eBay Collectibles - The Best Place to Build CollectionsHave an autograph collecting story you would like to share? Maybe you have a question about an autograph you have just discovered. Comments or questions, we'd we'd love to hear from you. Go to Your Autographs When most people think of auctions, more likely than not, the next thought is going to be eBay. eBay is one of the most recognizable names on the internet. eBay, for a myriad of reasons, has become a buyer's market for almost everything. Vintage eBay collectibles, on average, can be bought for a fraction of what comparable items would have sold for just a few years ago. Common everyday items usually don't sell at all. Sellers who quit their jobs for eBay feel betrayed. Occasional sellers don't know what to think. Maybe eBay doesn't need to be, or even want to be, a place to list everything from a monopoly thimble to a new pick-up truck. I'm fairly certain that eBay is planning for where it wants to be ten years from now. eBay sellers want to sell their stuff now. If eBay was a good place to buy collectibles in the past, it is an even better place to buy the same collectibles today at a much better price. I don't see eBay moving away from being a buyer's market any time soon. I can't imagine what eBay could do to turn the clock back ten years. About 10 years ago, I sold my huge silver age comic book collection on eBay in single listings. The same comics that sold for $100 each would bring no more than 20% of that today. That means that I could replace my collection at 20% of what I sold it for with comics in equal or better condition. That is a good thing. Another good thing for veteran collectors is that eBay has shown us what is truly rare; it has also shown us what we might have thought was rare, but really isn't Yet many collectors have stopped buying on eBay. I suppose the thinking might be that if an item sells low it can't be worth buying. That doesn't make sense. If it fits into your collection and the price is right, buy it. eBay has become a place where one can selectively buy collectibles, place them in another venue and clear a profit - the reverse of what was true in the past. eBay users who deal in collectibles often build their own sites, cherry pick bargains on eBay and list them on their site. If you are adding to a collection, eBay should be the first place to shop. If you want to start a collection, eBay should be the first place to shop. If you want to make money with collectibles, eBay should always be on your shopping list. Buying in "lots" and selling in singles has always been a good eBay strategy. It is an even better strategy now that less items are closing with a sell. "Lots" are generally larger now and the items sold in them are better than they have ever been. Search "title and description" to find items that most buyers don't see. Sometimes one item inside a wordy description will bring back all the money that you paid for the entire lot. I have done this many times. Another trick is to search the eBay consignment shops. Often people who don't know how to sell consign items to people who don't know how to list. I have found some great buys this way. It is time consuming, but it pays dividends. Using thimbles as a search example, try typing (drop off, thimbles) or (consignment, thimbles). Be sure to check "title and description." The eBay drop off franchises are quickly becoming a thing of the past because they are money pits for the owners. Some are still in business. (Again, using thimbles as an example), I have found some nice things at unbelievably great prices by typing (isoldit, thimbles) (quikdrop, thimbles) and (snappy auctions, thimbles). Most consignment sellers charge more than actual postage. I don't let this bother me if the deal still makes sense. It is probably a good thing in the long run because it means less potential bidders. There is a calculated risk in buying from the drop offs. Many are hugely invested in the business and when their last dollar is gone, they close. For me, the reward is worth the risk. I haven't had a problem yet. I have been an eBay buyer and seller since February 1998. I have sold and bought thousands of collectibles. As a seller, I'm less happy today. As a buyer, I'm happier searching for eBay collectibles. I'll be hanging around eBay for a lot longer and you should to.
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