Kill E-bay!!!

[williams]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[bills*crazy]

I don't know why you would complain about eBay just because you can buy things cheaper there. It seems to me that it's a good thing for the hobby. To heck with the price guides; I've always said that the true value of a card is what the majority of collectors are willing to pay for it. Is a card REALLY worth $100 if you can only sell it for $40? After all, when we look at this hobby, what we really collect are pieces of cardboard with photos and text on them. They have zero intrinsic value. The only value they have is what we (the collectors) place on them. I understand your frustration with pricing but my solution for you would be to not buy things from the hobby shops that you can get cheaper on eBay and vice versa.

[steelers#1fan]

That's your opinion. I don't like card shows (again, my opinion) because they ask book or close to it. Why would I want to do that when I can get the card on Ebay for a fraction of the price. Sometimes I do pay a tad over, but I'm saving on gas, wear and tear of my vehicle,etc... Again, please respect other peoples opinions, and stop "overreacting" to them.

For the two of you I rather go to a show hands down. As their is no communication (personal interaction), I don't have to pay shipping, I see the card on hand, and I never had to file a paypal or ebay claim as when I hand the cash I get the card, I can trade at a card show, I meet athletes at a card show (can't get that on the bay), redemption programs by the card companies at larger shows, and the list goes on and on.

There pro's and con's to everything but to say you wouldn't go to cardshows would be overreacting in my personal opinion. To each his own. Well will holler later when I get back from the cardshow. WOOHOOO!!


DON

[Ukiah10]

Frankly, I have not sold on eBay in a couple years because the prices are not what I am comfortable with for my vintage collection. BUT...that's the way it is. Is it not the market that determines the value?

With that said, the problem I have is with Beckett impressing on people that they actually keep track of pricing. That's an impossible task for anyone to be asked. Look at all the GU, AU, LSU, UCLA or whatever stuff is out there. I collect vintage cuz it's my preference and for the simplicity of it.

As far as Beckett pricing is concerned, I bought my first Beckett yearly in 12 years and the prices are nearly 100 percent the same on the vintage. They don't track it. Don't let them fool you.

Example...1964 Curt Flood. I'll buy them every day for $3 or $6 book price because it may not be noted as a short print but it is ALWAYS one of those cards you can not find in the folders of 1964s from dealers. I have sold EX condition 1964 Floods for $20+ on eBay, Nm for $40-$60 and I see where a PSA 8 went for nearly $350. Beckett doesn't reflect that whatsoever, but many vintage collectors will tell you how tough it is to find and therefore the demand drives up the price on limited supply. This is one of the most obvious examples, but I'm sure there are more.

But again, it's all about what one will be willing to spend. In tough economic times, be ready for the price of pictured cardboard to drop cuz you can't fill a car up with cards. You still need the $4 a gallon of gas.

OK...now lets TRADE!!! Woo Hooo

[sportscollectors]

eBay is obviously the 2nd greatest thing to happen to the hobby, only to the Internet in general. More opportunity and more access means more activity and enjoyment for collectors.

There are a few sites out there that allow buyers to track the values of searches on eBay and other marketplaces. I use one regularly and it has helped me get some really great deals. Knowing the correct price points and trends allows you to make educated descisions. I would never even consider picking up a Beckett or Tuff Stuff again.

[benlee66]

I stopped subscribing to Beckett a while ago. They update prices too slowly. Even if they came out with a weekly guide, it would still not be very useful compared to thepit or ebay.

[Star_Cards]

I don't see the problem with ebay at all. If your cards are selling for less on ebay then you are probably buying them for less on ebay.

As for the shops that have boxes for $150 if they sell for $15 on ebay then they will slowly die off. As for the $150-$15 ratio, That's surely a very extreme example of price breaks on eBay. Plus, a lot of pricing on ebay is subject to many variables such as NPBers, Shillers, and timing. You may see a lot of cards selling for a certain amount, but who knows if those transaction actually happened. Typically you can get a nice gauge, but you have to take a cross section of the same item.

I haven't purchased a beckett in about 3 years and never will.

m

[Ragnarok691]

I remember being 14 years old with my 89 UD Ken Griffey Junior rookie card I had just pulled from a pack. I looked at the only price guide he had out and at that time the card booked for 60 bucks. HUGE for a 14 year old in 1989. The dealer asked me if I wanted to trade for something or sell it. I said I needed money to go see a movie and would he give me 20 for it?

He responded, no, I can only get 50 for it myself so I will give you 8 bucks. Me being a dumb kid took the 8 bucks. The 3 packs I bought cost me 9 I think. I went back in there 2 weeks later and he was selling the card right at that time for 80 bucks. The BV on it had shot up 20 bucks. Just the way dealers work.

I have no real problem with ebay single selling because I have had a card that books for 2 bucks go for 5 and had a card that books for 25 go for 15. I have gotten great deals and lost out. It's just the way it goes. When you go into a cardshop now they will almost NEVER give cash for cards and they give 10% for trade and no trade on packs. It's a frustrating subject. Although I have gotten quality factory sealed boxes off Ebay and had one scary scam with 90 donruss packed into gridiron gear packs. Good thing my wife was using her new camera to film me opening the box. I got a refund from paypal and the guy got shut down.

The next week I got a box of 06 Heritage from Dave and Adam's, got a Dbrick auto and a 3 color Hagan GU with 1/3 of the set and tons of good chrome/refractors. It's all about research and ALOT of feedback. GREED IS WHAT RUINED THE HOBBY 20 YEARS AGO STARTING WITH MASS PRODUCTION IN THE LATE 80's. SAME WITH THE MAJOR SPORTS. DON"T BLAME THE AVENUE, BLAME THE PEOPLE THAT WALK IT.

[ensbergcollector]

Here are a few comments on everything that has been posted.

Ebay has killed the hobby shop. The issue is whether you have a problem with that or not. My local hobby shop has to pay $2000 a month in rent. So, yes, they have to charge more on cards and boxes even to break even. Obviously we will usually go to ebay since it is cheaper but as a result, hobby shops are closing. It isn't as saying "they should charge less." I worked at a shop for 3-4 years. Rent is a real deal that shops have to worry about just to break even. Much less make a living.

I have issues with ebay. Retaliatory feedback, $3 shipping for a white envelope, etc. The fact that ebay knows of powersellers who sell fakes and do nothing about it because it would cut into their profits. The fact that you are no longer allowed to sign up for ebay and not accept paypal.
Yes, most of our collections have benefited from ebay. That is obvious. But I have not bought anything off of ebay in over a year because I got tired of all their crap. They basically hold a monopoly and are demonstrating why there are laws against it. (Not calling for a boycott, just sharing). I personally prefer shows. I don't mind paying a little more for the personal contact and the ability to see the card and know that there will be no hassles.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I have issues with ebay. Retaliatory feedback, $3 shipping for a white envelope, etc. The fact that ebay knows of powersellers who sell fakes and do nothing about it because it would cut into their profits. The fact that you are no longer allowed to sign up for ebay and not accept paypal.
Yes, most of our collections have benefited from ebay. That is obvious. But I have not bought anything off of ebay in over a year because I got tired of all their crap. They basically hold a monopoly and are demonstrating why there are laws against it. (Not calling for a boycott, just sharing). I personally prefer shows. I don't mind paying a little more for the personal contact and the ability to see the card and know that there will be no hassles.

Biggest problem for me is the retaliatory feedback. There are great deals on there these days in vintage. Best advice for eBayers - know who you are dealing with. Check feedback, it is a very important tool.