707 sportscards
jayboog
Posts: 15
what is the deal with these guys??? why do they mark their prices up way over vcp value when they know damn well nobodys going to pay that much?
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Comments
And I guess if you don't need the money, and have all the time in the world, why not? All it takes is one "yes". With their price structure, they must be making a HUGE percentage of profit on just about every card they do sell.
I have never purchased anything from them, and most of the time I completely ignore their listings when I'm browsing. I suppose if they were the only one that had a specific card I was looking for and I just had to have it, I'd pay their price!
A few years ago, someone here posted a way in which 707 is useful that made me laugh. He said whenever he needed to figure out what fair market value was for a card, he'd just go to 707's items for sale, find out what they were asking for it, and reduce that figure by 1/3.
-CDs Nuts, 1/20/14
*1956 Topps baseball- 97.4% complete, 7.24 GPA
*Clemente basic set: 85.0% complete, 7.89 GPA
#1-The cards are theirs and they are free to sell them for whatever price they chose.
#2-If your looking to start a set dont go near their inventory unless your down to that last group of cards that you cant find- chances are they will have it.
#3- In my opinion lots of their cards are overgraded
#4-Lightning fast Shipping and great customer service
#5-More than 75% of their inventory is ridiculasly overpriced to the tune of "Rip Off" style mark ups that you would never get your money back if you chose to resell
<< <i>I have never purchased anything from them, and most of the time I completely ignore their listings when I'm browsing. I suppose if they were the only one that had a specific card I was looking for and I just had to have it, I'd pay their price!/
<< <i>
That is their business model and it obviously works.
<< <i>Bet blackitalian can tell you. >>
+1
I bet it's right up there with "how much do you charge to ship a card" and "do you leave feedback first?"
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>Yep, they've only sold $16,000+ worth in the first 3 days of December. Good thing "nobody" is buying. >>
to come up with that figure do you manually add up their sales or is there an easier way to sum the transactions?
<< <i>
<< <i>Bet blackitalian can tell you. >>
+1 >>
sounds like mrmint has a crush!
<< <i>I tend to always post when this topic comes up and it has over the years many many times, so I will say it again...
#1-The cards are theirs and they are free to sell them for whatever price they chose.
#2-If your looking to start a set dont go near their inventory unless your down to that last group of cards that you cant find- chances are they will have it.
#3-In my opinion lots of their cards are overgraded
#4-Lightning fast Shipping and great customer service
#5-More than 75% of their inventory is ridiculasly overpriced to the tune of "Rip Off" style mark ups that you would never get your money back if you chose to resell >>
Well analyzed and delivered.
Food for thought...my 2 cents...dovetail...waterfall...
I notice on the CU forums some members consistently reference "VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP, VCP" as if it is a burning bush of sorts. The heralding of "VCP" sounds like a broken record to me. I think some out there fail to realize that not EVERYONE collects just to resell or invest; yes, this population has grown since the early 1990s, but it is does not represent the majority. Some collectors do it for fun, some do it out of pride, and many do if for simple sentimental value...and VCP cannot gauge or predict a price on any of this. If individuals have a problem with 707 or the MANY other high priced collecting retail businesses, then don't buy from their stock and ignore their services. If 707's business model fails, then you can visit their liquidation auction and bid on cards to your VCP heart's content. I am not a 707 lover or supporter; rather, just highlighting the fact that not everyone's' world revolves around collecting and the market economy (of which is full of irrational people), not VCP, determines prices of goods and services. Some collectors pay for solid customer service, quality delivery, access to hard to find items, etc. As many have said before in other threads, Beckett, SMR, VCP, etc. are all simple "guides" using different data sets, assumptions, and analysis techniques to provide users with an "estimate" of current value (and each guide has flaws). VCP only tells you about past and current trends. It has no longitudinal prediction qualities and it does not take into account other variables in sales, such as customer service, for example. If VCP did have serious longitudinal prediction qualities, every investing-type collector would pay significant $$$ to look into the VCP crystal ball for future prediction of card and auto prices. However, this is just not the case. Just wait until the economy grows and millions of collectors have extra $$$ to spend on collectibles. Imagine what 707 and others' prices and bottom line will go then? Meatloaf
I only bought 2 cards from that source for a reason. I'm sure as I worked on the set from 2004-2010 there were others cards being offered at a more reasonable price. As was mentioned above, if you're willing to pay top dollar for what you need, that's always your choice to pull the trigger or not.
There's no way someone like me could afford to put a whole set together at 707 prices. There's no arguing that!
707 items that sold: $53,400.00
Items that did not sell: $2,212,000.00
Levi has a LOT to offer to buyers. If you want it you pay his price. If not, then he will just re-list. When you have the money to back you up you can sit and wait. I agree that his prices are quite high, but if he has something that does not come around too frequently, ya gotta pony up.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
He also does shows, and sells off his web site. The only people that whine about his prices
seem to reside on this forum.
IMO it's not a stretch to say that he does a million dollars in sales per year.
That's a nice cash flow for someone that never sells anything.
Oh, did I mention that he also has a few other sidelines?
Speaking of sidelines I'll go back to mine now.
Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007
Al
Levi's the only man to ever sell a card to Chuck Norris.
<< <i>Did a quick search over the past 30 days. Not saying these results are accurate, but what it showed me was:
707 items that sold: $53,400.00
Items that did not sell: $2,212,000.00
Levi has a LOT to offer to buyers. If you want it you pay his price. If not, then he will just re-list. When you have the money to back you up you can sit and wait. I agree that his prices are quite high, but if he has something that does not come around too frequently, ya gotta pony up. >>
In fairness, this isn't a validation of his business model. Anybody who carries millions of dollars of inventory can draw 50K in sales every month. The really interesting question is whether this model maximizes profits, and my suspicion (and it's only that) is that it does not.
Edited to add: The inventories value could also be inflated somewhat.
<< <i>
<< <i>Did a quick search over the past 30 days. Not saying these results are accurate, but what it showed me was:
707 items that sold: $53,400.00
Items that did not sell: $2,212,000.00
Levi has a LOT to offer to buyers. If you want it you pay his price. If not, then he will just re-list. When you have the money to back you up you can sit and wait. I agree that his prices are quite high, but if he has something that does not come around too frequently, ya gotta pony up. >>
In fairness, this isn't a validation of his business model. Anybody who carries millions of dollars of inventory can draw 50K in sales every month. The really interesting question is whether this model maximizes profits, and my suspicion (and it's only that) is that it does not. >>
If he had lower prices and sold everything, he'd go out of business due to no inventory. I learned that in my business class at MSU Boo.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Met Levi at a National Sports Card Convention in the early 1990's. He had two cards I was unable to find in high grade at any of the other dealers tables. Both were raw and priced quite a bit above "book". When I mentioned the fact that the cards were less than that in Becket, he politely replied that he didn't go by the "book" he priced his cards at what he thought they were worth. He also said (without a bit of arrogance) he had been in the hobby for quite some time, longer than many of the people that wrote the "book".
For $215.00 I bought two cards that I thought he should have sold me for no more than $160.00, but since I "needed" them I paid. Recently had them graded. 1969 Topps Super Harmon Killebrew PSA Gem mint 10 and 1962 AL Home Run Leaders PSA 8 (looks like an 8.5 perfect centering).
Maybe Levi is just smart. He might even be the Chuck Norris of cards.
Joe
<< <i>
If he had lower prices and sold everything, he'd go out of business due to no inventory. I learned that in my business class at MSU Boo. >>
When I was in middle school I used to help a dealer, who lived a couple of blocks over, setup at shows. He had tons of 50's and 60's superstar single cards (Mantles, T Williams, Aarons etc) in very high grade (all raw as it was before grading). I asked why he never put those out at shows. He said if I can sell other material that's replaceable I'd rather do that as I know I will not have a problem finding a buyer for my top cards if I ever needed to sell them quick. In the case of 707, why liquidate his 52 Mantles when he's doing just fine selling other cards that are easier to replace? Let's say you needed to raise funds fast for a financial emergency; you'd be much better off holding 52 Mantles vs thousands of 89UD Griffey Jr rookies.
Levi Bleam - with a name like that - I'm expecting him to front a British Invasion band.
I agree that 707 is not the only one. I think a lot of sellers on ebay are doing it. As mentioned it is not noticed as much because small time sellers are barely on the map these days...
The retinal scan for entry into Levi's safe is to glance at Chuck Norris, none have tried.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
1. He has the more tables and more PSA graded cards than anyone else at every show I go to. Some of the big wax dealers (Steve Hart, Blowout etc.) probably had more space at the National, but Levi brings a ton of inventory.
2. His system of organization is something you do not see often. Every card has it's bar code scanned when you purchase it. This is done to remove it from Ebay and his website. The cards are all sorted by year and the card number and easily found in his cases. Prices are clearly marked. Usually everything in an area is $x.
3. You can always get to his booth because there is never a crowd. If you watch his booth he sells very little. But if you watch him work a show floor you will see him buying and selling with other dealers and some big collectors. I saw him approach a big collector at the National to tell the collector he had the cards he was looking for. I tried listening to the conversation - it sounded like a predetermined deal. But this customer never went near the 707 booth that I saw, Levi went to him.
4. At many shows Levi leases the display cases to the other dealers so they do not have to travel with them. I assume this is a great profit center that most people do not know about.
5. If you are looking for mid-grade cards 707 is very reasonable. Lots of $5 to $10 cards. I purchase PSA 6 cards from the 1960 set at good prices. I also purchase many PSA 8's from the 70's era at fair prices.
6. Levi has never said one word to me. I always deal with the short bald guy.
7. That goofy white top hat and the endless number of Heavy Metal band T-shirts are iconic. He is the second most recognizable dealer at most shows. And not as arrogant. I looking at you Mr. Mint Al Rosen. Get your feet down off the table and say hi to someone. And try smiling like you did in all those ads with the cash.
Just my observations.
Shawn
Josh Wilker - Cardboard Gods
<< <i>Levi has never said one word to me. I always deal with the short bald guy. >>
I think that short bald guy is really the flaw in his business model. I pray to God somebody will start a thread about him...
Chuck Norris prays only to the short bald guy.
Superman owns a pair of Levi pajamas.
What I have noticed is that most of his inventory is not high end trending toward the low end. Just a spot observation.
I am a colelctor only and willing to pay above vcp for a card I want. maybe not 2x.
So I choose to pass on his listings. His business nodel works for him as it has been that way for a long time.
If it works then why change it?
On the other side IMO vcp is detrimental to the hobby itself. If everyone is trying to buy at vcp or below. The value of cards can only go down.
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
if you switch around the letters in Levi you get Evil.
black coffee tastes icky.
The bottom line is they are his cards and he can price them how ever he wants.
He is clearly pricing his cards not catering to those that live or die by this VCP service. If he has a card that is hard to find at some point many will cave and pay the higher price.
The only way cards go up in value is if someone pays a higher price then the last sale. If he is getting cards to sell for more that is a good thing.
I think this pricing strategy is a good one personally.
<< <i>This is a very interesting topic every time it comes up.
The bottom line is they are his cards and he can price them how ever he wants.
He is clearly pricing his cards not catering to those that live or die by this VCP service. If he has a card that is hard to find at some point many will cave and pay the higher price.
The only way cards go up in value is if someone pays a higher price then the last sale. If he is getting cards to sell for more that is a good thing.
I think this pricing strategy is a good one personally. >>
Agreed. Well stated. Meatloaf
$200
Anybody?.......................................................................................... I wait