Levi at 707

sandmanfromlv

Man does he have a crapload of Mantle cards...Look at all the 51 Bowmans (granted they're in poor condition)...but wow

(and overpriced)

link to some of the highest priced poor shaped, but nice to have Mantles

Lothar52

TONS...

(and overpriced)

Knuckles

Jeepers.

lowstartmick

Great service and he has about anything you're looking for. I use him when I'm getting close to completion on a set or if I have to have it now.....and a gentlemen to boot.

A761506

The problem with a beat up Mantle like those... who the heck would want to own something that looked so ragged? Not much pride of ownership in that.

WinPitcher

Great service and he has about anything you're looking for. I use him when I'm getting close to completion on a set or if I have to have it now.....and a gentlemen to boot.


I agree.

Steve

baseballfanatic

<< <i>The problem with a beat up Mantle like those... who the heck would want to own something that looked so ragged? Not much pride of ownership in that. >>



I agree 100%. I have thrown away cards with as much value just because they dont belong in the hobby. 3/4 of a card is something to give away to a customer, rather than put a 200.00 price tag on it............

acowa

Levi is a great guy. To be honest, most of the cards that I have purchased from 707 have actually been high end for the PSA grade. Cant say much about those Mantles...but I have seen cards advertised as trimmed on EBAY sell for a decent price from time to time. Some people just want an authentic card of a legend.

Regards,


Alan

TheCARDKid

707 and Keppler Enterprises have quite a deal going with those 10 cent listing days.

They sure don't have to sell much to break even. Those Mantles look like they've gone through the washing machine a few times.

Boopotts

It's amazing how many cards a dealer can accrue when he charges 300% of market value for them.

MurphDawg

You have got to be kidding me! Does 707 really get people to buy those cards at such ridiculous prices? I mean they are asking for the prices of a card one or two grades higher than the actual card advertised. I think anyone who pays those prices that they are asking is crazy.

jmbkb4

I think the '53 Mantle up there deserves the (RB) qualifier --- RAT BITE.

What an awful-looking card. Put it in your grandpa's casket or something, as a token of remembrance. Gaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwd awful card.

nhcardhunter

I guess it's like what some of the posters already mentioned, if someone wants it bad enough they'll pay whatever they have to in order to get it. I wonder how long he's had some of those beat up Mantles though. Years? Decades? Man, are they rough! I can't imagine anyone wanting one of those for prices he's asking. Then again, they say a sucker is born every minute!

Jim

TNP777

hmm - yes, they may be in horrible condition (and horribly overpriced too). However, there are many, many collectors who are quite happy to have ragged, rat-bit cards in their collection. Me for one - I'd love to have a PSA "0", 1 or 2 51B Mantle. Next time anyone here is tempted to toss a thrashed vintage card in the trash, look me up - I'll even pay for your stamp!

Geordie

pandrews

i bought one of my favorite cards from Levi, i had no problem with the price or service.. in fact, i could probablyd make money on it if i wanted to sell it on ebay..

pandrews

<< <i>Me for one - I'd love to have a PSA "0", 1 or 2 51B Mantle. Next time anyone here is tempted to toss a thrashed vintage card in the trash, look me up - I'll even pay for your stamp!

Geordie >>



same here..

fiveniner

Levi and his associates are class folks.I do not buy from his auctions as his prices appear to be on the high side however dealing with him at major shows and over the internet I have recieved some high ticket cards from him both raw and graded and was given what I consider a good deal and great service.He once purchased a set from me on Ebay,I am sure for resale and did pay more than I expected to sell the set for.Levi like Kit Young more than likley choose this hobby as thier livlihood do lots of advertising as such and pay employees and travel which incurs a significant cost.Just like any buisness you are in it to make a profit to meet your operating expenses to earn a living.
I agree his prices are high but its up to you whether or not you have to buy it.No one is forcing you to buy any of the so called crap he may be advertising.Like others have said he does have an extensive amount of cards and many collectors(hard core hobbyists,not speculators)will buy that card in order to complete a set or avoid the hassel of sitting at the computer tracking
an item on auction,or just because he has some very tough to find cards.Does anyone ever look at Larry Fritsh prces??

jayhawke

<< <i>It's amazing how many cards a dealer can accrue when he charges 300% of market value for them. >>

The formula is charge 300% over SMR and buy at 40% of beckett.

Stingray

I have never bought from him, so I can not express an opinion on quality of service. I can only state I am amazed at the amount of product he does have. I am amazed at the # of T206s that he has alone for sale. Was looking at some of the 56s Topps BB PSA 8s that he has for sale and pricing did not seem too far out of whack, IMO.


Stingray

stevek

It's simple really. Philadelphia is one of the most litigious areas of the country. Lots of card collecting attorneys whereby money is no object. Mr lawyer needs another key card?...just file another lawsuit, settle it, collect 33 - 40%, and then contact Levi for the card. Levi just sits and waits to get his price. Then of course our insurance bills, medical bills, etc., goes up another notch.

WinPitcher

Two things. Should be three but the third is totally ridiculous so i'm not even going to reply to it.


1...........Levi pays top dollar when buying, trades and will have the card you need in inventory.

2......To compare Levi to Kit Young is like comparing a filet minon and what happens after you have digested it and the meat is exiting the body.

Steve

julen23

Levi is defnitely more upscale.

He has high-end psa cards that are priced accordingly. He is a businessman so he may have some not so high-end psa cards priced at premiums as well, but that doesn't make him anything more than a man trying to make some $$$$.

The trashy mantle cards are not indicative of his inventory, at nationals he had some heavy hitter cards at his booth.

Julen

fiveniner

I am not comparing quality and quantity when comparing Levi and Kit Young its just that they both do this as a living.

nhcardhunter

<< <i>I am not comparing quality and quantity when comparing Levi and Kit Young its just that they both do this as a living. >>



Yeah, and so do Baseball Card Exchange, Mkwsportscards and Mickey's Sportcards, among others. However, unlike Levi, they run their business a little differently and are just as successful, if not more so. Everyone has an angle, Levi's is charging top dollar and waiting for the impatient buyers to step up. And yes, I know he's a nice guy and a class act, lol!

Jim

1960toppsguy

Levi is one of the class acts in this business, his stuff ain't cheap, but he'll work with you and treat you with respect unlike many other big wheels.

WinPitcher

Levi's is charging top dollar and waiting for the impatient buyers to step up. And yes, I know he's a nice guy and a class act, lol!


LOL?


Steve

nhcardhunter

Steve, I was just stating the obvious. When anyone ever questions this guy the first thing people say is that he is class act and a nice guy and real gentleman. I don't doubt that he is all of the above, so, I wanted to add that to my comment. Lol was not meant as a dig, more so as an understanding of his qualities.

Jim

jayhawke

Just because someone is a nice guy doesn't mean I am going to pay 3-5X SMR. It doesn't make me feel any better knowing someone is so nice but charges 3-5X SMR. Even if he or any other seller was a jerk, price still matters. I have been to his tables and he doesn't pay top dollar for raw cards or graded cards. I know, I know dealers are in business. It is one thing to be in business and it is another thing to just plain try to rip someone off when trying to buy your cards.

Overrated

Overrated

I've done business with Levi in the past. I feel the man is honest, up front and sincere. We should be happy that Levi is in the business. I've dealt with some scheisters over the years. It's nice to have a dealer where you know what you're getting, and whom you can trust with transactions involving high-end cards. Hooray for 707.

pandrews

<< <i>The formula is charge 300% over SMR and buy at 40% of beckett. >>



have you bought from Levi?

have you sold to Levi?

jad22

In 1989 as an 11 year old I remember buying the bowman cards and sending in the reprints hoping to get an original. I am not a huge Mantle fan but I love the 53 , that is just sad. Why charge 200 dollars for a card missing a peice. Give it to a kid. I think we should each donate one dollar and provide a viking funeral for this card. Put it out of its misery. By the way, I would only buy from him if I was desperate, his prices are way to high. It is better to be patient and shop around.

pandrews

<< <i>Why charge 200 dollars for a card missing a peice. >>



i'm rolling my eyes now..

jad22

wow, that is some bad spelling on my part.

WinPitcher

Just because someone is a nice guy doesn't mean I am going to pay 3-5X SMR.




..........I have seen many cards go for 3-5 times smr on ebay

FWIW 3 weeks ago 2 cards I needed were on ebay and went for crazy dollars. I then went to 707 website and got the same 2 cards for less money! I saved 150.00 by buying from Levi (compared to the ebay sales)

and as an added bounus the cards from him were hi end for the grade.

Deals can be had as he has the inventory.

Steve.

iamthegreatcornholio

I was searching ebay the other day and ran across this 65 oliva psa 8

His price may be expensive compared to SMR, but this card it typically sells for $250+ (probably why it sold in 3+ hours)

The cards I've bought from him were hi-end, and about what they'd sell for on ebay.

jayhawke

<< <i>have you bought from Levi? >>



<< <i>have you sold to Levi? >>



I have tried to buy from him and he will not move on his 3-5X SMR cards. Cards that are not worth what he is asking.

I brought cards to his table he tried to rip me off, both raw and graded. He wanted to pay 40% of beckett for the raw cards. He wasn't in the ballpark on the graded cards.

jayhawke

<< <i>..........I have seen many cards go for 3-5 times smr on ebay >>

Probably cards that were worth 3-5X smr.

Downtown1974

<< <i>You have got to be kidding me! Does 707 really get people to buy those cards at such ridiculous prices? I mean they are asking for the prices of a card one or two grades higher than the actual card advertised. I think anyone who pays those prices that they are asking is crazy. >>



Yeah Matt, Thats why I like buying Mantles from you! Still loving that 53' you sold me!!

Griffins

Ah, the obligatory semi annual "Levi has high prices" post.
I"ve bought and sold from him many, many times. He's (and Jim and Donna) a pleasure to deal with on either side of the transaction. His prices aren't the lowest, but I've often seen cards on ebay and Mastro type auctions go for much higher than the same ones sitting on his site. His service is flawless, he'll chat with you about any issue whether you're buying or not, and is a wealth of knowledge. And once he knows you a bit you get treated like royalty.
You can scour all your sources for a card for months and not see it, and then see Levi with 4 of them. He's probably not the guy you go to for the first card in the set you're starting, but he's usually the guy you'll go to for the last few. He doesn't move much on price, but then he doesn't grind you on price when you're selling. Either way, it's either take it or leave it, and it's nice not having to use the same tactics to buy a card you'd use to buy a rug in a Moroccan souk.
If he priced everything at ebay prices he wouldn't have anything left. On most cards ebay is more of a wholesale market. Comparing ebay prices to those on dealer sites, show floors, or major auction houses is pointless.
Last National I walked the show and counted 10 dealers that had much higher prices than him- and none were as friendly.
Do you go into Barneys or Niemans and complain that the prices on shirts are higher than Old Navy or JCrew? There are a lot more factors involved. If you don't like the prices don't shop there, but I know if you pass on a card from Levi they'll be plenty of others that won't. Prices on a lot of non modern (post '60) issues are shooting thru the roof, and if you wait on a lot of these you'll end up paying much more when you do finally find them.
Levi is one of the few that prices cards based on the condition, and not on the holder. I know of at least 2 major dealers that routinely buy from him and crack and regrade. He doesn't play that game. If dealers are buying from him you can be sure his prices are not out of line.

WinPitcher

Do you go into Barneys or Niemans and complain that the prices on shirts are higher than Old Navy or JCrew?

Anthony, to some of these guys the price of an Old Navy shirt is over priced.


Steve

acowa

Griffins:

Hammer...Nail...Head. Excellent post.


Regards,


Alan

nhcardhunter

Griff, I hate to sound a bit trite, but how much is this guy paying you? You make him sound like he walks on water, handing out miracles as he goes by. There are plenty of excellent sellers out there and many with a firm and extensive knowledge of the hobby. Levi is not the only "God" as you make him out to be. He's just as mortal as the rest of us except that he holds everyone hostage until he gets his 200 or 300 percent of smr. So, what does paying top dollar mean when dealing with Levi? 40 percent? 50 percent? No one seems to be telling. I don't mind someone handing out praise but when their glued to his ass, I draw the line.

Jim

jad22

I doubt I would ever waste my money with him. I would rather find it somewhere else. Back to the original post, he is selling a torn card for 200 dollars. That is ridiculous. He might be a great man but that doesn't change the fact that he is out of the mainstream. He is the Ginsberg of card dealers. I urge a boycott.

rbdjr1

Levi's 707

I wear his jeans, no?


rbd


edit: He's been around for a long time, good reputation!

dizzyfoxx

To say their overpriced would be like saying "Babe Ruth could hit a baseball".

helionaut

Levi came down to DFW some years ago for one of the big shows, when they used to have big shows. As I recall he had one whole display case that was just Mickey of various years.

Knuckles

His website is ugly.

jmbkb4

<< <i>To say their overpriced would be like saying "Babe Ruth could hit a baseball". >>



How about, "Babe Ruth had a big belly."

Stingray

I am confused on why people think he charges too much. From what I read here, the prices in SMR are way off anyways?? So how can you compare what he is charging to SMR. If I had more, and I mean a lot more, money to spend I would probably buy from him. He has a great inventory and would have what I want. If someone gets into a bidding war on Ebay for something because they need or want it, I do not here them complaining later that they were charged too much.


Stingray

gosteelers

<< <i>Levi came down to DFW some years ago for one of the big shows, when they used to have big shows. As I recall he had one whole display case that was just Mickey of various years. >>



You're right. I saw his display at Fort Washington today. Very impressive, indeed!