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Odd find at antique shop
fur72
Posts: 2,348 ✭✭
To make a large story short, an antique shop in my town placed and add saying it was going out of business and they had Sports Cards. I go to the store and wander around 3 packed floors of antiques. I see no sports cards.
I inquire about the cards and the old german man running the store lifts up a blanket over a table and there sit 50,000 plus cards in various count boxes. He said the cards range from 1939 to 2003. He said a local dealer (The only one in town) went through the cards for 4 days and appraised the cards at half a million. He is willing to part with the the lot for $140,000.
Does anyone find this strange that the guy wants to sell the entire lot from a retail store? Its not like anyone is going to walk in an write a check for $140,000. I contact the dealer that apraised the large lot and he said the guy has some "really nice stuff" Being dejected I only saw one box that had some 48 Bowman and what looked like the backs of 69 Topps.
Just seems odd that he would advertive baseball cards in a local advertising newspaper and when I show up its one lot for $140,000. Sounds like a job for Al Rosen.
I inquire about the cards and the old german man running the store lifts up a blanket over a table and there sit 50,000 plus cards in various count boxes. He said the cards range from 1939 to 2003. He said a local dealer (The only one in town) went through the cards for 4 days and appraised the cards at half a million. He is willing to part with the the lot for $140,000.
Does anyone find this strange that the guy wants to sell the entire lot from a retail store? Its not like anyone is going to walk in an write a check for $140,000. I contact the dealer that apraised the large lot and he said the guy has some "really nice stuff" Being dejected I only saw one box that had some 48 Bowman and what looked like the backs of 69 Topps.
Just seems odd that he would advertive baseball cards in a local advertising newspaper and when I show up its one lot for $140,000. Sounds like a job for Al Rosen.
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just my 2-3/4 cents.
<< <i>I would look elsewhere for the deal that sounds too good to be true . I'm sure there is a fool out there that's looking to make a quick buck here
just my 2-3/4 cents. >>
Well the deal is neither myself or my local dealer have $140,000 laying around. I just think its strange the guy thinks someone is going to walk in on a Saturday afternoon fork out that kind of loot. In that kind of environment you would think he would piece it out.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
<< <i>Since he is obviously trying to jerk you around, you should say something like, well, I do love baseball cards but only have $1,400 to spend, would it work if I picked out 500 of my favorite cards? (and then pick out the older ones). Sounds way too good to be true... >>
Mintacular, thats actually not a bad idea. Indeed he does have an inventory (the seller). But after hearing the price I was a bit shocked. Im going to a show in about an hour and the dealer who apraised the cards will be there. I will try to get more info, maybe even the inventory if possible. If he can send it to me electronically I will share the list. The box he did open just blew me away with the 48's. Never seen that many in one place. Might be the best of the bunch.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
cards dated to 2003.
Steve
<< <i>I'm not sure what you're collecting experience is so I hope I don't insult you with the following statement. A lot of guys are quite good at throwing a bulk of cards together (50,000) the majority of which are modern (post-1971). They then throw in a couple thousand older ones--just enough to make you think they are worth something--usually commons, and then play the dumb game. "Yeah got a bunch of cards here. Some dealer told me they were worth $140,000 (they always start real high). When you counteroffer, they will come way down and you feel like you have a good deal. In reality. 95% of the cards are worth a nickel or less, and the other 5% are fine but hardly make up for the amount you will end up paying. At this rate, you would be paying .35 cent a card, way too high. JMO >>
NP this could very well be the case. I just don't run into this much. I went searching for some vintage commons and next thing I know the guy is saying it was valued half a million but Ill sell it for $140,000.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
He had the high NM book price of all the cards at $11,000 and was asking me to pay $1,000, or less than 10% of "book price." Sounded like a great deal and I took the bait and ultimately lost out on $300-$400. This is how he got me:
1) He had just enough 50's cards that made me think I could make my $ back. For example, he would have a '57 common listed at $6 (so I would be paying .60 cent) and I thought: "Well, I can make that back by selling this card for a buck, etc." (of course the card had a crease but I was aware of that)
2) He threw in a few nicer 70's rookies (Murray, Molitor, etc.) that were listed. A Molitor RC is listed at $50 so all I had to do is sell it for $10 and I'm making $!
3) Here's the kicker--for all the "good cards" in the lot--there were a bunch I would never make my 10% on. Case in point: In this lot he also had about (20) Jim Catfish Hunter cards (PFG to EXMT) booked at say $15.00 but now I'm on the hook to sell 20 of those at $1.50/piece and you know that I ain't going to happen. Even worse were the mid-late seventies stuff that I was stuck with.
4) I was in a rush and did not take the time to go through each card
In short, be very careful with this big buys and numbers thrown out of "assessed at $140,000/half a million"--they are completed distortions most likely.
So basically his cards are worth more then most houses in that town?
Steve
Put all of this in a brief case and walk in the store. Ask the dealer what he wanted for the lot, open the briefcase and say you will take them. When the guy collapses just walk out with the cards.
<< <i>Go to the bank and withdraw $1,400. Ask for some of the $10,000 money bands they use when counting and banding cash. Cut out pieces of paper the size of bills. Stack 99 pieces of paper, place a $100 bill on top and band them with a $10,000 money band. Repeat this 13 more times.
Put all of this in a brief case and walk in the store. Ask the dealer what he wanted for the lot, open the briefcase and say you will take them. When the guy collapses just walk out with the cards. >>
yep that is what i would do..lol
looking for low grade t205's psa 1-2
<< <i>Go to the bank and withdraw $1,400. Ask for some of the $10,000 money bands they use when counting and banding cash. Cut out pieces of paper the size of bills. Stack 99 pieces of paper, place a $100 bill on top and band them with a $10,000 money band. Repeat this 13 more times.
Put all of this in a brief case and walk in the store. Ask the dealer what he wanted for the lot, open the briefcase and say you will take them. When the guy collapses just walk out with the cards. >>
dated to 2003 is beyond me.
Steve
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
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If you're correct in your confidence, 20% of $500,000 works out to be $100,000, and if in fact the dealer offered $100,000 for the deal, then the German figured he could pull $140,000 for it to somebody else. If that's the case and all you have to do is outbid the dealer by a few grand then it could be the motherload you're looking for.
More than likely the $500,000 is with every 90's common figured in at full book, and worth more by the ton at a recycler.
In the end I guess the guy does have some "good" stuff. But I guess there are many boxes filled with late 70's early 80's stuff. If he thinks someone is going to walk in and had over $100,000 he is crazy.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
Steve
It can give you good indication of what they have overall. If he pulls out a shoebox full or more (raw) then you might have something good, Or if there are cards that you dont know what they are (unusual rare "type cards" or minor league stuff).
Id never spend $140K on a bunch of Topps cards unless there was multiple 1950's sets or had 1950-60s rookies in number like 10-20 of each.
See what he has and make an offer on some and leave a business card.......... you never know.... everyone needs some quick cash sometimes
PS. Are you sure it was 50,000 cards? ...... that would be $20 ea. card as far as the so called appraisal value, thats alot of $$ per card for 95% of anything post1956.
I dont buy the $1 Million value, I bet its more like $1-$5 a card, not $20