Your “go to” vintage dealer(s) on EBay
 

I’ve decided to work on two projects as I slowly ease back into collecting. The first is the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set I posted about earlier. I’m going to build it. The second is putting together a 1958 Topps Milwaukee Braves team set. Both in EX+ or slightly higher condition.

I feel that has strong eye appeal and good affordability. Cards that are pretty well centered with strong color and registration can have some subtle softness to the corners and edges, and I’m happy. I actually like a card that looks like it’s loved a bit, instead of sitting in a box for eternity.,

With the Williams set, I had the idea to blog about it. One, I want to showcase what I feel is still a criminally under-appreciated set some sixty years after its release. Two, I figure that putting the tidbits of information I learn in one place (along with examples of the goods I make) could benefit others that might look to start collecting post World War II cards.

So, my question: what dealer(s) do you have a good working relationship with on EBay? Who do you feel have established strong ties to the hobby, and are trustworthy? I will primarily be buying ungraded cards.

The two buyers I have dealt with the most are 4 Sharp Corners (for slabbed) and battersbox for ungraded. I feel both deal honestly, ship in a timely manner, and their shipping charges are fair. With battersbox, I also feel that their assessment of the conditions of their cards are pretty spot on.

I’d love to start building a list of sellers to look at when buying. I’d like to have at least three or four that I consistently do business with. I will, of course, get back to buying from sellers on our own BST.

Any information you could share here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, everybody! I look forward to participating in the monthly discussions again.


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A shout-out for Scottsdale Baseball Cards. Brian is scrupulously honest.

My LCS is Burbank Sports Cards, and they are great too.

I have always been satisfied with raw cards from Greg Morris via eBay.

Bill,
You mentioned the two dealers I have had good success with. Battersbox grading is accurate and their shipping is great both in terms of well packaged and how fast they ship an order.

Steven

I have won over 500 ungraded card auctions from gregmorriscards.

Satisfied with all. Friday night auction are for cards in low grade or altered in some way.

I usually look for cards in EXMT or better and have not been disappointed.

+ 1

Same here with regards to Greg Morris


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I have seen several of Greg’s auctions, so that will be another source to watch. I’ll investigate Burbank and Scottsdale, too.

Thanks guys. Keep any other suggestions you have coming.


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Turns out I had both already saved. I didn’t recognize Scottsdale as they go by a different name. PSA Sportscards, or something.


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Mantlerulz is another solid seller I heartily recommend.

I concur on Scottsdale and Greg Morris. Used both completing my ‘56 Topps set. Even had a few shipping issues with GMC due to the pandemic and they were always on top of it.

Amen. Fantastic guy!!!

Battersbox and Greg Morris.

Battersbox has mostly (if not all) BINs, while Greg Morris has mostly (if not all) auctions with low starting bids. Battersbox also has frequent inventory reduction sales that I've taken advantage of in the past.

I have bought many cards from Battersbox with no issues. Also, you can buy directly from their website where prices are usually lower than their listings for the same cards on eBay.

https://www.the-battersbox.net/

And you can find many cards, via other sources, that are much cheaper than the Batterbox as well, and that's not saying anything about their grading, which, imo, definitely could be a lot better.

OK Carl Woodward, let's hear about your sources.

P.S. I like that Sawchuck memorial card you have.

I've been very happy with both Batters Box and Scottsdale. Both have easy to use websites, discounts over eBay and accurate scans. As far as grading, I don't have complaints - I look at the scan and price, and if I feel they match, then I get the card, whether it's listed as NrMt, EMt or Ex+++ or whatever.

My go to person/business when I was purchasing 52 Topps cards at a feverish pace was Greg Morris Cards. At least 85-90% of my current collection, outside the 148 my father gave me, were from Greg Morris.

Currently, since I haven't purchased many 52 Topps cards in a while, my seller list is quite huge but that is based on collecting hockey cards from CDN sellers.

I have, and continue to purchase cards from texasholdem (EBay and possible member here still?) who sells both hockey and baseball cards quite regularly.

My experience with The Battersbox wasn't that great based on the card I purchased. It had both front and reverse wrinkling/creases that weren't described in their ad nor were visible on their scans. Granted, their grading system is different than most but describing creases, etc, should, imo, be disclosed. Shipping from GM cards is more reasonable as well.

One of the older guys, but I've always thought Kit Young was fair. Haven't checked him out recently, but he used to have a lot of BIN's.

I buy a lot from Paul at the battersbox. The cards are sometimes a bit optomistically graded but the selection is good and service is great. They ship within 24 hours of your order.

I've bought a lot from Marty's cards too. Also great customer service. I also really like Brian at Scottsdale cards.



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Another consideration that most U.S. collectors likely don't have to consider much, unlike me, is the cost of shipping. When I am looking for cards, I have come across, countless times, cards that I am interested in that are reasonably/fairly priced or in an auction, but when I see the crazy shipping fees, I walk away.
Also, sellers like PWCC and Probstein with their own shipping fees outside of global shipping are also crazy. With both, I see $35 (PWCC) and $25 from Probstein which are both in U.S. dollars. Not that I would ever purchase anything from PWCC again, but this is what us CDN's come across that likely most Americans don't? If I am not mistaken, most see $5.00 dollars U.S. and I see $40-$45 plus CDN from them. With Global I see anywhere from $16 dollars to well over a $100 at times, then throw in import fees if applicable, which most times they are with Global shipping, and the fees become more than the actually card(s)! :mad:

Battersbox is my favorite. It's like a well-oiled machine that cranks out sharp, affordable commons all day long. I sometimes buy from Triple Play Vintage, but I'm OK with trimmed cards as long as I don't have to pay too much for them.

I won't buy from Burbank Sports Cards because I once asked for a scan of a card I wanted to buy, and was told they were too busy to meet my request.

I 100% agree that Battersbox, Mantlerulz, Greg Morris and Scottsdale are great choices. I would add Baseball Card Exchange to the list. They have an eBay account (bbcexchange3) that is dedicated to raw vintage cards. I have had great luck using them and their grading is spot-on.

I see Baseball Card Exchange has a brick of eight unopened 1952 Topps wax packs for sale, for $570,000. Anyone want to go halves with me?

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If he still sells online, (I can't find what I thought was his ebay ID...) I would be remiss in not recommending my old LCS owner, Chandy Greenholdt here in Winston-Salem, NC. Chandy is very well known in the region and owned a card shop for more than 25 years before having to close maybe 10-15 years ago.

I believe Chandy's ebay ID is chandyg6p81 .

Cool thanks. Chandy and I go back only about 20 years, but shortly after meeting him I realized we went to the same college, and he had grown up with my Mom.

+ 1 for Kit Young. I usually buy through the website instead of ebay but still very good to work with.

Chandy always sets up at the Chantilly (VA) Shows. The next Show is October 23-25.

I remember buying from Chandy on ebay years back and getting some cool oddball stuff, often at some really good prices. I think most of what he does now is BIN though. I may not always get a bargain or even win what I bid on, but the hunt for them is part of the fun. I do use BIN for things now and again, but still prefer the old auction game of chance.

Rookie-Parade