Is there something extra special about this item? Help please!

Sethro · February 7, 2012 12:39AM

While browsing for Steve Carlton stuff for my collection I came across this item: Steve Carlton Final Color Negative

It was a $44 BIN, so I put it on my watch list, which is what I do when I am deciding if I want to purchase an item. A day or two later I check my watch list and see the item is now at $270 BIN. Now, there is no way this item was a $270 BIN when I put it in my watch list, as I just don't have the ability to spend that kind of money on something like this and would have never put it on my watch list. I thought, OK, maybe the $44 was a listing mistake, and this type of item usually goes for around the new listed price.

I checked completed auctions for "topps final color negative", went through and looked at ones from the 70's, and found that minus a few outliers (1971 Vida Blue sold for $348 for example) these items overwhelmingly go for between 20 and 60 dollars, granted the majority of them are not stars.

My question to anyone who can help is: Am I missing something in these other listings? Is there something special about this item that would make it worth so much more than the others, other than it is Steve Carlton? I am just trying to understand the what the seller may have thought it was at first and what caused the change in price.

This is not a complaint or anything like that, I just want to know if there is a difference between this final color negative and the others. Thanks!

MeteoriteGuy · February 7, 2012 12:42AM

Looks a little high to me.

You never know what those Topps proofs, blank backs and other Vault offerings will go for. I've seen HOF'er items go for starting, and in the four digit. I think they are great pc additions, but I am sure I could find something else that would be as well for that price.

Sethro · February 7, 2012 2:13AM

Thanks for your input! I figure it is hard to gauge something's worth when it's one of the Topps Vault 1/1 things. My confusion is that I am not sure what I am missing (if anything) when it went from $44 to $270? Would that be an offensive question to ask the seller? Why the increase?

5714Ks · February 7, 2012 2:35AM

The seller is an active member here. He should be able to help.

dontippet · February 7, 2012 2:41AM

It appears high. With listing fees so low, sellers will place any price on an item hoping it sells. I've been watching a signed Cal Ripken item that didn't sell for $9.99 plus $9.99 shipping. Once the auction ended, the seller relisted the item for $499.99 buy it now. I assume he is hoping somebody offers him $50 for it.

MeteoriteGuy · February 7, 2012 3:00AM

If the $44 still sounds fair to you, I might message the seller and ask him if he would take the $44 he originally had on it. This way you politely let him know you saw the original offer.

I purchased a Topps vault item secondary this last week on eBay. A Tony Gonzalez 2010 Topps Triple Threads Proof. The seller listed it at $199.99 obo, I offered $20. He came back with what appeared to be a lie, and said he paid $50, but would take $45, and changed the listed to $149.99 obo. I told him I had won 10-12 Gonzo Topps Vault items and only one went over the $9.99 starting bid, but that I would go to $22, which I noted was my ceiling. The only reason I wanted it is I had the Platinum 1/1, the Topps Vault Blank Bank 1/1, a proof of the Platinum 1/1, and a few of the /25, the next rarest version. He told me to place the offer and accepted it.

eBay sellers can be funny, but I guess you cant blame someone for trying to make a profit (even if it is an exaggerated one). Just figure what it is worth to you and you can't go wrong in the long run.

Happy collecting!
Mark

Dboneesq · February 7, 2012 3:37AM

Good luck. Hope you get it.

Sethro · February 7, 2012 3:46AM

Thanks for all the input. I did send a message asking about that original price. Hope he doesn't get offended, as I have purchased some things from him before and don't want to get blocked! I'll let you all know how things turn out.

Sethro · February 7, 2012 4:10AM

Seller suggested maybe I clicked the wrong item. Unlikely, as I was looking for Steve Carlton items specifically. I did check the revisions of the listing and it said the BIN price had been changed on February 3rd, a couple of days after I put it in my watch list. So it definitely was a different price than $270. Although I am positive it was $44 (I wouldn't have given it thought for much more than that) it's impossible to say with 100% certainty the original price. The only sure thing is the price had definitely been changed while it was in my watch list. Oh, well. I was trying to be prudent with my limited funds and it bit me this time. No biggie.

Archaninator · February 7, 2012 5:13AM

.

nightcrawler · February 7, 2012 5:41AM

Throw Probstien in the thread title, that'll get his attention.

Sethro · February 7, 2012 5:44AM

<< <i>Sethro - you are absolutely correct:

LINKYDINK

http://www.google.com/search?q=1973+Topps+Steve+Carlton+Phillies+HOF+Final+Baseball+Card+Color+Negative&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US

fficial&client=firefox-a

7th down on the search results. You got the s-haft! According to Google cached data, at one time, the item was listed with a $44 BuyItNow. It would be nice to see the seller honor this price!

Steve Carlton | Ebook Dates
www.ebookdates.com/20/steve-carlton/on-sale/
1973 Topps Steve Carlton Phillies HOF Final Baseball Card Color Negative $44.00. End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 14:04:45 PST Buy It Now for only: $44.00 ... >>

Archaninator, yet again you are the man!!! I knew I wasn't crazy! Damn it! I know everyone's going to jump my sheet for this, but here is the seller's response to me:

hi seth, we never had the piece listed that low (Italics mine)....maybe you clicked on another item
we can't sell that low...
thanks for the interest
thx
rick...

He doesn't need to honor the $44 price, as he did change it to $270 before anyone bought it, but at least admit the mistake!

WinPitcher · February 7, 2012 5:48AM

Is it possible that (with all the things he sells) that he doesn't really know
that it was for sale at a lower price? Is it possible that maybe one of his employees
knows about this.

Sethro · February 7, 2012 5:48AM

<< <i>Is it possible that (with all the things he sells) that he doesn't really know
that it was for sale at a lower price? Is it possible that maybe one of his employees
knows about this. >>

It sure is possible. It sure is.

vladguerrero · February 7, 2012 5:49AM

sometimes sellers will relist an item with a much higher price if they see it has watchers, then put it 'on sale' in hopes for a quick sale... maybe?

Sethro · February 7, 2012 5:51AM

<< <i>sometimes sellers will relist an item with a much higher price if they see it has watchers, then put it 'on sale' in hopes for a quick sale... maybe? >>

My positive side thought it must have been a mistake. My negative side thought something about the seller knowing it had watchers.

I'm sure I'm doubly wrong.

Is there something extra special about this item? Help please!

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