Auction roulette

[Snapolit1]

I just figure that all the people who are paying significant dollars for cards are watching the same auctions that I am and doing to same Google searches that I do. If there was a card that went off for $1000 last month, and I lost it and it really stung me, I might pay a small vig to get it a month later. Maybe $200 if I really need to get it. But I'm not paying much more than that. And how much could the seller actually be clearing at that point, even with a paper profit?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I just figure that all the people who are paying significant dollars for cards are watching the same auctions that I am and doing to same Google searches that I do. If there was a card that went off for $1000 last month, and I lost it and it really stung me, I might pay a small vig to get it a month later. Maybe $200 if I really need to get it. But I'm not paying much more than that. And how much could the seller actually be clearing at that point, even with a paper profit?

If I am buying a card for resale I am not looking to the guy who wouldn't pay as much as I did in the first place, to sell it to.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Leon

If I am buying a card for resale I am not looking to the guy who wouldn't pay as much as I did in the first place, to sell it to.

A wise sage you are. Agreed.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Leon

If I am buying a card for resale I am not looking to the guy who wouldn't pay as much as I did in the first place, to sell it to.

I think the point is that if a card sells in a well-known auction house that there are no other guys to buy it for more next week - all of them chose not to outbid you for it this week.

[bbcard1]

A couple years ago I sold a card in a reputable auction that went for a somewhat disappointing $400 or so, probably about what I had paid for it. Turned up in the next REA auction and sold for more than $1200. Ouch.

[swarmee]

I think you're fooling yourself if you think that the majority of big bidders know about all the auctionhouses and when the last days are. Sure, many do, but many whales are still only on eBay or Christies or REA. They are loyal just like cigarette smokers. They buy stuff in their spare time. So the wide variance in prices paid makes sense, because the level of information also varies widely.
Also, some auctionhouses just don't describe their items well, and some do. However, I would think a smarter way of doing this is buying dealers lots in big auctions, and then parting them out on COMC to Amazon and eBay for the lower grade/commoner cards, and then doing the grading thing with the really nice ones.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by swarmee

I think you're fooling yourself if you think that the majority of big bidders know about all the auctionhouses and when the last days are. Sure, many do, but many whales are still only on eBay or Christies or REA. They are loyal just like cigarette smokers. They buy stuff in their spare time. So the wide variance in prices paid makes sense, because the level of information also varies widely.
Also, some auctionhouses just don't describe their items well, and some do. However, I would think a smarter way of doing this is buying dealers lots in big auctions, and then parting them out on COMC to Amazon and eBay for the lower grade/commoner cards, and then doing the grading thing with the really nice ones.

I don't know . . . . how about a 30 second Google search of {player} {set name} {grade} {auction}. Seems to work every time for me.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

A couple years ago I sold a card in a reputable auction that went for a somewhat disappointing $400 or so, probably about what I had paid for it. Turned up in the next REA auction and sold for more than $1200. Ouch.

Todd, you just did a nice job of describing the big difference between REA and other reputable auction houses!

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Leon

If I am buying a card for resale I am not looking to the guy who wouldn't pay as much as I did in the first place, to sell it to.

If happen to buy on a day with 10% ebucks, at least you have a decent chance to break even...

[Snapolit1]

Maybe it works. Not criticizing it. It's a free economy.
In the last five minutes I found on eBay a few photos that were over $1000 of what they sold at BMY weeks ago. If you can find a willing buyer good for you. No judgment here. This isn't infant formula or bread we are talking about.