Can someone explain the high costs on Ebay?

[BOTZWANA]

It used to be just a few years ago people sold stuff that all of us are into in LOOSE LOTS. You could pick up 40 figures or so for about a dollar a figure with minmum shipping. Now? People put the word lot to represent ONE figure. Sorry...One figure isn't a lot. It's not alot either. Also EVERYTHING it seems is carded. Doesn't anyone open and play with their figures anymore? Also it is SO expensive! Who in their right mind would pay $40 for an old toybiz Professor X in his wheelchair from the Xmen movie? So why in the hell is it listed at such a price? I NEVER in the past bought only one figure. Also...We are in the WORST economic crisis in the history of the world. Why are TOYS high priced? Should'nt people who NEED money be selling at whatever they can get to be able to eat?

I miss the old days.

[Cmonster]

That's an interesting phenomenon. I know exactly what you're talking about-- Some people just seem to list toys and other collectibles on evilbay for crazy prices. I'm on there a lot at certain times, and see the same figures listed week after week, after week, at the same ridiculous price. I dunno, I personally don't get it, but whatever... Toy and collectible dealers are an interesting bunch. If you're looking for a certain item, keep looking. Chances are, one will pop up sooner or later for what you're looking to spend.

SC

[clemso]

When i read your subject title, i must admit that the first thing that came to my mind was that you were referring to ebay's high costs (fees), which does relate to your actual question.
If you sell something for a couple of bucks, you may as well not bother because after ebay and paypal fees, you have nothing. As for those deluded sellers who put high bins on common items, its their life

[MIB41]

Hard economic times my friend. People are going to try and maximize a buck where ever they can. But it's like anything, you have to price according to what the consumer will pay. Unfortunately alot of people in this field are on both sides of the fence. The sellers are auctioning their collections to pay basic bills to survive, while the wanna-be buyers are either too broke to take advantage of these offers or are too afraid to invest because they don't feel secure in their current monetary situation. The end result is your seeing alot of unique collectibles going for pennies on the dollar compared to what they would have sold for years earlier. At the same time you have other auctions where the sellers are trying to find the high-end value in hopes the trend is swinging back. It's a mess out there right now.

[Adam West]

Hard economic times my friend. People are going to try and maximize a buck where ever they can. But it's like anything, you have to price according to what the consumer will pay. Unfortunately alot of people in this field are on both sides of the fence. The sellers are auctioning their collections to pay basic bills to survive, while the wanna-be buyers are either too broke to take advantage of these offers or are too afraid to invest because they don't feel secure in their current monetary situation. The end result is your seeing alot of unique collectibles going for pennies on the dollar compared to what they would have sold for years earlier. At the same time you have other auctions where the sellers are trying to find the high-end value in hopes the trend is swinging back. It's a mess out there right now.

I am seeing the same thing. I am seeing collectors part with their rare items. Sometimes cheap, sometimes not. It seems like the high end of the collections market seems to be holding up well. People are willing to pay premiums for the rare stuff. I'm just seeing more holy grail items showing up on Ebay. It personally drives me crazy because I know if I don't jump on some of them; I will probably never see them again in my life but also try not to go overboard with the mone.

[TrueDave]

Maybe part of it is like when your average Flea Market dealer got wind "Toys have collectors" in the 90's . Maybe that Prof X is on there like that because teh dealer didnt do his homewrk.

Sad to see so many holy grails parting thier owners.

I find loose stuff a lot. Usually parted out 12 inch stuff. New even.

We were always told on teh card is the best way to get money. I was haggl;ing in 95 with a toy dealer at a show for a Dick Tracy Aurora. I wanted to build it and she said no way at any price.
For teh record since 95 or so I have kept EVERYTHING opened. Usually before I even get out of the parking lot of eth toy store.

Dont undo twistie ties and drive !!!!

[generic]

When I started collecting Megos in the late 1990s, I was picking up figure lots that were around 4 figures for $20...and they weren't all Spock and Batman figures either (Grok and Trag were a couple of my first Megos on ebay). You can still find the common figures for around that price. I think the main difference today is you have a lot more people who are doing this for profit, so you have a lot more ebay stores with overpriced items and people taking one figure apart to list as 10 different auctions. This is filling up the listings. Ebay used to be just a bunch of regular people cleaning out their basements, but now it's more of a business. The deals are still there, but they're not as easy to find.

As to why people keep listing items at high prices: Many of them eventually sell. Ebay is running a promotion where you get a bunch of free listings each month (you only pay if it sells). So why not list a beat up Spiderman Mego at $100. Someone might buy it and if they don't, it didn't cost the seller anything to post.

[Doc]

People are desperate these days. Like it was said before people need the most they can get.

Be thankful the trend is going for carded things. For a while people were buying toys and then stripping them down and selling them for individual parts to make more.

Is anyone buying these toys? Who? International? The same few names of people with disposable income?

And of coarse you got to figure E bays fees are forcing people to ask for more.

[Mikey]

I'm not sure if it's for everybody but i've been getting free listings and free BIN's for the past 2 weeks.

This inspired me to add more junk than usual and price it high because it's not costing me anything to list anyway.

[Cmonster]

I think the main difference today is you have a lot more people who are doing this for profit, so you have a lot more ebay stores with overpriced items and people taking one figure apart to list as 10 different auctions. This is filling up the listings. Ebay used to be just a bunch of regular people cleaning out their basements, but now it's more of a business.

Very well put.

SC

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

I used to sell my loose figures on ebay, but it got too expensive. With the listing fee, the ending fee, and the fees via paypal, it was too much. I either sell loose stuff here, or trade them on other toy boards I belong to.

[clemso]

I used to sell my loose figures on ebay, but it got too expensive. With the listing fee, the ending fee, and the fees via paypal, it was too much. I either sell loose stuff here, or trade them on other toy boards I belong to.

Exactly, there is no point anymore unless there is a higher price point.

[Brazoo]

I wonder sometimes if these people are sitting on toys they've stock piled and are trying to boost prices - or just have the one and are hoping to get lucky. It's weird.

[BlackKnight]

Make Sure you guys read shipping prices this Holiday season ...
I almost screwed up and hit the buy it now button for a set of 3 figures the Boy Wants for X-Mas ..., Then I saw that Shipping was Frick'in 46 Bucks. I've shipped alot of stuff in my time ..., and the figures in question shouldn't cost more than 11 bucks for shipping, .. maybe 15 max.

[BlackKnight]

Most new Toys are Scalped , Plain and Simple.
DC Universe wave 14 just came out, and Hit Ebay. The Average figure is selling for 30to60 Bucks , with the set of 7 selling for 250to375 . a figure of this line costs 12.97to14.95 before tax.