A buyers market
incugator
Posts: 622
Since I have gotten back into collectibles. I have done my purchasing through e-bay. I have also gone to card shows. It seems that both of these places are 'sellers market' with the high prices of buying tables at card shows and with the high shipping/seller fees on E-bay, it seems like there has to be a more effective less costly way of buying collectibles.
Many people sell their cards to advertisers in beckett or SMR and most of these companies give these people 20-30% of the value for their cards. It seems like every collector is getting ripped off. Honestly, many young people look in the basement of their grandparents apartment and find these cards which are virtually junk to them. They are willing to sell them for any price they can, and the companies intercept them before the true interested buyers can make these people a fair offer. Has anybody found a way or does anybody have an idea on how to beat these Giants (other than to pitch around Barry?)
Many people sell their cards to advertisers in beckett or SMR and most of these companies give these people 20-30% of the value for their cards. It seems like every collector is getting ripped off. Honestly, many young people look in the basement of their grandparents apartment and find these cards which are virtually junk to them. They are willing to sell them for any price they can, and the companies intercept them before the true interested buyers can make these people a fair offer. Has anybody found a way or does anybody have an idea on how to beat these Giants (other than to pitch around Barry?)
-Ryan
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Comments
Interseting side note; I wonder if there are many people who can speculate with baseball cards as well as Warren Buffet (all cards, not just modern).
David
<< <i>People get knocked for looking at cards as an investment >>
bs
I think sometimes there a rush to judgement on the investment thing.
But in the case of what I think you're talking about - short term flipping is different than what many ask.
They are looking at long term performance akin to a mutual fund. In that case, the outlook may be different.
The problem with flipping IMO? Ya gotta stay on top of the stuff like a hawk...which is kinda like having another job? Not as much fun and just collecting cause you like what you see.
There's a lot of reward for guys who know what they're doing and stay on top of it.
I wish anyone luck who has the fortitude.
In fact, I enjoy hearing about those kind of transactions.
mike
<< <i>I would recommend that you introduce yourself to various estate planning attorneys, family law attorneys and asset managers in your city. Let them know that you would like an opportunity to purchase any collections that their clients are looking to sell. You may be suprised at the results. >>
Very interesting David.
Good advice - nice way to pick up other stuff also I would guess...like furniture?
thanx
mike
In addition to collectibles, you can add cars, boats, furniture, real estate, etc. I keep lists of individuals that want to be presented with an option to buy certain items. For example, there is one individual who buys every house that the heirs want to sell in a particular city. The heirs win by avoiding the brokers' commission. I have two people that want the opportunity to buy cars (one is looking for 1960s corvettes and the other is looking for any cars). There are many opportunites out there.
David
On thepit you can often purchase high-grade baseball rookie cards in large quantity right after the world series as people get interested in football. A perfect example of this is Manny Ramirez's 1992 Bowman BGS 9.5 rookie card. I would guess that between 50-75 of those cards were sold between december and february on thepit for an average of $40-$42 a card. This is a card that generally sells for $50-$70 during the season (higher amounts are usually in april). I bought about 25 of them, and sold them on ebay in march and early april in lots of 2 for an average of $55-65 a card.
The most important thing i think is having a good reputation on ebay. if you have a near-perfect feedback score and send your items right away, you can get often premiums for your cards over the average ebay selling price. Good customer service is always good business.
I will say that buying and holding modern cards for more than a year is generally a losing proposition, just because supply increases every year. Buying hot young prospects is also pretty dangerous too. But if you stick to buying established stars in the off-season, then selling in march-april, you have a pretty good chance of making a bit of money.
Late 60's and early to mid 70's non-sports