Trust me, it's not just you... in fact, unless somebody buys from a full-service card shop all the time, most sports card price guides will seem inflated.
Kobe Who? At least Dwyane pays proper respect to Da Big Aristotle
Funny you mentioned this. I bought a Tuff Stuff about 2 months ago and another this month. As you said most guides are over priced, but I just like to look at somehing as a baseline reference when buying on eBay. Tuff Stuff is way off on some cards, but pretty on with others. I also like only having to keep one price guide on my desk that covers the major sports and they actually list more cards from a set than the monthly beckett does, atlest with vintage baseball they do. One thing I like is the pricing on the 1980's Football as I think some of this stuff is underpriced in Beckett. When I go to a mall show or something and have a 1981 Topps Montana Rookie, I am trying to get $75-$85 for it. It is easier to get that with the $215 Tuff Stuff price on it than the $150 Beckett price. Also like Marino and Elway being $110 and $100 rather than the $80 in Beckett. Rice may be too inflated at $150 rather than $80. I guess I mainly use it for a quick refernce since you get all the sports for $5.50 rather than buying all those Becketts.
The Tuff Stuff Prices for vintage wax packs are totally off. They are too low. I wish I could buy a 1972 basketball wax box or a 1961 fleer bsk.wax box for their prices listed. These companies do not care...they take your subscription money each month and give you a very subpar price guide. I do like the sports articles on collecting though.
Comments
Yes, I collect shiny modern crap
All your Shaq are belong to me
I don't think anyone goes by them anymore - I like them as a reference - especially to see how many new sets have come out.
IMO - the best buy is the annual price guide - I buy the Standard Catalog of BB by Krause.
I think everyone will agree - the true price guide value is reflected in what something sells for on ebay.
So, that really cool 60 dollar GU uni hack job - slapped onto a piece of cardboard in Tuff Stuff - and very, very limited is probably worth 2 bucks?
mike