Mantle prices dropping??

natetrook · October 7, 2008 1:27PM

I just picked up what I consider bargains on high-grade Mantles.

1956 Mantle PSA-9 for $8550 Normally runs 9-11 K.

1956 Mantle

1961 Mantle PSA-8 for $740 Normally runs 1000+

1961 Mantle

Both cards had small pictures. Is this the beginning of a card recession? Time for bargains?
I have been trying to obtain these cards for reasonable prices for a while.
Nate

RonBurgundy · October 7, 2008 1:29PM

No. A "card recession" LOL.

jeff8877 · October 7, 2008 1:34PM

Nice cards...

The centering on the 56 looks closer to what I would expect on an 8...think that was biggest factor here.

The 61 left to right centering and slight tilt plus you can't tell from scan what the corners look like...think that may have been part of reason.

Both sellers have relatively few feedback, although good for what they have.

Jeff

Boopotts · October 7, 2008 1:35PM

The Ebay Equation:

Low feedback sellers+lousy scans=an ankle-grabbing experience for the high bidder.

Seriously, I hope this works out. But you're a braver man than I if you're going to send 9K to a guy whose total feedback is <100.

akuracy503 · October 7, 2008 1:39PM

Now whys everyone gotta spoile a good moment like this...I'm sure natebrook has all the insurance he needs in the transaction.

As for buying from someone with low feedback...everyones gotta start somewhere...what is the problem with joe schmoe who rarely sells on ebay from deciding to sell one of his fine cards...

I see no issue.

That Mantle is a beautiful card, congratulations, we can all only hope to own something like that.

akuracy503 · October 7, 2008 1:43PM

And yes Mantle prices are dropping, at least that's what i've been seeing in auctions over the past 2 months and VCP is reflecting these changes.

As for the top of the litter high grade high eye appeal mantles...that's where the majority of the $$ is going, but still lower than usual from what i've noticed.

I'm sure with fewer people buying the ones who need to sell their stuff will have lower $$ results.

jimrad · October 7, 2008 2:14PM

Nate

Nice snipe on that 56. Beautiful card. What was your high final bid?

sagard · October 7, 2008 2:21PM

I really hope you did your homework on the '56 Mantle. I don't like seeing several listings of high grade PSA cards after months of inactivity.

storm888 · October 7, 2008 2:31PM

As long as the payment is via credit-card, there is no real risk for the buyer.

miklia · October 7, 2008 9:00PM

well...from personal experience, I would not automatically use a cc as insurance for a transaction that may be shady. i just lost a 6 month battle with my card on a bad deal, out almost $2000.00. They recognized that the seller was bad, the cards were junk, accepted all of my proof as legitimate, and still did nothing for me. this was a platinum card, and i'd been a good customer for 15 years. Their final reason (after refunding and then re-charging the card three different times) was that since the seller didn't want them back (and why would he? he knew they were bad...i tried shipping back and he refused to take delivery TWICE) I have no recourse. Of course, they have since lost me as a customer.

So, yes, there is still risk for the buyer.

Mickey71 · October 8, 2008 7:22AM

I saw those auctions and I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole. The scans for very expensive cards were bad. The 61's scan in particular- It looked like the bottom right corner was messed up or something. All of those things plus inactivity by the seller were too much to ignore for me. And yes the credit card companies aren't always the best line of defense. I hope this transaction works out for the best; but I would not be surprised... Also, strong Mantle's have not taken much of a hit. Most of the PSA 8's are low end on ebay right now. Well centered one's seem to do well. Well centered 55B, 60's, 63's, 64's, 66's, and 69's are good sellers. Also, just to add- 90% of Levi's are overgraded.

Mickey71

storm888 · October 8, 2008 7:31AM

In general.........

VISA and MC are much easier for the cardholder to deal with in a chargeback.

AMEX and Discover can be more difficult.

.........

IF any of them denied my legitimate claim, we would be telling our stories to the judge;
or, more likely, the card company would settle FAST when they were served with my lawsuit.

PoppaJ · October 8, 2008 7:34AM

<< <i>I saw those auctions and I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole. The scans for very expensive cards were bad. The 61's scan in particular- It looked like the bottom right corner was messed up or something. All of those things plus inactivity by the seller were too much to ignore for me. And yes the credit card companies aren't always the best line of defense. I hope this transaction works out for the best; but I would not be surprised... Also, strong Mantle's have not taken much of a hit. Most of the PSA 8's are low end on ebay right now. Well centered one's seem to do well. Well centered 55B, 60's, 63's, 64's, 66's, and 69's are good sellers. Also, just to add- 90% of Levi's are overgraded.

Mickey71

>>

..... "Also, just to add- 90% of Levi's are overgraded." ..... and just a bit overpriced

PoppaJ

storm888 · October 8, 2008 7:43AM

"...plus inactivity by the seller were too much to ignore for me...."

////////////////////////////////

Yup.

One thing that buyers can do is to contact the seller after they have placed a bid.
Just "request contact info," and call 'em up before the auction ends. If the contact
is bad or leaves a funny feeling, the buyer can back away.

My high-FB collectible account was "inactive" for much of 2007. When I started
listing in 2008, several folks contacted me and asked me to call them if I was
actually back and selling, because they were concerned the account was jacked.

jimq112 · October 8, 2008 8:22AM

When all else fails, there's the "dear friend that passed away" angle for the seller of the 56 mantle. The seller KC is selling her dear friend's collectibles.

Also, how many people would be selling a 1956 mantle psa 9 and PREFER a personal check?

KCCooker sold almost $20K in cards in a half hour on ebay with weak scans. Scary.

PROMETHIUS88 · October 8, 2008 11:06AM

Has anyone noticed a trend on 52 Mantles in say PSA 3 to 6?

1960toppsguy · October 8, 2008 11:21AM

The market for graded cards is definitely going down with the global recession just under way. It's weird how sports card freaks try to act as if it is not so. It's like knock rummy, don't get caught holding your cards!

lsutigers1973 · October 8, 2008 11:22AM

I think the Mantle prices are going down because he had a bad season this year. I had just as many homeruns as he did this season.

fattymacs · October 8, 2008 11:29AM

As far post-war cards go Mantle's are the gold standard. If Mick's down they're all down. Buyers are in the driver's seat . Unless you're dealing with regisrty players hold your stuff, if your personal econmics don't permit my best wishes are with you.

WinPitcher · October 8, 2008 11:37AM

I hope this guy sends these cards out.

Steve

stevek · October 8, 2008 12:05PM

Boopotts is absolutely right.

Especially in these times when it's obvious due to the economy, that it is or will be a buyers market for quite some time to come. Even large, reputable sellers have mortgages and expenses and need to pay bills, and are likely to lower their prices to keep cash flow going in their businesses - there will be good deals to be found with reputable sellers so why risk this type of money with a very suspect seller?

And yes, even Levi will be "forced" to lower his prices. LOL

natetrook · October 8, 2008 1:46PM

Wow, you guys are pessimists.

I have been in touch with the seller, and all seems legit.
I'm getting all of the right answers on the Mantle.

I saw it as an opportunity for a low price. Low"ish" feedback, a high starting price, and weak E-bay scans.
Sounds like a deal to be had.

I will keep you all informed, and will post a proper image of the card when I receive it.
If no card received, will just reverse the charge, and my Visa will protect me.
Nate

Boopotts · October 8, 2008 1:54PM

<< <i>Wow, you guys are pessimists.

I have been in touch with the seller, and all seems legit.
I'm getting all of the right answers on the Mantle.

I saw it as an opportunity for a low price. Low"ish" feedback, a high starting price, and weak E-bay scans.
Sounds like a deal to be had.

I will keep you all informed, and will post a proper image of the card when I receive it.
If no card received, will just reverse the charge, and my Visa will protect me.
Nate >>

Well, I do hope the card shows up. One other point-- and I really don't mean to hijack your thread, but this seems like as good a spot as any to say this-- is that I really hope that nobody bids on sketchy auctions just because they're protected by their Visa card. This may feel like a freeroll (and I guess it is, in a way), but you're still putting money in the pocket of a criminal, as well as making an (albeit marginal) contribution towards keeping credit card rates sky high. If you wouldn't bid on something if you weren't protectd then you're much, much closer to making the socially optimal consumption choice.

stevek · October 8, 2008 4:55PM

<< <i>Wow, you guys are pessimists.

I have been in touch with the seller, and all seems legit.
I'm getting all of the right answers on the Mantle.

I saw it as an opportunity for a low price. Low"ish" feedback, a high starting price, and weak E-bay scans.
Sounds like a deal to be had.

I will keep you all informed, and will post a proper image of the card when I receive it.
If no card received, will just reverse the charge, and my Visa will protect me.
Nate >>

Our replies have nothing at all to do with "pessimism" and have everything to do with realism.

Visa will protect you eh? With the banks having the trouble they are having, you believe they're gonna keep handing out $8,500 and other monies without a problem? That would be naive because they can change the rules whenever they want to - it's their card.

miklia · October 8, 2008 5:51PM

i agree with many of the other comments. let's say there's a 80% chance the card is good, and equal likelihood that the cc company will refund you in case the transaction goes bad. at the end of the day, you're not much better off financially over the long run than you would have been going through legit dealers, and will have given yourself a lot of headaches to boot. and, as stevek alluded to, if you're buying consistently from a big dealer, they may give you the lower prices anyway.

but, this comes down again to the 'gamble' vs 'play it safe' camps. both have their advantages, and personal style as much as anything will make that decision. as my last post in this thread showed, i'm a gambler myself, and i've gotten burned in a rock-solid case to my cc. your visa isn't FORCED to protect you, despite what the fine print says....think of it like an insurance policy. you will probably be protected, but you shouldn't make risky transactions expecting visa to bail you out every time you purchase something you knew might have been suspect. any potential chagreback also depends a great deal on whoever is assigned to your case...some reps look out for the customer, and some are just looking out for the companies. it's random.

that said, best of luck on the transaction! i hope the card is a stunner.

Mickey71 · October 9, 2008 3:24AM

Wednesday October 08, 2008 8:46 PM
Natetrook,
This is an interesting statement---- "I saw it as an opportunity for a low price. Low"ish" feedback, a high starting price, and weak E-bay scans. Sounds like a deal to be had."

I would say that 98-99% of all potential bidders would view this completely opposite. That statement actually disturbs me. It's the type of statement that is used referring to the purchase of a 56 Mantle in a PSA 7 for $925 or something along those lines. Does it bother anyone else? This transaction bothers me all the way around.

Nate; do you normally purchase PSA 9 Mantle's from the 50's? I'm not trying to be rude, but after that statement I have some doubts.

Mickey71

natetrook · October 9, 2008 9:37AM

I don't buy a lot of high end Mantle's. But, I was waiting for a PSA-9 1956 for a long time.
Every one sells for the 9-11K range, and I would love to pay a bit less.

I think I have very little risk based on my experience as a buyer using paypal and credit card payment.
Paypal favors the buyer, and I have been on the losing end of a dispute as the seller.
So, I made a purchase.

Let's all hope it goes well. Every point of contact with the seller has been appropriate. I think more people
that haven't sold cards in a while, will start pulling cards out of their collection for sale in this economy.
Nate

akuracy503 · October 9, 2008 2:28PM

True story a few years ago I purchased a memorabilia item on ebay...the guy was friendly and prompt via messages....so I purchased the item...waited 3 weeks with no responses to my emails and an ebay dispute opened....

the guy had his phone number listed in my paypal receipt....so being I was getting frustrated gave him a call and explained who I was and why I was calling in a friendly manner...the first thing the guy says after I said that..."eh F*** you B****, don''t be calling up in here".

I was shocked, a bit peeved and adrenaline rushing. The guy sounded like a 90's gangster rapper.

2 weeks later I ended up with the item...but I ended up selling it knowing what kind of character once owned it and sold it to me.

For this reason whenever I purchase an item near and dear to me I will only do so through a reliable source.

I know there are great private sellers out there but never would I risk encountering such a sour moment in my hobby again.

Natebrook - I'm sure all of us are just concerned for your perspective deal because of the high dollar amount, not all of us are so lucky to purchase such a card, so take our constructive criticism for what it is..just looking out for you, yet wishing you the best possible scenario.

Mantle prices dropping??

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