Advice on selling welcome.

[corky8484]

I've 'lurked' here for the last 5 years and really enjoy the conversations. Getting deeper into my senior years and figure it's time to sell my card accumulations (don't consider myself a collector - but enjoy cards).

I grew up in NY and have plenty of cards from 1957-1961 (majority won by flipping or bought at the time). Eventually I'll want to sell those (my 'kids' don't want to inherit them, go figure).

Additionally I have a bunch of cards from an elderly neighbor who passed in 1970 (he was the original owner) ... see my net54 album in my profile for his cards.

I now live near Vancouver, BC. Advice needed on:

1. selling cards individually vs in bunches;
2. fixed price vs auction;
3. raw vs graded;
4. where to sell them.

My thinking on some of this so far:
1. individually ok as it gives buyer more flexibility - if in a bunch, how to group them?
2. fixed price easier for me to track, but auction might help if I screw up pricing it too low. Also putting an initial price on a card seems a bit subjective. I'm looking to pass along the cards at a price fair to both of us, not looking to squeeze the buffalo nickel so tight as to squeeze the - well you know what i mean.
3. These are all raw - I know a few will do a lot better graded (Ruth, Cobb(s) for instance). Getting cards graded from Canada difficult (PSA not available here) plus added risk of paying additional duties when cards returned.
4. I did ebay from 1998-2004 for things from dad's estate (not cards) - then it got bad there. I prefer selling here or face to face (have sold on the non-sports sister site).

I'm sure many of you have already considered these issues and maybe more that I missed. Any thoughts most appreciated.
Rick
corky8484 (I collected corkscrews for years, thus 'corky')

[cardsagain74]

My opinions:

1. Individually unless you need money faster (lots usually go for a discount)

2. "Fixed price" unless, again, you need the money faster. Auctions usually get you the lowest end of current market prices, unless you're a big-name house

3. Graded, unless you're dealing with cards worth less than maybe 50 bucks each. And the higher value they are, the more getting them graded becomes worth the effort and $

4. Start here, since it saves you about 10-12% in ebay fees. Not sure of the exact amount since I've never sold on there yet, but plenty here can correct me. Anything that you don't sell easily on here, move to ebay. Plenty of forum people handle their selling that way, because it often gives you the best bang for your buck. Or, you can list here and ebay simultaneously, but at a higher price on ebay (also common)

[oldeboo]

1. selling cards individually vs in bunches
More money individually, easier in groups. You see people trying to sell large groups on here, then move to individually if no bites. There are dealers or set collectors that might buy large lots. Another option is to list them all individually and offer 10% off on groups of 5 or more as an example.

2. fixed price vs auction
Auction will move it at a determined time no matter what at a relatively decent market price. Fixed will get you what you want, but of course it's tricky to pinpoint not too low and not too high, have to do your research. You see a lot of sellers on here start high and drop their prices periodically. It basically ends up being a reverse auction. At some point the price gets low enough someone will pull the trigger close to what it's worth.

3. raw vs graded
There are knowledgeable enough collectors on here to pay you fair prices for raw cards, but I'd generally expect prices a grade or two lower than graded. Just depends if it's worth the time and effort for that extra cash. Since it doesn't seem that you're overly worried about maximizing profits, I'd just sell raw, unless there are no takers at a reasonable price.

4. where to sell them
Start here with fixed prices and price drops if needed, then move to Ebay and let them rip at auction to move them.

Looking forward to seeing what you list

[swarmee]

Try COMC.com out for selling as raw cards. I'd only send them cards you expect to sell for at least $3 each. But you will not have to do much work (just mail them in and then price them once they're loaded) and then they will mail them to all the buyers themselves.

[bnorth]

Please don't use COMC.

I would sell them all on here to make it way easier. Sell the better cards separately and the cheaper stuff in lots.

To price go to eBay and see what similar cards really sold for. Then knock 10% off that and list them. They should sell fairly quickly.

[corky8484]

Thanks for the swift replies so far - giving me plenty to think about . . .

[bmattioli]

From your post looks like you have sold before on EBay and here in the Non sport section correct? There are many ways to sell of which you've done, what was your issue?

[STM56]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Please don't use COMC.

I would sell them all on here to make it way easier. Sell the better cards separately and the cheaper stuff in lots.

To price go to eBay and see what similar cards really sold for. Then knock 10% off that and list them. They should sell fairly quickly.

Would you mind explaining the COMC comment? It seems like there are some benefits from selling there.

[Gorditadogg]

You probably know intuitively the more effort you put in the better you'll do. If you have the time and inclination you should sell the cards individually or in small lots. Start your pricing a little high, you can always come done.

Auctions work best when it's a popular item. Unless you are selling Mantles or Jackie Robinsons I would stick to fixed price.

Hopefully we will see at least some of your stuff up on our BST sites. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[toledo_mudhen]

Cant stress enough the importance of a "good" scanner for images. I generally shy away from listings with crappy images (cell phone, wrong scanner, etc)

I too would suggest simultaneous eBay and BST....

[jchcollins]

Sorry if it was already mentioned here and I missed it - but social media, particularly Facebook - also offers a lot of different groups where vintage cards are bought and sold individually between regular collectors. This is also a good way to avoid eBay fees, and if you want to take the risks (not recommended, but people do it...) PayPal fees as well if you send FF.

PM me if you want specifics, thanks.