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SMR online not really in ballpark

twb0392twb0392 Posts: 3
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
It doesn't seem like the SMR really reflects reality of sales (actual sells seem to be lower, but not as rediculously far off as beckett). Do you know if they use ebay and actual sell data to reflect the market; and do they use highest sell or an average over a certain period of time?
Thanks
Tom

Comments

  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 31,771 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I may be out of line here but I dont think they do much with the SMR price guide as far as updating the #'s. More knowledgable people than me on here mostly say its just a "guide" With low pops on the registry you might get people to pay 5x more than what the card is listed for in the SMR. The way I do my buying is mostly on Ebay and never bid more than what I am willing to pay for a card, regardless of what the SMR reflects.
  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The way I do my buying is mostly on Ebay and never bid more than what I am willing to pay for a card, regardless of what the SMR reflects. >>



    That is the best advice for anyone to follow!!image
  • wolfbearwolfbear Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭

    This site is great.
    It tracks actual sales on eBay and the other various auction sites.

    You have to pay for it, but it is well worth it ...

    Pix of 'My Kids'

    "How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
  • FanothoseYanksFanothoseYanks Posts: 21
    I want to preface my remarks on this topic by saying that I am not trying to appear strident or outraged in making my observations - just realistic. I long ago concluded that the SMR is not being published for the collectors - it is mainly a guide to be used by dealers and sellers as a base to work from. It cannot possibly be based upon the monitoring of sales activity. There are many notable cards from the fifties and sixties which sell numerous times per month, on Ebay and other places, whose values have not changed, up or down, in YEARS. (One example: PSA 8 1961 Topps Mickey Mantle All Star.) On the other hand, it is not at all unusual to get my newest copy of the SMR and find that every T-206 card, or every 1914 Crackerjack card, has gone up in value - even for grades where there is zero population of that card! From that, one would have to conclude that the prices are based on bids, i.e., attempts by well-heeled sellers (aka SMR advertisers) to shake loose collections for consignment/auction purposes. Nothing wrong with all that, I suppose, especially since the prices reflected in SMR form the basis for PSA submissions, and, as a result, PSA is losing money by not accurately reflecting prices in instances where they are actually much higher than current SMR values.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    SMR is just a guide as is Beckett. A card is only worth what somoene is willing to pay for it. Well with Ebay what at least 2 people are willing to pay for it
  • rube26105rube26105 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭
    and not even a good giude at that,either one of em lol-smr is way off on anything ive ever looked at, it sucks, 50 bowman fb jim white # 140 says $80 psa 8 lmao- goes for 900.00$ every time,is worthless like leias said, something is worth what people are wiling to pay
  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,178 ✭✭✭✭✭
    SMR is not good at reflecting low pop cards. It's also not good at tracking high pop cards that sell for a fraction of SMR. But I don't think it's feasible to expect them to be able to track the value of every common. If you look at it on the set cost level, it's pretty accurate. Some will sell below SMR, some will sell over but it pretty much averages out in the end. If you want accurate pricing, subscribe to VCP.

    There also can be large discrepancies in a card price over multiple auctions. Then there's the high end/low end for the grade factor that also can affect the value. I'd say SMR is better than nothing but shouldn't be considered as a bible. Instead, know the card you are purchasing and don't get too crazy with your bid. If you have to have a card, you'll probably pay too much. If you are patient, you can wait and buy below market.
    https://ebay.com/sch/gemint/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
  • RipublicaninMassRipublicaninMass Posts: 10,051 ✭✭✭
    If you are patient, you can wait and buy below market.

    and when some newbian wants to be #1 at any cost, sell above market...buy em back at a lower price, or even a grade lower
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