebay will finally drive the collectors off and we can go back to having shows!

I miss the shows

Joshua

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Wite3

Maybe this will be a good thing...ebay will finally drive the collectors off and we can go back to having shows!

I miss the shows

Joshua

Not good for those of us who live in the sticks. My collection wouldn't be 1/50th of what it is without ebay....and there have never been card shows worth a crap anywhere near here.

[mintacular]

Don't ever say that. Just b/c you live in the "sticks" does not mean your collection is worth "1/50th". In fact, in some ways eBay represents a lower value of your collection. eBay buyers bid less due to the uncertainty factors (Are these cards really NM? Oh, and I need to subtract shipping from my top bid.)

While eBay prices are much closer to market value than Beckett HBV ones, they are not the end all, be all. You might be suprised what you could get in your local market, and if you are in the "sticks", wait for a big show in your region and pay $50 in gas to get there. It will be worth it.

In short, eBay does not make ones collection worth x50 and in many cases it reflects a lower actual value as mentioned. JMO