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Large lot advice needed - ouch

zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Got a phone call earlier this week about a large lot of cards from 76-86 that a woman brought in to his hobby shop (RC cars and model type store) trying to sell. Neither of these people know anything about cards. All he could tell me is that it was about 10 binders full of these cards. I called the woman that night and didn't get much more info from her besides that. I did tell her that the 86 was basically worthless but I might be interested in the earlier stuff. She said the cards belonged to her mentally disabled brother and have been in her basement for years. She's moving and needs to get rid of them. I asked her what she's looking for for them and she said she has no idea.

My question is, since I've never done this before, what would be a fair offer for all this? I know it's kind of vague at this point. I plan on meeting her either today or tomorrow to take a look at this stuff. Of course I want it as cheap as possible but don't want to be a lowball jerk either. I'm really only interested in the 70s stuff but I realize there could be some good rookies from the early 80s too. Do I point out what's good in there to her? Or should I just offer $100 or something for everything and take my chances?

How do you guys handle these finds?

Comments

  • MeteoriteGuyMeteoriteGuy Posts: 7,140 ✭✭
    $100 sounds fair for both parties. $50 is likely what such a mystery lot would be worth to me, but she might need the money so I would go $100 for lady luck factor.
    Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
    Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
  • zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Mark. 100 bucks has been my idea all along but worried that she's had some advice from others telling her to expect a lowball offer and decline it to see if I'll go higher so maybe I should start lower. I dunno. Guess I'll figure that out when I meet her.

    Was also thinking to just offer on the 70s stuff and act not at all interested in the later stuff and she ends up just saying take it all LOL
  • lsutigers1973lsutigers1973 Posts: 11,093 ✭
    If you tell her the 80's stuff is worthless, you may offend her......and me.
  • zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
    80s stuff is pure gold Bill
  • jlzinckjlzinck Posts: 910 ✭✭
    Need someone to tag along? Be more than happy to look with you.
  • zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
    Just called and got voicemail. Probably working - no idea. Might not do it today.
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    I would look at the stuff first...the stuff from the 70's if mint would be worth more obviously....then I'd give a % of the value based on current selling prices....I try to use about 20% if I make offers.....but everyone has there own threshold....I would go a little higher if the items are indeed mint with the stars all there.
  • zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
    Well, I met up with her this morning - thankfully only a 45 minute drive away. It wasn't 76 and up it was 87-91 image 8 binders with 2 cards jammed down into each sheet sleeve. Oh well, win some and lose some. She did give them to me for free though after telling her they were pretty much worthless (sorry Bill) so now I've got 8 packed binders sitting in my kitchen. I'll go through them later and pull the HOFers and see what I can come up with. Noticed a lot of 89 Topps, Fleer and Donruss so maybe they'll be a few Griffeys in there.

    I was all excited too with visions of Ozzie and Ripken dancing through my head image
  • leadoff4leadoff4 Posts: 2,392 ✭
    I know how you feel. We have a bulletin/Buy & Sell board at work and I advertised as looking for sportscards that were pre-1970. Last week I get an email from a female stating that her boyfriend's grandfather passed away and they were left baseball cards from the 40s-60s. I meet up with her after work and she has 75-78 Topps that are mostly EX on avg. I did see a '76 Eckersley and Ryan but I just said no thank you and moved on. Luckily, it was only about 10 min. of time wasted. I'm still looking for that "big" break though!
  • JTBJTB Posts: 186


    << <i>Well, I met up with her this morning - thankfully only a 45 minute drive away. It wasn't 76 and up it was 87-91 image 8 binders with 2 cards jammed down into each sheet sleeve. Oh well, win some and lose some. She did give them to me for free though after telling her they were pretty much worthless (sorry Bill) so now I've got 8 packed binders sitting in my kitchen. I'll go through them later and pull the HOFers and see what I can come up with. Noticed a lot of 89 Topps, Fleer and Donruss so maybe they'll be a few Griffeys in there.

    I was all excited too with visions of Ozzie and Ripken dancing through my head image >>



    That old broad has quite a racket going. Wish I could get someone to come haul away my trash for free.
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