How many people know what they’re actually buying?
Raptormaniacs
Posts: 107 ✭✭✭
I turned down a purchase tonight because it was 25percent higher than I figured it was worth. I love collecting sports cards but 25percent is quite a bit (overall picture). I know we all collect for different reasons but sometimes it just boggles my mind.
Do most people buy sports cards on an emotional attachment? Or is there a calculated effort?
0
Comments
Great question that can be framed several ways…
Do people know what they are overlooking?
Seems there is so much MLB history that has been ignored.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Speculation -- Good Deal -- great centering -- collecting a set -- card is rare (or rarer)
Sometimes we pay more, founded on the belief that the next person might pay more than more.
Farewell Ryno.
On rare occasions I will overpay for something - if I want it bad enough and they may only come up on rare occasions.
Overall? I like waiting for the right price and have been very patient for many years now.
E.g. this 1934 Quaker Babe Ruth premium in good shape will have buys @ $1500 with little or no negotiating.
I picked this one up at Hunt auctions for $563.47; still a lot of money but I was attempting to get as many of the premium offers that I can find.
It's OK to overpay for the really good, much desired material. Sometimes that the only way to aquire it. Before I make a purchase, I usually consider 2 things. Do I really like the item and can I at least get my money back if/when I sell. And remember, it's always better to go out on a limb and spend the extra money for that rarer card, or that higher grade.
They call me "Pack the Ripper"
I have the same philosophy, as I’m sure many of us do. I was referring to more common set/card but it can be applied to any situation. I’m sure that we’ve all seen it and said ‘why would someone pay that?’
As a set builder... quite often get stuck overpaying for a card I need to complete a set. Usually of an athlete who is not appreciated/valuable and I am not a fan of.... but this happens way too often.
How do you know that hat is from the 1930s?
I would overpay if I really wanted something---- with the end game being to just pass it on. I wouldn't buy a $1000 card with 20% juice & 10% sales tax thinking I got a good deal..... I'd have to sell it for $1600 to make maybe $50 and seriously doubt the value of the card would increase 60% in my lifetime.
That's a great question.
First, I bought it from Hunt auctions who have really experienced people which I have learned to trust over the years.
This is a very esoteric item and I believe not popular enough to invest in to fake? Not totally sure on that.
I'm in the "I'll just have trust" area on this item?
I will seldom purchase readily available items at a premium. If I want a 1980 Henderson rookie, I do not have to purchase today. there are probably hundreds available any day of the week. These type of items I can feel comfortable waiting on a "good" deal.
now rare/seldom seen items are very different for me. I purchased one rare card for my PC about 8 years ago at what I felt was a 30-40% premium price. it did not phase me in the least. I had not seen one up for sale in over 10 years. Just in the last few months have I seen another one come up for sale. I would rather overpay than wait for years and years for another copy to come to market.
I heard a guy say one time that the time to buy rare/desirable material is when it is available for sale.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I was reminded of another reason to know what you’re buying. SHILLS. They’re still around and even the ‘honest’ sellers are using them. I’m not going to name them but be careful.
Trust no one when it comes to your money!!!
Honest folks don't sell Collectibles for a living
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Did you really overpay if that is what you were willing to pay to get one? You just paid more than you wanted to pay, but maybe you paid market value after all. The market is what people are willing to pay, so by overpaying, you might just be helping to set a standard.
It's become much more clear to me in the last 3-5 years that what I am willing to pay for something and what I might actually have to pay can be grossly different and there always seems to be no shortage people who are willing to pay more than me, often making me think they are overpaying.
There are honest people in this world. It needs to be cleaned up. I’m going to start leaving real ratings for these sellers. I will pay BIN prices if I think it’s a fair price. I will do auctions and see some of those sleazy strategies (shill bidding). From now on I’m leaving negative reviews for the suspects after I receive my stuff.