Home› Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

Trying to price 1970's unopened....Bbce's pricing?

SteelernationSteelernation Posts: 362 ✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
One way I'm trying to figure out a fair market price is of course following bbce.

About what is bbce's markup vs what he buys at? For ex., he buys an early wax box at $2000.,, what percentage increase does steve add? 50%....so $3000. That seems a bit high. 33%?

Just kind of looking for a rule of thumb although this market has been crazy in the past 1-2 yrs,almost parabolic.

I just see people asking over double what bbce pays and got me thinking at what would be a fair offer, and also what to bid

Thanks

Comments

  • baz518baz518 Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭✭
    Good luck with your offers, I see the same thing and never had anyone take close to what he sells for. But I think you're about right... he's usually closer to 25-33% on the higher dollar stuff (70s) and 50% on the lower dollar (post 1980). And that's just based on his posted buy prices, probably larger margins when he makes larger purchases.
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Check BBCE's buy prices on their website.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • SteelernationSteelernation Posts: 362 ✭
    I see their buy prices, trying to figure what to add.

    Also, anyone know how to find past eBay auction results that I didn't specifically save/watch?
  • MintacularMintacular Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭
    You can find past eBay results by Typing in search item and then hit "completed listings" left-hand side. I believe this yields 30-days of auctions. If you sign up with Terapeak you can see I think 90-days worth of past sales, although there is a monthly fee for this service
  • ndleondleo Posts: 4,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It really depends on the product - replacement availability and how fast its sell. I also think the sport makes a difference as well.

    I would guess that his lowest mark-up would have to be in 35% range just to pay the bills.
    Mike
  • mtcardsmtcards Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭
    Honestly, I think percentage of purchase would depend not only on overall price, but item in question. I can see shelling out 10k for a 86-87 Fleer Bkb Box since you will still make a couple of thousand on it, but on lower stuff, I have a hard time believing that someone is paying $4 a box and hoping to resell it at $8. I would say the "before overhead" markup would be closer to 75%
    IT IS ALWAYS CHEAPER TO NOT SELL ON EBAY
  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭✭
    As is rather obvious from the little 70s unopened that BBCE has had
    available for almost the past two years (and how quickly the few items
    they have gotten have sold) its a sellers market.

    BBCE has published buy prices, but it is almost certain that they would have
    to exceed them (probably significantly) in order to start getting any takers.

    Watch the next Collect Auctions unopened lots to get a better gauge on where
    things now stand


    Dave
  • SteelernationSteelernation Posts: 362 ✭
    Great info. And good food for thought.
    I realize lots of different variables to take into account including what the sellers thinking. Getting a handle on it.
    Thanks again guys.
  • SteelernationSteelernation Posts: 362 ✭
    You guys saved me a lot of money.

    Using the ebay completed sales function, each item sold for $1000 each, 7 weeks and 3 weeks ago. Now he's asking $2000 for each. I know the unopened market is crazy but not double in a month. I'm not even going to make an offer which I think would be fair, even generous because he'd probably take it as an insult.

    To the member who private messages me....thanks a lot. Based on the info you gave me, ESP in that last paragraph I decided to pass. It's not as rare as I thought. Which I considered in his mark up.
    ...I won't bid against you..ha. And I do hope you find those up for auction.
  • ndleondleo Posts: 4,146 ✭✭✭✭✭
    BBCE just sold a 1977 Topps FB Box for $2000. The buy price is $1200, making the mark-up 67%,
    Mike
  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭✭
    Probably incorrect. BBCE has posted buy prices, but in order
    to get items these days it would take well over their posted
    Buy prices to obtain them from all except those who are in quick
    Need of cash IMO


    Dave
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Probably incorrect. BBCE has posted buy prices, but in order
    to get items these days it would take well over their posted
    Buy prices to obtain them from all except those who are in quick
    Need of cash IMO >>



    +1


    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.
  • ndleondleo Posts: 4,146 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Probably incorrect. BBCE has posted buy prices, but in order
    to get items these days it would take well over their posted
    Buy prices to obtain them from all except those who are in quick
    Need of cash IMO >>



    The buy price for a 1977 Topps Box at the Nov 2013 time frame was $800. This was before he updated his buy prices. A BBCE sealed box sold for $1600 on ebay around the same time. A box at Steel City Collectibles sat for a long time at $1549 before it sold. I know that box probably went for less (heck Steve may have bought it), because it was offered to me for at a lower price. Steve may have paid more than $1200, but I doubt he had to go "well over" that price, it seems very close to what the box should sell for to a dealer.

    If the seller wanted to sell it himself on ebay, he would need to get more than $1380 (not including S&H) in order to beat Steve's buy price. Considering how long the Steel City box sat at $1549, it doesn't seem that the risk would be worth it for a seller.

    A 67% mark-up is not that high. Steve has a lot of bills to pay and provides great service, I hope he continues to make money.
    Mike
Sign In or Register to comment.