Overpriced cards on ebay -- Are they part of a tax scam?

[paul]

Phil,

I don't think any of us are slamming small businesses. I certainly wasn't. I was just trying to figure out why some people offer the same cards on ebay month after month at many times full retail price, without ever selling them. Just seems wierd. I know they have lots of expenses, but that's all the more reason why they should be conducting legitimate auctions rather than having starting bids that are much higher than full retail price.

Paul

[HRBAKER]

They don't have ALL of the same type of expenses your typical "brick and mortar" small businesses they are talking about here have. Ebay enables them by keeping the listing fees low.

[pgellis]

Paul,

No harm. I know you aren't slamming "most" small businesses. I am just a bit touchy when it comes to running a legitimate small business. Most people just don't get how difficult it is............

As for eBay, I really don't see a tax angle, but then again, I sleep well at night knowing that I pay my "FAIR SHARE" of taxes with my business.

I don't know why some sellers don't come down on prices......my personal guess is that they aren't really sellers, but collectors and will sell their cards if they get a crazy price. I love my cards....would I sell them? NO.....but if you give me 3X - 5X what I paid for them, then..................Maybe?

Phil

[batsballsbases]

Phil,
I understand your feelings as a small business owner myself for the last 35years I can tell you there were many a day I just wanted to pack it in.
But in my reference to the one seller that was mentioned here it seems to me to be rather foolish to continue to put up the same item (in this case I will use a pin as example) at 3-5 times value for over 5 years,I know because the psa tag is the same one. And yes Scott even after emailing a more that fair price for an offer be told "I cant do that". No other reason just I cant seems to me to be a very bad business pratice. So you would rather continue to pay the relisting fee for 5 years, turning no profit,because for what ever reason you paid to much,or you just never have any intention to sell it. And this is not just on one item its on hundreds of items,to me that makes no sense. But I guess the logic is a homerun is better that a single!

[ctownboy]

But, here is the thing, they are NOT paying a listing fee right now.

From 12/27 - 12/29, eBay has had FREE LISTING DAYS, no matter how many items you want to list.

For me, I get 50 free listings a month and then I have to pay a small fee for each listing above 50. I was getting close this month and then I got an E mail from eBay telling me that I could list however many things I wanted, FOR FREE, during those three days.

So, my guess is, these "dealers" who refuse to lower their prices just wait for these free listing days and then they list their museum pieces and hope that somebody flush with cash decides they want to overpay for something.

David

[buymycards]

Even if the listing fees are free, it still costs money to keep these items in your ebay store month after month. I pay $50 per month for the store, plus a nickel per item every month. Most of my stuff is low end, and most of my stuff is "buy it now or best offer". I normally accept any offer that is 50% or more of my BIN price. I wan't to keep turning over my inventory, because even at a nickle per month per item, if I have 800 items listed, it adds up. When I sell an item I pay 12% of the selling price, plus the paypal fee.

It does pay to make offers on items that interest you. Yes, you do run across some sellers who act like jerks when you make an offer, but you also run into some nice people who are willing to work with you. I have been watching an item for the last 3-4 months but I didn't want to pay the BIN price of $225. Yesterday I made an offer of $150, and the offer was accepted.

Don't let the jerks keep you away from the BIN's. There are still some good deals out there.

Rick

[BlueDevil89]

Personally, it doesn't bother me that sellers are asking high prices for their cards. They own them, so they have a right to ask anything they want for them. If enough dealers buy up the available inventory on the market, and refuse to sell except at high prices, there's going to be inflation. I see it going on already. Cards that could be had readily at eBay auction 2 - 4 years ago are becoming more difficult to find, except via BUY IT NOW. When you do find them on auction, the final bid prices are 25 - 40% higher than a few short years ago.

I think the demand for the vintage cards is rising, and in recognition of that, sellers are asking higher and higher prices. Also, if dealing cards is not the seller's primary source of income, the indivdual can wait indefinitely to get the asking price, even if that means allowing a few years to pass for the market to catch up to the inflated asking price level.

We shouldn't bemoan that we didn't buy up cards yesterday while the prices were low. Instead, we should get out there today and buy up the vintage cards that can be had now while they're still available. They'll only cost us more tomorrow.

[danmckee]

Originally Posted by buymycards

Even if the listing fees are free, it still costs money to keep these items in your ebay store month after month. I pay $50 per month for the store, plus a nickel per item every month. Most of my stuff is low end, and most of my stuff is "buy it now or best offer". I normally accept any offer that is 50% or more of my BIN price. I wan't to keep turning over my inventory, because even at a nickle per month per item, if I have 800 items listed, it adds up. When I sell an item I pay 12% of the selling price, plus the paypal fee.

It does pay to make offers on items that interest you. Yes, you do run across some sellers who act like jerks when you make an offer, but you also run into some nice people who are willing to work with you. I have been watching an item for the last 3-4 months but I didn't want to pay the BIN price of $225. Yesterday I made an offer of $150, and the offer was accepted.

Don't let the jerks keep you away from the BIN's. There are still some good deals out there.

Rick

Rick is correct! That card was mine, listed at $225 and I accepted his $150. I list my stuff high as I am not in any need to sell it and I always get beaten down at shows so why should my ebay store be any different?

Rick made an offer, I looked to see what I had in it, how long I have had the card, and how rare it is. Those are factors I consider. So I have had that card awhile, it is tough but not impossible, so I accepted Rick's offer.

After fees, I think Rick wound up buying me a shot of decent vodka.

Dan