Just thought of this as I was browsing for signature cards. When would a dealer, or any seller with a substantial investment, deem it necessary to offload product that won't sell at a certain price. Some sellers on e-bay seem to have been sitting on high-end cards for ages and not getting buyers. I know they have invested heavily over the years but when, if ever, might they just take what they can get at auction? Some have the "make an offer" thing going for mid range cards, but the ultra rare cards just don't seem to move. Do they sit and hope that a buyer crops up out of the blue every so often?
Question for dealers?
- Thread starter Muzza
- Start date
I'm not a dealer so take what you like from this, I think many high end cards do change hands when priced right but yes there are some sellers (dealers) cards that are way over priced and who are happy to sit and wait for ages until the right buyer comes along so just keep relisting them over and over. Often their card is the only one of its kind being listed so I supposse they are a chance of getting the price eventually.
For me these two Ebay auctions sum it up:
This one plent of interest and bids listed once:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2009-SEL..._Rugby_League_Merchandise&hash=item3f158aea14
This one relisted multiple times since Dec 2010:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2009-SEL..._Rugby_League_Merchandise&hash=item56418e337e
This one plent of interest and bids listed once:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2009-SEL..._Rugby_League_Merchandise&hash=item3f158aea14
This one relisted multiple times since Dec 2010:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2009-SEL..._Rugby_League_Merchandise&hash=item56418e337e
On ebay a lot of the dealers have good til gone sales. So only one listing fee and it automatically relists after a 30 day period - perk of being an ebay store.
The reason behind higher prices for high end cards is because the only people after these cards are true collectors and collector's prices vary so much.
Collector A may be willing to pay $750 for a rare card. Although collector B is willing to pay $1500 as he collects that particular player etc.
so really they just wait for collector B to come along, which happens more than you would expect. Many collectors of high end cards have serious cash to spend on their collections.
In the end, its costing them nothing extra in fees and they're not having to relist manually, so demanding a higher price for high end stuff makes sense.
I just don't get how they do it for the low end cards, they wouldn't move at all!
The reason behind higher prices for high end cards is because the only people after these cards are true collectors and collector's prices vary so much.
Collector A may be willing to pay $750 for a rare card. Although collector B is willing to pay $1500 as he collects that particular player etc.
so really they just wait for collector B to come along, which happens more than you would expect. Many collectors of high end cards have serious cash to spend on their collections.
In the end, its costing them nothing extra in fees and they're not having to relist manually, so demanding a higher price for high end stuff makes sense.
I just don't get how they do it for the low end cards, they wouldn't move at all!
I disagree. I know of no high end collector (with serious cash to spend) that fragrantly just go out and pay overs for cards.
The people that buy these cards are the some people that pay overs for common cards from muppets like rarecollectables. They dont research and make poor buying decisions.
Most of the cards you see being sold by guys like 8088edge have been bought by them at a ebay price which they then markup to a Cardzone price. Fortunately for them they have the cash to be able to sit on stock until that little wood duck comes along. While these cards do sell from time to time to serious collectors you will find them done in deals off ebay at discounts.
I personally think that half the cards sold on ebay are just bought by people who think they can flip it for a profit (which is like most any retail business). However only a few are good at it.
The people that buy these cards are the some people that pay overs for common cards from muppets like rarecollectables. They dont research and make poor buying decisions.
Most of the cards you see being sold by guys like 8088edge have been bought by them at a ebay price which they then markup to a Cardzone price. Fortunately for them they have the cash to be able to sit on stock until that little wood duck comes along. While these cards do sell from time to time to serious collectors you will find them done in deals off ebay at discounts.
I personally think that half the cards sold on ebay are just bought by people who think they can flip it for a profit (which is like most any retail business). However only a few are good at it.
I'm thinking that serious collectors are going to be buying multiple cases of each release and then, as Owen mentioned, completing their collections privately through their dealer contacts. So I spose the "wood ducks" must keep these sellers interested. 8088edge was the seller I was checking when I thought of this. He must just set & forget and if he gets a bite, great!
