1985 Topps Football Commons

sbiller1

Hi,

I'm a new member of the forum and am in the process of getting a significant portion of my collection graded with the intent of selling.

I searched the forum but couldn't find an answer to this question. I'm in the process of sending a bulk order into PSA for grading. My submission includes a number of 1985 Topps Football cards featured in the SMR (e.g., Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, etc.). I also have about 500 additional 1985 Topps Football commons. Most of them are in PSA 7-10 condition. I know this is a tough set from a grading perspective but I've already sent in a number of cards and received a few 9's back (on Marino for instance).

What do you suggest I do with the better looking commons? Should I sent them in on a bulk order? From scanning through ebay completed listings, it appears that its hit or miss whether I would get back the grading fee. Should I sell them raw on ebay?

Thanks for your advice,
Sam

VintageJeff

I would try to sell them privately, through this board or others before hitting the bay with them. If they won't get at least an 8 your wasting your time and most of the time the 8's are worthless also. If it looks like a 9 or 10 i'd send it in. Contact the top registry guys and see if they may be interested.

sbiller1

Jeff,

Thanks for the quick reply. So far I've been fortunate on ebay getting close to the SMR posted value for most of my listings. I will do as you suggest regarding contacting set registry individuals to offer up the cards.

-Sam

Stingray

Axtell comes to mind. I already PM this thread.


Stingray

Wow Mcfadden a pop of 1 for PSA 8? There are some low PSA 8 pops in that set!

Axtell

Thanks sting for the PM.

I am assembling a set in 8-9, with the focus being on the stars in 9. If you do end up doing a bulk order, please let me know. Buying without you having to pay ebay fees works out for both parties.

sbiller1

Thanks Axtell. I will let you know as soon as my grades come back from PSA.

-Sam

sixdart

With the exception of the 'popular' team collectors, any PSA 9 cards with a population higher than (5) will provide little profit. I would only submit the lower population commons. Most high population stars will sell for grading fees+, and the low pop stars can sell for a premium - such as Elway, Payton, Dickerson and Marino.

The most difficult teams with tough cards are the ...

Record Breakers ( exception: Marino )

Checklists - very difficult ... no PSA 9s!

Bears ( especially: Dent (RC), Payton & Singletary )

Cowboys ( exception: Dorsett )

Packers ( exception: Dickey & Flynn )

Vikings

Giants ( exception: Simms & Taylor )

Buccaneers

Bills

Colts

Seahawks ( exception: Largent )

There are several registry members who will fill in gaps with PSA 8s, or, don't mind having them in their sets. However, they average $2-3 dollars. There are some cards in the set no higher than a PSA 8.

To save on EBAY fees, contact the registry set members directly with the cards once graded - most sets are viewable. EBAY can be hit or miss? As always, timing is everything. DSL has a huge batch and listed and this follows Chris C Allenn's auctions prior to the National. If you are going to list on EBAY, wait until there is a slow period on this set. Prices seem to be at a premium when there's new blood in the set.

What's your Ebay id?

Marcus

sbiller1

Wow... a lot of good information.

Thanks,
Sam

My ebay id is sbillertpa