What Should A Dealer Do?

SAllen2556 · #1 10-06-2015, 12:30 PM

The sports memorabilia business is completely unregulated. As long as it is, the answer will almost always be �feign indifference�. There�s too little risk compared to the reward. This is brought to light and discussed on an almost daily basis right here - gratefully I might add. Everything from fakes on eBay to shilling to even trimming the most famous card of all time - the reward almost always outweighs the risk.

Last card show I went to, I saw two trimmed cards in the first 10 minutes. I told the dealers who "feigned ignorance". What's the risk to the dealer? Like I'm gonna call a cop over a trimmed card at a show?

I actually don�t know what I�d do. I�d like to think I�d be honest, but��.

I can say, however, I would never hesitate to rip off a dealer- as if! Sorry.

midmo · #2 10-06-2015, 12:39 PM

.

ibuysportsephemera · #3 10-06-2015, 01:10 PM

I am in no way saying be dishonest. I don't conduct my business that way at all. I was probably too broad in my last statement. Every circumstance is different and it really depends how the situation plays out.

I echo David's question above...As a buyer, if you see an item that is being sold by a dealer (who is a total stranger) way under value...do you offer him or her more money? I am sure that the answer is probably no for most (if you were being totally honest).

Jeff

vintagetoppsguy · #4 10-06-2015, 01:18 PM

I'm not sure why it's different when the situation is reversed. A couple years ago, there was a board member that picked up a T206 Brown OM back (from a PWCC auction) for about $51.

Here is the original thread (save yourself a lot of reading and pick up from post #30).

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=173902

Post #85 is where the board member comes forward as the buyer.

If you're going to inform an uneducated seller about the value of a card, does it matter if that seller is PWCC (the Brown OM back), or a relative of a deceased collector? I really see no difference. And I'm not saying there is a right or wrong answer, but I find it interesting how people justify things based on the roles of who the buyer/seller is.

ullmandds · #5 10-06-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I'm not sure why it's different when the situation is reversed. A couple years ago, there was a board member that picked up a T206 Brown OM back (from a PWCC auction) for about $51.

Here is the original thread (save yourself a lot of reading and pick up from post #30).

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=173902

Post #85 is where the board member comes forward as the buyer.

If you're going to inform an uneducated seller about the value of a card, does it matter if that seller is PWCC (the Brown OM back), or a relative of a deceased collector? I really see no difference. And I'm not saying there is a right or wrong answer, but I find it interesting how people justify things based on the roles of who the buyer/seller is.

+1

ullmandds · #6 10-06-2015, 01:28 PM

i mean just last week the board was applauding a chap for "stealing" a t206 starr w/drum back at an antique store...shouldn't he have informed the seller????

drcy · #7 10-06-2015, 01:55 PM

I think in some areas, if not everywhere, it's illegal for a knowledgeable dealer to deceive a uninformed person in order to buy something too cheap, I believe there was such a case involving an Antiques Roadshow civil war expert. Got the very rare and valuable items cheap by deceiving the owner into believing the were worth much less.

In general, I think you should give a fair deal-- though a fair deal can certainly can include room for profit for you. I'm not expecting dealers to run a charity.

I also think there is a distinct difference when the seller already has a sales price and when he/she asks you for the value.

I also assume this poll is about total beginners off the turnip truck (or even not even beginners because they don't collect but found something), not antique stores who are literally licensed professionals and set the prices. What to do at an antique store or dealer's booth would be a separate poll.

Joshchisox08 · #8 10-06-2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ullmandds

i mean just last week the board was applauding a chap for "stealing" a t206 starr w/drum back at an antique store...shouldn't he have informed the seller????

Absolutely not. If you're selling you'd better know what you're selling. Especially an antique/pawn shop.

Jantz · #9 10-06-2015, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

If you're going to inform an uneducated seller about the value of a card, does it matter if that seller is PWCC (the Brown OM back), or a relative of a deceased collector? I really see no difference. And I'm not saying there is a right or wrong answer, but I find it interesting how people justify things based on the roles of who the buyer/seller is.

That would depend on if the uneducated seller consigned cards, then admitted to allowing his consigners to bid on their own auctions.

Exhibitman · #10 10-06-2015, 04:32 PM

Let's be clear: no one condones capitalizing on mistakes. In the example with the Ryan rookie, obviously, the wife misread the $500 label. That's the equivalent of a clerk giving you change for a $100 instead of a $10.

Making an offer on a card or paying a buyer's ask price across a table at a collectibles show is part of the business. I (and all of you who attend shows or antique fairs or flea markets) spend days scouring through stuff looking for value. Everyone at a show knows that buyers want to get something great for cheap and sellers want to sell things as highly as they can. If everything was priced to 'market' and no one knew anything more than anyone else, many (most?) collectible sales would not happen. Wanting something shiny and new only gets you so far; there has to be a perception of value or you end up with boxes of shiny crap no one wants [sound familiar, former 1990s pack busters?].

A buyer who just takes the first dealer offer through the door at a collectibles show is lazy, dumb and blind to what's around him. I have zero pity for that guy.

We also don't know the circumstances of the multi strike back deal. Perhaps there was only one dealer who was interested in a beater McGraw at the seller's price. Until relatively recently FUBARed T206s were considered junk box bait; that's where I got most of mine. Some people still think of them that way.

One other thing to consider: in sitting at selling tables at shows over the last 30+ years [geez, I feel old sometimes] I cannot tell you how many times I am approached by someone with cards for sale who lets me go through them, takes my offer, and then walks away to try and find someone to top it. For every schmuck who hands over a rare card for fifty bucks, I bet there are twenty who waste hours of dealers' time shopping a deal around a show floor.

View Poll Results: What should a dealer do if this card comes raw to your table at a show?
Feign ignorance and buy the card for under $100	36	19.05%
Educate the seller and offer a minor discount off of a recent auction sale?	83	43.92%
Inform the seller about some recent comparable sales and suggest an auction house	58	30.69%
Tell him its garbage and tell him to go away	12	6.35%
Voters: 189. You may not vote on this poll

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