How bad is the card market?

leadoff4 · November 14, 2008 1:12AM

Just wanting thoughts. I've had a hard time selling slabbed stuff on the BST board recently.

RonBurgundy · November 14, 2008 1:19AM

I don't think it's as bad as the economy in general. I talked to one guy who had his best month ever on his Ebay store in October. The set I recently sold for my friend did alright - not terrible, not great, just alright.

To some extent, the collectibles market is recession-resistant, plus you have new buyers who don't know where to put their money. I had tons of new buyers in October.

All that said, the market will feel the impact of what's going on. But right now I would describe it as sluggish. I'm looking for good values to buy.

Ron

thedutymon · November 14, 2008 1:24AM

Good Morning,
Another banner sales day yesterday, in the last 2-3 weeks I have been selling what I usually do in a week, almost every day.
And on top of that I have been on a buying spree as well and am picking up some stuff dirt cheap!!!
I'm liking it right now.
Now, if only my real job was doing as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neil

chaz43 · November 14, 2008 1:34AM

I wouldn't call it recession proof but it is not as bad as losing your job if you have to compare that to selling stuff on ebay. chaz

stevek · November 14, 2008 1:37AM

It has slowed down a bit for my sales on ebay this past week.

qualitycards · November 14, 2008 1:40AM

I've seen some prices softening on the items I sell
then again I can pick that up by buying stuff at a lesser rate too!

Although some of the sets I collect (19th century) is still going strong
and I win very few of what I bid be it through eBay or auction houses.

The card market is doing OK and just adjusting to the supply & demand factor.

rube26105 · November 14, 2008 2:44AM

i dunno, all my old slabbed stuff 30s/-50s hi grade and t-206/t205s sold last week i put on, military market sure hasnt been very impressive though as of late

Morgoth · November 14, 2008 3:18AM

Post war cards not Mantle will take hits, especially high pop count 9s. To me its just a market correction. There is alot of graded material out there right now and demand for late 50s to 70s is there but not at last years pricing. I think people expect to pay less for high pop cards now and bid accordingly.

jasoneggert · November 14, 2008 4:16AM

I have noticed that I have been able to get a lot of cheap stuff lately rather easily on ebay. I usually try to get stuff many many ties before i am actually successful, because I try and get good deals (even on modern base cards) and most of the time I am outbid, but in the last month I found i can get cards for like $1 or less and nobody else bids. Usually new stuff gets bid up because people want new singles of the newest products. But I have ben able to pick up new singles from the new Topps Stadium Club with no problem at all. I even forgot to bid a card serial numbered to 50 that ended with no sale and had a starting bid of just 99¢! And I picked up a Yankee Stadium Bunting card for under $5, when the first ones on ebay had BIN prices north of $50. So I think there are less people buying and more people selling.

-Jason

blacksoxfan · November 14, 2008 5:02AM

Here are the numbers from last year and this year for eBay. The totals from 2007 are for 12-months; the sales from 2008 are through October. These are rounded off.
2k7
Category / Revenue / # of Sales
NFL - $65 mil / 7 mil
NHL - $30 mil / 2.5 mil
NBA - $30 mil / 2.5 mil
MLB - $150 mil /10 mil

2k8
Category / Revenue / # of Sales
NFL - $50 mil / 6 mil
NHL - $25 mil / 2.5 mil
NBA - $30 mil /2.5 mil
MLB - $120 mil /10 mil

Hope that helps,
Ted

SDavid · November 14, 2008 2:32PM

I've found it to be very strong, both as a bidder and a seller. If I didn't read the paper or go to work, I'd have no idea we were in a recession.

I really don't expect much of a decline in the card market overall. Sure, some high grade stuff will go down as pops increase - that happens during the good times!

Now, dealers who price above market should expect a tougher go of it, but, thanks to ebay and other online auction sites, the card market is extremely efficient. It's the bloated markets that are going to take the biggest hit during this economic downturn. With some exceptions (namely low pops), there's nothing bloated about the baseball card market. It will be fine. Macy's and their ilk are screwed.

diamondman · November 14, 2008 3:23PM

The sky is falling , the world is coming to an end and if you are smart . YOU will sell me all your PSA 6 or higher graded Mickey Mantles for 10 cents on the dollar on a 12 month 0% interest plan NOW before they drop to 5%. hurry now, wow my mailbox is filling up quick, will have to drop my offer to 9% now. Hurry before it goes to 7% . Thanks in advance PS: also buying US currency 5,10,20, 50, & 100
dollar bills paying 68.6777777 % , will pay in silver or copper pennies or food stamps your choice. Don't bother mailboxing/email just send them all now in a plain white mailer. Thanks in advance.

MBMiller25 · November 15, 2008 12:12AM

As a buyer I am loving it! I am acquiring cards I have always wanted at great prices, especially when you factor in the MS Cashback on some of my purchases!

Estil · November 15, 2008 4:49AM

I've got some money coming in next week too and I hope to get some good 1990s paralell insert sets (especially Ultra Gold Medallion) as well as the last remaining graded cards I need to finish my 1974-79 sets as well. And 1971-73 if there's enough left over.

How bad is the card market?

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