Card trading - lost art?

[Archive]

Posted By: Ben

As an eager 12 year old, I would visit the local card shop in Edmonton, Alberta several times a week, asking...no, begging the owner to trade cards with me. Once in a while, he'd humour me, but more often than not he'd be too lazy to get off of his sizable duff to pick out the cards from the display cases that I wanted to see. I can remember my first trade with him very clearly: a pair of 1990 Score Eric Lindros rookies, which I had just pulled from packs and were very hot at the time, for a stack of about 8 or 9 57/58 parkhurst hockey cards it terrible shape. It was a life altering experience, as it was the beginning to my insatiable addiction to old, beat up vintage cards. And heck- I dont think I made out too badly in the trade after all, although fatty card dealer probably thought he made out like a bandit

Anyways, as a collector I have always felt that trading is way more "fun" than buying or selling. Why? Let me count the ways. First and foremost, you get to know fellow collectors with similar interests to yours. Also, you get cards without thinning out your wallet! And finally, wheeling and dealing is...well...just alot of fun! Kinda like being a GM for a major league ball club, but instead of dealing players you deal cardboard.

I guess my question to the board is as follows: are you a card trader? Do you prefer trading over buying/selling? And, is trading a lost art, a childhood memory, or is it still a part of the hobby for you?

[Archive]

Posted By: Marc S.

I've found that most collectors I know and deal with keep a "private stash" of really neat cards that they don't necessarily want -- but are nonetheless unwilling to get rid of unless they get something equally neat in return.

This is cool in many ways, as I have built some pretty neat networks and have interacted with many hobby heavyweights who have taught me much. Nonetheless -- sometimes I think it is regrettable that certain rich folk seem to hoard key cards/issues unless they are able to demand trades on their terms. But, 95% of the time, trading is a wonderful experience and one of the best reasons I love this hobby.

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob Shannon

Marc S you are correct-I call it the power of a trade. Certain cards a worth more when involved in a trade compared to their cash value.

[Archive]

Posted By: Wonkaticket

Ben;

Marc is right I am one of those collectors who has that stash of neat cards, that doesn’t necessarily want to get rid of them but if I can get something cool in return I’m game. The problem I have with trading is not trading it’s the general lack of realistic offers. Example I was offered several of these cut up jersey cards of historical players for my Bat On Cobb. The guy saw my cards on ebay and he has tried repeatedly to trade with me, the sad part is he really feels he has something valuable to offer with these jersey cards (jersey cards whole other topic.) The other thing that holds me back a little and I have to be honest. I’m a little gun shy in this day an age to just send someone I talk to on a forum that is truly nothing more than name, a Cobb in the mail in hopes of getting what we agreed on. With that said I am in no way implying that any member of this board is dishonest, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a concern of mine. You seem to have a lot of experience in trading and doing deals in around the board, maybe you can shed some light on just how it’s done and the safe ways of doing it. I’m sure there are lots of lurkers and members on this board who have an interest but may need a little guidance or help. Anyway great idea with lots of potential hey who knows maybe we all can get some cards we want and have a great time doing it. And your right trading is a lost art and thinking of it reminds just how fun and innocent this hobby used to be. Great post.

Regards,

John

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

I always loved to trade at shows. The biggest problem is that people were looking at dollar values involved, whereas I looked at how easy it was replace what I was trading. As someone else pointed out, I was not about trade vintage cards for new stuff. You need be offering me something equally rare or unique. Now if someone came up to table and wanted trade a bunch vintage cards for new material, I was all over it. And it did happen few times. The silliest example was a guy who traded me a bunch of nice Sports Kings for a box of 86 Donruss, back in '87 when some guy named Canseco was hot.

When I had my gaming and comic store, we sold a collectible card game called Magic:The Gathering. The vast majority of the cards changed hands between players via trading and it was a blast. My most memerable experience from that was talking to a kid that was bemoaning the fact that he never own the "Power Cards" in the game because he only had a few good cards.

The "Power Cards" were worth about $1,000, his cards were worth about $50. I told him I could turn those cards into the Power CArds that he wanted. Several store regulars were around and made a bet with me that I could not do it and that all trades had to be made outside the store so that I wasn't getting the house advantage on trades.

It took me about month, but I got the cards he wanted, plus a few extras and get a couple of very rare beta cards from the guys betting against me

Jay

Jay

[Archive]

Posted By: Ben

John:

I've had the pleasure of taking part in a good number of trades, both with net 54 members and via ebay. Never once have I been burned. I think the #1 rule for trading is communication; make sure you talk things over thoroughly so you get a good feel for who you're dealing with and whether they are dealing honestly with you. A phone call never hurts. Also, getting their ebay username and checking their feedback is a plus. Ask for references if you are unsure. But for the most part, we have good honest people in our little 'niche' of the hobby, so you should feel confident trading if you have taken the aformentioned precautions before putting your cards in the mail.

Speaking of mail, sending your cards express or w/signature confirmation is a good idea with trades so there are no postal mishaps (although I've never once lost a card that way).

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

and I usually offer trades in my buy-sell post--but no one has the damned cards I want (jus' keedin').

Seriously, I bring a big stack of trade bait to most every show I attend.

My online tading experience has been good, and I second the things that the others have been saying about safety: know your partner. It's kinda like Sam Kinison's great take on sex and VD: if you don't trust the ****y, don't f*** the ****y. Same idea for trading: I only trade through the mail with people I know and trust. If Joe Blow Lurker offers me a trade, I am unlikely to do it unless he sends the cards first. Someone well known and well respected, and I go ahead.

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie

it thins out your collection; I don't have enough money to buy stuff for the purpose of trading it, so I rarely have duplicates. When I do, I sell the lesser for a song, or--give it away.

I'd rather have a thin wallet than a thin collection!

And I love them all..except for some '60s, 70s, '80s and '90s stuff.

[Archive]

Posted By: Joel

There are a number of trading groups out there

This one specializes in older cards

http://www.vintagecardtraders.org/

This group deals in newer cards.

http://sportscardfun.com

both groups are great people.

[Archive]

Posted By: runscott

I have traded with a number of board members and had mixed results - all bad experiences were several years ago when I dealt with people I didn't know well. I have found that some people are extremely proud of ugly cards and want way more in trade than they are worth - in those cases you have to back away carefully so as to not hurt feelings.

I think the basic rule with trading or selling with/to board members is to not try and screw anyone - these are basically your collecting friends and if you hose someone they will realize it eventually and possibly hold a grudge.

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric

I haven't read the posts in between mine and the initial one, but I love to trade with other collectors too. The art of trading in my opinion, is a lost one due to an age of computerized shopping, and very few local card shows (damn..what are those?!). Trading with people you've never met before also comes a little difficult for most, even if you talk to them by email. Fortunately, I've met a few people through this board, and other online outlets, that I've developed a great trust with, and trade with. Even people I don't know very well, if I know what their reputation is like, I'd deal with them. So I agree..I wish there were more trading. Thanks to Elliott, and the creation of this board though, a lot of that has been rehashed.

[Archive]

Posted By: Lee Behrens

I don't like trrading but it seems more times than not people seem to thing they should get more in trade than I will get in return. I have had a few nice trades with board members and always open to suggestions for trades.