COMC puts HUGE surplus on cards listed on eBay - SHADY??

[Gem10collection]

Why are cards listed on COMC's internal website posted on eBay at huge premiums??

I'll use a basketball card example so I don't look like I'm trying to pump a card. A Lebron James has an asking price of $100 on COMC but is listed for $125 on eBay. WT????? I don't know about you guys but I think that is super shady by COMC - a 25% markup!!! You can find this with all their cards!! Huge eBay markups.

What do you guys think?

[superdan49]

Post has now been moved into correct section. My apologies to OP for snapping at you.

[HOFAutoRookies]

Because it's their own business and they won't have to pay those eBay fees. They use eBay for more eyes and maybe they'll see it's comc and go to their site.

[3124508 on COMC]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[LVDan]

Because it's their own business and they won't have to pay those eBay fees. They use eBay for more eyes and maybe they'll see it's comc and go to their site.

This.

[jared6180]

I don't care. If it helps get my card sold on either platform I am fine with it. If they make a little extra by putting it on eBay, great! Either way if my card sells I am getting what I asked for it.

[mjohnatgt]

Read this thread:
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1251532&highlight=comc

Basically they changed their fee structure on Jan 1. Not shady at all. eBay buyers regularly pay a lot more for items than COMC buyers. This actually makes it easier for COMC sellers to get what they want from a card. I have had a card on COMC listed for $150 but marked down on sale to $55. It sold for $165 on eBay.

And this belongs in the COMC section; there is a huge one with lots of discussion...

Oh, and read this thread too: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1211826&highlight=comc&page=2

[patchgenie]

i've had 3-4 eBay sales and 0 amazon since they changed it up. sold on amazon all the time and now nothing.

[Gem10collection]

Because it's their own business and they won't have to pay those eBay fees. They use eBay for more eyes and maybe they'll see it's comc and go to their site.
You're right. But I think it's hurting business. It use to not be like this but ever since the commission fee change this has happened. I use to get A LOT more eBay sales and now almost a trickle. Anyways, I know for me, this isn't working so well anymore and once I sell what I have with them that will be the end of it.

[mrmopar]

So I first discovered this a while back. Found a card listed on COMC and liked the price, so I figured i'd just buy it on COMC and save the shipping by having it shipped withg my next order. Was pleased to find that it was CHEAPER on COMC!

Now anytime I see one on eBay that I may want, I just hop over to COMC to buy it. Ebay got me to find it though, where as I might not have at COMC, so it is increasing traffic on the stuff.

[chezball]

https://www.blowoutforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=44

[aggie4ever]

Obviously it has to be more expensive on ebay, to pay for the seller's fees ebay charges. Just like BO has cases listed on ebay, but at like 10% higher than on this website.

Now COMC having a 25% markup versus BO with 10% is a different complaint.

[shrevecity]

What does it matter the seller is still getting the price he wants out of the item. Before the change my Ebay/Amazon sales were no different than they are now. Sales have gone down overall, but main reason is I have dropped to sending in 1000 or more cards every 2 weeks to 200 in the past 3 months.

[Gem10collection]

Post has now been moved into correct section. My apologies to OP for snapping at you.
No worries good sir and thank you.

[Gem10collection]

I don't think the new structure is good for the seller or the buyer and the only element in this equation that benefits is COMC. From COMC's perspective; they make 25% off of the eBay markup, charge the seller a 5% commission, and when the seller asks for the cash they get another 10%. Thats a 40% charge of the revenue that they are taking which I think is waaaayyy too much.

Of course, this is a market system, but I know I'm taking my selling and purchases somewhere else and I have a feeling more and more people will do the same in the future. Hopefully a competitor will come along with a more reasonable revenue sharing structure.

[shrevecity]

I don't think the new structure is good for the seller or the buyer and the only element in this equation that benefits is COMC. From COMC's perspective; they make 25% off of the eBay markup, charge the seller a 5% commission, and when the seller asks for the cash they get another 10%. Thats a 40% charge of the revenue that they are taking which I think is waaaayyy too much.

Of course, this is a market system, but I know I'm taking my selling and purchases somewhere else and I have a feeling more and more people will do the same in the future. Hopefully a competitor will come along with a more reasonable revenue sharing structure.

Would you rather them charge the seller the 10% Ebay fees and the Paypal commission as well as the fees they already charge?

[Gem10collection]

Would you rather them charge the seller the 10% Ebay fees and the Paypal commission as well as the fees they already charge?
That 13% is less than the 25% they are charging now, so, yes! I would! Also, these mega sellers like COMC, PWCC, Burbank, get all kinds of discounts from eBay. Guaranteed they don't pay 10% to eBay.

[mjohnatgt]

Well, really the "25%" they're charging now is with embedded insured shipping. So the chasm is not as wide as you think it is. If you read the posts (and the hundreds of pages "All I want to do is talk COMC" thread), you'll see that almost nobody likes the embedded free shipping and has asked COMC to stop. That's where most of the issue is.
You are definitely free to stop using COMC. But my guess is, if you just change the way you price your cards, you might sell more. But if your biggest issue is selling on ebay, then yeah, just sell on eBay yourself.

[shrevecity]

That 13% is less than the 25% they are charging now, so, yes! I would! Also, these mega sellers like COMC, PWCC, Burbank, get all kinds of discounts from eBay. Guaranteed they don't pay 10% to eBay.

YOu seriously would rather it be passed on to you? So instead of the 15% you would rather pay 28%(I know that math is not right as its not actually 15%.) The way they do it is basically splitting the costs with both the buyer and seller.

Sounds like you are just upset they are making a little extra on what you are selling it for. If you get what you want out of it what difference does it make?

Are you the type that gets mad when someone buys something from you then sells it for more?

Then again maybe its just that I see COMC as a dumping ground for items I either have not sold on Ebay orjust don't have time to list. In other words items that would sit in a box with ZERO chance of ever selling.

[adamdavidson47]

Would you rather them charge the seller the 10% Ebay fees and the Paypal commission as well as the fees they already charge?

There was nothing wrong with the way they used to do it, other than they didn't make as much money as they'd like.

To think the changes do anything but line the pockets of COMC more is blind.

I used to sell many, many cards on ebay/amazon. I think I've sold 2 since they switched.

Just because your ebay sales haven't changed, doesn't mean that many others' haven't.

[checkoutmydeals]

Under the previous system, COMC took 20% out of the seller's cut when an item was sold on eBay, and they took 20% when the seller cashed out.

So, if you offered an item for $10 base price, it would show as $10.25 on eBay ($10 plus 25 cents handling), plus if someone bought an item on eBay, COMC would charge $3.99 shipping plus 25 cents per item for expedited packaging.

If the item sold, the seller would get $8 COMC credit, and if they cashed out from there, they would get $6.40.

So, a lot of people would either opt out of selling on eBay (so they would not take the 20% hit), or they would jack up their COMC price to account for the fact that if it sold on eBay, they would be taking a 20% hit.

On January 1, COMC changed their fee structure. They now charge the consignor a 5% transaction fee and they reduced the cash out fee to 10%.

So, if you offer an item for $10, you will get $9.50 when it sells, and if you cash that out, you will get $8.55.

COMC also launched a bulk pricing tool, which enables COMC sellers to drop (or raise) the price of their cards en mass. Many sellers have been using this tool to drop the price of their items. Sometimes, incrementally, and sometimes all at once.

[adamdavidson47]

Under the previous system, COMC took 20% out of the seller's cut when an item was sold on eBay, and they took 20% when the seller cashed out.

So, if you offered an item for $10 base price, it would show as $10.25 on eBay ($10 plus 25 cents handling), plus if someone bought an item on eBay, COMC would charge $3.99 shipping plus 25 cents per item for expedited packaging.

If the item sold, the seller would get $8 COMC credit, and if they cashed out from there, they would get $6.40.

So, a lot of people would either opt out of selling on eBay (so they would not take the 20% hit), or they would jack up their COMC price to account for the fact that if it sold on eBay, they would be taking a 20% hit.

On January 1, COMC changed their fee structure. They now charge the consignor a 5% transaction fee and they reduced the cash out fee to 10%.

So, if you offer an item for $10, you will get $9.50 when it sells, and if you cash that out, you will get $8.55.

COMC also launched a bulk pricing tool, which enables COMC sellers to drop (or raise) the price of their cards en mass. Many sellers have been using this tool to drop the price of their items. Sometimes, incrementally, and sometimes all at once.

Problem is, you list something for $10, they list it at $12.50, and they also list every other copy of the card they have on the site. Before, you could go through, make sure you were the lowest listed of the sellers who opted in and your card would probably eventually sell on ebay. Now, good luck.

I also used to sell a ton of .75 on ebay/amazon that would clear me .60. Not bad for basically doing nothing.

Sure the changes make it seem like it puts more money in the seller's pockets, but when cards are jacked up 25%, and you are now competing against every seller on COMC instead of just the ones who opted in, it really doesn't.

[shrevecity]

There was nothing wrong with the way they used to do it, other than they didn't make as much money as they'd like.

To think the changes do anything but line the pockets of COMC more is blind.

I used to sell many, many cards on ebay/amazon. I think I've sold 2 since they switched.

Just because your ebay sales haven't changed, doesn't mean that many others' haven't.

Am I supposed to care about your sales? You get more money now than you did under the old system. I swear some people you could give them 1 million dollars and they would still find something to complain about.

Its just an old wives tale that you have to be the cheapest on COMC to sell, that is just not fully accurate. Yes some items you need it, but many you do not.

[adamdavidson47]

Am I supposed to care about your sales? You get more money now than you did under the old system. I swear some people you could give them 1 million dollars and they would still find something to complain about.

Its just an old wives tale that you have to be the cheapest on COMC to sell, that is just not fully accurate. Yes some items you need it, but many you do not.

Are we supposed to care about yours?

I'm stating facts. They aren't giving me more money if nothing sells. 10% more of zero is, guess what, zero.

I'm glad you are happy with your sales. Good for you. A lot of us aren't.

I also didn't say anywhere that you have to be the cheapest on the site to sell, so please don't put words into my mouth.

[shrevecity]

Are we supposed to care about yours?

I'm stating facts. They aren't giving me more money if nothing sells. 10% more of zero is, guess what, zero.

I'm glad you are happy with your sales. Good for you. A lot of us aren't.

I also didn't say anywhere that you have to be the cheapest on the site to sell, so please don't put words into my mouth.

Nope, you shouldn't. YOu are stating facts based on your own experiences. I am stating them on mine. I know several others who say the same thing I do about COMC... So you did not say anything about going through making sure you were the lowest on the site?

Comc is just a dumping ground. If you want to maximize the price of the item sell it yourself on Ebay.

[adamdavidson47]

Nope, you shouldn't.. So you did not say anything about going through making sure you were the lowest on the site?

You should re-read.

[shrevecity]

You should re-read.

I did and I see what you are saying, again it does not make any difference. If you sales are hurting find other ways to adjust. I have pretty much settled to the fact that COMC is my wholesale dumping ground. I price most at prices that the flippers that are still on COMC jump on them. You have to make adjustments for yourself, don't expect COMC to make them for you.

[adamdavidson47]

I did and I see what you are saying, again it does not make any difference. If you sales are hurting find other ways to adjust. I have pretty much settled to the fact that COMC is my wholesale dumping ground. I price most at prices that the flippers that are still on COMC jump on them. You have to make adjustments for yourself, don't expect COMC to make them for you.

It made a difference when not everyone was opted in. Used to be a great way to sell stuff for middle of the pack pricing instead of bottom feeding.

Also was awesome being able to just list stuff no lower than $.75 and a lot of it would sell on Amazon. Now it just sits, so I don't even waste my time anymore. I guess that's an adjustment

[mjohnatgt]

The multiple listings thing is only true on sports cards. Nonsports and some of the other categories do not allow for multiple variation listings on eBay.

[adamdavidson47]

The multiple listings thing is only true on sports cards. Nonsports and some of the other categories do not allow for multiple variation listings on eBay.

Interesting. Do you know why?

[mjohnatgt]

eBay problem. They don't allow it in those categories. I sold some Xfiles cards for $1 each on eBay yesterday and rebought them for 3 cents each. ;-)

Did you even try to reduce your card prices on COMC to reduce their prices on eBay? Rather than running continual 50-65% off sales on COMC like I did last year, I cut all my prices 25% on Jan 1, then 6% each every month since then. Plus I crosscheck my listings on watchcount to see which ones are most interesting and lower those to entice eBay buyers to get them.

[ga5150]

When you are lowering your prices 6% each month, how do you keep up what is new inventory or recently purchased and what is old? Do you use a recently acquired filter or something else?




eBay problem. They don't allow it in those categories. I sold some Xfiles cards for $1 each on eBay yesterday and rebought them for 3 cents each. ;-)

Did you even try to reduce your card prices on COMC to reduce their prices on eBay? Rather than running continual 50-65% off sales on COMC like I did last year, I cut all my prices 25% on Jan 1, then 6% each every month since then. Plus I crosscheck my listings on watchcount to see which ones are most interesting and lower those to entice eBay buyers to get them.

[mjohnatgt]

Neither. I price them at retail to start and just lop off prices wholesale with the bulk repricing tool. There are certain ones (like the Jeter auto) that I might reprice back up if it gets close to my cost.

[checkoutmydeals]

When you are lowering your prices 6% each month, how do you keep up what is new inventory or recently purchased and what is old? Do you use a recently acquired filter or something else?

You can do a lot with the bulk editor, but it's a bit clunky and not very user friendly.

You can set it to only reprice items which were last updated during a certain period of time, or items which are at a certain price level, or items which you originally submitted, or item which you bought on the site, or items which you're paying rent on, or items which with a certain book value, and many other filters.

Personally, I used it in late December / Early January to reprice nearly everything to a price based on what I originally paid for the item.

Lately, I've been dropping prices which haven't been updated for a while. On items where I pay rent, I might drop by 5% if it hasn't been updated in the past 30 days. On other items, I might drop by 5% if the item hasn't been updated in the past 90 days.

If I do this consistently, then an item subject to rent should drop about 50% in the course of a year, while an item not subject to rent should drop about 20% in the course of a year, which seems about right.

However, if I'm looking at a particular listing, I might bump my price back up (or possibly down) if it makes sense to do so.

In the past, I've also used the feature to signpost some items. For example, I don't price anything at $2.50. I might price an item at $2.49. In the past, I've priced a few hundred or a few thousand items at precisely $2.50. Then I might go through those items marked $2.50 and price them at a price which is competitive with other copies of the card.

[checkoutmydeals]

Also, the bulk pricing tool doesn't seem to work on a Mac or on older versions of Windows. If this applies to you, it might be worthwhile to borrow someone's newer Windows laptop or desktop computer, install the bulk editor and use it on that device. You really don't need to use the bulk editor more than a few times per year.

[ga5150]

Thank you both for your info on pricing and bulk price editing. I've got the program, but never tinkered with it. I'll play around some and see what happens.

Thanks!