Why not show your set content?

carew4me

Why do some of the sets in a registry not have a link that takes you to its content. (ie, individual card grades)
What is the purpose of listing a set and not showing what is made up of?
Just wondering......

69topps8

Some registrars are concerned that dealers will take advantage of the fact that they need particular cards. This is more an issue when the set is nearly complete. They can list the set summary without having the individual cards listed. This allows them to rank their set while not exposing themselves to shill bidding and other issues.

FB

Carew4me,

I guess it depends on who is showing or not showing their cards... But, for me - I currently allow all folks to see what cards I have in my 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 72 OPC sets. The only set that I keep closed from viewing (for now) is my 72 Topps Baseball set. I closed viewing down about a month ago when I found that 2 of the last 16 cards (which were commons) that I needed in PSA 8 went for over $100 each - while other cards with lower populations were selling for $20 apiece. I was pretty sure that a couple of folks were keeping tabs on what I had and what I didn't and figured that if I still needed it - IT MUST BE SUPER RARE!!!

So, by not allowing access to my set and by sniping the card at the end - I've been able to grab a couple of the last cards for under $30. I've seen it happen with other years as well to other people.

So - thats my story and I'm sure that there are plenty of others...

dude

I agree with FB's analysis and that's why I don't reveal my content on my two most "active" sets, while I do reveal the content on my "inactive sets".

Vargha

I actually have the reverse scenario. When I was 60 cards short, I didn't show my set composite so that bidders couldn't detect my needs on cards and place their bids based on that information. Now that I only need seven cards, six of which are difficult to get, I keep the content posted. I started doing that once I was down to about a dozen to go.

(Typo . . . )

ejguru

No doubt about it. The experts have spoken. I can only dream of the day (maybe next year) when I am in a spot where I must "hide" my set to the general public to reduce chances of sniping. However, I do see the likelihood of sharing it (my email attachment or fax or whatever) with those fellow collectors who have made (or tried to make) trades and have been "friends" in the past. I'm only at 60% in 1967 and 40% in 1968 and much is owed to a few fellow setbuilders I've met online/on registry (Thanks). While there are snipers out there, I do believe the "got it, need it" CAN be alive and well, all the way to the end.

FB

Eric (EJ) makes a good point that I don't believe that we've touched on.

If you are just starting a set - especially if you are below 50% - I think that your best bet is to keep the grades open for viewing.

As you build up contacts, people that you deal with will notice what you still need and email you to let you know what they might have available. I've sold A LOT more 72 Topps directly than I have through eBay and even today, as I accumulate more cards, I have certain folks that I put cards aside for. When I reach 5 or 10 cards that they need - I email them to see if they're interested.

Just something else to consider.

carew4me

That is a good point.
I had just listed some early Bowman football sets when I
was contacted by other set builders who had some dups
and sold them to me below SMR. So it was positive for me
to show the content.
But I now understand why someone would hide it because of the
snipes and and greed bids, etc,