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gatorcpa
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I think this is a set-up that is ripe for the disruption brought about by high technology - provide eBay margins with the service level typically offered by the high end auctions.
Patrizzi tried, but it didn't work out for him. Some of the smaller, more local auction houses charge a much lower percentage than even eBay. But again, you're not getting the exposure.

My feeling is that eBay has gotten large enough where they can pretty much dictate their own terms. They know if they raise the fees too much, they'll chase away the high end. So the more expensive the piece, the lower the overall commission.

I don't love everything eBay does, but I do admire the business model.

Not bad for starting out with Pez dispensers,
gatorcpa
 
Y
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All,

At the end of the day, here's what I learned from my personal experience. I am writing this reply with a smirk on my face so I hope no one takes it too serious or offensive:

Although I spent money over the past twenty years on buying jewelry, luxury watches (a Patek, an A. Lange & Sohne, a Panerai, a Bell & Ross, 3 Rolexes, an IWC, and a Cartier), gold bullion bars, silver bullion bars, mutual funds, stocks, to-drool-after firearms, and scarce/no longer imported ammo, I discovered that at the end of the day cash is king. The rest either lose their value or are hard to sell unless of course a grandfather left a rare vintage or complicated Patek worth several hundred thousand of dollars.

I reallly did my due diligence when it came to investing. My guess is that i have bad luck. Glad I did not invest in real estate. Yes folks, CASH IS KING so long as the currency is not devalued. (smiling)...
 
MSNWatch
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citizenrich citizenrich
FYI: I'm not sure if you're aware of this you might or might not be but I feel obliged to not insult your knowledge and intelligence because someone else on this forum got offended when I didn't presume that they knew something(^5 best run on sentence ever^5)

"eBay brokers" are soliciting top sellers for their ebay stores with cash money to basically sell their rating. They then hawk counterfeit ***whatevers*** until the gig is up. I know this has been going on since day one but it's gotten much more intense lately. Too many people rely on e bay doing their work for 'em.

just a heads up but it sort of squares with your possible opportunity idea. I feel like amazon will compete one day for auction business. ebay picked a bad fight with amazon.

new

Amazon might but the real money for them IMO is in advertising - if you think about it GOOG targets you based on what you search for while AMZN can direct ads at you based on what you actually buy.
 
gatorcpa
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citizenrich citizenrich
"eBay brokers" are soliciting top sellers for their ebay stores with cash money to basically sell their rating. They then hawk counterfeit ***whatevers*** until the gig is up. I know this has been going on since day one but it's gotten much more intense lately. Too many people rely on e bay doing their work for 'em.
Agreed. This has been going on since the 2nd day eBay existed. People who buy anything without doing their homework are going to get burned. However, when it comes to collectibles, the same is true on any venue.

citizenrich citizenrich
just a heads up but it sort of squares with your possible opportunity idea. I feel like amazon will compete one day for auction business. ebay picked a bad fight with amazon.

I believe quite the opposite. Amazon is actually going "Back to the Future", as it were. At least here in FL, they are planning to open a number of brick and mortar retail stores and distribution facilities. My understanding is that you'll go into an Amazon store and basically be able to custom order merchandise for home delivery. In that way Amazon will be able to complete with the "big box" stores, without having to tie up money in inventory. The customer gets what they want, when they want it, at their convenience. I wouldn't bet against them being successful with this model.

eBay basically owns nothing but the internet platform used to auction/sell and ancillary services like PayPal.

I don't see that changing anytime soon.
gatorcpa
 
dsio
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I think this is a set-up that is ripe for the disruption brought about by high technology - provide eBay margins with the service level typically offered by the high end auctions.


Patience is key 😉
 
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