My failed experiment.......

CDsNuts

Being the money-grubbing person I am, I was recently introduced to vintagecardprices.com (VCP) and immediately started thinking about ways I could use it to my advantage. With all the info on past ebay auctions for PSA graded cards, I thought I might be able to snipe auctions for commonly sold cards (PSA 8,9,10 from 70s and 80s) for 10% or so under their average sale price, and resell. If I could do enough quantity, I thought the numbers would average out and I could make some decent coin, even after ebay and paypal fees. I also thought I might be able to crack and resubmit few cards out of a hundred to add to my profits.

So I averaged out the prices of all the commonly sold (5 or more sold since Oct. '06) PSA graded football cards that brought $30 or more on average, and sniped 50 auctions at a price that would yield 10% profit if I were to sell that card at its average price. We're mostly talking the major RCs from late 70s to mid 80s in PSA 8-9. I figured this would be my test group and would give me an idea of how much I could buy.

Well, after sniping 50 auctions in 2 days and seeing them through to the end, I won a grand total of zero cards. Most of the snipes were lower than the bidding at the time, with some being outsniped by other guys. Guess it's back to the drawing board.

Lee

jmbkb4

Excellent idea. With time, it may pan out very well for you. Maybe those 50 auctions were the 'unlucky ones.'

SDavid

We're mostly talking the major RCs from late 70s to mid 80s in PSA 8-9.

Those cards are generally very stable. You need to either go further back (50's/60's) or further ahead (post-2000) and focus on more valuable cards. There's rarely going to be enough variance in a $30-$50 card to make a decent profit. Also, don't forget to consider centering/eye appeal when comparing prices by grade.

Stone193

Lee

At least ya tried.

I have noticed that the cards that I need for my 63F BB set are harder to win at "my" price.

Either there's more people chasing the set or the cards left are harder - I haven't checked the pop reports.

Good luck at the "board."

mike

CDsNuts

SDavid, The problem with anything pre-1970 is that there usually aren't enough sales in a particular grade to come up with some kind of expectation about what it should bring. I also have to eliminate newer cards because the players are still playing and their performance on the field directly influence their prices. I was looking for more of a "numbers game" where it doesn't particularly matter who the player is or what the set is. I guess what I mean is I didn't want to think too hard about what I was buying.

stone, I guess that's what I get for trying to capitalize on this great hobby of ours and turn it into daytrading. The baseball card gods have smote me. Or is it smited? Smitten?

Lee

stown

Karma may be coming back to haunt you

If it makes you feel any better, 95% of my snipes haven't triggered. Granted, overall I'm placing low max bids but some have been at SMR.

/ venting rant

NickM

It's not a failed experiment. It just hasn't connected so far. Failed experiments would involve you buying them, relisting them, and losing money.

Nick

Bosox1976

I agree with Nick. You've confirmed that you'd get your 10% on the selling end. Half way there.

CDsNuts

Good point Bosox. Didn't think of it that way. You must be one of those glass is half full people.

Lee

Bosox1976

Nope. I am a chiseler too.

JVette

Patience Grasshopper, Patience

CDsNuts

I look at the glass as having exactly 6 ounces.

Lee