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What Causes A Collectible To Appreciate In Value?

Back in the old days, e.g. 1980s, a baseball card (generically used) would appreciate in value when, say, a player
was (1) playing well; (2) approaching or breaking a record; (3) retiring; and/or (4) being elected to the Hall of Fame.
These days, for the most part, it appears that the aforementioned situations barely cause a blip on the radar. But
what does appear to cause a card to increase in value is death, especially tragic death.

Last night, I think there were 30 or so items on ebay for Steve Irwin. Now there are close to 600. Now, Steve Irwin
isn't a professional athlete, but I'm sure we all recall the situations when Kirby Puckett, Pat Tillman and Darryl Kile
passed. Ebay was flooded with thousands of items. Ultimately, the number of items returned to a "normal" level.
I understand the concept of a free economy and to "strike while the iron is hot," but to me, it's really disheartening.

/s/ JackWESQ


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Comments

  • pandrewspandrews Posts: 7,598 ✭✭✭
    big deal.. it happens.. supply & demand, some people had Croc Hunter memorabilia, other people are demanding it now that he's dead.. i guess they want something to commemorate the croc hunter, and other people need or would rather have the money right now so they'll list his cards right now when they know there are other people wanting them..

    i dont really understand how some people get so upset at the people selling the items.. as long as the sellers arent scamming anybody and the auctions are straight-forward legit auctions, i have no problem with it..
    ·p_A·
  • What causes a collectible to appreciate in value is the price guide telling you it is.

    Pimps lead the way, and the rest follow.

    Play on....
    Nothing smoother than listening to Bob James and sipping on a glass of vintage Courvoisier! It's PIMPnificent!
    image
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,439 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What causes a collectible to appreciate in value is the price guide telling you it is.

    Pimps lead the way, and the rest follow.

    Play on.... >>


    word
    Mike
  • DEMAND
    Everything I write is my opinion.

    Looking for alot of crap.
  • AllenAllen Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭
    Look at Ryan Howard 2003 Cards and on eBay right now....

    Vince Papale isn't dead and his card went up 1000%....

    Mike Bell was named a starter and his cards are selling for about 5 times what they were....

    Next sunday look for whatever relativley unknown player has a break out game, there cards will be selling for 20 times what they were last week....
  • stevekstevek Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This always seems to happen on ebay when a celebrity dies.
  • Brian48Brian48 Posts: 2,624 ✭✭✭
    It's always been like this even before eBay was around. This type of demand is always short term.
  • gregmo32gregmo32 Posts: 2,648 ✭✭✭
    Supply and demand.
    I am buying and trading for RC's of Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Bob Cousy!
    Don't waste your time and fees listing on ebay before getting in touch me by PM or at gregmo32@aol.com !
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