Sunday Question
Most of us buy a ton of cards on eBay during the year and maybe even some other useful stuff like sneakers, phone accessories, t-shirts, etc. I’ve been on eBay for a little over ten years and I have used it for everything from cards, car accessories, gifts, running an eBay store, Power Seller, consignment business- you name it and I have probably bought it or sold it on eBay.
Do you remember why you first signed up for an eBay account? Or what was it that prompted you to join the craze?
I first signed up to buy carbon fiber racing pedals and xenon headlights for my Honda Accord. I actually even signed up through eBay motors and not even the regular site. I mainly used it to buy stuff to change out factory parts in my car. I don’t think I bought cards on it until after college (the first college try) at some point.
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I've been on eBay since my last year in college in the late 1990s, but I can't remember what exactly prompted me to sign up.
I've had my account since 1999 when I was in college. That makes me feel old. I think I signed up because it was the thing to do back then. I wish I could remember what I first bought, but I can't!
I was looking for a Ted Williams signed jersey and didnt win, but became hooked after losing. -MojoDan
I signed up to buy baseball cards. I had my first job working at The Sports Authority and I would spend hours writing out checks for Jeter lots of cards.
I have had my account for a little more than 12 years.
I've been on EBay since 2002. My first purchase was a vintage photo of the racing thoroughbred Man 'O War, since I owned a quarter horse who's lineage I could trace back to him.
I signed up in the late 1990s to buy and sell miscellaneous stuff. I only use it about 10-15 times a year.
around '99 or so I signed up and bought this really super hot Russian chick.
Immigration wouldn't let her in the country though so I had to file a claim to get my money back.
I first signed up in the early 2000's to buy obscure punk records & also the little plastic hockey players used for playing table hockey.
I think I first signed up looking for Peanuts collectibles. I know I bought a hopping Woodstock and a walking Snoopy early on. I've since some some selling, cards and a few other things and a lot of buying mostly of cards but also quite a bit of Peanuts (though not recently).
I first signed on about 2003 looking to sell all the useless software that came with the 200+ Dell computers we bought for our company, like Acrobat and Office. No one told me it was illegal. Well, I take that back, Adobe told eBay and eBay told me. So that was the end of my selling days.
But the buying continued. Back at that time, tons of cards could be had for pennies. I filled in tons of 60's and 70s baseball sets for pennies, literally. So different back then. Everyone selling cards thinks that the 60's and 70s are "Vintage" and that they now command some kind of huge markup… I don't really buy on eBay much now, Amazon has just about all the same things and is easier and does free shipping if you buy $25 or more.
My current account was opened in 1999, but I had one before that (this one was opened to buy gifts without family members knowing, at first). So I probably joined in 1997 or early 1998. My first purchase(s) probably had something to do with movie memorabilia or non-sport cards, since I couldn't find any around where I lived. I know I sold McGwire and Sosa cards on eBay during the 1998 season.
In high school I bought a brand new Mizuno softball glove with tags still attached, originally $90, for $8 or so. Shipping was probably more than the actual cost. Best glove I ever owned.
I think I signed up in either '97 or '98 when I was still living in Nebraska. Surprisingly, I've done little with it. I'm still pissed off at that one guy who failed to send me the box I bought off him, went to the Post Office to get a refund on my money order, then nine months later tried to cash my money order and left me a negative feedback! Fuck that guy, whomever he/she may be.
I had to go back and see when I joined. Feb of 1999, didn't realize it was so long ago. Like most, joined so I could buy cards that I couldn't find at shows and buy unopened at lower prices.
I signed up for eBay to complete my 1973 Topps set.
I was forced to sell all my cards in 1987 (financial problems), and all I kept was the 1973 set. But when we moved in 2006, the movers tossed the binder in a box, and almost 200 cards were destroyed.
While in Iraq, I signed up for eBay to finish off the set.
As of now, I have complete sets from 1973-1987, with 80% complete 1971 and 1972 sets, and only 2 high # cards left to complete my 1970 set.
Probably 90% of my purchases are cards, but it is fun to win stuff. Although it's frustrating to lose in the last 5 seconds of a bid!
I first signed up to eBay so I could purchase original theatre posters. My first was from 'Friday the 13th'.
I started reading some baseball card blogs, fell back into collecting cards and my wallet has hated me ever since.
June of 2002 for me. My first child was born in July of 2002, and I sold off my 2nd collection card by card, lots by lots on ebay.
Collected as a kid, gave them away the 1st time. Started again and sold them when I had kids. Now I'm on my 3rd try collecting. Thinking it'll probably stick this time.
I think I got on in 2000 looking for Star Wars Laserdiscs. (Geek-meter shot into the red on that one). Then in 2003 I started back into cards and found a '69 Hank Aaron for $8. I still buy a ton. It goes in waves between card shows. Since my local shop is now gone, it will probably get worse.
I always expect anything good will get sniped to hell, but get lucky once in a while. I also wish more sellers would group singles into lots instead of each individual 35¢ card for a buck plus shipping. The flip-side of that is all these people selling 47 of the same card. Do they really ever sell those? Instead of 30 lots of 40x the same card, make it 40 lots of 30 different cards…