Why are these rookie cards selling for more than others?

Sean1125 · November 13, 2011 10:21PM

This go around there were no comments made about condition yet my Joe Montana Rookie is at 50% of book (I expected about $30), and my Nolan Ryan Rookie is at $100 (I expected $75).

Is there something I listed or said that gave them that "extra umph" or could it be that I'm now offering a return policy? These cards (imo) are getting better money for their condition than they warrant.

I don't have that much feedback, and I don't have an enormous following either....

I just want to know what I did so I can do it again next time...

Then I have others like Ripken Traded which I am expecting about $40-50 and it is only half that.

itzagoner · November 13, 2011 10:35PM

<< I just want to know what I did so I can do it again next time... >>

if you present your auctions with a clean scan and accurate description, people will bid based on their presumption that you are correct about your opinion of cards, as well as the cards themselves.

you will build trust, and in that respect, you will also build a customer base for the future.....you will also create a better potential within your listings by including as many popular cards as possible, which you have done to attract more curious people to your goods.

trying to accurately predict hammer prices as well as who?, how? and why? will just give you a headache.....there is no correct formula.

you also need not overanalyze this yet, the numbers mean little until the auctions are done.

Sean1125 · November 13, 2011 10:38PM

<< you also need not overanalyze this yet, the numbers mean little until the auctions are done. >>

True.

And what I mean is that I only wanted $30, so anything over that makes me happy, almost double makes me very happy. Same with the Ryan, only wanted $75 (What I had it priced @ a show, it didn't sell for that so I threw it on ebay and got more)

jeffcbay · November 13, 2011 10:52PM

<< Then I have others like Ripken Traded which I am expecting about $40-50 and it is only half that. >>

The auctions aren't even over yet, so there's no telling where they will end up. Not a bad way to pimp your own auctions though.

smtjoy · November 13, 2011 10:54PM

My sales $$ went higher a few years ago when I started accepting returns, esp raw cards.

OAKESY25 · November 13, 2011 11:18PM

IMO that montana looks like it has a ding on the top right that a novice wouldn't detect.. so it appears that the scan
shows a centered nm+ card when reality is that it an ex condition card.. I haven't looked at the ryan yet

Sean1125 · November 13, 2011 11:33PM

<< IMO that montana looks like it has a ding on the top right that a novice wouldn't detect.. so it appears that the scan
shows a centered nm+ card when reality is that it an ex condition card.. I haven't looked at the ryan yet >>

I do not see said ding with card in hand.

nam812 · November 14, 2011 12:14AM

You may want to change your terms of service going forward.

Digression - The act or an instance of digressing in a discourse or other usually organized literary work.

Discretion - The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

vintagechris · November 14, 2011 12:20AM

For me personally, I do not bid on auctions where the seller scans it in a Top Loader, and to me, you are opening yourself up to some issues by doing that, especially with no description of the card, or no grade assigned. To me, those kind of listings make me think the seller is hiding something or is trying to get over. Itzagoner hit it on the head, if you grade fairly, give clear scans of the item, and treat people fairly with good service, you will build a good following and naturally get better prices.

I'm curious, why would you scan a card in a Top Loader? Especially considering you are not assigning a grade or describing the card. You would think if a seller was not going to do gthat, they would want to give as clear a scan as possible.

dennis07 · November 14, 2011 12:26AM

"Then I have others like Ripken Traded which I am expecting about $40-50 and it is only half that."

The scan of the Ripken looks a little fuzzy to me-- could just be my eyes!

bking · November 14, 2011 12:36AM

<< 

<< Then I have others like Ripken Traded which I am expecting about $40-50 and it is only half that. >>

The auctions aren't even over yet, so there's no telling where they will end up. Not a bad way to pimp your own auctions though.

>>

No kidding about waiting until they are over; I had an auction stuck at $99 for 3 days, then it jumped to $400 literally in the last minute.

OAKESY25 · November 14, 2011 12:40AM

that top right looks like it has a visible bend.. please scan without the top loader..

Sean1125 · November 14, 2011 1:04AM

<< You may want to change your terms of service going forward.

Digression - The act or an instance of digressing in a discourse or other usually organized literary work.

Discretion - The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation. >>

Yeah, was already pointed out to me. Spell checker doesn't catch grammar mistakes!

Sean1125 · November 14, 2011 1:05AM

<< For me personally, I do not bid on auctions where the seller scans it in a Top Loader, and to me, you are opening yourself up to some issues by doing that, especially with no description of the card, or no grade assigned. To me, those kind of listings make me think the seller is hiding something or is trying to get over. Itzagoner hit it on the head, if you grade fairly, give clear scans of the item, and treat people fairly with good service, you will build a good following and naturally get better prices.

I'm curious, why would you scan a card in a Top Loader? Especially considering you are not assigning a grade or describing the card. You would think if a seller was not going to do gthat, they would want to give as clear a scan as possible. >>

Just have a hodge podge of what cases they were already in, all cards were scanned as is.

Sean1125 · November 14, 2011 1:06AM

<< that top right looks like it has a visible bend.. please scan without the top loader.. >>

You were right, couldn't see it in the top loader.

My best guess would be people think they can go higher since they can return it if it isn't what they think it is (hopefully not the case here, but may be).

drewsef · November 14, 2011 1:09AM

let's keep this at the top so you will get more free exposure, nice SPAM move.

don't even try the "I'm just looking for feedback" route, you know darn well most people snipe so what the price is a day or two before is usually meaningless.

If you were truly looking for help, you would wait to actually see if the prices ended lower than other comparables and then posted the thread.

Sean1125 · November 14, 2011 1:14AM

I was actually debating about not linking or linking but ended up linking.

I'd take them out if it would make you feel better.

drewsef · November 14, 2011 1:17AM

Wait until the auctions are over and then see if you are correct about the sales prices. I was bidding on an item last night that was at $104 until 30 seconds left and it ended at $400+

As stated earlier, any questions about auction prices is irrelavant until you have a result to discuss and compare against.

thedutymon · November 14, 2011 2:45AM

<< For me personally, I do not bid on auctions where the seller scans it in a Top Loader, and to me, you are opening yourself up to some issues by doing that, especially with no description of the card, or no grade assigned. To me, those kind of listings make me think the seller is hiding something or is trying to get over. Itzagoner hit it on the head, if you grade fairly, give clear scans of the item, and treat people fairly with good service, you will build a good following and naturally get better prices.

I'm curious, why would you scan a card in a Top Loader? Especially considering you are not assigning a grade or describing the card. You would think if a seller was not going to do gthat, they would want to give as clear a scan as possible. >>

Morning,

Head...Meet: Hit the Nail on the !!

Couldn't have said it better myself.......I 100% assume you are hiding something when card is in Top Loader and Sleve!!!!!!

YeeHah

Neil

cwazzy · November 14, 2011 2:56AM

<< For me personally, I do not bid on auctions where the seller scans it in a Top Loader, and to me, you are opening yourself up to some issues by doing that, especially with no description of the card, or no grade assigned. To me, those kind of listings make me think the seller is hiding something or is trying to get over. Itzagoner hit it on the head, if you grade fairly, give clear scans of the item, and treat people fairly with good service, you will build a good following and naturally get better prices.

I'm curious, why would you scan a card in a Top Loader? Especially considering you are not assigning a grade or describing the card. You would think if a seller was not going to do gthat, they would want to give as clear a scan as possible. >>

Seriously? A good scanner can handle a top loader just fine. I think you're risking more by removing the card and taking a chance of dinging a corner than you are by scanning the card as is. I wouldn't think twice about using a scan in a top loader and selling it on eBay.

fkw · November 14, 2011 3:04AM

Took a look at the Ryan auction, the auction looks good all the info is there, your title has all the key words...

only tiny thing I would change the wording on is "I like to resolve things before they get out of hand."
it makes it seem like youve had probs in the past..... but its really a small thing, no biggy.

Good luck, the card is at $100 with over a day left, heck, I never bid until there is 5 seconds left (snipe), and only bid once..... ALWAYS

PS on the Top Loader issue, Id scan it in the Top Loader too, its obvious from first glance the card has general wear (ie corner wear and maybe some light creases), and is "collector grade".
Any investor/flipper clown who thinks they will get a 7+ and flip it for a profit is only fooling themselves, its an average card with average wear, nothing more, or it would probably already be slabbed. Great card for the "true collector" (a dieing breed

)

Sean1125 · November 14, 2011 7:10AM

I've never thought about it that way that if the card is in a top loader you are hiding something. I typically just don't remove what ever sleeve the card came in unless it was some very weird thing or difficult to ship.

someone bid it up to $81 then sent me a message to cancel their bids.

JohnnyD · November 14, 2011 8:38AM

I like to see a scan of the back of the card, especially with a raw card. Lots of bad things can be hiding on the other side of a card....

scashaggy · November 14, 2011 8:48AM

I would not remove a higher dollar card from its toploader to scan...things happen.

Edit: That being said, that Ripken card needs to be removed from it's plastic tomb.

bking · November 14, 2011 8:52AM

FIFY

<< I would not put a higher dollar card in a toploader...things happen.
>>

Sean1125 · November 14, 2011 11:24AM

<< I like to see a scan of the back of the card, especially with a raw card. Lots of bad things can be hiding on the other side of a card.... >>

The back is actually better than the front, the corners appear sharper from the back and centering is superb.

ldferg · November 14, 2011 11:32AM

<< I would not remove a higher dollar card from its toploader to scan...things happen.

Edit: That being said, that Ripken card needs to be removed from it's plastic tomb. >>

Agreed on both comments.

bigreddog · November 15, 2011 3:31PM

I never bid or even continue reading auction descriptions if I see the following:

Scans in top loaders.

Bad out of focus scans/pics with an apology.

No grade assigned

and worst of all.......... Anyone claiming "Im not a proffessional grader"

handyman · November 15, 2011 4:00PM

s***c( 3 ) should have bid 125.51
Crazy price you got on the montana. Take it and run!!

bking · November 15, 2011 10:01PM

<< I never bid or even continue reading auction descriptions if I see the following:

Scans in top loaders.

Bad out of focus scans/pics with an apology.

No grade assigned

and worst of all.......... Anyone claiming "Im not a proffessional grader" >>

I thought I was the only one who avoided those.

Sean1125 · November 16, 2011 6:27AM

<< s***c( 3 ) should have bid 125.51
Crazy price you got on the montana. Take it and run!! >>

Yeah... I got a total (over all 70 auctions) 50% more than I expected...

drewsef · November 16, 2011 6:36AM

So, I was correct huh?

jeffcbay · November 16, 2011 7:45AM

I'm not surprised on that Montana price, centering goes a long way with that card. However, don't be surprised if you get a return request once the buyer gets it in hand. Classic case of "risk free of taking a look at it in hand". I don't do returns on raw cards... it's too easy for someone to swap it with a damaged version. I supply large and clear scans, and describe any flaws unseen by the scan.

Example:

jeffcbay · November 16, 2011 7:47AM

By the way, I love the Slap Chop reference... Fettucini, linguini, martini, bikini

Sean1125 · November 16, 2011 9:50PM

<< By the way, I love the Slap Chop reference... Fettucini, linguini, martini, bikini

[/q

gaha.... just gotout from back surgery i needed a laugh once i was bored i put a few different "sayings" in there..... i told my dad i expect a return request on several things, the montana being one... i got 4 times what i expected out of it for the condition (that was why this thread was initially posted) he has been a huge help.... we got 40 things packed yesterday

Why are these rookie cards selling for more than others?

Comments