E-Bay K&C - A Glut Or Not? (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I remember about 4 years ago looking on e-bay under K&C and typically seeing 600 - 800 items, mostly for auction by many different individuals selling a few items each.

Now the e-bay listings are at 1,856. Sounds like a lot. But the listings are dominated by 20 - 25 vendors and 1,624 of the listings (88%) are "buy it now" on not retired items at MSRP. Mostly pieces still available from dealers.

There are only 243 K&C auctions on e-bay right now. That seems a lot fewer than 4 years ago. Are the older, retired pieces in the hands of collectors who rarely sell?

Terry

 

[gk5717]

I just don,t understand all those Buy It Now pieces that are on Ebay posted by dealers. Do they get some sort of discounted ebay fee?
My only assumption is they must make money as they contuinue to do it but I just don,t see how.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

I saw this happen in the jazz cd section, so much so that I gave up looking at it, just to browse. Only go there if I'm looking for something specific.

 

[desk11desk12]

I'm with you guys on this one. You sell a relatively new KC item that is still available by traditional dealers you risk sell it for a loss or not selling it all.

Especially with so many traditional KC dealers giving away shipping.

It's a totally different matter if you have a rare or semi rare KC item. I know, since I auctioned off 13 KC sets a couple of weeks ago and made over $3200. I was only mildly dissappointed with the price of one of the items but I was pleased on what I got for all of them as a total. I probably made between 200 to 250% or more return on these items.

What's been my experience how you guys?

Carlos

 

[noli-poli]

I'm with you guys on this one. You sell a relatively new KC item that is still available by traditional dealers you risk sell it for a loss or not selling it all.

Especially with so many traditional KC dealers giving away shipping.

It's a totally different matter if you have a rare or semi rare KC item. I know, since I auctioned off 13 KC sets a couple of weeks ago and made over $3200. I was only mildly dissappointed with the price of one of the items but I was pleased on what I got for all of them as a total. I probably made between 200 to 250% or more return on these items.

What's been my experience how you guys?

Carlos

Not bad. Try the international markets.

I made about $10,000.00 (selling my dupes to finance new releases) about 350%-400% in 2008.

It is all about timing and opening yourself in the international sites. Most of my sales( about 70%) comes from Germany, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Italy, Canada, France. Just have to watch out for individual country's restriction on size and weights.

When I see someone "dumping" I stay clear for the moment (I often see this on US E-Bay).

Oct-Dec seems to be the best months

N-P

 

[desk11desk12]

Not bad. Try the international markets.

I made about $10,000.00 (selling my dupes to finance new releases) about 350%-400% in 2008.

It is all about timing and opening yourself in the international sites. Most of my sales( about 70%) comes from Germany, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Italy, Canada, France. Just have to watch out for individual country's restriction on size and weights.

When I see someone "dumping" I stay clear for the moment (I often see this on US E-Bay).

Oct-Dec seems to be the best months

N-P

LOL, man do you have that right NP!

A few years ago I limited my e-Bay sales to USA only because I thought it would be hassle selling international. This year I opened it up to anywhere internationally and man, I'm glad I did.

Like you, almost 50% of KC sales were from outside US and I don't mean just from Canada either. I get them everywhere, Australia, Western Europe and even Crotia and Russia too!

Guys (from US), for those who haven't tried international selling try it. It really isn't that hard once you get the hang of it. You'll get more buyers and a better return and make products available to global collectors that would not normally have a chance at some of these items.

Carlos

 

[Peter Reuss]

I just don,t understand all those Buy It Now pieces that are on Ebay posted by dealers. Do they get some sort of discounted ebay fee?
My only assumption is they must make money as they contuinue to do it but I just don,t see how.
Gary

Gary - Some perspective from a dealer.

From time to time dealers have a wee bit of extra stock on a certain item. They can keep the item on the shelf and hope someone notices it, or they can place it before millions of eyes on eBay. The fees incurred then are simply seen as advertising.

Some dealers use eBay as a primary venue...we at Treefrog choose to focus on our website. Different models. We obviously prefer ours...but that's us.

Even with all the fees involved, it can be hard to resist so many potential buyers.

 

[uksubs]

I just don,t understand all those Buy It Now pieces that are on Ebay posted by dealers. Do they get some sort of discounted ebay fee?
My only assumption is they must make money as they contuinue to do it but I just don,t see how.
Gary

I think ebay want people to sell there stuff at buy it now & yes it does work out cheaper but ebay not a cheap place to sell no more
I sell my old books I don't want on Amazon

 

[uksubs]

I'm with you guys on this one. You sell a relatively new KC item that is still available by traditional dealers you risk sell it for a loss or not selling it all.

Very true ,I've not sold any of my K&C stuff for a profit on ebay in the end swapped a lot of K&C stuff for FOV armour = Have a room full of brand new FOV stuff
The reason I sold some K&C is that I'm only doing there Market Garden range now

 

[Peiper007]

Hello

I buy from the North American Colony from the UK via ebay and straight buying because of how much we pay here for K & C, things are generally £ to $ price, except I have noticed the FW190 is £210 therefore would you guys in the USA pay $327 for the new FW 190!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i often visit the states and get stuff delivered direct to my hotel

this is why you guys from the USA are selling more to us in the UK,

 

[jazzeum]

I'm with you guys on this one. You sell a relatively new KC item that is still available by traditional dealers you risk sell it for a loss or not selling it all.

Especially with so many traditional KC dealers giving away shipping.

It's a totally different matter if you have a rare or semi rare KC item. I know, since I auctioned off 13 KC sets a couple of weeks ago and made over $3200. I was only mildly dissappointed with the price of one of the items but I was pleased on what I got for all of them as a total. I probably made between 200 to 250% or more return on these items.

What's been my experience how you guys?

Carlos

Agreed. I've been selling Iwo sets for a friend and making incredible amounts, more than I've seen for this line.

 

[Capitolron]

Ebay - has been bery bery good to me ! (a little Saturday Night Live Humor).

I have seen a great increase of dealers putting NEW items on and trying to sell them - not sure if they are getting return on investment. Peter - I understand selling older items - like you do - on Ebay. It does have a large market audience and older K&C items do better in that environment. But, does seem like a few retailers are just listing everything that comes out new

The Ebay market for K&C Items are the best for the International Collectors as N-P and Carlos has stated. The access to dealers and getting into the hobby recently has been what eBay customers have told me. The international shipping is the way to go !

Even with the recession in the US and around other parts of the World - you still have people who have money. These collectors continue to buy - although maybe a little slower these days - but buy just the same.

I have noticed that the sky rocket prices on some retired items have come down. Although you do see a few auctions that do catch fire. I think a big part of selling today on Ebay is what the seller thinks his item is worth and how the bidding starts. Too many times people put large opening bids and the items don't sell. Now all us have figures what we would like to sell at - and if it doesnt no problem will hold on to it for longer. But a couple of seller who always list have these crazy $500 or $600 bids on recent retired items and they are just keeping Ebay in business with that. (IMHO)

With items continuing to pour out of K&C and a continued bad US economy - I think we will see more collections come on the auction block !

Just few of my thoughts.

Ron

 

[jbonzo1]

The International route is the way to go! I have sold several drums at great (for me) prices to Asia and Europe, three went to Australia.
The buying frenzy on the Berlin Tenement has slowed recently. There are some good deals to be had but I agree with Ron, some of the $500-600 Buy it Now auctions are funny.

 

[Winston]

There are only 243 K&C auctions on e-bay right now. That seems a lot fewer than 4 years ago. Are the older, retired pieces in the hands of collectors who rarely sell?

Terry

In the UK, Ebay quietens off in the summer except those sellers that are desperate to sell to raise cash.

There have been some low low prices in the past 4 weeks. With some 4 figure sets selling for under £50 ( US $78).