• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Write for Sports Collectors Daily
    • Write About Your Sports Collection
    • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Hot on eBay
    • Most Watched Graded Rookies
    • Most Watched PSA 10 Cards
    • Most Watched BGS, BVG Cards
    • Most Watched SGC Cards
    • Most Watched CSG,CGC Cards
    • Most Watched Baseball Cards
      • Most Watched 2023 Baseball Cards
      • Most Watched 2022 Baseball Rookie Cards
      • Bowman Chrome Cards
      • Ronald Acuna Jr. Cards
      • Shohei Ohtani Cards
      • Mike Trout Cards
      • Fernando Tatis Jr. Cards
      • Babe Ruth Cards
      • Hank Aaron Cards
      • Jackie Robinson Cards:
      • Mickey Mantle Cards
      • Willie Mays Cards
      • Vintage Baseball Card Sets
      • T206 Cards
    • Most Watched Basketball
      • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2022-23 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2021-22 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2020-21 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2019-20 NBA Rookie Cards
        • Zion Williamson Rookie Cards
        • Ja Morant Rookie Cards
      • Michael Jordan Cards
      • Kobe Bryant Cards
      • LeBron James Rookie Cards
      • Nikola Jokic Rookie Cards
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo Cards
      • Luka Doncic Rookie Cards
      • Prizm Basketball Cards
      • Panini National Treasures
    • Most Watched Football Cards
      • Most Watched NFL Rookie Cards
      • 2022 NFL Rookie Cards
        • Brock Purdy Rookie Cards
      • 2021 NFL Rookie Cards
      • 2020 NFL Rookie Cards
        • Joe Burrow Rookie Cards
        • Justin Herbert Rookie Cards
        • Jalen Hurts Rookie Cards
      • Josh Allen Rookie Cards
      • Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards
      • Tom Brady Cards
    • Most Watched Hockey Cards
      • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2021-22 NHL Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2020-21 Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2019-20 Rookie Cards
      • Connor McDavid Cards
      • Wayne Gretzky Cards
      • Bobby Orr Cards
    • Most Watched Soccer Cards
    • Most Watched UFC Cards
    • Most Watched Golf Cards
    • Most Watched 1 of 1 Cards
    • Most Watched Racing Cards
    • Top Sports Card Dealers on eBay
    • Most Watched Memorabilia
      • Vintage Sports Memorabilia
    • Vintage Sports Tickets, Stubs
    • Most Watched Autographs
  • Ending Soon on Ebay
    • Baseball Cards
    • Basketball Cards
    • Football Cards
    • Hockey Cards
    • Soccer Cards
    • Golf Cards
    • UFC Cards
  • Top - Ad

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports collecting news - Sports cards and sports memorabilia industry news.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. 

  • Sports Memorabilia News
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
      • Shop Talk
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Affordable Vintage Cards, Collectibles
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • Around The Hobby
    • Editor’s Blog
    • David Cycleback’s Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Popular Stories
  • Sell Your Cards
You are here: Home / Business/Industry News / Sports Memorabilia Business News / eBay Policy Changes Produce Sterling Results for Smaller Auction House

eBay Policy Changes Produce Sterling Results for Smaller Auction House

September 2, 2013 By Chris Levy

It has been argued that eBay is one of the internet’s largest and most successful corporations. However, like many companies that grow to a certain level, inevitably the proverbial ‘little guy’ begins to suffer. Originally billed as a website where anyone could sell anything, eBay has begun to redefine itself as a marketplace catering to Power Sellers in the vein of Amazon.

ebay new logoAs part of this ongoing process, eBay has implemented policy changes that have forced smaller sellers out, and caused larger sellers to gain a greater market share. It can be argued that as a corporation, eBay would rather deal with a manageable number of reliable sellers, than a near-infinite amount of casual sellers. To that end, they have changed the manner in which a seller can leave feedback, making it nearly impossible for a buyer to receive a negative. In addition, they have raised seller fees, continued the push towards free shipping, and through their sister company, PayPal, have begun a systematic process of siding with the buyer in most cases.

As eBay continues to cater to their buyers, rather than their sellers, the people looking to sell their items have begun to turn to other venues. In the world of sports cards, smaller auction houses have benefited including Sterling Sports Auctions, which specializes in items with low starting bids, a market that eBay has dominated since its inception.

Lee Behrens, Sterling Sports Auctions
Lee Behrens, Sterling Sports Auctions

Sterling Sports AuctionsWhen veteran collector Lee Behrens purchased the company and its all-important mailing list from Brian Dwyer, who left to join Robert Edward Auctions, he found himself with the task of carrying on the solid reputation and performance that accompanied earlier auctions. With consistent offerings and a little help from eBay’s policy shift, Behrens has grown Sterling into an alternative to eBay for cards in his demographic.

Between the double dip on fees under taken by eBay and PayPal, Behrens estimates the typical seller loses 12% of their sale. In many cases, he is able to offer no fees at all to the seller, particularly when an item meets the low threshold of $200. As eBay began its new policy, Behrens reported beginning to hear rumblings among his consignors, often described as a ‘headache’, in regards to eBay and caused them to go down the traditional auction house route.

“The eBay thing has soured so many people because I noticed I piqued people’s interest more when I mentioned it was an eBay alternative. Most people think all auctions houses are high end, such as REA and Heritage, where many of the items are $1,000 or more. Whether it’s the buyers or the sellers they just want to be somewhere where its a little more comfortable and a little more regulated,” Behrens commented, explaining how eBay’s latest changes have caused more consignors to use his auction house.

1910 Standard Caramel E93 Ty CobbHowever, it would be inaccurate to state Sterling’s success has been a result purely of a displeasure with eBay. In fact, it is Behrens early acceptance of PayPal, which he describes as a ‘convenience’ his bidders prefer. Prompt shipping of items and consignor payouts have also gone along way to helping establish his brand and consumer confidence.

In the year that he has run these auctions, Behrens said his biggest joy was discovering new items that he had never yet come across during his time as a collector. Of all the cards he has auctioned, the 1910 Standard Caramel E93 example of Ty Cobb graded PSA 5 was his favorite, while the 1957 Topps Yankees Power Hitters in PSA 6 proved to be the most surprising with a final price of $402.50, considerably higher than other examples in the same grade.

Behrens states to plan ten auctions over the next year, in five week intervals. Sterling Sports Auction’s current offering ends Thursday, September 5.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Facebook Messenger

Related Stories:

Notes: Monthly Auctions a Hit; Old Bowman Tidbits; Topps Heritage Checklist Notes: eBay “Monitoring” USPS Situation; Doncic Whale; Beckett Partners for Card Supplies; LeBron Shoes; Knights Sticks eBay BuckseBay Announces Changes to Bucks Earnings Program Martin Brodeur Property Of relic cardWhat’s Hot In The Shop: The Cup (is selling like) Hot Cakes eBay, Paypal to Split Into Separate Companies Topps 1978 Football Cello case1970s Unopened Cases, Boxes Headliners at Collect Auctions

Filed Under: Sports Memorabilia Business News Tagged With: brian dwyer, eBay, paypal, Robert Edward Auctions, Sterling Sports Auctions, vintage sports cards

Primary Sidebar

Our articles may contain affiliate links. When you click on links to merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. 

Shop Sports Cards on Ebay
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Hockey

High End Cards and Memorabilia

  • BBCE Authenticated Boxes, Packs opens in a new window
  • Graded pre-War Card eBay Auctions
  • PWCC Premier Auction
  • PWCC Fixed Price Marketplace
  • Graded Rookie Cards on eBay opens in a new window
  • Authenticated Photos on eBay opens in a new window
  • Graded Tickets & Stubs opens in a new window

Bargain Corner

  • Michael Jordan cards $5 and less opens in a new window
  • Kobe Bryant cards $5 and less opens in a new window
  • Mickey Mantle Cards Under $150 opens in a new window
  • Graded T206 Cards Under $150 opens in a new window
  • Pre-War Cards Under $100 opens in a new window
  • Pre-1980 Graded Baseball Cards $10 and Less opens in a new window
  • Pre-1980 Graded Football Cards $10 and Less opens in a new window
  • Vintage Graded Basketball Cards $25 and less opens in a new window
  • Vintage Graded Hockey Cards $10 and Less opens in a new window
  • Complete Sets $20 and Less opens in a new window
  • Baseball Hall of Famers for $5 or Less opens in a new window
  • Football Hall of Famers for $5 or Less opens in a new window
  • Hobby Boxes Under $30 opens in a new window
  • Pre-1986 Rookie Cards Under $1 opens in a new window
  • Buy Boxes Directly from Topps opens in a new window

RSS Auction Report

  • Steve Novella Offers PSA Autographed Cards From All Sports Auction Ending Sept. 26, 2023
  • PWCC Marketplace T206 American Beauty Auction Ends October 3, 2023
  • 2023 Auction Schedule

Footer

Categories

  • Around the Hobby
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • David Cycleback's Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Editor's Blog
  • Featured Articles
  • Hobby Shop Talk
  • National Sports Collectors Convention
  • Popular Stories
  • Rich Klein's Ramblings
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Sports Memorabilia News
  • Uncategorized

Sponsor Links

  • Sports Card Forumopens in a new window
  • Buying Vintage Sports Cardsopens in a new window
  • Game Used Jerseysopens in a new window
  • Championship Rings For Saleopens in a new window
  • Vintage Basketball Cardsopens in a new window
  • NBA Signed Itemsopens in a new window
  • Autographed Baseballsopens in a new window
  • NASCAR Autographsopens in a new window
  • Vintage Graded Baseball Cardsopens in a new window
  • Player Picturesopens in a new window
  • Vintage Football Cardsopens in a new window
  • Sports Collectors Storeopens in a new window

Pages

Ending on eBay Soon
  • Baseball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Basketball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Football Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Hockey Card Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay Ending Soon
Top 100 on Ebay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Card Auctions
  • Top Authenticated Vintage Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
Most Watched on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Graded Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Tom Brady Card Auctions on eBay
  • 50 Hottest Hobby Boxes at Auction on eBay
  • 50 Most Watched Golf Trading Cards on eBay
  • 50 Most Watched Wrestling Trading Cards on eBay
  • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
  • Most Popular Bobbleheads on eBay
  • Most Watched 1/1 Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Basketball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Complete Baseball Card Sets at Auction on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Rookie Card Auctions
  • Most Watched Goudey Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Hockey Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Racing Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Soccer Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Autographs on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Jerseys on eBay
  • Most Watched Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
  • Most Watched Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay
  • Hottest Panini National Treasures Cards on eBay
  • Hottest PSA 10 Cards for Sale on eBay
  • What’s Hot on eBay
Sports Memorabilia
  • Sports Card Bargain Bin
  • Sports Memorabilia Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
About Sports Collectors Daily
  • Advertise with SC Daily
  • Contact Us
  • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Sell Your Cards
  • What’s It Worth
  • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?

Copyright © 2023 SportsCollectorsDaily.com | Web Design by Wickam Groupopens in a new window