My first experience at selling my cards

[obcbobd]

Great post! Refreshing to see cards being sold (and in some cases given away) at reasonable prices. I frequent antique shops in New England and am so sick of seeing boxes of beatup 90s cards being sold for $1 a card or a 33 Goudey common in vg for $99.


Keep up the good work!

Bob

[btcarfagno]

Love hearing stuff like this Bill. It is what collecting is all about...the people, the hunt, etc. When you are able to give back by spurring interest in the younger generation, there is nothing better.

And to piggyback what Bob said, it is also refreshing to hear about cards at an antique center/store that are reasonably priced. Usually what I see are 1993 prices for 1993 cards. And they likely didn't sell in 1993 because the prices were too high even then, and there they still sit.

Tom C

[billyb]

Thank you Leon for your comments and placing this thread on the Vintage Pre-War site, and to all thank you for you kind comments.

Selling my cards at a small local venue amazes me how many people actually have cards or a collection at home. Many shoppers stop and talk about their cards, as we all have our cards in spoke stories as well as flipping for cards. I try not to put pressure on the shoppers, as I would rather gather a rapport with them. If they buy, they buy, but my best line is "let's talk baseball".

But the kids are the bonus. Just had a 14 year old in two days ago, and he had a speech impediment. I asked if he collects BB cards, and he said, no but I would like to. My heart melted with this kid, and I started with my sportflics, 5 or 6. Then a complete set of Donruss "84 Tigers, along with a couple more Tigers. May have been a few others, I don't remember, I got carried away with this kid. But thats OK, the reward was when I later seen him in the store showing his mother what he got.

[iowadoc77]

Originally Posted by billyb

Thank you Leon for your comments and placing this thread on the Vintage Pre-War site, and to all thank you for you kind comments.

Selling my cards at a small local venue amazes me how many people actually have cards or a collection at home. Many shoppers stop and talk about their cards, as we all have our cards in spoke stories as well as flipping for cards. I try not to put pressure on the shoppers, as I would rather gather a rapport with them. If they buy, they buy, but my best line is "let's talk baseball".

But the kids are the bonus. Just had a 14 year old in two days ago, and he had a speech impediment. I asked if he collects BB cards, and he said, no but I would like to. My heart melted with this kid, and I started with my sportflics, 5 or 6. Then a complete set of Donruss "84 Tigers, along with a couple more Tigers. May have been a few others, I don't remember, I got carried away with this kid. But thats OK, the reward was when I later seen him in the store showing his mother what he got.

Wow Bill. this whole story has made my day. I love hearing about this. I think you are absolutely right about the hobby needing a nudge in the right direction. At the National this year, my kids did quite well with dealers cutting them very good deals or giving them free stuff. It was awesome to see. And their friends are collecting now as well. Makes me so happy to see all this (and their noses aren't buried in their video games). You are an example of all that is right with this hobby and I commend you for that.

[vthobby]

As others have said, great story Bill. It reminds me of something that has been on my mind lately.

My friend owns a large card shop locally. He recently had a 90 year old gentleman come into his store and say "well, its about time I enjoyed myself with the money I will get from my collection"!?!?!?

Granted, this guy had a multi thousand dollar collection but my thoughts were......... why did this guy take that long to cash in? At 90 plus years old......how was he going to "enjoy" himself?

I am not sure if this story made me sad, reflective, confused.......I think a little of all 3.

The guy said that he did not have any family members that enjoyed his collection and it was time to sell.

Sad.

Now I do understand that the joy of accumulating and collecting is intrinsic. Got it. This story however started me thinking about, when is the "right" time to pull the trigger.

From recent events, it appears Leon came to this "trigger point" and has not looked back. I do not know how "young" Leon is so I'm not assuming anything but when I read Billy's story it all makes so much sense.

Start to sell when you can still enjoy the feeling it gives you to give some back to others. I love the concept but of course we all must sell in our own ways but it is nice to see different stories of liquidation and of course, we never really sell it all do we? (yeah I know that was a crazy run on sentence but I don't care! )

Leon as admitted is sneaking back in, Billy still has the bulk and is adding more to his pile but to each his own.

Good stuff.

Moral of the story.......sell it all before you are 90+ unless that floats your boat and try to have some fun and give back to the hobby while doing so!


Peace, Mike

[Rich Klein]

Leon, as he has mentioned and was noted in the Heritage Catalog, cashed in to ensure his daughter had enough money for her college educaton.

But like many of us, he is a collecting lifer so has dived back in

Rich

Now someday, if I could only get him to set up at my show so I can advertise B&L Auctions will be there

[bsatttu]

I love your attitude towards it all! Great story

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Leon, as he has mentioned and was noted in the Heritage Catalog, cashed in to ensure his daughter had enough money for her college educaton.

But like many of us, he is a collecting lifer so has dived back in

Rich

Now someday, if I could only get him to set up at my show so I can advertise B&L Auctions will be there

Rich,

My point exactly. Leon sold to do better in life (by helping his daughter). her education will hopefully pay off in life rewards for the next 70 or so years. I did not know why he sold but it fits in what my point was. Thanks for pointing that out.

Peace, Mike