The eBay Effect
I began selling books and other treasures on eBay several years ago after buying several large collections from local estates. I found that although I was able to sell books both at auction and from my eBay store, the prices I was able to get were generally below those quoted in the many online bookstores. I observed a similar aberration in sales of a variety of collectibles. I concluded, then, that eBay had altered the “book” values of all kinds of collectibles, including rare books. How? At least two possibilities come to mind, 1) The quantities of similar or the same items available on eBay is far greater than might have been presumed; once people saw how easily they could sell their collections, or their “junk,” they emptied their closets, and, 2) As dishonest sellers began listing fakes on eBay, buyers became skeptical; prices bid naturally suffered directly in proportion to bidders’ suspicions. There may be other factors involved, or other eBay sellers/buyers may have come to different conclusions about the effect of eBay on prices. I hope that some of you will describe your experiences and offer your own conclusions for the benefit of the rest of us.