The Top Ten Dealers of 2005
Davalillo
Posts: 1,846 ✭✭
This is my fourth annual rating of the "Top Ten" dealers. Factors that go into this include a willingness to sell directly and bypass ebay,contacting me when they either have or are aware of cards I need, personal service(delivery of the cards to my home or office) and extension of credit. Just being a good ebay dealer is not good enough to make the list. Collectors are not eligible for this list.
Without further ado, here are my ten stars of 2005:
1)Brian Dwyer--I have not included Brian in the past because he was(and still is) a full-time student. But he still runs a full-time ebay business despite this(obc-spacktrack) so this year I am including him.
Brian is actually miles ahead of everyine else. Simply put, I could not even attempt to collect 150 or so graded sets without Brian's help. He is on top of all cards I need for my sets on ebay, we exchange e-mails daily about what to snipe; he regularly checks dealer websites for cards I need; he delivers the cards he buys every two weeks; and once per month or so he runs auctions for me of 50-100 cards(Cards I have upgraded).
Moreover, he is a terrific young man, is unquestionably honest, trustworthy, hard-working and diligent. I trust him implicitly. He is now handling most of the cards I buy on a regular basis.
And......he would do it all for free. He loves the hobby and is as passionate about me finishing vintage sets in 8 or 9 as I am.
2)Chris Porter--I have known Chris for years and what distinguishes him is that whenever he gets a lot of vintage cards in, he checks my sets and sells me what I need at reasonable prices. Chris also has extended credit to me for months and has resubmitted cards for me which is important. Chris seemed to have more cards for me when he was at Superior than at Lelands but he is still a great source of vintage cards for me.
3)Keith Abrams--Sold me a lot of 1953 Bowman Color and Black and White earlier this year when he was liquidating Chris Renaud's collection at fair prices. In 2004, he sold me much of Renaud's 1962 set. He has also bought my dupes(raw and graded), sold on ebay for me and often delivers the cards to me personally. If I am lucky, he brings his darling daughter Andie Haley with him.
4)Joe Drelich-Joe runs East Coast Sportscards and has in the past handled all of my PSA submissions. Not only have I been able to submit through Joe at an attractive price, but if he has the time Joe will review the cards and resubmit where he feels I can get an upgrade. He has done so with an amazingly high success ratio. Joe now has two young children and unfortunately for me does not have the time he used to have.
5)JP Cohen(Memory Lane)--JP has done two big things for me this year--given me five months credit on a large purchasec that allowed me to finish the 1933 Goudey Sports King set in psa 8 or better and provided market values of a large number of T206 and Sports King cards that allowed me to pull off the biggest graded card trade in history with Don Louchios.
6)Peter Lalos(Champs and Bums)--Spectacular inventory of cards, has given me months of credit on a large purchase and I have found him to be very fair on prices.
7)Mint State Inc--A new addition to my list, Rick finished my 1970 Topps set this year and has provided me with innumerable vintage football cards over the years.
8)Vic Stanley-Has been a big help in selling me vintage football cards I need at fair prices.
9)Mike Thomas--Helps me occasionally with my football sets and has started the 60s and now the 50s Football Olympics which helps make collecting fun.
10Tie_Mickey's-Mickey and Meg are fabulous. Very customer friendly, good inventory, fair on pricing and have extended credit.
10Tie-Steve Novella-It would be hard for me not to include Steve. While I have not bought cards from Steve in the past 2 years, I trust him and he calls from time to time to give me advice--and I call him from time to time to seek his advice.
Honorable Mention:
Wayne Varner
Kris Keppler
Andy Madec
Bill Goodwin
Kurt Coltrane
Brian Drent
Jim Crandell
Without further ado, here are my ten stars of 2005:
1)Brian Dwyer--I have not included Brian in the past because he was(and still is) a full-time student. But he still runs a full-time ebay business despite this(obc-spacktrack) so this year I am including him.
Brian is actually miles ahead of everyine else. Simply put, I could not even attempt to collect 150 or so graded sets without Brian's help. He is on top of all cards I need for my sets on ebay, we exchange e-mails daily about what to snipe; he regularly checks dealer websites for cards I need; he delivers the cards he buys every two weeks; and once per month or so he runs auctions for me of 50-100 cards(Cards I have upgraded).
Moreover, he is a terrific young man, is unquestionably honest, trustworthy, hard-working and diligent. I trust him implicitly. He is now handling most of the cards I buy on a regular basis.
And......he would do it all for free. He loves the hobby and is as passionate about me finishing vintage sets in 8 or 9 as I am.
2)Chris Porter--I have known Chris for years and what distinguishes him is that whenever he gets a lot of vintage cards in, he checks my sets and sells me what I need at reasonable prices. Chris also has extended credit to me for months and has resubmitted cards for me which is important. Chris seemed to have more cards for me when he was at Superior than at Lelands but he is still a great source of vintage cards for me.
3)Keith Abrams--Sold me a lot of 1953 Bowman Color and Black and White earlier this year when he was liquidating Chris Renaud's collection at fair prices. In 2004, he sold me much of Renaud's 1962 set. He has also bought my dupes(raw and graded), sold on ebay for me and often delivers the cards to me personally. If I am lucky, he brings his darling daughter Andie Haley with him.
4)Joe Drelich-Joe runs East Coast Sportscards and has in the past handled all of my PSA submissions. Not only have I been able to submit through Joe at an attractive price, but if he has the time Joe will review the cards and resubmit where he feels I can get an upgrade. He has done so with an amazingly high success ratio. Joe now has two young children and unfortunately for me does not have the time he used to have.
5)JP Cohen(Memory Lane)--JP has done two big things for me this year--given me five months credit on a large purchasec that allowed me to finish the 1933 Goudey Sports King set in psa 8 or better and provided market values of a large number of T206 and Sports King cards that allowed me to pull off the biggest graded card trade in history with Don Louchios.
6)Peter Lalos(Champs and Bums)--Spectacular inventory of cards, has given me months of credit on a large purchase and I have found him to be very fair on prices.
7)Mint State Inc--A new addition to my list, Rick finished my 1970 Topps set this year and has provided me with innumerable vintage football cards over the years.
8)Vic Stanley-Has been a big help in selling me vintage football cards I need at fair prices.
9)Mike Thomas--Helps me occasionally with my football sets and has started the 60s and now the 50s Football Olympics which helps make collecting fun.
10Tie_Mickey's-Mickey and Meg are fabulous. Very customer friendly, good inventory, fair on pricing and have extended credit.
10Tie-Steve Novella-It would be hard for me not to include Steve. While I have not bought cards from Steve in the past 2 years, I trust him and he calls from time to time to give me advice--and I call him from time to time to seek his advice.
Honorable Mention:
Wayne Varner
Kris Keppler
Andy Madec
Bill Goodwin
Kurt Coltrane
Brian Drent
Jim Crandell
0
Comments
Always looking for 1957 Topps BB in PSA 9!
Mike
<< <i>Can't forget Jeremy of The Football Card Store who has been terrific in helping me with my collection and the one and only Jay Wolt of Qualitycards. For hard to find stuff I must mention Levi707 and for vintage, Dave Levin is tops. >>
Ditto on Jeremy and Steve Hart - two class acts with whom I have spent more than I'd like to admit
Regards,
greg M.
References:
Onlychild, Ahmanfan, fabfrank, wufdude, jradke, Reese, Jasp, thenavarro
E-Bay id: greg_n_meg
Here's some of my favorites in no particular order:
Mickeys (tops in customer service)
QualityCards/Cavalcade of Stars (Jay Wolt)
Mark Wingard
707
Joe's Vintage Cards (Joe Yanello)
BBCEXCHANGE (Steve Hart)
Andie Haley (Keith Abrams)
At a recent major show I ran into a fellow who claimed to be a buyer for a high profile, deep pocketed collector. He didn't speak highly of MINTSTATEINC. and his client had parted ways with him under less than favorable circumstances.
Davalillo- I 'd be interested in hearing about the big trade with Louchios.
Very much my pleasure to work with the likes of you too.
Here's to many more in 2006!
Steve Hart gets my vote also, at shows, on eBay and in his web store; he has been solid for me.
And can you believe it Jim? Even you and I completed a transaction this year.
I know we've had differences of opinion, but I do appreciate your write up about your positive experiences this year.
I sent a detailed description of the trade to Frank Evanov(Mantlefan) who posted it on the LNTAS(Lets Not Talk About Sportscards) board.
Frank--if you have it or have access to it--or if any others have it--please send the thread to me and I will post it. Basically, he traded to me a number of 33 Goudey SK PSA 8s including Ruth, Cobb, Jones and many others for a number of low pop T206s which based on current market values was a six figure trade on both sides.
Jeremy,
Really? All you have to do is stop doing business with the evil empire and regularly check my sets on the registry and we could do a lot more. I'm a Christian and I've forgiven people who have done a lot worse than you.
Jim
Does he ever update his websight? His websight is ussually broken down as well, It is under my favorites in my computer and I have a tuff time getting to his selection.
Also does anybody know what the deal is with Block Sportscards? NEVER returns e-mails or messages, Im trying to purchase a big $$ card and they will NOT let me give them bussiness.
Thank you and sorry for getting off topic
* C. PASCUAL BASIC #3
* T. PEREZ BASIC #4 100%
* L. TIANT BASIC #1
* DRYSDALE BASIC #4 100%
* MAGIC MASTER #4/BASIC #3
* PALMEIRO MASTER/BASIC #1
* '65 DISNEYLAND #2
* '78 ELVIS PRESLEY #6
* '78 THREE'S COMPANY #1
WaltDisneyBoards
I have told Kris on numerous occasions that he should break out his new additions separately each month.
His inventory list is gigantic.
Kris is also a great guy.
There has been a lot written about Block Sportscards on this board in the past. I have no first hand knowledge but based on what has been written they would not be a candidate for my top ten.
Jim
I'd like to add Rich Caan from Icaancards to the list of outstanding dealers. Rich has played a major part in helping me build my 1971 Topps Hockey set (currently #1 on the registry). He has been more than fair with his pricing and has sold me quite a few cards which he could have sold for more on the bay.
DSL also deserves a spot on the list just for pure volume of problem free transactions. I've spent a small fortune with Shane this year and have not had 1 single problem.
JMO, Bob C.
61 Topps (100%) 7.96
62 Parkhurst (100%) 8.70
63 Topps (100%) 7.96
63 York WB's (50%) 8.52
68 Topps (39%) 8.54
69 Topps (3%) 9.00
69 OPC (83%) 8.21
71 Topps (100%) 9.21 #1 A.T.F.
72 Topps (100%) 9.39
73 Topps (13%) 9.35
74 OPC WHA (95%) 8.57
75 Topps (50%) 9.23
77 OPC WHA (86%) 8.62 #1 A.T.F.
88 Topps (5%) 10.00
Jermey is #1 in my book.
<< <i>Kris Keppler has recently updated his website and he sent out emails notifying customers of his new inventory. Which by the way is very, very impressive.
I'd like to add Rich Caan from Icaancards to the list of outstanding dealers. Rich has played a major part in helping me build my 1971 Topps Hockey set (currently #1 on the registry). He has been more than fair with his pricing and has sold me quite a few cards which he could have sold for more on the bay.
DSL also deserves a spot on the list just for pure volume of problem free transactions. I've spent a small fortune with Shane this year and have not had 1 single problem.
JMO, Bob C. >>
Ditto on Rich Caan - he's a great guy, always honest and fair.
My ebay listings
He gave me a very fair price on my grandpa's collection of Mint Goudey's, and I would
trust him with my teenage daughter.
<< <i>... and I would trust him with my teenage daughter.
I assume it's because she could kick his...
Sorry for getting semi-OT, but I thought DSL was run by a guy named Darrell. Have they had a change in management?
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SW
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T-206 Jap Barbeau 4 $19
T-206 Ty Cobb (red) 5 $1,160
T-206 Ty Cobb (bat on) 4 $959
T-206 Ty Cobb (bat off) 5 $1,295
T-206 Gandil 7 $469
T-206 Matthewson (portrait) 6 $795
Could someone who has the info post links to all of these dealers? I just found a BUNCH of cards I needed on Keppler's site and I am thinking it would be a good idea to hit all of these dealers listed!!
A great way to promote the good guys too!
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Thats a great idea.
One of the guys on my list told me he had gotten a number of inquiries which resulted in business as a result of this post.
I couldn't be happier for him.
Nice to see my favorite dealers do well.
Would also like to put in a word for the two ebay guys mentioned here--DSL and Baseball Card Exchange--I have had nothing but positive experiences with each--I would guess I have bought more on ebay from these two dealers than any others.
Jim
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