I Would go Broke as a Dealer
gemint
Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭✭✭
Have any collectors on here thought of becoming a dealer? Sure we all buy and sell through eBay and other auction houses and maybe our own websites. I'm talking about making a living buying and selling cards. If I ever tried to do that, I'd go broke because I'd always be wanting to keep the best cards for my collection and sell the lower valued leftovers. It takes a lot of discipline to be a dealer. Most of the dealers I know stopped collecting when they made it their business for this very reason. Is anyone successful at both building a solid collection and selling to make a living at it?
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<< <i>Have any collectors on here thought of becoming a dealer? Sure we all buy and sell through eBay and other auction houses and maybe our own websites. I'm talking about making a living buying and selling cards. If I ever tried to do that, I'd go broke because I'd always be wanting to keep the best cards for my collection and sell the lower valued leftovers. It takes a lot of discipline to be a dealer. Most of the dealers I know stopped collecting when they made it their business for this very reason. Is anyone successful at both building a solid collection and selling to make a living at it? >>
Hiya John
I have never sold on ebay or anything - have thought the same thing.
I remember reading something by a big dealer - maybe Mr Mint?
"As a dealer, never fall in love with your own stuff."
Sure makes sense. I have trouble parting with the boxes that stuff come in.
with apologies to The Clash:
Darlin' you got to let me know
Should I sell or should I hold?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here 'til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I sell or should I hold?
It's always increase increase increase
I'm happy when my wheels are greased
All day is fine and in the black
Until I want to buy it back
Well come on an' let me know
Should I sell or should I hold?
Should I sell or should I hold now?
Should I sell or should I hold now?
If I sell there will be trouble
An' if I hold it value will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision's buggin' me......
<< <i> Is anyone successful at both building a solid collection and selling to make a living at it? >>
707
<< <i>707, ha ha duncan, did someone help you spell that?!?!?! >>
sevenohseven , is that better for you you ignorant troll
<< <i>there is no formula for success if you can't allow yourself to let go of everything, then you can't be a full-time dealer and make a living, at least not by my estimate.....a cross-breed of salesman and collector can operate at a functionally profitable level if that individual knows the market well enough, but i don't see how you feed a family and pay off your monthly nut just flipping cards anymore. maybe 20+ years ago or so. for me, that's when a good wholesale business was able to carry the load. but surely there are folks who currently make a living as you've described, so they've played it well.
with apologies to The Clash:
Darlin' you got to let me know
Should I sell or should I hold?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here 'til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I sell or should I hold?
It's always increase increase increase
I'm happy when my wheels are greased
All day is fine and in the black
Until I want to buy it back
Well come on an' let me know
Should I sell or should I hold?
Should I sell or should I hold now?
Should I sell or should I hold now?
If I sell there will be trouble
An' if I hold it value will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision's buggin' me...... >>
Joe Strummer is rolling over in his grave.
1) German flag and party banner
2) that Jeter/Bush/Mantle Gold card-2007
3) case of 1983 Topps (made some stupid trade)
4) approx. 3,000 75 & 76 cards in ex-nrmt
5) Mantle autographs (what was I thinking back then)
To be honest, no direction, but...
1966-69 Topps EX+
1975 minis NrMt Kelloggs PSA 9
All Topps Heritage-Master Sets
<< <i>
<< <i>Have any collectors on here thought of becoming a dealer? Sure we all buy and sell through eBay and other auction houses and maybe our own websites. I'm talking about making a living buying and selling cards. If I ever tried to do that, I'd go broke because I'd always be wanting to keep the best cards for my collection and sell the lower valued leftovers. It takes a lot of discipline to be a dealer. Most of the dealers I know stopped collecting when they made it their business for this very reason. Is anyone successful at both building a solid collection and selling to make a living at it? >>
Hiya John
I have never sold on ebay or anything - have thought the same thing.
I remember reading something by a big dealer - maybe Mr Mint?
"As a dealer, never fall in love with your own stuff."
Sure makes sense. I have trouble parting with the boxes that stuff come in. >>
As a drug dealer once recommended the same advice, "don't smoke your own stash".