Fake 79-80 Topps Gretzky listing?

Crusader765

I know the OPC Gretzky rookie is one of the more common fakes sold on ebay, but what about the less valuable topps rookie?

Why would the seller have the buy it now price at 199 when psa 7s sell for an average of 282.40 on ebay? The seller advertizes the card as being a possible psa 8, and from the scan that seems reasonable. But unless he is hiding obvious flaws or a fake, this card would be a money maker at a psa 7 and a wash even at a psa 6.

Feedback is good for this seller but he hasn't sold too many items, though it seems he offers no hassle refunds.

Not many bids....am I missing something?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5161243532&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Brian48

I've seen the Topps version sell for a price in this range. Graded or not, it's just not highly sought after compared to the OPC version. The NHL lockout doesn't exactly help either.

Crusader765

True, but the beckett ebay value guide doesn't lie. Though I guess it has been selling for slightly less than before the past few months. Still, 199 is not a bad price at all if the card is truly near mint, which is why I was skeptical.

I've always thought this card was one of the better choices for quick grading and selling...they grade fairly well and near mint raws sell for quit a bit below psa values.

phreakydancin

There is NO good reason not to get a Gretzky rookie graded. It's one of the most counterfeited cards on the planet. If it was real, why not spend the few bucks to get it authenticated? It will increase the selling price by more than the grading fee.

Anyone who bids on this card is a fool.

Brian48

I have not heard of a single account in which a Topps 79-80 Gretzky was found to be counterfeit. Trimmed or tampered with, maybe, but never counterfeited. Why bother, they are so common. It's the OPC version that commands all the attention.

Crusader765

Well, I wouldn't buy an OPC unless it was from an extremely reputable seller, but I was just wondering how common it was for the topps version to be faked. Of course the cards are similiar which makes things even more confusing.

I would say there is about a 20 percent chance of this particularly listing being a fraud, still too high for many, but not as obvious as most fake listings on ebay.

No the Topps card is not in as high demand as the OPC, but it's still quite a valuable card and many have been sold on ebay for the prices I mentioned.

Knuckles

I've owned handfuls of the OPC and Topps Gretzky RC's. I think the price of $200 is bang on for this particular one and that the card is real from appearance of the back. I think the price is correct because the vertical centering is poor and there appears to be a air bubble on the right front edge directly across from his shoulder. I've had a few with this same problem along the same edge.


Edited.. I wanted to add that the person selling the card states that it has 50/50 centering when it clearly isn't 50/50.. You have to wonder if the card really does have creases or not etc..

Brian48

It's funny you mention the air bubble. I've 3 Topps Gretzkys and the bubble is present on one of them. Valuable card or not (according to the "book"), the Topps version is just not commanding a lot of money these days unless they're in absolute, perfect condition.

Crusader765

There haven't been many psas sold in January, but a psa 7 sold for $330 the day before Xmas. They aren't hot like OPCs, but they will sell, even if they aren't an 8 or 9.

As far as this card, the vertical centering is not very good, but the horizontal centering is better than I have seen with many psa 8s (even though it may not quite be 50/50). I still think a psa 7 would be a good bet, which a chance for being an 8.

rvc

i think this card will most likely be qualified off centered.

Crusader765

I don't know about that, I have seen a lot of cards offcentered pretty badly vertically without getting a qualifier, if the horizontal is decent. Centering either way still will effect the overall grade though.

In any case, you have to love sellers who set their reserve price like 15 dollars below their buy it now price....why bother having a real auction.

rvc

i have submitted plenty of 1979 topps hockey and that will be graded (OC) . if anyone buys that card and receives an 8 please contact me .