Collectors and investors use eBay for buying and selling
cards. While not a perfect system, it’s the most widely used way to buy and
sell cards. But when it comes to big-ticket items, eBay is being used as
something else it seems.
A large advertising platform.
The 2014 Bowman Superfractor Jose Abreu Autograph was
pulled from the product on the first day. It took a day or so to wind up on
eBay but it was there for several hours before the listing was pulled. Pastime
Cards announced on its Twitter page that it bought the card.
Pastime acquires 2014 Bowman Chrome 1/1 Jose Abreu Superfractor Auto! Card will be featured in 2014 Bases Loaded pic.twitter.com/f3IIHQrEnI
— Pastime Card Company (@PastimeCards) May 5, 2014
It was reported the sale was $16,000.
.@PastimeCards makes a $16,000 investment with its upcoming 2014 Bases Loaded product by adding the 2014 Bowman Abreu superfractor/auto
— Sports Card Magazine (@SportsCardMag) May 7, 2014
Insertion fee could
have been nothing for this card. The first 50 listings from a seller every
month are free.
A final value fee for this card would have been about $250,
according to the eBay fee calculator. But, there was no FVF, or PayPal fees,
which would have hit the seller with at least another $500. The seller saved
about $750 for selling the card offline. That’s less than five percent of the
total cost, but still money saved.
Do I know if that is exactly the route the seller of the
card took?
No. But it’s an option that I am sure plenty of people
have taken.
EBay has seemingly become a free advertising site for
high-end cards.
Of course if I have my math wrong, let me know.
