Price Guides and Actual Selling Prices
Foo3112
Posts: 1,961
One thing that still confuses me is how card prices come about in price guides.
For example:
Alex Rodriguez 1994 Uperdeck (Regular BV is $15)
No one HAS EVER paid $15 for that card.
If they sell on eBay for about $3-4 consistently - Why don't prices guides list them at those real selling prices? Why write $15?
On the flip side to that, If they DID list them at those real selling prices, then would that mean that people would start selling them at $1 now because everyone always sells lower than the price listed in the guides?
Seems like graded cards listed in SMR's and VCP sell more accurately and are in tune to what real prices are going for - for the most part. I don't know if anyone has even picked up in a Beckett in the last couple of years but if you haven't, don't worry because 98% of vintage pricing has not changed in the last 3 years. Its like Beckett gave up. Subscribing to them would be pointless. All you need is 1 Beckett magazine a year.
For example:
Alex Rodriguez 1994 Uperdeck (Regular BV is $15)
No one HAS EVER paid $15 for that card.
If they sell on eBay for about $3-4 consistently - Why don't prices guides list them at those real selling prices? Why write $15?
On the flip side to that, If they DID list them at those real selling prices, then would that mean that people would start selling them at $1 now because everyone always sells lower than the price listed in the guides?
Seems like graded cards listed in SMR's and VCP sell more accurately and are in tune to what real prices are going for - for the most part. I don't know if anyone has even picked up in a Beckett in the last couple of years but if you haven't, don't worry because 98% of vintage pricing has not changed in the last 3 years. Its like Beckett gave up. Subscribing to them would be pointless. All you need is 1 Beckett magazine a year.
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Comments
In all you have the choice to buy something. You set the price. its just a guide to help your judgment
<< <i>Alex Rodriguez 1994 Uperdeck (Regular BV is $15)
No one HAS EVER paid $15 for that card.
>>
I get your point, but I would doubt that $15 part. Here's one that someone paid $13.98 for, if you include shipping. Someone had to have paid $15+ back when he was putting up big numbers.
link
Just read interesting book called "Priceless" by William Poundstone. Lots of good stuff about pricing and markets, stuff like that if you are interested in that sort of thing.
On concept called "anchor pricing" is a psychological tactic whereby it gives a buyer some point of reference. The anchor price may not even be legitimate. Let's say you are in the market for an oriental rug but you don't know much about them. You go to an oriental rug dealer who just happens to have an 80% off sale going on. Wow, you find a rug you like marked at $2000 but the guy says there is a sale now and it's yours for $400. What a deal! A "dumb" buyer will think it's a great deal, whereas a savvy buyer who knows the value of the rugs may know that you can get this type of rug for $200.
In the card market, the anchor price is "book price" and generally high book price. Smart shoppers know the reality is a lot lower.