Ebay game used prices versus Reality!

[suave1477]

Camaro there are so many factors that play into this.

To start off it all depends on which way the wind is blowing that day.

I have had items listed at very fair prices and still offered 1/8th of what I had listed it for. Now don't get me wrong I am a very reasonable person and willing to work with my customer as much as possible to make them happy, but when your offering me 1/8th I have to just sit there and shake my head.

Then I have listed items that I figured would go no where and have been bid up 20 times what I expected.

To answer your question as far as value.
Ebay can hurt the value for a dealer as some people rely on Ebay as a guideline which it shouldn't be because it is not always an accurate overall market perspective - again it all comes down to how the wind blows that day.
Sometimes I am approached by buyers saying an item like mine (Item A) just sold for on ebay for $, can I buy yours for that amount? - It becomes frustrating because you have to explain to the person that you may not be able to go that low.

But we all have our ups and downs with ebay and other resources its just the name of the game.

[ziggy]

Maybe ebay is reality????? Something is worth only want someone wants to pay for it....I tend to go by ebay prices as to what the value of an items is.......If there are 10 game used jeff kent bats over period of time on ebay and they average to $150...that is probably a good measuring stick to see what it is worth.

[suave1477]

Ziggy well I wouldnt rely on what ebay as being a guideline.

Buyers go to ebay to hopefully get an item at lower cost.

It would be the same as any other retail item to be sold.
If I go to buy a Bed, Furniture, food, or anything else and the store has a sale or coupon for it. Does that automatically mean the item is of lower value now? NO it just means you are trying to get that item for lower then what it normally would sell for.

If 10 items sell for a low price on ebay is that a measuring stick? Sure it is, but it doesn't mean that it is written in stone.

[ahuff]

Suave,

To some extent you are correct, but also incorrect. My logic is this: If I want a mass produced item (lets say a CD) then I'll certainly shop around to see where I can get the best price. If my "market" of sellers has a range of prices from $9.99 to $17.99 then that is a pretty good idea of the value of that CD. Afterall, with an item as common as a CD, if they weren't selling for that amount they wouldn't have it priced there. That being said, it would take a pretty rare and remarkable CD to get me to pay $34.99.

In our area of items, it becomes much more difficult. That is to say that game used items have so many different variables that go into creating a market value. The amount of piling or wear on a jersey, the location and number of ball marks on a bat, the provenance associated with the item, if the item comes from a record game, and the list goes on and on.

In the example of 10 Jeff Kent bats. All we know is that the average is $150. Perhaps it would be better to know the range of value. Say the range is $125 to $190. It would be even better to know that the $125 bat either had unusual markings or no wear, while the $190 bat came with an MLB hologram (indicating game use) and had tons of wear. This is where I disagree with your statement. Let me state it this way "Would it be wise to ask $350 for a Jeff Kent bat?" Or "Would you pay $350 for a Jeff Kent bat, when you can find a similar bat for between $125 and $190." Certainly a seller can ask whatever they want, as the asking price isn't written in stone. But the truth is, a typical buyer (excepting an extraordinary item) is only going to pay what they can find a substitute item for. The value of the bat may not be written in stone, but it certainly is written in the wallet.

In real estate, transactions are deemed usable as market indicators if the item was offered on the open market, it was paid for in cash (or equal to cash), and both parties are knowledgable. In our hobby, I think it might be the last item that hurts the market value in ebay transactions. We have numbers of posts about people that got great deals on items because it was listed under the wrong category, had a limited description, or the person just didn't know what they had. In addition, I think that buyers tend to put additional authority behind an auction house, irregardless if the auction house has done due diligence. The good news is that that is where our forum helps inform potential buyers and sellers and to hold the game worn community to a higher standard.

[suave1477]

Suave,

To some extent you are correct, but also incorrect. My logic is this: If I want a mass produced item (lets say a CD) then I'll certainly shop around to see where I can get the best price. If my "market" of sellers has a range of prices from $9.99 to $17.99 then that is a pretty good idea of the value of that CD. Afterall, with an item as common as a CD, if they weren't selling for that amount they wouldn't have it priced there. That being said, it would take a pretty rare and remarkable CD to get me to pay $34.99.

In our area of items, it becomes much more difficult. That is to say that game used items have so many different variables that go into creating a market value. The amount of piling or wear on a jersey, the location and number of ball marks on a bat, the provenance associated with the item, if the item comes from a record game, and the list goes on and on.

In the example of 10 Jeff Kent bats. All we know is that the average is $150. Perhaps it would be better to know the range of value. Say the range is $125 to $190. It would be even better to know that the $125 bat either had unusual markings or no wear, while the $190 bat came with an MLB hologram (indicating game use) and had tons of wear. This is where I disagree with your statement. Let me state it this way "Would it be wise to ask $350 for a Jeff Kent bat?" Or "Would you pay $350 for a Jeff Kent bat, when you can find a similar bat for between $125 and $190." Certainly a seller can ask whatever they want, as the asking price isn't written in stone. But the truth is, a typical buyer (excepting an extraordinary item) is only going to pay what they can find a substitute item for. The value of the bat may not be written in stone, but it certainly is written in the wallet.

In real estate, transactions are deemed usable as market indicators if the item was offered on the open market, it was paid for in cash (or equal to cash), and both parties are knowledgable. In our hobby, I think it might be the last item that hurts the market value in ebay transactions. We have numbers of posts about people that got great deals on items because it was listed under the wrong category, had a limited description, or the person just didn't know what they had. In addition, I think that buyers tend to put additional authority behind an auction house, irregardless if the auction house has done due diligence. The good news is that that is where our forum helps inform potential buyers and sellers and to hold the game worn community to a higher standard.

Well I am nut sure why your disagreeing I pretty muched summed up most of what you said by the (methpahor - depending on which way the wind blows) meaning taking into mind all the things that people have interest in that item that day, including of desire, provenance, wear on the item etc....

As far as buying a Jeff Kent bat for $350, sure why not if it is something I really want. You pay what your willing to pay.

As far as the member here who mentioned being offered a Gomez bat for more and the meber feels its only worth $20 to $30 - again thats is YOUR OPINION, and there is nothing wrong with your opinion but remember your opinion doesn't set the market or what your willing to spend doesn't set the market.
I am not saying this as a bad thing I am just making a point from the example you used.

I am a D. Strawberry collector if a bat of his was offered to me for $500 I might even think thats crazy but that doesn't mean it is not worth it. There is someone out there who will pay for it. But if you want to sit and wait for the deal of a century then that is up to you. But you cannot say it is not market value just because you will not pay for it. It just not YOUR VALUE of that item.

TNT Basically explained best of what I meant and you can only take Ebay with a grain of salt.

If I am looking for a Corvette and I am in New York and they normally sell for $80,000 but in California a few sold for $65,000 does that set the market NO, those are just buyers who struck some good deals, But just because some people got something for less doesn't just set the market.

As far as Real Estate that is a bit different, that is a market that relys on recorded sales.
Game Used Hobby doesn't rely on recorded sales because these items become more desired since there is less. It becomes a Market of Desire.

[TNTtoys]

Using ebay as a "measuring stick" can be a bit dangerous. Some examples I am sure you're all familiar with --

1. Ebay seller doesn't quite know the value of what he has... he lists it at 25% of its real value as a buy-it-now. Next week, someone sells a similar one at its true value. If you average them together, that doesn't represent fair market value. No reputable store/dealer would have made such a mistake as to sell something that low in the first place.

2. Ebay seller's item is NOT GENUINE... yet it sells for half the value of a real one to someone unsuspecting... and it is thrown into the mix for the purpose of finding the true value of a real one. Real life example -- sporting goods dealer sells 10 of the same jersey, adds 1 fake to the rack, sells the lone fake to 1 customer at a bargain price. Ridiculous scenario.

3. Ebay seller lists item in wrong category and/or with misspellings. A real life example would be a sporting goods vendor taking his apparel and selling it at a toy store down the street. Would never happen in real life.

4. Two or more interested ebay users get into bidding war over an item they both "need" and jack the price up to 5X its value. Again, would never happen in the real world at a retail store.

I can go on & on.

My point -- ebay is a resource but take it with a grain of salt. It's often not reflective of the real world.

[BergerKing22784]

Darn I had a very long post but when I hit submit It told me I wasnt logged in and It was all lost.

To make a long story short of what i was saying without retyping all of my examples. I am only paying what I see items sell for on ebay give or take 10-20% because I know if I wait an item out I will find a similar item on ebay in due time.

Well nevermind I will modify my examples

Won Furcal bat on ebay for $99
Won Furcal bat on ebay for $99
Won Furcal bat on ebay for $99
Won Furcal bat on ebay for $99

yes I won 4 different ones.

Made a post on here the lowest prices I was offered one for was $150. I am not buying it for that price.

Chris Gomez bat won on ebay $20 and $30.

Offered one from a seller on here for $50 and one for $75.


Was sold 2 Marcus Giles game used jerseys on here for 225 for both, MLB authenticated! Great deal. Somone offered me one for $300. Told them about the deal they told me I was lieing.

2 Kevin Millwood GU brave jerseys average sale was $160 for each. Offered one for $300 and another for $400.




My question is who and where are you guys buying from that you can not get great deals like I do. I know I am not in the market for the superstar items so maybe thats why I feel sellers should not be insulted when someone tells them an item is not worth what they are trying to sell it for.


Sorry guys Chris Gomez GU bats are not worth 75 , they are worth the 20-30 bucks I paid for them on ebay.

[ahuff]

BergerKing,

You just stated in a very factual way what I was talking about. Thank you. Certainly a seller wants to get as much as they can, and a buyer wants to pay as little as they can. But if you are competing against a significant volume, of the same or similar item, on ebay then like it or not, that is a major market that you must consider. I suppose you could find a different market like a game used convention, etc.

A great example, I have, is Shoeless Joe Jackson B18 blankets. Several years ago I was in the market for one. I searched ebay for several months and found they regularly sold for $150-250. I happened to be at a card show and saw one. I asked the guy his price. He wanted $1,000, because that is what the book says it is worth. Guess what, the book lies, though I didn't say that to him. I told him that I had been watching them, on ebay, for several months and said I found them for $150-$250. He gives me the look that only a dealer can give you, and says "Well then I'd go buy that", or something along those lines. Guess what, I did just that. I think I purchased mine for under $200, and got a better blanket than what he had.

If you are the guy listing the item, then feel free to ask whatever. If you want to be a seller, then list it at what "market" value is, whether it is a combo of ebay and auction houses, or whatnot.

[trsent]

BergerKing,

You just stated in a very factual way what I was talking about. Thank you. Certainly a seller wants to get as much as they can, and a buyer wants to pay as little as they can. But if you are competing against a significant volume, of the same or similar item, on ebay then like it or not, that is a major market that you must consider. I suppose you could find a different market like a game used convention, etc.

A great example, I have, is Shoeless Joe Jackson B18 blankets. Several years ago I was in the market for one. I searched ebay for several months and found they regularly sold for $150-250. I happened to be at a card show and saw one. I asked the guy his price. He wanted $1,000, because that is what the book says it is worth. Guess what, the book lies, though I didn't say that to him. I told him that I had been watching them, on ebay, for several months and said I found them for $150-$250. He gives me the look that only a dealer can give you, and says "Well then I'd go buy that", or something along those lines. Guess what, I did just that. I think I purchased mine for under $200, and got a better blanket than what he had.

If you are the guy listing the item, then feel free to ask whatever. If you want to be a seller, then list it at what "market" value is, whether it is a combo of ebay and auction houses, or whatnot.

What a great story and a perfect way to show what eBay has done to the collectible market!

eBay has made it realistic for people to know what their items are worth. If there is a lot of one item available, such an the Easy Bake Oven a lady once came in the store and told me she owned an original one and it was worth thousands! I looked for her on eBay and told here they were selling for around $15.00 each - For original ones from the 1960s. She told me there must be a mistake because these were rare. I showed her matching pictures to her item and ones selling and she left telling me I was wrong.

Oh well, eBay proves when a item is not rare or limited, as the public will set a price to determine value based on demand and availability. Baseball bats may be $100.00 from a well known dealer who has their customer base and mailing lists, but a similar game used bat may be listed on eBay with a .99-cent starting bid and it may only realize $30.00 (plus shipping which is part of the cost) as that is what the public felt it was worth during that listing period.

Everyone can tell stories about items going for more or less than expected when an item is listed at a low starting bid auction.

Now for my B18 Blanket story. Back around 1991 an elderly lady walks into the store with a paper grocery bag full of B18s. She shows us how she was sewing them into a larger blanket when he grandchild told her they may be worth something. She had only sewn about 10 of them when she was told this.

We were not familiar with these back then, so we call a local card shop that had been around for years and years and ask them. I think they were busy and didn't know it was us calling, because we were quoted prices of a value of $50.00 for Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb. Less for others.

The lady decided to sell us about 15 stars (she had about 250 blankets) and it turns out she sold the rest to a store about 10 miles up the road. I paid a fair price based on what the dealer told me they were worth. Say I paid around $250.00 for the 15 thinking it was fair.

About two months later I am sitting outside a Chicagoland card show smoking a cigarette when the dealer who told me the values on the phone sits down next to me. I tell him about the blankets I bought, and pull them out of my briefcase to show them off. He asks how much, and I tell him to make an offer, I'll be fair since he helped me buy them.

When he offered $800.00 for the Joe Jackson and $700.00 for the Ty Cobb I nearly fell over. He told me on the phone they were worth $50.00 each, so I have no clue why he paid me over $3000.00 for the 15 blankets that day.

Now compare this to the story above and you will see - B18 Blankets are either not rare or in high demand as they sell for their realistic level every day on eBay now. eBay showed the public what these are really worth and no book can change that.

I have 50,000 comic books sitting in my home. I believe the Overstreet high book value is $1,000,000.00 and on eBay they will sell for around $50,000.00 if I work very hard to sell them.

This week at The National Sports Collectors Convention dealers will hear "It is worth this on eBay" all week long. I stopped setting up at trade shows in 1999 when I got tired of hearing this every third customer. I always figure, if it sells for less on eBay - But it on eBay and don't rub it in a dealer's face. There is expenses either way but knowing who you are buying an item in person from may make an item worth more at a trade show than from a mystery seller on eBay.

[bigtruck260]

I have always felt that GU can be an impulse hobby. I have seen people (including myself) drop some serious coin with little planning/preparation.

That being said...

A year ago, I was in the market for a Bernard Gilkey Cards bat. There was a site selling one for $85, and I was totally willing to pay that for it since I have not seen very many of them around. The day before I was going to buy the bat, one popped up on eBay.

Nobody bid on the eBay bat for the entire week, and I won it for about $20 bucks...and it was a ROOKIE bat. I was very happy that I saved $60...

I think it is just a matter of which way the wind is blowing (Like Suave said)...or what is out there, and who is interested.

I remember someone talking about a Javy Lopez bat that sold on eBay a few months ago for a GRAND...a good example of the strange things that can happen when an item is listed on eBay = and that doesn't factor in things like shill bidding and item misrepresentation.