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wbaker01
Posts: 646
Joined: Oct 2017
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 11:15 AM | |
Felt the time was right to do this post as I am thinning out what I have but whenever the word "buy" comes up in a transaction, the other party quickly loses interest even before a monetary number discussed. And this is not a new item, this has happened for the few years I've been on this site..I've also had past potential transactions comprised of myself compiling huge speadsheets of card prices to only then get ghosted by the buyer even though there was interest in my cards..And anyone who has bought cards from me know I price them pretty low because I want to see them go a good home..
I understand that no one wants to "spend" money but how did you build your collection? None of us traded for all of the cards that we currently have..and please don't use the argument that you only "trade" for cards because your'e still spending money on postage, supplies, a trip to the post office (gas), etc. I'm going on close to 300 trades and I've certainly lost "money" on some (probably half to be honest with you) of these trades when I see how other members ship cards compared to how I ship whether it is packaging, short changing the post office on postage, etc..I got away from pricing out the value of the trade but I guess once I go back trading I'll need to start doing that and verifying how the other party is going to ship my cards just so that things are "even"..
I see plenty of people here talking about eBay purchases, buying from their local card shop, etc. which certainly means that they are "buying" things..but when it comes to obtaining (not using the word "buy" there) an item from someone on our "community", cold feet appear..
My intent, when I offer something up for sale/trade, is to give a fellow member a break on obtaining something before it heads to eBay, craiglist, goodwill or the closest trash bin..
Am I the only one who feels this way on this topic?
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budler
Posts: 2,157
Joined: Dec 2017
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 12:05 PM | |
I feel the same way. I have had a few sales here. Prices were a little more then what I would have gotten from dealers.
As I'm trying to get rid of cards from my nephew's collection and trying to get my brother a few bucks. I have always let the buyer set the price. Only once have I asked for a little more. When doing bulk sales we come to a price and when they get the cards and feel it was a real good deal I let them know I'm willing to take a little more IF they feel it is called for. Several of the deals have sent me more money.
Due to the fact I only collect football cards of Nebraska players now. Never collected baseball. Trading is hard here and on other sites. This site has surprised me 44 trades so far.
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cjpaiken
Posts: 30
Joined: Oct 2016
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 3:48 PM | |
I placed the following right in my profile:
"Only looking to sell at this point."
I am selling off all my extra stuff and just keeping what I want. One day I will get back to building perhaps, but by posting this in my profile, everyone knows the expectations right up front. I have not had a single problem. The collectors/traders/buyers on here have been absolutely great!
Jim
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Vvvergeer
Posts: 2,057
Joined: Jan 2014
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 4:13 PM | |
I don't do many transactions here, but I think I've bought cards from someone. I've also been rejected when offering to buy cards from someone, who said he only wanted to trade. That struck me as slightly odd, because one can take the money and try to buy what you would have traded for, but whatever.
Anyway, the original poster, alas, has no cards I need, but for what it's worth, I'm always happy to buy cards from members here at a reaonable price.
v3
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NJDevils
Posts: 6,343
Joined: Sep 2010
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 4:32 PM | |
I sell on EBay. The toughest part about selling is the postage. Just have to accept that. When you buy at a local store or card show.....no S&H. I usually undercut everyone on EBAY because I want to downsize and still it is not an easy go. But that's the way it is. In addition, selling bulk to members of this site is next to impossible as most member already have at lot of the cards they need and no need to "bulk up"
Edited on: Apr 21, 2019 - 5:45PM
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BSwagger
Posts: 1,558
Joined: Jul 2017
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 5:00 PM | |
I think there are many reasons. Some of the factors might be what are you selling (commons or more expensive items) and also what are the goals of the other member. I know personally at the moment I am looking to trade away duplicates for cards I don't have. I might be interested in buying if say a member had the last 8 cards I needed to complete a set and I wanted to get that set completed but my interest level in buying might go way down if I have 50% of a set and the sale pushed me up to 65% because eh, I'm still far from having a complete set. I also suspect set completion (be it year and brand or player) may vary from member to member. I also think that the glut of cards of brands of cards every year has made it almost impossible to complete collecting goals thus making the desire to complete collections less important. Lastly, my experience on here as that when I have been approached about buying something here and told I will give you a great deal the great deal most of the time has been 20-25% off something like Beckett. Shipping of course becomes the biggest issue. I have been most satisfied buying locally lately. I have bought complete collections including stars, rookies, inserts etc. for an average of a penny or two per card. It costs me more per card to ship cards. If I really was striving to complete a set I wouldn't have an issue buying and paying postage but at this time set completion isn't my highest priority. I think though the biggest thing is most members are really looking to swap out doubles for something else they want. In my time here I have occasionally and not often made a trade using money to balance out a trade but I have never had anyone approach me to buy. Everyone seems to prefer to trade and I think it's because most of us have cards that we really don't want due to space or them being doubles or a varying amount of reasons and finding a trade partner is the best way to satisy both sides.
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Sportzcommish
Posts: 5,977
Joined: Oct 2016
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 5:06 PM | |
I haven't sold much here, maybe three transactions that I recall, and they were done without a hitch. One in fact was initiated by the buying member, another that I'm not sure how it transpired, but both got done.
I probably don't try to sell here as often as you have, Bill, and maybe that's why I haven't run across what you have.
It's hard enough to sell ones cards in a buyer's market when it comes to what I have to offer, but I've been somewhat successful with some on Ebay and here. I was able to sell my Emmitt RC here, but not on my first try months prior. Yet, I can't say I've been ghosted in any way.
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Follow my blog - I Identify as a Card Collector. “Aslan didn't tell Pole what would happen. He only told her what to do. That fellow will be the death of us once he's up, I shouldn't wonder. But that doesn't let us off following the signs.” - Puddleglum in The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis
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vrooomed
Posts: 14,826
Joined: Dec 2012
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 5:06 PM | |
I've been on this site for a while now. I have tried making sales, and I also like to price things so that the buyer feels good about the deal they are getting while at the same time, I'm getting somewhat fair value for my items. However, these sales have been very few. I have found for the most part, that the membership here does not like to spend it's money with other members here. I'm really not sure why that is, but, it is what I have observed.
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-- Dan -- Note: Please see my profile for more info regarding trading (section updated 3/4/2024). I have added a large portion of my inventory to the site, and currently have trading turned on (details are in my profile).
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BSwagger
Posts: 1,558
Joined: Jul 2017
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 5:21 PM | |
One more short and on as I think my conversation with Bill this morning may have been part of the reason for the first post. Let me say it's hard to compete in a sale you have to ship when I have been able to buy a medium flat rate box filled(3000+ cards) for $5 with local pickup. I'm sure Bill is a good guy and would offer a good deal but that is almost impossible to beat for a guy just acquiring large lots that have a lot of cards I don't have. Heck, I think recently someone was offering cards for the cost of shipping and wasn't getting any takers.
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PapaG321
Posts: 1,698
Joined: Mar 2018
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Sunday, April 21, 2019 5:38 PM | |
I haven't actively sought to sell and have only had one member want to buy a card .. Turns out they collect just 1 player and were willing to pay me $5 US (and through in another $1 US for shipping) . Also I suppose if one could find 3000+ for as cheap as BSwagger eluded to that certainly would put a damper on online sales. Furthermore unless the card(s) were perhaps a little difficult to come across maybe then. Just considering the sheer volume (millions upon millions) of cards in the card-universe makes selling a rather difficult endeavour.
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