When selling expensive cards on eBay what are the methods you use to reduce risk?
Should I use eBay shipping insurance?
Should I require a signature?
As as a seller what other methods should be employed to reduce risk?
Define "expensive". Are you selling shocks and fetches? Those are in the $10-$25 range, and that's expensive for some people. Certainly I would want to budget my purchases of such. Are you selling Revised duals in the $75-$250 range? That's a pretty hefty chunk of change all at once. Or are you selling rarities and power for four or five figures?
If you're selling shocks and fetches, I'd probably just go with a toploader in a PWE and move on. You won't lose too many to the mail (either by buyers claiming nonreceipt, or actual mail issues). The cost of upgrading to bubble envelopes with tracking will eat into too many profits.
If you're selling Revised duals, I'd definitely invest in padded envelopes and add tracking to every package. You'll want a record of everything that's sent out and when it's received.
If you're selling power, or that range of cards, I'd definitely go full hog. Insurance (doesn't really matter from whom), adult signature required, registered mail, all that jazz.
JeffCrandall is a successful eBay seller, and he can probably tell you exactly what he uses and why. I've only really ever dabbled, selling a couple things at a time. I'm not good at letting go
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Power level expensive. I'll make certain to securely package the card(s) and require a signature. I recall reading somewhere that buying shippers insurance through eBay itself can give a leg up in the event of an issue instead of working through the USPS insurance system.
I've sold cards in the hundred dollar range with success but dealing with four figures makes me nervous. The eBay fees make much more sense than the retailers cash buylist prices.
I want to make sure I do everything possible in the listing and shipment stage to reduce the risks as much as possible.
I'm not sure if anyone else here has experience with using eBay to sell more expensive vintage cards and strategies on what to look out for.
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Should I use eBay shipping insurance?
Should I require a signature?
As as a seller what other methods should be employed to reduce risk?
Define "expensive". Are you selling shocks and fetches? Those are in the $10-$25 range, and that's expensive for some people. Certainly I would want to budget my purchases of such. Are you selling Revised duals in the $75-$250 range? That's a pretty hefty chunk of change all at once. Or are you selling rarities and power for four or five figures?
If you're selling shocks and fetches, I'd probably just go with a toploader in a PWE and move on. You won't lose too many to the mail (either by buyers claiming nonreceipt, or actual mail issues). The cost of upgrading to bubble envelopes with tracking will eat into too many profits.
If you're selling Revised duals, I'd definitely invest in padded envelopes and add tracking to every package. You'll want a record of everything that's sent out and when it's received.
If you're selling power, or that range of cards, I'd definitely go full hog. Insurance (doesn't really matter from whom), adult signature required, registered mail, all that jazz.
JeffCrandall is a successful eBay seller, and he can probably tell you exactly what he uses and why. I've only really ever dabbled, selling a couple things at a time. I'm not good at letting go
Power level expensive. I'll make certain to securely package the card(s) and require a signature. I recall reading somewhere that buying shippers insurance through eBay itself can give a leg up in the event of an issue instead of working through the USPS insurance system.
I've sold cards in the hundred dollar range with success but dealing with four figures makes me nervous. The eBay fees make much more sense than the retailers cash buylist prices.
I want to make sure I do everything possible in the listing and shipment stage to reduce the risks as much as possible.
I'm not sure if anyone else here has experience with using eBay to sell more expensive vintage cards and strategies on what to look out for.