eBay and Collectors Enter into Commercial Agreement, Sign Deals for Acquisition of Goldin by eBay and Acquisition of the eBay Vault by PSA

eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) and Collectors, parent company of PSA, the leading third-party authentication and grading provider in the collectibles industry, have announced definitive agreements to enter into a series of transactions. These include a commercial agreement, the sale of Goldin from Collectors to eBay, and the sale of the eBay vault from eBay to PSA. These deals are set to enhance the overall trading card hobby, bringing customer-focused innovations and opportunities to trading card enthusiasts and collectors.

Enhancing the Collecting Experience

The partnership between eBay and PSA aims to streamline buying, selling, grading, and storage experiences for all participants in the trading card hobby in the United States. Both eBay and PSA have long histories of innovation in serving the hobby, helping individuals make their first trading card purchases with confidence and supporting small businesses and collectors with new tools and technology. These deals represent an opportunity to accelerate innovation in the industry and provide game-changing benefits for collectors.

A Seamless, Customer-Centric Experience

The partnership between eBay and PSA will offer a full, seamless, customer-centric product experience for the collecting community. This partnership will combine the scale and trust across eBay's global marketplace with PSA's authentication and grading expertise. Together, they will create a seamless, end-to-end journey, making collecting safer, easier, and more fun.

Acquisitions and Agreements

eBay's agreement to acquire Goldin, a leading US-based auction house for high-value trading cards and collectibles, will enhance existing marketplace offerings by expanding the range of inventory available to customers and opening up a new audience for Goldin sellers. PSA will acquire the eBay vault, maintaining seamless access to vault services for eBay’s U.S. customers. There will be no immediate changes to the services provided post-closing.

Conclusion

The partnership between eBay and Collectors, including the acquisition of Goldin by eBay and the acquisition of the eBay Vault by PSA, represents a significant step forward in the trading card hobby. These deals will enhance the overall collecting experience, providing collectors with more streamlined processes and a wider range of services. Both eBay and PSA are committed to providing innovative solutions that benefit collectors and the hobby as a whole.

FAQs

1. When are these transactions expected to close?
   • The transactions are expected to close simultaneously in Q2 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
2. Will there be any immediate changes to the services provided?
   • There will be no immediate changes to the services provided for a period of time post-closing.
3. What benefits will collectors see from these deals?
   • Collectors can expect a more streamlined experience for buying, selling, grading, and storing trading cards and collectible card games.
4. How will these deals impact the trading card market?
   • These deals are expected to accelerate innovation in the industry and provide game-changing benefits for collectors.
5. What is the goal of the partnership between eBay and PSA?
   • The goal is to offer a full, seamless, customer-centric product experience for the collecting community.