Ok, the title may be a little confusing but hear me out. I am getting out of the hobby for reasons I shall not go into and I have run accross several people that have stated that they didn't want to pay above ebay prices. Now, for the most part I can understand that becuase why pay more one place when you can get it cheaper somewhere else. Basic economy 101. But, here is my question, when you look at eBay prices, and there are several autions that have ended for the same card, and you are quoting them an average price, how is that considered above? Also, when people look at the price of the card all they look at is the end price, which isn't the total price you are paying for the card. For example, you just bought a card and the end price is $9, do you really think that is how much you are paying for the card when you have to tack on another $3 for shipping? No, you are actually paying $12 for the card. So, if I quote you a price of $9 dlvd for the same card, wouldn't that be lower then eBay?

Yes it would be. Unfortunately common sense is not a gift all seem to have. If your willing to pick up the shipping then that's even more savings for the purchaser. But everyone (including me) is always trying to get what they want at rock bottom prices. Sometimes you just have to stand firm and miss a sale here and there.

Stephen

I completely agree with you, it seems a little difficult to sell here because if a few cards have sold on ebay and the lowest went for $15 and the highest went to $20 most likely you will not get more than $15 for it here and a lot of times not more than $13. But I usually just offer cards for what I will sell and if they turn it down than I am happy to keep the card until I can get what I am looking for on it, even if that means trying to sell it on ebay.

Keep in mind, that's just not here, that's anywhere. Even card shows work that way. I've had people come up to me and wanting to buy something. I give them a price and I get the "I can get it for cheaper or x amount online aka eBay" response. Maybe you can, but guess what, you don't have to wait for it to be shipped. You aren't paying the shipping cost...etc...etc...

As for selling on trading sites, there's a lot of blinders when it comes to sell prices. Everyone wants something for as cheap as they can get it and you can't fault that. Though what you are saying is most cases, there are cases where the seller is simply asking too much as well. I've seen members want to sell cards based solely on the highest reported sale on eBay. Not only that, averages can be skewered at times as you don't know what caused the high sales to be that high. If you get a bidding war on an auction, you should really throw that out, especially if it ends 20% higher than the next sale (unless it's low print run of course). Same could be said for the low prices. Was there a mistake in the auction (misspelled name, labeled incorrectly, etc.)...

At the end of the day, sellers and buyers will hardly ever agree on a suitable price right away. Haggling is the basic part of buy/sell. Cards will only be worth what a buyer is willing to pay, regardless of how it sells elsewhere. If you have a set price in mind that you do not want to go below, then stick to your guns. Unless of course, you really need to sell, then you are going to have find a price that you can live with...

I'm going to take this a bit personal, since I said the exact same thing to you. It's not the shipping that is the problem, but it's when the quoted price is more than just a few bucks above eBay.

Now, a response for the rest of the people, if they really wanted the card, and lets say the price is quoted for $40. It's a patch card, and lets say more complex and multi-colored patches are going for $35+$5 shipping. That could also be a reason. eBay has a larger variety and the possibility of getting a steal as well while never having to pay a price which is over which you want to actually pay. It's quite a bit to haggle on this site, but on eBay, their will always be more auctions of the card(s) you want, so there is always the possibility for a better price.

Ok, the title may be a little confusing but hear me out. I am getting out of the hobby for reasons I shall not go into and I have run accross several people that have stated that they didn't want to pay above ebay prices. Now, for the most part I can understand that becuase why pay more one place when you can get it cheaper somewhere else. Basic economy 101. But, here is my question, when you look at eBay prices, and there are several autions that have ended for the same card, and you are quoting them an average price, how is that considered above? Also, when people look at the price of the card all they look at is the end price, which isn't the total price you are paying for the card. For example, you just bought a card and the end price is $9, do you really think that is how much you are paying for the card when you have to tack on another $3 for shipping? No, you are actually paying $12 for the card. So, if I quote you a price of $9 dlvd for the same card, wouldn't that be lower then eBay?

Figuring an avg. of the last few sold w/ shipping factored in sounds about right. Things can get more complicated if the card has been ending for a little bit more or less with each passing closed auction.

Just to be clear, this wasn't an attack at you it was just a question that I was thinking about when you posted in my thread. I understand that people are looking for the best price, and that people will want to pay the lowest they can get, it's just the way things work. But I was just wondering if people actually took into account that when the auction on eBay is over that the shipping cost is a part of the final price. I mean, it's easy to see that something sold for xx amount, but you have add the shipping into the final costs it's not just the xx amount. Thats all.


I'm going to take this a bit personal, since I said the exact same thing to you. It's not the shipping that is the problem, but it's when the quoted price is more than just a few bucks above eBay.

Now, a response for the rest of the people, if they really wanted the card, and lets say the price is quoted for $40. It's a patch card, and lets say more complex and multi-colored patches are going for $35+$5 shipping. That could also be a reason. eBay has a larger variety and the possibility of getting a steal as well while never having to pay a price which is over which you want to actually pay. It's quite a bit to haggle on this site, but on eBay, their will always be more auctions of the card(s) you want, so there is always the possibility for a better price.

An even bigger disparity is 'book' value versus actual 'sale' value. This one I find even more hilarious. I collect Kordell Stewart and I see some of the 'book' prices on his stuff and it is outlandish - whether it is an SP or not. I mean, who does a person that is selling a Kordell Auto SP think he's gonna hold out for? The other six Kordell collectors in the world?

The only thing I have ever seen go for book is auto's of legends like Bradshaw, Sanders, or Namath. And those don't even get book on eBay or in the 2 shops we have around here. Kind of like using a Sothebys catalogue at a garage sale hoping that one rube will come by and actually buy your Corn Flakes box collection.

The price of a card is what someone is willing to pay for it. Period.

Stephen