PSA Complete Sets Not Selling So Well?

detroitfan2

Hi fellow PSA set collectors,

I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the lack of sales for the following completely PSA graded sets which have ended recently on ebay (I know the 1974 and 1955 owners are fellow board members):

1974 Topps Master PSA 8.09
1953 Topps PSA 6.02
1955 Topps PSA 6/7

I'm a little surprised at the lack of interest in these sets, especially the 1974 and 1953 sets. The 1974 set could not get a bid at 63% of SMR, and if my math is correct, the minimum bid wouldn't even cover grading fees.

The 1953 set SMRs about $15,650 in PSA 6 (which this set averaged), and its bid reached about 61% of this.

And finally, the 1955 set did the best, reaching about 75% of the seller's claimed SMR, but not meeting reserve.

Any thoughts on these? Anyone even surprised? Anything to learn here? I'm surprised that even dealer's weren't showing some interest in the 1974 and 1953 sets, as it appears the break-up value would be good. Maybe people just aren't interested in buying whole sets but would instead rather build it (as my 4 year old daughter would say) "by their own selves".

Most of all, I'm just curious what others think.

Peace,

Tom

Lothar52

who knows....most people dont have the cash to throw 15000 in one lump sum..but could do it over a year or 2...as in building the set...its best to sell a little at a time....not at all once..and in seperate single card auctions....it stinks the work of actually putting a set together goes unrewarded.

loth

ABBAdad

I noticed the '74 set and was disheartened about the lack of interest because that is one of the sets that I'm building. If I hadn't spent so much $$ on cards this month, I would have been tempted to buy it, insert my 9s inplace of some 8s and tried to upgrade it. It certainly looks like from an investment standpoint, 9s are the way to go with the '74s, but I just don't know at this point. I'm not sure who the seller is, but if you read this, PM me, because I'd like to talk to you about the set. Thanks.

David

mmoin

The '74 is mainly because SMR doesn't reflect the values on that set very well, IMO. The other two likely had significantly higher bids that did not reach reserve.

Andrew

detroitfan2

Andrew,

Good point on the reserves for the 1953 and 1955 sets. I forgot about that possibility. Also, I was wondering if SMR was a bit out of date on the 1974's, but at about $5.50 per card, I still am a bit surprised.

Thanks,

Tom

jrdolan

If I wanted a complete set, I would want to build it. That's most of the fun, the thrill of the chase. Selling off hardly ever recoups your money, especially if you spent any significant amount on grading. Unless you've been sitting on the set for 10 years or more!

WinPitcher

It is a hobby, most that want sets want to build them.

SD

mmoin

Sorry, I'm working on only about 5 hours of sleep, so I might sound somewhat muddled in these posts.

I think a lot of the reason the '74 set didn't sell is that the main value of purchasing a mid-70's or later set is cherrypicking the huge value cards and any cards that have a shot at a 9 or 10. The main audience who would generally be in the market for this kind of fully graded set are those who would want to break it up and flip it. Given the low prices 8's fetch on ebay, the listing fees/paypal might kill the profitability potential, even if SMR isn't too far off the mark.

Also, since this set is nowhere near the top of the registry, even deep pocketed folks who are looking to upgrade wouldn't really be in the market to buy it. Basically, there are good reasons why each potential audience for this set might want to pass on it.

Andrew

Carew29

I would have the same problem trying to sell my Carew Master Set. I would make more money selling it individually than on the whole, unless i find another Rod Carew fan.

Fuzz

Just a couple of quick opinions on these.
The 50's stuff is large $ at one time "collectors" sets. I believe that people willing to slosh around 10k plus at a time will be targeting higher GPA's. The lower GPA's will probably be much better broken up where many more collectors would be able to compete for their needs.
On the 70's stuff, I think we have all see that 8's just don't have much value. Certainly 75's and 76's have proven to be that case. By the time you hit 72 or later, I think it will only be the 9's that will hold longer term value. BUt smart collectors could step in and pick up some nice cards (8's that is) for a song.
Fuzz

IJustLoveCards

I have built the 1955 set a few times, as well as the 75, 60, and 59 set..While I agree some of the sets are easier and can be put together below smr, I will bet any person on this board that they cannot build the 1955 topps set in an all psa 7 NO Qualifer degree for 75% OF FULL SMR = $15,077 X .75 = $11,307.00.

You can have 6 months from today to do so.

I need to see all sales prices, from sources I can verify, plus shipping costs, if you get any raw graded, grading fees + shipping costs to psa count as well..and I need to see the sub numbers.

I will then buy the whole set from you for full smr which is $15,077.00 which means a profit for you of $3769.00..

I assure you there is NO WAY this can be done..

this whole smr set, vs individual cards is a joke in some of the sets..

the real reason is.. you need 2 people who want the set, and are willing to pay for it, and most people on ebay (not all) dont have the ability to stroke a check for 12-15K without the wife balking.

So, the challenge is open...you can't have any cards in your possesion as of right now, just pm me if you want to do this..

so, here it is...$3769.00 for you....just put together a 100% 1955 topps straight psa 7 no qualifier set and you have 6 months to do it..

so dont write and say this and that..I am putting up cold hard cash..vs just words..

good luck...because you cant do it.

jrdolan

An intriguing challenge. No doubt there are many commons and minor stars that might be found for 75% of SMR, but the whole 1955 set on average? Not when the big dogs -- Williams, Koufax, Clemente, Killer, Aaron, Mays, Robinson, Snider etc. -- often sell for SMR or better in a PSA holder. Most of the money in the set is tied up in those guys plus some tough commons that sell for multiples of SMR. So I agree it can't be done.

But I still think that most people who decide they want a complete set make that decision because they want to work on it rather than buy it all at once. Financial considerations are a big part, as well as the joy of building the set. The average collector can afford a couple commons a week, or a star card once a month, but simply cannot consider the idea of a five-figure purchase -- balky wife or not.

Of course there are well-heeled guys (and gals) who scoop up complete vintage sets like we buy single vintage cards, but their numbers are small -- the older and more expensive the set, the smaller the market of those who might buy it. And some of 'em are dealer / speculator types whose motivation is breaking up the set for profit. Therefore paying full SMR for all 206 cards, or even 85%, is not going to work for them. That makes the list of target buyers even smaller.

I'm not sure eBay is the right place to find that very small market of people who will pay full SMR for a complete vintage set. A catalog auction will have a much larger percentage of its audience in the desired group than eBay will. Probably worth the stiff selling fee to go that way. I wouldn't feel that way about a single card (unless it's exceedingly valuable), but I would about a set.

Stingray

<< <i>I'm not sure eBay is the right place to find that very small market of people who will pay full SMR for a complete vintage set. A catalog auction will have a much larger percentage of its audience in the desired group than eBay will. Probably worth the stiff selling fee to go that way. I wouldn't feel that way about a single card (unless it's exceedingly valuable), but I would about a set. >>



Good point there. I have always wondered price wise if you were better off paying the selling fee in order to place it in a auction house. I would think you would get the bigger guns out to bid.

Stingray

bobsbbcards

I don't snatch up vintage sets like other people buy single cards, but I do look for complete sets to buy--vintage and modern. I prefer to buy complete sets with graded stars and raw commons (in similar or better condition) because I don't have the room (nor the desire) to store hundreds and hundreds of slabs. I can't imagine trying to put together any complete set a card at a time since my focus is on literally thousands of sets. Most of these sets are just a few dollars a piece. On my desk right now is a 1983 Granny Goose A's set with tabs, a 1980 TCMA '59 Dodgers set, a 1971 Fleer WS Extension set, a 1975 Topps Mini set, a 1987 Jiffy Pop set, a 1982 Roy Rogers Yankees lids set, a 1976 A&P Royals set, and a 1954 Topps set.

If I had to buy these sets a card at a time, I'd go bonkers.

Bob

P.S. I'd also be more than willing to buy a complete PSA 7 1955 Topps set (with newer cert numbers) for SMR.

67ToppsRule

67ToppsRule

It seems to me that, as some others have said, many of the collectors on eBay are interested in buying single graded cards to put together their own sets....There was recently a beautiful fully graded set registery 75 set on eBay for just under $8K, and it too went unsold....If you're selling a set like that, I think the right venue may be somewhere other than eBay, such as with some of the bigger auction houses, like Mile High or Mastro or some of the others (you know the usual suspects)....Sometimes even there, however, a complete set doesn't sell -- a few months ago, Sotheby's tried to move a 52 set that was all PSA 8, but could not reach the reserve, which I think was $50K..In that case, I wondered if Sotheby's was just not the right audience for cards -- they tend to like rarer memorabilia..It seems that if you want to sell one of these sets, you've got to sell it one card at a time -- and suffer all the eBay fees -- or through a big auction, and pay a large percentage. It's unfortunate, because you most likely won't get full value out of the deal. Other options: sell privately to another collector, or sell it off in unusual lots: each star individually, then groups of commons, groups of team cards, etc....It's too bad for those of us assembling these sets, but, like someone said, the fun of assembling the set is a big part of why we do it.....

...............................

working on 67 Topps all PSA 7 and 8 right now
completed 57 Topps, stars graded mostly 5s and 6s, a few 7s

coachh

A few months ago I listed my 1963 Fleer baseball partail set on eBay. I had a starting bid of just under 60% of SMR and a Buy it Now of approx 75% of SMR. These percentages are in relation to the cards that did not have qualifiers and I was thrownig in 7 or 8 cards with qualifiers including a checklist in 5(mk). The auction received no bids.

I then placed the cards on eBay 1 at a time, listing about 10 each week. My total sales after eBay and Paypal took their part was 87% of SMR. The cards were all PSA 6's and 7's.

IJustLoveCards

below is some interesting data on the 55 topps baseball set

I have compiled over the years the sales prices for cards in various sets on ebay.

It helps me determine ( not to an exact science) approx what I could expect a particular card to go for on ebay, thus helping me with my bids.

I thru out a very low winning bid and a very high bid becuse in some cases 2 snipes were set and the bid went so high it really wasnt a true representation of the cards real average selling price.

Now before you all jump on me, there will be cards that you will be able to cite examples where you may get the card a few dollars cheaper, and i will be able to cite where the card is actually more expensive.
so i think this a true fair representation of a cards value.

I am NOT taking into the cost associated with buying these cards the shipping which we all know will avg. 3.00 per card so we can really add 600.00 to the bottom line.

here are the numbers...

assuming you can buy the cards at the so called 75% of smr you will have invested $11,307.00 into this set, and the true cost ( avg.) to put this set together is 17,323.00 not including shipping..so that means you are putting the set together $6,016.00 lower than the avg cost..this is why it can't be done..

here are the numbers:

Card # /Player /SMR/ Avg. Sale Price on Ebay
1 Dusty Rhodes 125 125
2 Ted Williams (HOF) 600 525
3 Art Fowler 32 350
4 Al Kaline (HOF) 175 175
5 Jim Gilliam 65 85
6 Stan Hack (mgr) 38 41
7 Jim Hegan 32 75
8 Hal Smith 32 125
9 Bob Miller 32 20
10 Bob Keegan 32 125
11 Ferris Fain 32 100
12 Jake Theis 32 24
13 Fred Marsh 32 21
14 Jim Finigan 32 42
15 Jim Pendleton 32 27
16 Roy Sievers 32 65
17 Bobby Hofman 32 24
18 Russ Kemmerer 32 26
19 Billy Herman (HOF) 50 170
20 Andy Carey 32 175
21 Alex Grammas 32 24
22 Bill Skowron 50 42
23 Jack Parks 32 21
24 Hal Newhouser 65 125
25 Johnny Podres 70 87
26 Dick Groat 60 52
27 Billy Gardner 32 21
28 Ernie Banks (HOF) 230 208
29 Herman Wehmeier 32 27
30 Vic Power 32 74
31 Warren Spahn 125 131
32 Ed McGhee 32 27
33 Tom Qualters 32 24
34 Wayne Terwilliger 32 28
35 Dave Jolly 32 24
36 Leo Kiley 32 39
37 Joe Cunningham 32 24
38 Bob Turley 45 36
39 Bill Glynn 32 51
40 Don Hoak 32 28
41 Chuck Stobbs 32 24
42 Windy McCall 32 22
43 Harvey Haddix 38 33
44 Corky Valentine 32 28
45 Hank Sauer 38 35
46 Ted Kazanski 32 24
47 Hank Aaron (HOF) 350 319
48 Bob Kennedy 32 23
49 J.W. Porter 32 41
50 Jackie Robinson 350 308
51 Jim Hughes 32 26
52 Bill Tremel 32 21
53 Bill Taylor 32 22
54 Lou Limmer 32 26
55 Rip Repulski 32 26
56 Ray Jablonski 32 23
57 Billy O'Dell 32 24
58 Jim Rivera 32 84
59 Gair Allie 32 24
60 Dean Stone 32 23
61 Spook Jacobs 32 23
62 Thornton Kipper 32 26
63 Joe Collins 38 190
64 Gus Triandos (R) 30 57
65 Ray Boone 38 32
66 Ron Jackson 32 28
67 Wally Moon 38 27
68 Jim Davis 32 23
69 Ed Bailey 32 24
70 Al Rosen 38 47
71 Ruben Gomez 32 25
72 Karl Olson 32 24
73 Jack Shepard 32 24
74 Bob Borkowski 32 23
75 Sandy Amoros (R) 70 64
76 Howie Pollet 32 24
77 Arnold Portocarrero 32 26
78 Gordon Jones 32 24
79 Danny Schell 32 24
80 Bob Grim (R) 38 44
81 Gene Conley 32 27
82 Chuck Harmon 32 29
83 Tom Brewer 32 41
84 Camilo Pascual (R) 38 36
85 Don Mossi (R) 38 39
86 Bill Wilson 32 21
87 Frank House 32 24
88 Bob Skinner (R) 38 33
89 Joe Frazier 32 38
90 Karl Spooner 32 27
91 Milt Bolling 32 26
92 Don Zimmer (R) 75 84
93 Steve Bilko 32 26
94 Reno Bertoia 32 29
95 Preston Ward 32 23
96 Charlie Bishop 32 24
97 Carlos Paula 32 26
98 Johnny Riddle 32 26
99 Frank Leja 32 35
100 Monte Irvin (HOF) 75 120
101 Johnny Gray 32 25
102 Wally Westlake 32 21
103 Charlie White 32 24
104 Jack Harshman 32 26
105 Chuck Diering 32 24
106 Frank Sullivan 32 150
107 Curt Roberts 32 31
108 Rube Walker 32 26
109 Ed Lopat 50 64
110 Gus Zernial 32 26
111 Bob Milliken 32 23
112 Nelson King 32 24
113 Harry Brecheen 32 27
114 Lou Ortiz 32 29
115 Ellis Kinder 32 24
116 Tom Hurd 32 29
117 Mel Roach 32 24
118 Bob Purkey 32 23
119 Bob Lennon 32 28
120 Ted Kluszewski 80 87
121 Bill Renna 32 27
122 Carl Sawatski 32 29
123 Sandy Koufax 700 754
124 Harmon Killebrew 300 296
125 Ken Boyer (R) 100 103
126 Dick Hall 32 31
127 Dale Long (R) 38 43
128 Ted Lepcio 32 29
129 Elvin Tappe 32 26
130 Mayo Smith 32 27
131 Grady Hatton 32 24
132 Bob Trice 32 26
133 Dave Hoskins 32 29
134 Joe Jay 32 26
135 Johnny O'Brien 32 27
136 Bunky Stewart 32 26
137 Harry Elliott 32 28
138 Ray Herbert 32 24
139 Steve Kraly 32 29
140 Mel Parnell 32 24
141 Tom Wright 32 26
142 Jerry Lynch 32 24
143 Dick Schofield 32 29
144 Joe Amaltifano 32 27
145 Elmer Valo 32 25
146 Dick Donovan 32 29
147 Laurin Pepper 32 28
148 Hal Brown 32 27
149 Ray Crone 32 28
150 Mike Higgins (mgr) 32 29
151 Red Kress 38 36
152 Harry Agganis (R) 125 174
153 Bud Podbielan 38 31
154 Willie Miranda 38 32
155 Eddie Matthews 150 148
156 Joe Black 75 94
157 Bob MIller 38 32
158 Tom Carroll 38 58
159 Johnny Schmitz 38 32
160 Ray Narelski 38 36
161 Chuck Tanner (R) 70 84
162 Joe Coleman 60 76
163 Faye Throneberry 60 73
164 Roberto Clemente 1900 2043
165 Don Johnson 60 67
166 Hank Bauer 75 68
167 Tom Casagrande 60 69
168 Duane Pillette 60 94
169 Bob Oldis 60 62
170 Jim Pearce 60 43
171 Dick Brodowski 60 73
172 Frank Baumholtz 60 43
173 Bob Kline 60 71
174 Rudy Minarcin 60 47
176 Norm Zauchin 60 105
177 Jim Robertson 60 89
178 Bobby Adams 60 134
179 Jim Bolger 60 102
180 Clem Labine 75 104
181 Roy McMIllan 60 123
182 Humberto Robinson 60 63
183 Tony Jacobs 60 127
184 Harry Perkowski 60 53
185 Don Farrarese 60 73
187 Gil Hodges 180 187
188 Charlie Silvera 60 53
189 Phil Rizzuto (HOF) 200 198
190 Gene Woodling 70 123
191 Ed Stanky (mgr) 70 89
192 Jim Delsing 60 154
193 Johnny Sain (HOF) 75 109
194 Willie Mays (HOF) 700 654
195 Ed Roebuck (R) 70 143
196 Gale Wade 60 102
197 Al Smith 70 107
198 Yogi Berra (HOF) 300 303
199 Bert Hamric 60 94
200 Jack Jensen 75 64
201 Sherm Lollar 70 144
202 Jim Owens 60 142
204 Frank Smith 60 123
205 Gene Freese (R) 70 158
206 Pete Daley 60 89
207 Bill Consolo 60 136
208 Ray Moore 60 127
210 Duke Snider (HOF) 675 748
$15,077.00 $17,323.00

dude

I think there are a lot of reason why these didn't sell. Here are a few off the top of my head:

1. Summer is typically the worst time to sell. Why? I'm not sure.

2. All of these sets are on the threshold of where collectors debate if cards from these years in these conditions need graded. Many collectors would rather not pay for the grading of cards in these conditions, especially the commons and use the money for other cards. If the GPA was 1.0 higher in all three cases, the interest and price would change drastically. Many dealers would even consider buying those sets for breakup value if the price is right.

3. Many of the old, deep pocketed collectors don't use eBay or don't trust it for transactions over $500.

4. The majority of collectors just don't have that much money to flop down for one transaction.

5. eBay is so big that unless a person is looking for a set like this, they probably won't even see it. I never saw these sets until now.

6. I agree with others - collectors enjoy the chase, and also selecting each card in a discriminating way. Many advance collectors who buy complete sets (raw or graded), have a pre-purchase expectation of upgrading a certain portion of the set and therefore will not pay top dollar.

kuntryboy

Very good discussion. There have been some valid points, and some not so valid.

Here's the deal, folks.

The 1974 set didn't sell because 1970's graded is dead. You can thank PSA for that -- due to gradeflation, as well as dirt cheap rates for the high volume junk submitters.

As for the 1950's complete graded sets, an auction house is not necessary. There are buyers, and plenty of them, on eBay for complete graded sets from the 1950's at SMR or higher. The reality is that the 1953 and 1955 sets didn't sell because of the consumer's lack of confidence in the sellers that were offering them. Both are hobby unknowns -- primarily buyers of $30-$100 cards -- with absolutely no history of selling expensive items. This matters a great deal when attempting to sell a 5 figure item.

Fabfrank

All of these sets are on the threshold of where collectors debate if cards from these years in these conditions need graded. Many collectors would rather not pay for the grading of cards in these conditions, especially the commons and use the money for other cards. If the GPA was 1.0 higher in all three cases, the interest and price would change drastically. Many dealers would even consider buying those sets for breakup value if the price is right.

Dude, you hit the nail on the head. Too many 7's in the 74 set. 8's are okay put 9's are the preferred grade. The 50's sets are more collector sets in the 6 grade. Good value, but the typical buyer of this type of card is not going to drop $10 grand in one shot on cards. Plus the 50's listing could have been marketed better. More pics and a tighter description would have helped spur interest.

67ToppsRule

So where is the best place to sell such a set? I agree that track record is huge when selling these things on eBay, and I agree that some of the big spenders would rather buy elsewhere. In fact, I often choose to buy elsewhere rather than eBay for exactly the same reason. So who is the best choice for selling such a set. You look at all the auction houses in the front of the PSA magazine, and they all seem to have their pros and cons. I'd love to hear from anyone who's ever used one to sell a major set...

Stingray

<< <i>The 1974 set didn't sell because 1970's graded is dead. You can thank PSA for that -- due to gradeflation, as well as dirt cheap rates for the high volume junk submitters. >>



That is fine for me, because that means as a buyer I can get my cards cheaper. As I have stated before, I am not concernced on the population issue that much. If there are 100 graded PSA 9s in 1975 of Joe Smoe, then it will not be that hard of a card to obtain, therefore I will not have to pay out the nose for it. I only care at this point of completing my set, not selling it, yes I would like it to retain some of its value, but what I can sell it for right now is not of my concern, only that I can complete it as cheaply as possible. JMO.


Stingray

dakota

Kuntryboy,
You pointed out that the posts before yours contained both valid and not so valid points.Your post is filled with the same. You were dead on about Psa to blame for the gradeflation and the high volume junk submitters ie DSL,4 sharp,Sirius,etc. but I dont believe that 70s graded is dead.In fact I know its not. It just depends on the card and the grade. 8s for the most part are not gonna cut it with the exception of 71s.
All of the sets being discussed here are nice and we all wouldnt mind owning them but to pony up the cash they all would of needed to be of higher grade.
Ijustlovecards is correct in saying his challenge would be a very difficult task if not impossible but an all Psa 7 set vs the 55 set that was for sale (6s and 7s) are two different beasts.
If you look at the desciption and feedback for the 55 and 74 sets that were offered I dont know how you could put a better auction than that up. And the sellers are certainly solid. So not a valid point there.
People like building sets cause its a hobby and they enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Its not the stock market,real estate, or an IRA .
cardboard surrounded by plastic is only worth what one person wants to buy it for
have fun

IJustLoveCards

dakota,



just want to clarify one point you made..
as far as comparison purposes my point wasnt to compare the 1955 psa 6/7 set on ebay vs. a complete 1955 psa 7 set..the argurment has been made way to often that sets can be built for 75% of smr and I just dont agree with that. Maybe some can but I know some can't. The 6/7 set (I can only remark on that set becuse I know the set very well vs. the 2 others whereas I am not to familiar with those sets), was very well priced with the high numbers it had, stars, and tougher pop cards in it. By my estimation the set had an smr of 12,400.00, and a true cost basis based on my data of $13,100.00 if purchased individually, therefore, at $9300.00 (top bid) it was $3800.00 below the real value on single purchases of those cards thru ebay.

truly a good value.

dakota

agreed they cant. Even when talking about a dead 70s set. Just ask the 72 bunch if its real easy to put that set together for well under SMR or how about just putting it together period.
Unfortunately its sad that the final prices realized (even with the smokin hi end sets) doesnt reflect all the time,labor,shipping costs, and in some cases traveling, work it takes to put something like these sets together.

dakota

Clarification,
i wasnt calling the 72 set dead. Just borrowing the term dead 70s, meaning all of the 70s.
Dont wanna offend the 72 bunch.

jrdolan

I don't think 1970s graded is dead, but I sure wish 4SC and DSL etc. would run out of vending cases soon. I'm getting tired of seeing PSA 9s and 10s that I paid an arm and a leg for a year ago sell for relative peanuts today because the mega-submitters have a nonstop stream of perfect 1970s material running to Newport Beach and back.

IJustLoveCards ... I don't dispute your point about the economic smarts of buying an entire set as opposed to buying every card in that set individually. Heck, you save hundreds in shipping alone, as you stated. But I stand by my points that most collectors don't have the juice to do it in one shot, and most collectors would rather do the project themselves. That leaves a small target audience. After all, the real joy is not having the set, it's building it from the ground up. Unless, as I said, someone views sets like I view single cards, and completing a group of sets is a project in itself.

dakota

JR,
The trip to Psa is not very far for DSL. They probably could walk them over on their lunch break.

IJustLoveCards

<< <i>JR,
The trip to Psa is not very far for DSL. They probably could walk them over on their lunch break. >>





Elf on bottom:
Boy these cards are heavy

Elf on Top:
Its only one block, we do this everyday, you should be used to it by now..

BarkusD

Probably not the right place to sell it, but I have a PSA graded 74 set (missing 5 common cards) that I would like to sell. All of the cards are PSA 8, except for 23 PSA 9s (including two Washingtons, Fisk and some low pops) and a PSA 10 World Series card. The Cost is $3,200 delivered. Send me a PM or email to Barkusd@gtlaw.com if you are interested.

mcastaldi

Did anyone else notice that while the 74T was running on eBay, the same seller was running a boatload of 74T PSA9s at the same time? I wonder if this had an impact in the level of interest in the set.

Mike

gregm13

<< <i>Just a couple of quick opinions on these.
The 50's stuff is large $ at one time "collectors" sets. I believe that people willing to slosh around 10k plus at a time will be targeting higher GPA's. The lower GPA's will probably be much better broken up where many more collectors would be able to compete for their needs.
On the 70's stuff, I think we have all see that 8's just don't have much value. Certainly 75's and 76's have proven to be that case. By the time you hit 72 or later, I think it will only be the 9's that will hold longer term value. BUt smart collectors could step in and pick up some nice cards (8's that is) for a song.
Fuzz >>



Fuzz,

You make a great point. In my opinion, virtually anyone with $15k to spend will target a higher GPA than a straight 7 set. The typical collector trying to put together a PSA 7 set does so because he is on a fixed budget and can't afford to spend thousands of dollars in a short time frame. Personally, I'm trying to put together all main stream football sets from 1955 to 1974 in PSA 8 and 1975 to 1986 in PSA 9 (with an occasional 10 if it's cheap). I rarely buy PSA 9's for the Pre 75 sets because I can find high end 8's for a fraction of the PSA 9 price.

Regards,

Greg M.

Regards,

Greg M.

Buccaneer

There are a lot of great points here. Very informative as this hits close to home.

It seems the prevailing thought is to sell either a whole set or break it up individually. It is my preference, in buying and selling, to go with small lots. Not team lots but lots of 2-5 similar cards. I don't bother too much with individual commons, just not worth the time (but I will when I get closer to completion). The majority of my two big sets have been bought in small lots and for the sets I stopped working on, I managed to sell the cards in small lots for about the same price as what I had paid. I am talking about commons and minor stars, not star cards for such lots tend to be scarce and expensive.

NickM

The last 2 weeks before Labor Day are a very heavy time for vacations. I would bet that a lot of potential bidders never even saw the sets.

Nick

robr1967

Just my two cents, but I also assume that when someone is going to throw that much money at a set, they would want to do a high grade set.

I for one listed a mostly graded PSA 8 partial BB set on EBAY early last year. I listed it at $25K, and it did not draw a bid. Although, I did end up selling it off line then as well.

Futhermore, there could possibly be dealing brewing offline as well. Who knows, maybe they wanted to generate interest in the sets.

As for my personal opinion, If you are going to build any set in the 70's I think you need to do it mostly in PSA 9's to be able to get anything decent back out of your investment. Less of course the 1971 set. That is just very tough to do it that high grade.

Thoughts?

Rob Ruth

jackstraw

I would think its time for a company like PSA to come up with a sturdy rigid type holder. If they come up with some sort of holder that they can grade these comons at about a buck or 2 they would get a ton of cards from the 70's through the 2000's! what's more realistic a 1976 Topps set in one box with the Stars graded or completely graded set in 12 boxes never to be looked at,handled or seen?Its not a bad idea having the commons in a rigid then maybe in a plastic sheet for easy viewing. I guess its nice to have a complete graded set from maybe the 50's or 60's but an 82 Topps Set just seems more practicle in sheets with little line above it that says nm mt or mint and maybe a serial number on the back?

MorrellMan

Results of high dollar auctions with reserves are meaningless.

Buccaneer

<< <i>I would think its time for a company like PSA to come up with a sturdy rigid type holder. If they come up with some sort of holder that they can grade these comons at about a buck or 2 they would get a ton of cards from the 70's through the 2000's! what's more realistic a 1976 Topps set in one box with the Stars graded or completely graded set in 12 boxes never to be looked at,handled or seen?Its not a bad idea having the commons in a rigid then maybe in a plastic sheet for easy viewing. I guess its nice to have a complete graded set from maybe the 50's or 60's but an 82 Topps Set just seems more practicle in sheets with little line above it that says nm mt or mint and maybe a serial number on the back? >>



I think that is an excellent except that 80% (a guess) of the cost of grading is in labor, not materials.

LateBloomer

IJustLoveCards - Is your data all for PSA 7's?

Thanks,
Tom

oursler

Not the most trust worthy people bid on ebay, keep that in mind.

CardHunter