Auction House vs EBay

[RayFinkle]

I'm trying to move a 2009 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout Auto and I've been contacted by an auction house. My question is: What are the benefits that an auction house provides vs EBay? I've sold cards through EBay so I know about the fees. I just want to know the pros and cons of going the auction house route.

[MegaMan]

No prior experience but I recently sent my first batch of cards to a major auction house (also have experience with eBay). I chose AH for these because they're higher tier value (mid-4 to low 5 figures), low pop, and highly desirable players/releases. Not that they wouldn't sell well on eBay, and possibly even better, but I view the AH route as a reliable way to reach the deep-pocketed buyers who are always going to check out the big monthlies (and have the ability to buy whatever they want, whenever they want).

I think eBay is maybe a little more of a crapshoot when you're talking about a high end card like yours. Maybe you get the right buyers going against each other to "market value" or above, or maybe "the other person" you needed to see the auction just wasn't searching for Mike Trout that week, and someone walks away with a great deal. This can go both ways, of course. That's just my sense, with relatively little experience to go on.

I think one of the big practical differences is, it seems most major AHs use the "Buyer's Premium" model where the fees (10-20%) are "added" to the final sale price (rather than deducted from final price before seller payout). Not a real difference, ultimately, as you can always see or calculate the final number either way, but I'd guess there's some psychology behind that decision in terms of dealing with the masses at eBay compared to (generally) higher net worth buyers at the AH.

Would be curious to hear more seasoned opinions on this.

[MegaMan]

I will say, as a con for the auction house side, the barrier to entry is higher there. Seems like some/all require verified accounts for bidding, documentation to approve bid extension limits, etc.

[cardsin47]

Auction House - you lose control / everything has to be done with their time frames and systems — including when you get check in hand. I’m a control freak, therefore prefer eBay ( if you sell like I do / aggressively!
$1 start, no reserve, 10 day, auction ending on a Sunday night between 9-10pm )

[MegaMan]

Auction House - you lose control / everything has to be done with their time frames and systems — including when you get check in hand. I’m a control freak, therefore prefer eBay ( if you sell like I do / aggressively!
$1 start, no reserve, 10 day, auction ending on a Sunday night between 9-10pm )
@cardsin47 is there ever a type of card or value range you'd consider putting through an AH rather than eBay? For the most part I do agree with the sentiment of your preference for eBay and run my auctions quite similar to yours. Also curious if you get "standard" fee treatment from eBay or if you sell enough that you qualify for a better rate (and how low that rate can be for the biggest and best sellers)? I could see that moving the needle towards eBay for me (just not at that selling level yet myself).

[cardsin47]

@cardsin47 is there ever a type of card or value range you'd consider putting through an AH rather than eBay? For the most part I do agree with the sentiment of your preference for eBay and run my auctions quite similar to yours. Also curious if you get "standard" fee treatment from eBay or if you sell enough that you qualify for a better rate (and how low that rate can be for the biggest and best sellers)? I could see that moving the needle towards eBay for me (just not at that selling level yet myself).

If I were active in the $100k + graded singles market, I would definitely consider Goldin — due to their pre-screening of qualified buyers and their marketing reach to them ( Uber-High End buyers )

[imbluestreak23]

Is it graded? Asking as a potential bidder :coffee:

[griffan15]

Send anything $10k plus to an auction house. They have vetted thousands of high end buyers and those buyers don’t even bother looking on eBay for what they want.

Sold a card in January for $60k with Goldin and the highest offer I had on eBay was $33k and I had it listed for a month.

Auction houses are for the big boys.

[NYRE2PECT]

Send anything $10k plus to an auction house. They have vetted thousands of high end buyers and those buyers don’t even bother looking on eBay for what they want.

Sold a card in January for $60k with Goldin and the highest offer I had on eBay was $33k and I had it listed for a month.

Auction houses are for the big boys.

Not going to disagree with this at all!

[jewcer2k5]

I'm trying to move a 2009 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout Auto and I've been contacted by an auction house. My question is: What are the benefits that an auction house provides vs EBay? I've sold cards through EBay so I know about the fees. I just want to know the pros and cons of going the auction house route.

How much ya want for it? Generally rare stuff will do better at an auction house but stuff that trades often you’ll net more on eBay or direct sale. That card will go for roughly the same price in either format and if you don’t get any of the buyers premium you’re getting 83% of sale (100/120). If you get 10% of buyers you are getting ~91% (110/120) so you’d still net more selling directly on eBay and getting the fee capped or selling through an eBay consignor and getting 93 or 94% of the sale.

[MoreToppsPlease]

Having to patronize multiple AHs or the AH du jour is a PIA no matter what they offer. And most or all of them have shown them selves to be corrupt, some repeatedly.

A single place that casts the widest net, not hobby-corrupt is best and what I’ll continue to support.

It’s not my intent to offend the many current AH employees who frequent these boards and this thread.

[bear0555]

If you sell on ebay, be sure to consider opening a basic store first. It can save you hundreds in fees.

[RayFinkle]

Is it graded? Asking as a potential bidder :coffee:

Yes it is. I'm the original owner of the card and had it graded in 2012.

[RayFinkle]

Thank you everyone for the responses. I really appreciate it!