BUYING ONLINE-PROS AND CONS

by Max Silberman

Many years ago when the hobby (and I) were young, collectors waited anxiously for the large baseball card and memorabilia shows to make their acquisitions. As hobby publications such as "The Trader Speaks", "Baseball Hobby News" and the still published "Sports Collector Digest" arrived on the scene, hobbyists were able to order from the comfort of their homes using a telephone and credit card rather than waiting in lines at shows and bending over tables until their backs ached. I always loved the personal interaction that took place at shows and actually seeing the merchandise I was going to purchase.

Today, the number of shows has greatly diminished due to the amount of business conducted online with eBay and other sources. The advantage of eBay is that within seconds, the item(s) you are seeking can be located and the whole world becomes your show. Scanners have made it possible to see the item to some degree and the vast majority of sellers are honest. You can even check their feedbacks and see what percentage of their transactions were satisfactory. Payment can be made through Paypal (very convenient) or the sellers often accept checks and money orders. While many wonderful and elusive items can be found, some collectors have reported problems. These include: poorly described or inaccurate descriptions of the items, excessive shipping and handling charges, late or no delivery of items and sellers who have friends "work" the prices up so you are bidding against yourself. Again, it is best to check the seller out. When the vendor has no complaints or very few and a large number of satisfied customers, your odds of a happy transaction are increased. Yes, I have used eBay to locate some very fine items at good prices and some of the purchases were not to my liking. I may be a throwback to the old days but I still love attending shows such as the one held four times a year at Fort Washington and the numerous mall shows where I love to chat with dealers and collectors and eat all the things I am not supposed to! Whether you make your purchases in person, at a hobby store (fewer and fewer these days), through publications or on eBay, the choice is always yours. If you happen to be a resident of the Philadelphia area, you will enjoy the gift shoppe at the A's museum in Hatboro. Out of towners can visit our "virtual store" on the web complete with shopping cart features and easy pay. We are not a baseball card store but offer goodies all A's fans will enjoy.