Sports trading cards
I have a small business model selling sports trading cards. I recently read the news that re-packaging cards as mystery packs will be no longer available for sellers not accepted as live sellers. It is disappointing and unfortunate because I have just spent many hours developing a honest and innovative design for creating mystery packs. With this new policy effective in early June, I will not be able to unveil my product for sale. I feel like this is unfair to smaller businesses like mine and only allows large operators to be more profitable. I understand that the policy is to protect the buyer, but why not achieve this with rules so every seller is given an opportunity to sell these mystery packs. The new policy requires both a live seller account (small guys not accepted) and a form about the details of your re-packed items, including your sales range per month with the lowest amount being ridiculously unobtainable for smaller sellers. It would be nice if a consideration was made for smaller sellers like myself.
luckythewinner
·4 months agowhy not achieve this with rules so every seller is given an opportunity to sell these mystery packs
Because when all sellers did have this opportunity, they disappointed their buyers.
gb58
·4 months agoI don't deal in sports cards, but to me in most cases it seems "mystery packs" or for other items even, like "mystery boxes", it is a form of gambling with the cards (no pun intended) heavily stacked in the sellers favor.
I don't think any form of "mystery sale" should be allowed on the site.
I ran across one seller on ebay a while back showing photos of a barn loaded down with wonderful antiques and collectibles. His listing said, "you will receive a 5lb box of items from my vast inventory". The photos, were a real bait and switch, you could tell just from the negative feedbacks he was receiving for the junk he was sending out in these 5lb boxes.
smilekc
·5 months agoNothing to do with the OP's issue with mystery packs, but I have to ask them: How do you make money selling cards for less than $1.50 with free shipping?
klhmdg
·5 months agoIt would be nice if eBay took into consideration every seller for every situation.
"mystery" packs are a pain.
Lots of complaints from both buyers and sellers.
Lots of Not As Described cases and sellers complaining the buyer stole the best cards and returned the others and now get a full refund.
eBay, as a business, decided this is the best option in allowing some ""mystery" packs.
They could have said no to all. Most items listings do not allow Mystery sales.
Fair depends on which end of the stick you get.
sport_nutz
OP5 months agoThey probably should have said no to all, since only the minority can participate, but that wouldn’t be profitable for eBay. It kind of feels like segregation. Thank you for the reply.