Nothing like a little buyer's remorse on a Wednesday night

bbcemporium · January 14, 2009 3:19PM

So I'm relaxing tonight watching my watchlist auctions end on eBay. There was a 57 topps baseball sets which I have been watching. It was being sold by a reputable seller and was graded EX to EX-MT. The last three sets I saw sell on eBay with an average grading of EX have sold for $2400, $2600, and $3600. I figured with this one grading slightly higher and by a honest grader, it would go for at least $3000. So for the heck of it, I throw in a $2300 bid with 30 seconds left "just in case". So I sit back on watch, waiting for a sniper to come in and snatch it up, but nothing happens and I win it! I get that feeling in my stomach and I'm not sure whether to cry or celebrate. Anyway, I think it was a pretty good buy and now I'm $2300 poorer, but the proud owner of a 1957 topps set. Check out the auction link and let me know what you think.

Here is the auction

jswieton · January 14, 2009 3:33PM

I am far from an expert at that year and I am not sure if it is in the card but is there a wrinke on the Mantle in the middle of the card on the right side? Besides that most of the hof'ers look pretty good at a quick glance. Should be able to sell that for a profit if you wanted to in the near future.

storm888 · January 14, 2009 3:34PM

They look pretty decent.

If you don't like them when you see them in person,
you can prolly get your money by reselling them.; some
serious underbids there.

relaxed · January 14, 2009 4:04PM

Looking over the auction I noticed that it only ran for 1 day. This might of been why you seem to gotten a good deal on the set. Congradulations, hope the set meets your satisfaction.

stevek · January 14, 2009 6:00PM

<< <i>So I'm relaxing tonight watching my watchlist auctions end on eBay. There was a 57 topps baseball sets which I have been watching. It was being sold by a reputable seller and was graded EX to EX-MT. The last three sets I saw sell on eBay with an average grading of EX have sold for $2400, $2600, and $3600. I figured with this one grading slightly higher and by a honest grader, it would go for at least $3000. So for the heck of it, I throw in a $2300 bid with 30 seconds left "just in case". So I sit back on watch, waiting for a sniper to come in and snatch it up, but nothing happens and I win it! I get that feeling in my stomach and I'm not sure whether to cry or celebrate. Anyway, I think it was a pretty good buy and now I'm $2300 poorer, but the proud owner of a 1957 topps set. Check out the auction link and let me know what you think.

Here is the auction >>

Well, it's basically a given in a set like this, that the Mantle is usually gonna be the low end card - that being said the scan is clear and you basically know what you're getting - I think you got a heckuva buy.

nam812 · January 14, 2009 6:21PM

The Warren Spahn looks to be sharp and dead centered. I wonder why the seller would include scans of Westrum and Cimoli, but leave out Clemente and Mantle/Berra #400?

BPorter26 · January 14, 2009 10:14PM

<< <i>The Warren Spahn looks to be sharp and dead centered. I wonder why the seller would include scans of Westrum and Cimoli, but leave out Clemente and Mantle/Berra #400? >>

I'm also wondering why he left out Don Drysdale. That's a tough card. Anyway great looking set.

mealeworm · January 14, 2009 10:28PM

I think the set looks very decent and at a good price. The seller goes out of his way to mention the Mantle is crease free, but it does look creased in the scan. Also the Spahn card is very under priced in that set and you can get a PSA 8 for $200. The Cimoli card is one of the toughest cards in the set but that is for higher grade nm and above.

jeffcbay · January 14, 2009 10:28PM

I think it looks like a great buy!

262Runner · January 14, 2009 10:38PM

I think you did Great! If you change your mind, I will buy it from you for what you paid plus shipping insurance and little extra for your troubles.

Mphilking · January 14, 2009 10:38PM

Maybe the apparent crease on the Mantle is a light hair?

IchiroDeported · January 14, 2009 10:53PM

interesting choice of the cards scanned, but great presentation; i will concur I think that you did quite well; i do think the mantle has a surface wrinkle, but it still has good visual appeal; my greatest problem with the 57 set is that so many of the cards have lots of "snow" that it really detracts from the photos and such. Nice pick up!

PoppaJ · January 14, 2009 11:02PM

bbcemporium,

I've completed a few high-end transactions with the seller, David Hobson (game-time-collectibles) and have never had any problems.

He is a very reputable seller as you said.

I agree that the 1-day auction might have held the bidding down.

Nice pick-up ... hope for the best!

PoppaJ

Blackie · January 14, 2009 11:44PM

Ive purchased from gametime before. They are good sellers and honest. I think you got a wonderful set................gotta love the 57's

bbcemporium · January 15, 2009 12:15AM

Guys, thanks for all the comments, they are well appreciated. Like any larger buy, after a night to sleep on it, I feel better already. I agree the Spahn looks sharp and well centered, hopefully a good grading candidate. Anyway, upon receipt of the cards, I'll give an update on the condition of the cards and add some scans of the missing stars.

WinPitcher · January 15, 2009 12:19AM

I like it and think you did well. I also do not think the set can be called EX/EX/MNT. IMO it is an EX set with a few VG cards.

Steve

edited to add a solid ex set.

RonBurgundy · January 15, 2009 12:49AM

I think you did ok. You should at least break even on it if you re-sell. You won't take a bath on it if that's what you're worried about.

Ron

stown · January 15, 2009 1:51AM

<< <i>I like it and think you did well. I also do not think the set can be called EX/EX/MNT. IMO it is an EX set with a few VG cards.

Steve

edited to add a solid ex set. >>

Agreed with Steve.

I've purchased from them in the past and in my personal experience, they slightly overgrade just a tad.

Still a nice purchase... You can always upgrade the HOFers, if you so desire.

CDsNuts · January 15, 2009 2:10AM

The Richardson is trimmed. I think it was a fair price and you could make a few bucks on the set if you want to.

SidePocket · January 15, 2009 2:20AM

That's a very cool set. I agree with CD's about the Richardson being trimmed, and maybe the Spahn, but the Aaron and Kaline are particularly nice and the Koufax is sweet too. If there are some trimmed I don't think Hobson is aware of it. Anyway, great set!

bbcemporium · January 15, 2009 3:32AM

Good catch on the Richardson being trimmed. I contacted the seller, and he measured it, and verified it was trimmed. He is also going to check on the Spahn as well.