Long time lurker with first question

[ksabet]

I am five cards away from completing a PSA graded 1938 Goudey set (Currently #9 on the registry). I haven't been putting together sets for very long and this has been a thoroughly enjoyable process that I expect to continue with future sets when this is done.

My question is that a few cards that I need are on ebay but the sellers won't budge from asking around 5-8 times what VCP or Ebay has as the completed sales for the last few years...Why is this?

Am I missing out on some hidden sales strategy? I offered about 15% above what any have sold for and it still seems I am not even close.

I used to work for a substantial auction company and was told when I worked there that some of these guys just clearly want to rip people off and will hold on to cards for years despite price fluctuations. I don't want to out the dealers but it seems to be consistent across all the material they have for sale and I am sure most know who they are.

Sorry if it seems I am whining, I don't have the connections of a lot of board members so the process of finding the last few cards has been sort of daunting.

Any help in understanding the process would be appreciated.

Also if any one can help find:

1938 Goudey

#250 Dimaggio
#252 Bonura
#262 Medwick
#274 Dimaggio
#280 Kennedy

It would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to pay even a little above market, but don't want to be ripped off. I have already scoped the buy/sell and it seems none are for sale so I thought I would ask here.

Thanks and look forward to participating further in the future.

Kiya