Need Major Advice

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by Baseballcrazy62

Get it out of that screw down holder ASAP.

I would recommend pausing on that. Any damage that has been done by being in that holder has already been done. The OP is not familiar with cards and just pulling that holder apart could ruin the card.

[x2drich2000]

Just wanted to expand on my last post for the original poster on why I would not rush to take it out of the screw down until you decide what you are going to do. Screw downs have 2 major issues going against them regarding protecting cards. 1. When left in them for years, cards tend to stick to the plastic and when removing them, the plastic can literally pull the surface of the card right off. As a result, a beautiful card can be easily turned into shredded cardboard. There are some tricks you can try to get them unstuck (freezing and/or heating), but nothing is guaranteed. 2. Screw downs that do not have a recessed area (like the one the Aaron is in) can flatten the corners of the card over time. The more the screws were tightened, the more likely this is to happen. The grading companies sometimes consider this an alteration and won't give the card a numeric grade as a result.

With that in mind, are there any other cards in the collection worth a lot less in the same style screw down? If so, you may want to see how one of them comes out first before attempting with the Aaron. That should give you an idea of how stuck the cards are. Also, if you are already getting offers as is in the range of a 4-5 (which is where I think it would be if real), you may be better off selling it even at a slight discount rather than running the risk of ruining it taking it out of the case or it grading as just authentic due to the corners.

DJ

[kateighty]

I'm going to say what everyone else is thinking - something is up with this post. User just registered this month and is already asking for senior advice.

There's something happening here...what it is ain't exactly clear.

[Steve M]

In honorable consideration of those who have and will take the time to comment and provide legitimate information, I will address this one time only. I have zero interest in convincing anyone of anything, or of taking time to placate your or anyone else's paranoia. My name and phone number are on record with the administrators who run this website. I recommend you take your concerns to them.

I registered with this website yesterday and I made my first post the very same day. I did this because I am in a bad position and need accurate information on a subject I know virtually nothing about, because I know enough not to just walk into a card shop in Charlotte and expect to get anything positive from the experience, and because my actions will potentially have a financial impact on people that trust me. After the business of this one post is concluded, it is almost a certainty that I will never post or be active again in these forums - because I have zero personal interest in this subject matter.

To those who have or will comment and provide information, I am terribly grateful. To the small-minded simpletons who fear my post, I again suggest taking your concerns to the administration because I will not respond or address any other such comments.

Originally Posted by kateighty

I'm going to say what everyone else is thinking - something is up with this post. User just registered this month and is already asking for senior advice.

There's something happening here...what it is ain't exactly clear.

[Peter_Spaeth]

You did well to come here and not go to a local card shop. Your best course, it seems to me, is to consult with a reputable dealer such as Greg Morris.

[Fballguy]

Was the goal here ever stated? Do they want money quickly or do they want as much money as possible? Selling to a dealer will be quick, but definitely won't maximize your take.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

Was the goal here ever stated? Do they want money quickly or do they want as much money as possible? Selling to a dealer will be quick, but definitely won't maximize your take.

In the end, the family may well not go forward with the sale of the collection at all. It is an odd sort of situation that has nothing to do with sentimentality. For whatever reason, they have allowed me to go forward with this one card while they decide what to do about the balance of the collection. My purpose here is to learn what all I might need to know in order to maximize the proceeds from the sale of the one card, and then to develop a plan on how best to proceed should they decide to sell the entire collection.

[kateighty]

I was simply stating that it seemed a bit odd Steve. You stated that you have "zero personal interest" in this subject matter and that it's "almost a certainty" that you will never post or be active again on this board after this. So it's ok then for you to take personal jabs and call me paranoid and a "small minded simpleton" because oh hey you're only going to be here for a week? It just so happens I'm a lawyer and author (amongst other things) who actually has recommendations and information that might be helpful to you. But sure it's totally ok for you to slam me as a person because you won't be back here next week. Best of luck with the cards Steve.

[barrysloate]

Steve,
Since you are not a collector and don't have any expertise, you might do best to consign the collection to a reputable auction, of which there are many. The auction house will know which key cards need to be graded, and which cards will fit logically into group lots.

And it sounds like the family needs some immediate money upfront. That shouldn't be a problem, as virtually every auction house can provide you with a cash advance as soon as they have the cards. An advance could be in the area of 25-50% of the appraised value, but that of course needs to be negotiated.

I don't think you should try to sell it yourself, because without any knowledge of how to proceed you will make too many mistakes.

Good luck with the sale.

[Steve M]

I would like to thank everyone for the informational posts and for all the private messages providing detailed info., resources, and offers of direct assistance. The response has been overwhelming and I am truly grateful. For all the item-specific information available on the internet, nowhere could I find a generalized how-to manual on this subject. For that reason, this site has been a godsend.

I believe I now have all the information I need to get the one card sold, and the information, resources, and references I need to construct an appropriate plan to process and sell the entire collection - should that come to pass.

It is quite a thing to see the generosity of spirit that produces the willingness to provide information and help to a person in my circumstances. I would very much like to buy everyone involved a cup of coffee and a danish, but of course - that's not how the world works. The only area I can offer expertise in is commercial real estate in the region of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. Should anyone need help on that subject, they would be welcome to send me a private message or email.

Should the sale of the overall collection become a reality, I will do a follow-up posting on this forum to let everyone know the details and the agency through which it will be occurring. In consideration of the large size of the collection and of the 14 or so extremely notable rookie cards I know of as being representative of the collection, I imagine the sale would be a big and interesting event to follow.

Thanks again.

Steve M.