1973 Topps Schmidt rookie question.

Yankees70

My best buddy is coming down from Oregon Thursday to attend the Burbank Card Show at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend. This is supposed to be one of the largest/best conventions in the west coast this year. My buddy is putting together a high grade 1973 Topps baseball set (NM-MT or better). He's buying the hall of famers in PSA 8 condition and he's getting the commons in raw condition. The cards must be centered with no printing defects. Its a beautiful set and he only needs about 120 more cards. He has most of the hall of famers but he needs the Schmidt rookie and his goal is to buy one this weekend.

I have been looking at the recent sales on EBAY for this card in PSA 8 for an idea on the cost. Since he's looking for a high end 8 what would be a fair price to pay? Again it will have to be a strong 8 that's centered.

Regarding the convention. Are prices for vintage material usually higher or lower than prices on EBAY? I returned to the hobby about 18 months ago after being absent for well over a decade. Back then the prices at conventions were usually lower since the dealers did not have to pay EBAY fees. Is that still the case today?

Any suggestions you have will be appreciated. I'm really looking forward to this convention as the last time we went to a big show together was over twenty years ago.

BBBrkrr

That will be an awesome set. I'm putting the finishing touches on a 73 right now too, but I'm not going for 8s on the HoFers.

That's going to be a long journey for sure. Very cool. Let us know how the show is, and how the amount of vintage on hand is.

balco758

Welcome back to the hobby.

My thoughts:

1 There should be at least a few 8's at the show.
2. Listed prices at the show are prob higher than recent eBay sales - but you can negotiate and cash often talks.
3. I've seen the Back centering often drives pricing on the 8's.

Good luck!

Estil

@Yankees70 said:
My buddy is putting together a high grade 1973 Topps baseball set (NM-MT or better). He's buying the hall of famers in PSA 8 condition and he's getting the commons in raw condition. The cards must be centered with no printing defects. Its a beautiful set and he only needs about 120 more cards. He has most of the hall of famers but he needs the Schmidt rookie and his goal is to buy one this weekend.

I was wondering if anyone else besides myself did it that way! Though I can only afford 7's. And it just so happens my town is having a card show and I've not gotten to go any since the mid 90s. I know you guys are tired of me saying this but I sure do hope those unclaimed property checks I'm due arrive before then because that's the only way I'll have any spending money.

mintonlypls

The prices on eBay Buy It Now….are ridiculously too high. I agree with the comment on the ability to negotiate at the show on a deal. The back of the Schmidt Rookie is off-centered…almost a given. If you are lucky to find a copy centered on back and front would definitely demand a premium.

A PSA-9 goes for $6000-6500. A high end PSA-8 would probably be in the $3000 range…and definitely more if back is also centered. IMHO

Yankees70

@BBBrkrr said:
That will be an awesome set. I'm putting the finishing touches on a 73 right now too, but I'm not going for 8s on the HoFers.

That's going to be a long journey for sure. Very cool. Let us know how the show is, and how the amount of vintage on hand is.

We will spend the entire day there on Friday (12-7) and I will give you an update by Saturday.

RonSportscards

@mintonlypls said:
A high end PSA-8 would probably be in the $3000 range…and definitely more if back is also centered. IMHO

PSA 8s are selling in the $1200-1500 range and your favorite, a PSA 8.5 just sold for $2130.

RonSportscards

@Yankees70 said:
Back then the prices at conventions were usually lower since the dealers did not have to pay EBAY fees. Is that still the case today?

The dealers instead say, "But we have travel expenses, hotels, Ubers, table fees...."

craig44

@RonSportscards said:

@Yankees70 said:
Back then the prices at conventions were usually lower since the dealers did not have to pay EBAY fees. Is that still the case today?

The dealers instead say, "But we have travel expenses, hotels, Ubers, table fees...."

I "love" it when dealers say that. I really dont care about their expenses, just the cost of the card. If they really are dealers, they can deduct those expenses at the end of the year anyways.

olb31

@craig44 said:

@RonSportscards said:

@Yankees70 said:
Back then the prices at conventions were usually lower since the dealers did not have to pay EBAY fees. Is that still the case today?

The dealers instead say, "But we have travel expenses, hotels, Ubers, table fees...."

I "love" it when dealers say that. I really dont care about their expenses, just the cost of the card. If they really are dealers, they can deduct those expenses at the end of the year anyways.

Like Kramer told Jerry - "Just write it off".

KendallCat

@RonSportscards said:

@Yankees70 said:
Back then the prices at conventions were usually lower since the dealers did not have to pay EBAY fees. Is that still the case today?

The dealers instead say, "But we have travel expenses, hotels, Ubers, table fees...."

My response is do you think my hotel, gas, tickets, food, and potentially airfare was free? When I set up at a show I know my expenses up front so I need to provide service and have good inventory so I can make money.