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Patience

TomiTomi Posts: 643 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I have been putting together a high end graded set for the last 2 years and I'm about 73% complete. I don't want to discuss the set or out the dealer (some might identify the dealer rather quickly from this post), but last week I bought my 8th card this year that this well known Ebay seller (discussed here many times) has listed on Ebay. All 8 cards that I bought were less than half of what he is asking for his. One of his cards is listed for $800. I offer him $650 and the lowest he will go is $780. Not much a discount but he is entitled to sell his cards for whatever he wants. I added up the 8 cards and I have saved $1800 this year by just waiting for these cards to come up from someone else.
Hopefuly some might look at this situation and use a little more patience when looking for certain cards. Pop reports will always rise and prices will always fall. But then again (depending on the card), they will also rise.
Good luck to everyone!

Comments

  • PSASAPPSASAP Posts: 2,284 ✭✭✭
    Would the seller by any chance be James Bond's number + 700?
  • TomiTomi Posts: 643 ✭✭✭
    I said I wouldn't out the dealer, but yes. Technically I kept my word.
  • al032184al032184 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭
    Does the set rhyme with 48 Lowman Caseball?
  • TomiTomi Posts: 643 ✭✭✭
    No, it's a hockey set. But I'm sure they price it like that it for all sports and non-sports.
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    lol...ya think?? He could care less whether you buy his card or not.....
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    I've made very reasonable offers on several of his cards and each time he countered with a few dollars discount off his original asking price. I've never pulled the trigger with his counter-offers. He must have a loyal following or else he would have accepted my offers.
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭


    << <i>He must have a loyal following or else he would have accepted my offers. >>



    I think PT Barnum said it best....
  • MauriceMaurice Posts: 1,136
    Patience when buying can be rewarding. Patience can also be rewarding when selling. I don't know why some people feel it necessary to take shots at 707.
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    We apologize. However, if a business has a model that involves gouging customers are we not supposed to act like it exist?? If the gas station down the road from me charges $4.50 per gallon, and the same gas can be had for $3.50 from the next station down, I am gonna tell all my buddies, "Hey - you know you can get gas $1 cheaper down the road".
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    I am smart enough not to buy my bread from the person in question.
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    You can fill in the blank with anything in comparison. The example is golden.
  • MrVintageMrVintage Posts: 1,027 ✭✭✭


    << <i>We apologize. However, if a business has a model that involves gouging customers are we not supposed to act like it exist?? If the gas station down the road from me charges $4.50 per gallon, and the same gas can be had for $3.50 from the next station down, I am gonna tell all my buddies, "Hey - you know you can get gas $1 cheaper down the road". >>



    That is a terrible comparison. I don't think sports cards are quite the same as gasoline.....lol
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭


    << <i>That is a terrible comparison. I don't think sports cards are quite the same as gasoline.....lol >>



    You can fill in the blank with anything you want. Bread, gas, motor vehicles, etc. The example is golden and fits here.
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    OUCH!!
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You really can't compare trading cards to bread or gasoline because trading cards have elastic demand and essentials such as those have inelastic demand.

    People view the world differently and if this particular dealer wants to price his product above what others feel is a fair price that is his choice.

    I think it is actually smart because he has trained his customers that if they want the cards they will have to pay up. Because of the nature of an inelastic product if someone wants it bad enough they will pay the asking price and never look back.

    I am sure there are examples where patience pays off but some of his customers I am sure have very deep pockets and have no interest in looking for a card everyday for 12 months. Time is money and many would rather just bite the bullet and acquire the card(s) they want.

    It is getting old hearing so many complain about this dealers pricing strategy. He is not changing so deal with it. On the other hand many should applaud his pricing strategy because it is dealers like this that help your cards go up in value.
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    I hear you David, but trading cards AREN'T like the Mona Lisa! These aren't rare, one of a kind items. These were items that were made to be disposable. If you take a card, say a 1960 Topps PSA Mantle in a PSA 5, and 99 people have the card priced between $180-$300 and the 100th person has it priced at $800, then people are gonna make fun of them, calling them out of touch. Just the way it is.
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    ive been working on my Post War HOF RC Set since 2005. i like to attend The National.

    I've been trying to add one of these to my collection for a while.

    image

    there was ONE at this years national. O-N-E. yes, the one pictured above. "The National" and there was ONE.

    i like to make larger purchases in person. The National is the best place to do so imo.
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    so yea, pay what you want for your cards. thats what the hobby is all about.

    and remember, you can always work and make more money. you cant always find that card you want.

    edited to add: If anyone has a 1948 Leaf Paige RC PSA 1 for sale, please contact me image
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • MauriceMaurice Posts: 1,136


    << <i>If you take a card, say a 1960 Topps PSA Mantle in a PSA 5, and 99 people have the card priced between $180-$300 and the 100th person has it priced at $800, then people are gonna make fun of them, calling them out of touch. Just the way it is. >>



    First you absurdly compared baseball cards to essential goods, and now you're grossly exaggerating. Here are all of the 1960 Topps Mantle cards in PSA 5 currently for sale on ebay in non-auction format.

    1960 Topps #350 Mantle PSA 5. Prices include shipping.

    $275.00 - seller: caughtlooking2000
    $274.95 - seller: 1oldcardman
    $247.00 - seller: svcards
    $327.95 w/ Best Offer - seller: kityoungcards
    $330.00 w/ Best Offer - seller: www.707sportscards.com
    $269.99 - seller: bbcardstor

    1960 Topps #160 Mantle PSA 5. Prices include shipping.

    $62.99 - seller: aanewport
    $62.98 - seller: cardinv
    $67.00 - seller: rutgersgirl80
    $54.28 - seller: unrated-videos-dvds-and-music
    $75.00 w/ Best Offer - seller: www.707sportscards.com
    $93.00 w/ Best Offer - seller: b-e-collectibles
    $60.49 - seller: nhcardhunter
    $62.99 - seller: openbinders
    $64.99 - seller: jdduck

    1960 Topps #563 Mantle PSA 5. Prices include shipping.

    $122.99 - seller: vintagesportscards17
    $190.00 w/ Best Offer - seller: www.707sportscards.com
    $157.00 - seller: svcards
    $139.99 - seller: bbcardstor
    $139.99 - seller: bbcardstor
    $205.00 w/ Best Offer - seller: www.707sportscards.com
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    uhh...you're missing alot of info...where did you get your data?
  • bobbyw8469bobbyw8469 Posts: 7,139 ✭✭✭
    PS - aren't you a troll? What is your real PSA handle? I don't talk to trolls. My points are valid, and they still stand. Contrary to popular belief, baseball cards are NOT staples. You don't have to have them. I said you can fill in the blank - if 50 people are selling MARSHMALLOWS, and 49 people have them for $1 per bag, and your 50th person has his bag of MARSHMALLOWS for $10 a bag, then YES people are going to say something about him. He is free to charge what he wants, but these are NOT unique one of a kind items. We are talking about cards that you can find 10-20 examples on Ebay at any given time, and I can tell you with 100% certainty what seller is going to be the highest. He is free to do what he wants however - just stop getting mad when people call out his gross percentages.
  • MBMiller25MBMiller25 Posts: 6,057 ✭✭
    I'm not sure why Levi gets the wrap on these boards that he does. I'm guessing it's because the majority only know him from behind a computer. I will say that he has a truly impressive selection of cards and is entitled to ask whatever he wants for him. You might not be paying his prices, but I can assure that many are. What I really appreciate though is his knowledge of cards. He has helped me on a couple of occasions by educating me on a card and then taking it a step further by helping to locate items that he didn't have. For whatever reason customer service gets swept under the rug in this society we live in today. I appreciate it, and frankly am willing to pay a little more for it. I would encourage anyone that sees Levi at a show to seek him out. He is a good guy to talk to, and a wealth of knowledge.
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    Matt, this is spot on:

    "For whatever reason customer service gets swept under the rug in this society we live in today. "

    The sense of entitlement that so many people have today is amazing.
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One thing that came to mind this morning is at least you know you are not getting shilled. Everyone of 707's items on EBAY are Buy It Now.



  • MauriceMaurice Posts: 1,136


    << <i>uhh...you're missing alot of info...where did you get your data? >>



    I'm not missing any info unless there have been new listings since my post. I got my data from ebay.com.
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    the first time i ever saw the guy, i saw a showman. nothing's changed, it seems.....and he's so good at what he does, that he's still around and liberating baseball cards after all these years.

    Michael Jackson was a showman, too. and folks plunked down a lotta cash to watch him moonwalk.

    but, aw heck, anyone can moonwalk.
  • TNP777TNP777 Posts: 5,710 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm not sure why Levi gets the wrap on these boards that he does. I'm guessing it's because the majority only know him from behind a computer. I will say that he has a truly impressive selection of cards and is entitled to ask whatever he wants for him. You might not be paying his prices, but I can assure that many are. What I really appreciate though is his knowledge of cards. He has helped me on a couple of occasions by educating me on a card and then taking it a step further by helping to locate items that he didn't have. For whatever reason customer service gets swept under the rug in this society we live in today. I appreciate it, and frankly am willing to pay a little more for it. I would encourage anyone that sees Levi at a show to seek him out. He is a good guy to talk to, and a wealth of knowledge. >>

    spot on

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
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