RIP Ebay Vault

[Ericc5Bears]

When ebay launched the vault in 2023, it was plain and simple the greatest innovation in the trading card industry that I can remember. It was totally free to submit cards to the vault, any items sold through the vault resulted in 0% seller fees, there were no storage/early withdrawal fees, returns were not allowed on any vault sales, and ebay handled all the shipping liability. If you were selling graded cards under 5-figures anywhere other than the vault or in-person over the last year, you most likely missed out on significant profit.

A while back, ebay announced that starting in April 2024 vault items would still have 0% seller fees, but that vault items would be subject to a 3% buyers premium. That was announced as a permeant change, and that rates would never increase from that 3% number. Overall this was still significantly lower than selling anywhere else, and it made a lot of sense because at 0% total fees, it was hard to see how this vault arrangement made any sense for ebay's bottom line.

Today it was announced that PSA and ebay have partnered and that their vaults will essentially merge together. All cards contained in the ebay vault will eventually be sent to the PSA vault. Even though this will create some cool features in terms of direct grading to selling, the most important change will essentially kill the entire purpose of the ebay vault.

Directly from ebay themselves: "For now, the vault will run “as is,” with no changes to our fee structure or processes. At close, once PSA has become owner, your collection information will be shared with PSA. Later this year, PSA will launch a new vault experience, at which point their rate card will apply. See their rate details here."

Items Under $100 - 16% seller fee
$100 - $499 - 14% seller fee
$500 - $999 - 13% seller fee
$1,000 - $2,499 - 10% seller fee
$2,500 - $4,999- 9% seller fee
Items Over $5,000 - $7% seller fee

These fees are for the most part are just as bad if not worse than selling yourself through ebay with the reduced fees of a personal store. My theory is that PSA saw that the ebay vault with 0/3% seller fees was eventually going to rapidly siphon business away from every other auction house/vault as it gained more and more popularity and decided to acquire it and raise the fees before things got out of hand. Seems an awful lot like an example of monopolistic price fixing to me.

At the end of the day the reality is PSA has successfully killed the ebay vault, basically zero reason to use it going forward especially since I'm sure they will add other hidden fees (submission fees, early withdrawal fees, storage fees, etc.) once everything is transferred over.

[daeve]

yeah this ended about how I expected it to.

[dizzy4111]

I never use the Ebay vault but that seems like some pretty clear slimeball behavior from PSA when you break it down like that.

[MambaMentality]

eBay has stated for months now that when this 0% promotional period is over there will be a 3% buyers premium. Complete 180 on their end with this new fee structure, as mentioned above there isnt much of an incentive for using the vault now for most cards, at least for $1k + the fees are lower than if you were to sell the items directly on ebay, however they gave a vague statement on withdrawal fees so who knows how much that will cost.

If you're disappointed with the news like I am, I suggest calling ebay (specifically ebay authenticity/vault ) and giving your feedback, I am about to do so. You never know, if enough people are outraged we could force them to make some changes.

[jcardstore]

I can't relate with my $20 cards

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by dizzy4111

I never use the Ebay vault but that seems like some pretty clear slimeball behavior from PSA when you break it down like that.

But isn't PSA a for-profit company?

[daeve]

Nat Turner's a billionaire and he's going to act as such.

[KhalDrogo]

I missed the new 3% buyers fee. Just another reason to avoid them.

[LondonGames]

NEVER FORGET

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1285177

[kluke84]

Never used the ebay vault but these fees are not going to entice anyone new to use the service. And will likely shed current users like the OP.

[boxbuster7]

So collectors traded Goldin for the Ebay Vault?

I guess that makes sense...

[Cactuspies]

Originally Posted by LondonGames

NEVER FORGET

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1285177

yup, as a collector he is/was one way, as the owner 180 degree turn.

[1980bust]

My only experience with the eBay vault was that I couldn't pay for an item that was in the vault without signing up for the vault, but I couldn't sign up for the vault without a permanent US address. So I not only lost a card I really wanted, but got an unpaid item strike at the same time. Was awesome.

[imbluestreak23]

This is horrible news indeed

[Ericc5Bears]

Originally Posted by 1980bust

My only experience with the eBay vault was that I couldn't pay for an item that was in the vault without signing up for the vault, but I couldn't sign up for the vault without a permanent US address. So I not only lost a card I really wanted, but got an unpaid item strike at the same time. Was awesome.

At the very least this is definitely one positive of this. Was super annoying not being able to sell to the majority of international buyers since they weren't eligible for the vault. I'd assume that won't be a problem once PSA takes it over.

[imbluestreak23]

Link to the new fees?

I'm seeing press releases on both sides but no updated links for fees:

https://pages.ebay.com/vault/fees/

[Ericc5Bears]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

Link to the new fees?

I'm seeing press releases on both sides but no updated links for fees:

https://pages.ebay.com/vault/fees/

https://www.psacard.com/info/consignment-rates


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Arianny_Fan]

And that's the reason why people support PSA. Between them and Fanatics, they are killing the hobby one contraction at a time. Keep grading with PSA fellas not to mention buying unopened wax. Amen.

[Tnooky]

Fees suck, definitely will not be using. Rip O fees Ebay vault.

[bh22cards]

It's time to make a move on those Vault cards. 5-10% off while you still can.

Hopefully the sale takes a quarter or two and we are looking at end of year 2024.

good luck

[sheetskout]

I started using eBay Vault two days before this announcement. I was so happy for two days knowing there'd be no seller fees.

[Blazed]

I remember when people were cheering that a fellow "collector" was buying PSA.

What happened?

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Blazed

I remember when people were cheering that a fellow "collector" was buying PSA.

What happened?

You remember because it was bumped?

You’re the worst

[Blazed]

Originally Posted by asujbl

You remember because it was bumped?

You’re the worst

Bumped?

Never stopped reading them.

I grew up on the forums.

Probably why I'm the worst.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Blazed

Bumped?

Never stopped reading them.

I grew up on the forums.

Probably why I'm the worst.

You're the worst because I said you were the worst. Nothing more. Nothing less

Grew up is hilarious to me though since we all know you're a child