Ex-pitcher seeks $723,000 in damages
Gemmy10
Posts: 2,990 ✭
Gemmy10
Posts: 2,990 ✭
Gemmy10
Posts: 2,990 ✭
Comments
As for the allegations, if they are true, then Steiner should be hung by his fingernails until he coughs up the dough.
GG
Before you think 10 cents/card is too low, look at hot wheels cars. They make those things and they sell at target for 70 cents each and everyone is making money on those every step of the way as well.
Well said, well spoken.
"Chevy Chase" Seems Like Old Times
Julen
RIP GURU
<< <i>What your forgetting is that the autographs sell the price gauging packs. If you get one autograph per 30 packs, you still have to buy $100 worth of crap to get the auto, which as you said is worth crap. How much do you think it costs Topps to make 150 cards in a $100 box? Lets say 10 cents a card (probably too high). So $15 bucks in actual cost plus $12 for an auto to throw in and your at $27. They sell it to whosalers/dealers for $65/box then they sell it at retail for $100, or $75 on ebay. So Topps makes 200%, the dealer makes 50% and the old ball player gets $12 for about 2 seconds of time. Looks like everyone is happy to me... except the sucker that paid $100 for filler and a Branca autograph.
GG
Before you think 10 cents/card is too low, look at hot wheels cars. They make those things and they sell at target for 70 cents each and everyone is making money on those every step of the way as well. >>
GG
I don't need to be an apologist for the card companies and I know you were just trying to make a point on the modern cards but don't you think your "profit model" for Topps, e.g., is missing like a few "overhead" elements?
If it were only that simple.
mike
<< <i>What your forgetting is that the autographs sell the price gauging packs. If you get one autograph per 30 packs, you still have to buy $100 worth of crap to get the auto, which as you said is worth crap. How much do you think it costs Topps to make 150 cards in a $100 box? Lets say 10 cents a card (probably too high). So $15 bucks in actual cost plus $12 for an auto to throw in and your at $27. They sell it to whosalers/dealers for $65/box then they sell it at retail for $100, or $75 on ebay. So Topps makes 200%, the dealer makes 50% and the old ball player gets $12 for about 2 seconds of time. Looks like everyone is happy to me... except the sucker that paid $100 for filler and a Branca autograph.
GG
Before you think 10 cents/card is too low, look at hot wheels cars. They make those things and they sell at target for 70 cents each and everyone is making money on those every step of the way as well. >>
Bottom line is, if money wasn't being made they wouldn't bother.
GG
The pack opening demons got me again at the gas station, still no parallel or anything good. someday it will happen with a single pack purchase... someday.
Anyone else find this comment by Brandon Steiner totally obscene?
Basically, he's saying they make twice as much as the player doing the signing!
If this comment is true, I guarantee you that I will NEVER buy anything from Steiner!
Steve
Again, I wish it were than ez.
mike
GG
<< <i>"When I do a deal with a player like Yogi Berra, I might give Yogi $32 a ball and we then sell the ball for $100," Steiner said. "That's how the business works."
Anyone else find this comment by Brandon Steiner totally obscene?
Basically, he's saying they make twice as much as the player doing the signing!
If this comment is true, I guarantee you that I will NEVER buy anything from Steiner!
Steve >>
How much would you pay for 250 Yogi SS Balls? $10k ($32 per auto, $8/ball) sounds like a fairly strong price...how quick do you think they sell at $100?
Everyone thinks in terms of buying on ball for $40, selling it on ebay for $60, and making the profit less a few commissions. The overhead that makes it possible to purchase at $40 is prohibitive for most.
If you think the markup in autographs is bad, you should see other businesses. And don't get started on card manufacturing - the royalties alone are probably near your $15/box.
<< <i>you are right Mike. Its like the people that complain about paying 1.49 for a Coke at a restaurant even though the actual product only costs 6 cents. despite this guaging 50% of restaurants fail within one year. More proof of Mike's statement that its not quite so EZ.
GG >>
GG
From the sports arena here's another one - in 1993 Joe D. signed his first bats in years - it commemorated the 1941 56 game hitting streak - the bats were numbered to 1941 - Joe got, according to SCD, a grand for each bat signing - that's close to 2 million for doing what we all do for free every day - sign our name.
The bats premiered on QVC or HSN, can't remember for 3995$! I was astonished when they were introduced - at the time I didn't know how much Joe was getting. I thought, anyone that would pay 4 grand must have had more money than brains.
A woman called up and was purchasing TWO to put away to "fund" her boy's college education.
I have seen these bats - now totally on a secondary market - having been "dumped" for as low as $1400 bucks.
Based on previous concepts - they were making 4X what Joe got - ya sure gotta feel sorry for poor wittle Joey?
mike
<< <i>Come guys - if Berra got 32 bucks for a 100$ retail - He is making out like a bandit. They don't make twice as much as he - they now have 68$ remaining from the cost of his service. Now, go buy the baseballs, pay rent, insurance, electricity, other labor, bookkeeper/CPA fees, office equipment, and about another zillion things that come unexpectedly up when you run a business....everytime I turn around another computer, phone or piece of equipment is aging and requiring repair or replacement.
Again, I wish it were than ez.
mike >>
You are correct Mike. I hadn't paused to consider the inherent costs that companies like Steiner incur. When I read that quote in the article, it just really struck me as wrong and disgusting. After reading your comments though, I do understand it better.....but it still seems an awful steep markup
Steve
The other option is to buy an autographed Yogi ball for $50 and not know if it's real or not. That seems like a more expensive proposition.
<< <i>Steiner has built a strong reputation in the market for delivering authentic, quality product. That sense of security also has a value that is included in the price of the ball, along with all the other business overhead.
The other option is to buy an autographed Yogi ball for $50 and not know if it's real or not. That seems like a more expensive proposition. >>
Excellent point Frank
In the world of selling product - whether it be a service or tangible, the focus is on value - when this tenet is satisfied, everything else falls into place.
The key to Steiner's value attribute is "peace of mind" - you know the item it good and if it costs a few extra bucks - no problem. If the price is too high? Then the fee exceeds the perceived value and...No Sale.
mike
edit: the KEY cost I left out: Advertising - both internal and external advertising costs a bundle and the return on the investment is not always what one would expect.