I am a bad businessman.

[Bobgat]

I run a business online, but I am coming to the conclusion that I am just not a good businessman at all. I don't have a killer instinct when it comes to getting people to pay as much as they can.

Someone saw a lot that I had for sale on eBay, and it was obvious that I had broken a lot of that particular product. He was curious if I could help him with an insert set that I was working on, so I checked my doubles and found that I could almost complete it for him. The insert set has is all rookies, but they aren't "RCs", and while some of the stars sell for a few dollars, it's not what you would call a rare insert by any means.

Well, the guy offered me $30 for a lot of seven cards. If I were to list the lot on eBay, I can't imagine it would sell for more than $10-15.

I am a complete fool for doing this, but I sold him the lot for $10. He offered $30, I told him that was too much and sold for $10.

You know that sickening feeling you get in your stomach when you realize that you paid waaaay too much for something? I hate that feeling, and I just cannot bring myself to give someone else that feeling. I know, it's his responsibility to know what things go for and to spend his money wisely, but I just can't take advantage of someone like that.

Whenever I "steal" something, I feel bad for the seller. I know how it feels to see something you were counting on ending for $40 end for $.99, and I feel bad when it happens.

I am just not cut out for this.

 

[Ferris]

If you ever get into banking let me know.

 

[dburzyn]

"would you take $3000 for that crosby the cup auto patch rc?"

"nah, thats too much, give me $50 and we cool"

 

[Bobgat]

"would you take $3000 for that crosby the cup auto patch rc?"

"nah, thats too much, give me $50 and we cool"

Well, there's a difference between charging the going rate, or accepting the ending price of a bidding war and turning down 3x the going rate for an item in low demand. I have already conceded that I am a fool for selling lower than offered, but I am not completely stupid.

 

[chakhae1]

I have the same problem which is why I don't sell cards AT ALL. I don't think it's a matter of honesty or dishonesty here, since in the business world you need to have the kind of mentality that profits you the most and pretty much disregards what the buyer is going to pay.

You are just an honest guy, nothing to feel down about. We need more guys like you in this world!!

 

[odjickfan]

Whenever I "steal" something, I feel bad for the seller. I know how it feels to see something you were counting on ending for $40 end for $.99, and I feel bad when it happens.

Myself, I don't feel bad when getting a low price on something really scarce.

The auction is open to everybody, if I won the scarce thing at a really low price, well, that must be the going rate.

 

[dburzyn]

Well, there's a difference between charging the going rate, or accepting the ending price of a bidding war and turning down 3x the going rate for an item in low demand. I have already conceded that I am a fool for selling lower than offered, but I am not completely stupid.

haha... ya, just teasing

I for one lack a conscious so I definately dont have a problem milking people... only thing I hate is when people suddenly decide to raise a price when they know a player collector needs a card... for anyone else they would sell it for $50, but for the hardcore collector that needs it, they want $100... thats what ticks me off... but if they make an offer to you, hey why not take it


Dave

 

[chakhae1]

That's business. You can't take people's feelings into consideration and you just need to try and make as much money as possible. That's why things can get nasty and why I stick to trades.

 

[PenaltyMan]

You are my anti-thesis, Bob

I can't wait to get a great deal (buying or selling) from someone. About two years back, I sold a Big M XSP auto from Legendary Signatures for $159. I paid $20 for it.

Likewise, I paid $5 for a Steve Yzerman champ fever blue /100 when it booked at $300. I sold it for a low low price of $75 and trade for a couple bourque parallels I needed.

You have a heart. I wouldn't be ashamed of it. You're a good egg.

Now if you wanna talk about villains...I think Quincy might pop up...

 

[gamebreakers]

I applaud your honesty but really, cards are only worth what people are willing to pay for them. Therefore, if someone offers you $30, I don't see why you would feel bad taking it. On the other hand, if YOU had tried to charge him $40 or $50 knowing they are worth much less, that would be unethical. There is never a real TRUE value on any card...

 

[Bobgat]

You are my anti-thesis, Bob

I can't wait to get a great deal (buying or selling) from someone. About two years back, I sold a Big M XSP auto from Legendary Signatures for $159. I paid $20 for it.

Likewise, I paid $5 for a Steve Yzerman champ fever blue /100 when it booked at $300. I sold it for a low low price of $75 and trade for a couple bourque parallels I needed.

See, I would do both of those as well. That's kind of where I make my money...I scout the local shows and buy things to resell on eBay. I don't have a problem with that when I see something out on a table at a show.

But when it's an insert set that very few people want, and it sells on eBay for not much, I guess I just don't have the heart to let someone gouge themselves in paying me for it.

Oh well though. This guy is really happy with his purchase.

BTW, when I printed out his shipping label, I saw that I was sending to a church.

 

[quincy]

For what it's worth, I do the opposite sometimes. Card I need, you've got it and offer it to me for a deal...I'll cheerfully pay you more than that just to finish off the project. So there are customers who reciprocate.

 

[Bobgat]

For what it's worth, I do the opposite sometimes. Card I need, you've got it and offer it to me for a deal...I'll cheerfully pay you more than that just to finish off the project. So there are customers who reciprocate.

The majority of the people in our hobby are bastards though. Take a look at the basketball or football boards at some of the leading competitors for some good examples.

 

[dherm360]

For what it's worth, I do the opposite sometimes. Card I need, you've got it and offer it to me for a deal...I'll cheerfully pay you more than that just to finish off the project. So there are customers who reciprocate.

agreed do the same thing, but I do applaude you after reading the posts