Consignment Rate...

Fair? What's fair? What is it going to cost you to liquidate this collection? What about the time you put into research, photographing, posting and then boxing and shipping the items. And dealing with charge backs or dis-satisfied customers. Some people think listing on ebay is like ordering a coffee and everything magically happens or liquidates itself.

If the collection is worth 5K and it takes you 65 man hours to sell it item by item, you'd make 750 dollars or 11.53 per hour. And this EXCLUDES ebay and PayPal fees. After this you'd take home around 250 dollars or 5 percent (3.84 per hour). If your time is worth this then that is fair. Assuming this is what you are doing. Many of the consignment shops in this area take 35 percent and as high as 50 percent. Yes, 50 percent is a little on the high side but if people are willing to do it then these places will stay in business and keep their high fees. The guys I know who sell on ebay for others charge 35 percent. After their fees, they make about 25 percent.

What's fair to the buyer may not be fair to the seller and vise versa. In my opinion, you'd be better putting a value on the entire collection then make them an offer that is fair for you and the seller. This way you can sell the stuff when you want or keep what you want.

If they're friends of yours, I would charge 5 to 10% of the NET, if there just someone you know, I would go with 15% of the NET.

You mentioned the main value is in silver so I'd have to split it into 2 parts. Anything I knew I was going to pass on directly to my bulk silver buyer I wouldn't need as much profit. Things that would be in inventory a while or that I'd have to sell on ebay I'd need a higher percentage. Exactly what those percentages would be depends on how well you know the consignor, what your overhead is & how much you are willing to work for.

Dont forget to post a list here for people to look at! Or at least send me a list of the silver! I call Dibs! PM Me when its time

I've mentioned this in the past. If it was me, I'd pass on the entire deal. From my experiences with people trying to help others financially, regardless of the situation, it almost ends up a poor situation. By that I mean the closer you are to the other perple or worse a rslative, you always cheated them. Somewhere along the line you cheated them. There will be whispering among lots of the ones that know you about what you did. Some will stop talking to you and your family.
You may be one of the lucky ones that all ends well. Hopefully if you do get involved, that will be the case. Otherwise......

I just copied the percentage fees from the auction house I use to purchase coins from, as I need to sell some coins and was thinking of contacting them, and after seeing what they charge, may have to end my 7 year self-imposed ban from ebay and sell them there.

Pasted below is what they charge the seller, also noted in their contract is it may take 60 days to receive your share.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2. Owner will pay Auctioneer a commission on each item of the Property sold based on the following schedule:

Successful Bid Price Per Item Commission Rate
$2,001 & over 10%
$1,001-$2,000 15%
$101-$1,000 20%
$51-$100 25%
$26-$50 30%
$1-$25 50%


In addition, Owner authorizes Auctioneer, as Owner's agent, to collect from the successful bidder and retain as an additional commission an amount equal to fifteen to twenty (15%-20%) of the successful bid price for each item of Property sold in our Fine Arts Auctions and Town & Country sales.

Noah, I moved your post with the ebay links to the appropriate forum for better visibility.

https://goccf.com/t/140942