Remember when eBay was a collectibles marketplace?

[pls-consignments]

Been selling collectibles on eBay for 24-yrs now. Since then, I've moved 9 times, traveled abroad for mission work, raised two girls who have now given us four awesome grandsons. When I first began, eBay was the place to sell all things collectible to a world-wide market. We've shipped thousands of items to nearly every country available, from a Pacman machine to Japan, to a vintage Wurlitzer to Iceland. Believe it or not, there was  a time when selling on eBay was "cool". 

Yet, like other "cool" dot coms of the 90's, eBay had to change to survive. In order to grow and remain profitable, eBay sacrificed their collectibles heritage for designer handbags, trading cards and athletic shoes.   Sure, the buying market has changed as well. The collectibles generation is getting older and shrinking quickly, leaving behind Millennials and Gen-Z's who would rather use their Prime account.  For many sellers including myself, eBay is our livelihood. But keeping up with eBay's updates and policy changes has become an ultimatum for many long-time sellers... you either change or leave.

So, for all you long-time Sellers, I'm going to address the elephant in the room.... Is there a viable future in selling antique/vintage collectibles on eBay??   

[evelyb30]

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@genv wrote:

@shag182 

So true...

Japanese Buyers sent crisp US Bills in folded Newspaper (before forced PayPal).

A German Buyer sent me real German Chocolate from his home Town.

I shipped to Coatia, The Ukraine, Greece... it was FUN to see who WANTED 'my stuff'.

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In the very old days I shipped a dressing table set to the Philippines (someone saw one in an old movie or Grandma had one) and odds and sods all over Europe Western and Eastern.  Music to Brazil.  A new in package silk scarf to Paris (someone was writing a book and paid 10x my original asking price to make sure he got it). A case for an old hand-crank telephone to Hungary. (used it to hold phone chargers, and no one else in Hungary had an American one)  The oddball of the oddballs was a souvenir WWII handkerchief from New Caledonia.  It went to New Caledonia.  It's a postage stamp island in the middle of the South Pacific, and the buyer was a happy camper to have it go home.  Those days are long gone thanks to all sorts of changes both on eBay and with the international postal system.

The collectibles market has changed, and in more ways than in what people collect.  The don't want anything they'll have to dust with a toothbrush.  If  it can sit out and look cool, and they can wipe it off with a damp rag it'll probably move.  Most Depression Glass is dead, but geek-friendly uranium glass is a hot ticket. (just not with a geiger counter; it's pretty well inert.)   Other things that go nuts under blacklight/UV light sell nicely too.   Fussy porcelains, or hand wash only china ... might as well take it out and use it for target practice.  

[chapeau-noir]

When the subject of collectibles comes up on this forum, I often get the general sense that because people no longer want as many traditional collectibles, breakables, because they want other things, their tastes are somehow in question, that they're cheap or lazy.  No.  A set of plates or a vase in and of itself is no better or worse than an action figure,  or a particular baseball card, a funko pop or whatever.  Tastes simply change, and they may well change back.  I mean, I can't grizzle because people no longer want 80s power suits with grid-locking shoulder pads and early 60s is hard to move.

[rugerskick]

Certainly, some collectibles are still viable here.  However, some other areas of collectibles may do better on other online sites.  I know other sellers have commented that certain types have sold way better for them on other popular sites.

[chapeau-noir]

Yes - I tend to wonder if because the collectibles market, like clothing and accessories, is so huge and super-saturated, that it may be breaking up into more specialised venues?  I know I sell some clothing and accessories on more specialised venues, some on here, depending. eBay is still best for my generalist stuff but I've really experienced startling differences in interest depending on where I list.

[moondogblues]

" Fussy porcelains, or hand wash only china ... might as well take it out and use it for target practice.  "

Might want to rethink that.  Two examples.  When Tiffany lamps fell out of favor hundreds if not thousands were tossed in the garbage.  We know how much Tiffany is valued at now.

When the Bunker Hunt bros wreaked havoc on sterling silver and had innumerable Victorian, etc, objects melted down what has that done to the market for wonderful quirky objects from that era.  They have sky-rocketed in value.

If the china is run of the mill and there is lots out there, fine.  But if it's gorgeous, rare, old (at least a hundred years) and in great condition then it will be worth it to be saved for the future.  Just my 2 cents.

[vintagecraze50]

Those people who buy the sneakers, watches, trading cards other vertical items are called enthusiasts. Ebay attracting these people who have MONEY $$$$$$$$. May be looking for that special vintage ENTHUSIAST item. Be grateful ebay is NOW attracting people with big $$$$$.

[vip2054]

No.

[memorymarielane]

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So, for all you long-time Sellers, I'm going to address the elephant in the room.... Is there a viable future in selling antique/vintage collectibles on eBay??   

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I can only speak for myself, but with only two sales for the month of March I would resound with a big fat NO... there is no future selling antique/vintage collectibles on Ebay.

Personally I love things of the past as it recalls childhood memories and also honors a time that once flourished in our society. Those that purchase items I sell buy for the same reason... nostalgia!  All I see from Ebay these days is tv ads for Ebay Motors. People seeing that are not going to be looking for vintage books, brass candlesticks, glass plates, or any other item listed on my account. I've been looking at other outlets to sell my items on and am in the process of liquidating my Ebay inventory.

Oh, and let's not forget about our current economy which is collapsing. The buyers are not where they use to be and the ones that are around are more picky than ever (which I don't blame them as I am too when it comes to my purcahses).

[mam98031]

IDK that blaming Ebay is an effective way in which to try and explain the downturn in certain collectibles.  Because not all collectibles are on a downturn, but certainly some types are.  IMHO that has a whole lot to do with what younger people are collecting because as the older crowd ages and maybe stop collecting for a variety of reasons, it is important to evolve as sellers to provide the type of things popular today.

[nancmoffitt-war0]

Yes, absolutely.  Sometimes you have to hunt.  I find educating and researching items is the way to go.  These days the pottery, glassware, knick nacs, etc. are hard to sell.  Jewelry seems to be always easy as long as it is vintage, good quality, or has gemstones.  Have patience 

[movieman630]

I don't know why, perhaps because it's really "poison" but I can't stand Coca-cola "collectibles".  Not so much the antique stuff but the reproduced "collectibles" from the 80s-Present day.  I never understood the Coca-cola collectors.