Vintage Set questions
AdamP
Posts: 20
I have been looking at vintage cards and vintage sets a lot recently and may try to complete a few sets or buy one. I had a few questions as I've been following auctions on ebay. First, I've noticed that almost every set, at least 9 out of every 10 are listed with the fixed auction listing like this one
1965 set w/fixed price
Second, it seems that all of the ones listed with the fixed price auction are way overpriced. Or maybe not, and I'm just new to the game. Do any of these sell?
This is currenty the nicest auction stlye set and it is listed with no reserve so it will sell regardless. Why would someone list sets like this with no reserve? And, if sets garner more at true auction then why don't all sellers use it? Thanks.
1969 set w/auction listing
1965 set w/fixed price
Second, it seems that all of the ones listed with the fixed price auction are way overpriced. Or maybe not, and I'm just new to the game. Do any of these sell?
This is currenty the nicest auction stlye set and it is listed with no reserve so it will sell regardless. Why would someone list sets like this with no reserve? And, if sets garner more at true auction then why don't all sellers use it? Thanks.
1969 set w/auction listing
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Comments
I just sold a 61 raw set with a $99 opening 7 day listing and was estatic over the price I received.I agee with you that many of the fixed priced item are too over priced for the conditions of the sets.
I always try to give a very broad description of the overall set and many pictures that usually is the way its been successful for me.I used to try fixed price and only had limited sucess then changed to minimum bidding format as described and ended up very pleased with the results.If you have something of interest you will sell it.
The '65 set has 50+ graded and the average grade is 5 or 6 so it seems like it's priced at full book value, while the '69 set has 100+ graded and the average grade of 7 or 8 and is only at $2400. Am I missing something in saying that it's a good buy right now? Also, does putting more pictures and jazzing up the listing like the second one do anything for the price the set brings?
<< <i>so, from a buyer's standpoint is it better to wait for an auction style that still might bring more than one of the fixed priced auctions? I can't afford either of the sets I listed but both of them have some graded and some raw. Is it better to put a set together fully graded/raw vs. partial? Or does it just depend on each set.
The '65 set has 50+ graded and the average grade is 5 or 6 so it seems like it's priced at full book value, while the '69 set has 100+ graded and the average grade of 7 or 8 and is only at $2400. Am I missing something in saying that it's a good buy right now? Also, does putting more pictures and jazzing up the listing like the second one do anything for the price the set brings? >>
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Hi Adam,
When putting a vintage set together, I prefer handpicking my cards one or two at a time. Buying in bulk certainly can have its monetary and time advantages, but what's the rush?
Take your time; set your goals and have fun with the hunt. Collecting should be a hobby, not a job!
I, like many sellers, prefer to list high grade/price items using the Fixed Price/Store format. I set my price and wait for a buyer. Sometimes it takes up to 6 months to sell a particular item, but eventually everything finds a buyer.
Sellers like kityoungcards (1965 set w/fixed price) like to use the BO (best offer), but you can be assured that the offer he accepts would be the price that he would have normally listed it at if the BO feature wasn't available. Many times, novice buyers end up thinking that they received a great deal.... and sometimes they do.
The more pics a seller uses, the better for the buyer, but not always for the seller. Personally, (the 1969 set w/auction listing) shows too many OC (off-center) cards in my opinion. Some of the PSA 7s shown are borderline 7s that look like they barely escaped the OC qualifier. The raw cards show many possible OC candidates in my opinion. Needless to say, I didn't care for the set at all.
Again, take your time and have fun!
Good luck with your set endeavors!
PoppaJ
I have several smaller lots of '60's Topps cards. The most being '60 and '61 which I have a couple hundred each. The cards are a little better than the PSA 5's in the first listing so maybe EX/MT. If you were going to build those sets would you build them all in EX/MT to be uniform or just buy the best available at a good price?
<< <i>so I guess it rally depends on the buyer and how they perceive a certain set and it's value. Going by the other auctions I've seen and book values. I would think the first set wouldn't be worth half of what it's listed for while the second set would be worth double what it's currently at. (although I don't think it would be worth 3 times what it is now like someone else stated). I'm not that familiar with what off-center vintage cards are worth compared to centered vintage and off center graded cards compared to their better centered counter parts.
I have several smaller lots of '60's Topps cards. The most being '60 and '61 which I have a couple hundred each. The cards are a little better than the PSA 5's in the first listing so maybe EX/MT. If you were going to build those sets would you build them all in EX/MT to be uniform or just buy the best available at a good price? >>
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Hi Adam,
Are you thinking of having your '60s and '61s graded? If yes, I personally wouldn't spend the money since most of the commons wouldn't yield much more than your grading fees. If you have the Yaz rookie from the 60 set, and/or the Mantles, Musials etc., those would certainly be worth being subbed in PSA 6 grade.
Everyone has their own collecting styles and preferences .... you have to choose what pleases you the most. Collecting should be done responsibly and according to one's means. This hobby is addicting to many, if not most, of us. PSA 8s and higher can be rather expensive, especially for the 2 sets you mention.
Your best bet, with the cards that you already have, might be to collect an all EXMT set. You can always upgrade later if you choose to do so. Maybe keep the commons raw and just get the stars graded professionally?!
Again, good luck!
PoppaJ
I may have a few of the '60's and '61's graded. I haven't really decided what I want to do as of yet. Just trying to get an idea of what is the best way to buy and sell so I don't lose my shirt, lol. I also see a lot of people buying sets like the first and second one I listed and breaking them up into singles. Is that very profitable? I'm guessing that is what people bidding on the second set are trying to determine as to it's value, or are they buying a set like that to put away? Or maybe some of both?
It would only be guesswork trying to figure out what someone's reason for winning/buying a set would be. Who knows? Maybe just for his/her collection; possibly for resale????
Maybe someone's done their homework by doing some intensive research on past/current sales on most of the cards and know what a good price would be for which to buy the set.
I'm pretty sure that the '69 set belongs to one of our board members named Tommy (corvette1340). Perhaps Tommy can inject some insight as to the total value of the set. Or maybe he picked it up cheap and is trying to flip it for a nice profit???
PoppaJ
The last two I've built, a '64 set and now the '69 set, I've actually built 2 at the same time. One to keep and one to sell. I only have about 50% of the '69 set for my collection done. I also try to put as much detail and as many pictures as possible so the buyer knows what they are getting and I describe the cards as accurately as I can.
Some of the 7's in the set could be centered better, but overall it's a pretty nice set that somebody is gonna get. Welcome to the boards and if you have any other questions just ask. Oh, and don't ever tell anyone how much or how little you make on here. They will roast you for it, lol.
If I told everyone how much I make they might ask me to move on since I won't be a huge buyer, lol.
<< <i>Very nice set. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to put together? Did you buy the cards in bulk or a few at a time? ballpark, how much do you put in these sets?
If I told everyone how much I make they might ask me to move on since I won't be a huge buyer, lol. >>
It took me about 3 months, but when I get it in my mind to do something I go full out. I bought a lot of high grade lots (I mean a lot) and sorted through them picking the best and then repackaging the others in lots to sell. I bought some of the graded in bulk and most as singles but was careful not to pay over average VCP, which is tough at times but I got lucky on some of them. I can't divulge how much I've got in the set, but I'll shoot you a pm after the auction is over.
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<< <i>Very nice set. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to put together? Did you buy the cards in bulk or a few at a time? ballpark, how much do you put in these sets?
If I told everyone how much I make they might ask me to move on since I won't be a huge buyer, lol. >>
It took me about 3 months, but when I get it in my mind to do something I go full out. I bought a lot of high grade lots (I mean a lot) and sorted through them picking the best and then repackaging the others in lots to sell. I bought some of the graded in bulk and most as singles but was careful not to pay over average VCP, which is tough at times but I got lucky on some of them. I can't divulge how much I've got in the set, but I'll shoot you a pm after the auction is over. >>
Tommy, nice set. Did you grade any of the cards yourself?
"Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it"
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<< <i>
<< <i>Very nice set. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to put together? Did you buy the cards in bulk or a few at a time? ballpark, how much do you put in these sets?
If I told everyone how much I make they might ask me to move on since I won't be a huge buyer, lol. >>
It took me about 3 months, but when I get it in my mind to do something I go full out. I bought a lot of high grade lots (I mean a lot) and sorted through them picking the best and then repackaging the others in lots to sell. I bought some of the graded in bulk and most as singles but was careful not to pay over average VCP, which is tough at times but I got lucky on some of them. I can't divulge how much I've got in the set, but I'll shoot you a pm after the auction is over. >>
Tommy, nice set. Did you grade any of the cards yourself? >>
thanks.
no, PSA did them all, lol. Oh, wait, you mean did I send any in? Yes, I sent some of them in. Not a lot of them but some of them. There are probably 100 surefire 8's in the raw cards and possibly in the 150 range. The Gibson, which is very tough card in 8, ($200+ range) is borderline 8 but might get 7 due to top/bottom centering. I think the Ryan and Bench are both 7. I weighed the prospects of sending in all the NM/MT commons against leaving them raw and decided to keep them raw. I bought about 60 NM/MT commons from 4SC which is the way to go if you take advantage of their combined shipping.
$2800? That's a lot lower than I was figuring!
<< <i>Someone just got a heck of a deal on the 1969 baseball set.
$2800? That's a lot lower than I was figuring! >>
must be the economy. Oh well.
2.... Not all but most 'complete' sets are crap.
Steve
<< <i>1.... I would not buy anything from Kit Young.
2.... Not all but most 'complete' sets are crap.
Steve >>
not the one I just sold Steve. The only thing wrong with it was the centering on some of the cards. It was a very sharp set. If you'll click on the link, I had over 70 pictures showing every card in the set.
Not all......
Steve
In general it is better to sell a set piece meal.
Steve
<< <i>corvette, thats a lot of nice scans/pictures, sharp looking cards, sorry it didnt go for more
yeah, I made a little money, but certainly not what I was hoping for and not enough for the amount of time I put into it.
IMO depending on who it is that person could do better selling it piecemeal.
By that I mean does the seller have a good ebay following etc.
Of course this is just my opinion.
And yes it will take much work.
Steve