Prices of complete sets relative to singles

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Your memory is correct. Especially with graded sets, the sets seem to sell for more than the singles would cumulatively. Occasionally a bargain can be found. There was a near 1968 PSA baseball set with BP that finished around $20k (sans top 10 cards) in the recent Memory Lane auction. Obviously, over the past year, the cost/value of graded sets has increased due to the grading costs of commons.

Over the past year raw set prices seem to have doubled. For example, mid-grade 72 baseball sets could be had for around $1500, today the same set would bring $2500-3000.

Complete sets have done better lately (relative to the underlying value), but your numbers are skewed. They haven't doubled in just the last year.

For the '72 you mentioned, a lot of ex+/ex-mt raw sets have gone for 2300-2400 on ebay in the last three months. A year ago, those sets would've sold for 1700-1800. And that's the type of 30-40% increase that I've seen across the board for many vintage sets. Anyone spending 3000 for a "mid grade" '72 really overpaid.

Plus the underlying breakup is still a bit higher than those recent sales. Even before factoring in the transaction costs of building one.

[puckpaul]

I like buying complete vintage sets, i would also be thrilled with a discount to breakup value. Anyone wants to sell them, contact me! I like putting them together, but though some are plentiful, it can take lots of patience to finish them in a consistent grade. I think there should be a premium for that effort, happy if i get a discount from all of you though!

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

Complete sets have done better lately (relative to the underlying value), but your numbers are skewed. They haven't doubled in just the last year.

For the '72 you mentioned, a lot of ex+/ex-mt raw sets have gone for 2300-2400 on ebay in the last three months. A year ago, those sets would've sold for 1700-1800. And that's the type of 30-40% increase that I've seen across the board for many vintage sets. Anyone spending 3000 for a "mid grade" '72 really overpaid.

Plus the underlying breakup is still a bit higher than those recent sales. Even before factoring in the transaction costs of building one.

Guess I was thinking of this set for the high number of my range:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25533367593...p2047675.l2557


Since the 72 set is one of my favorite sets, I tend to pay more attention to those sales.


Not sure I remember midgrade 72 sets a year ago consistently selling for more than $1500. Possibly a few did.

Still, the buyer of this $3k midgrade 72 set probably still got a bargain at $3k. Based on my own recent experience, I broke a near high number midgrade run, less the top 15 cards for around $1500. The whole midgrade run likely sells for $1800-2k pieced out. For someone piecing the set together card by card, if s/h average $3 a card, it would cost almost $400 in s/h alone for the just the high #s.


I'm pretty sure my 72 set has doubled in value over the past year. Early last year the APR on my set was around $13k, up to almost $25k as of today.
https://www.psacard.com/psasetregist...lishedset/3092

I would argue that increase is likely due to grading costs of commons and the reduced supply of commons.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Guess I was thinking of this set for the high number of my range:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25533367593...p2047675.l2557


Since the 72 set is one of my favorite sets, I tend to pay more attention to those sales.


Not sure I remember midgrade 72 sets a year ago consistently selling for more than $1500. Possibly a few did.

Still, the buyer of this $3k midgrade 72 set probably still got a bargain at $3k. Based on my own recent experience, I broke a near high number midgrade run, less the top 15 cards for around $1500. The whole midgrade run likely sells for $1800-2k pieced out. For someone piecing the set together card by card, if s/h average $3 a card, it would cost almost $400 in s/h alone for the just the high #s.


I'm pretty sure my 72 set has doubled in value over the past year. Early last year the APR on my set was around $13k, up to almost $25k as of today.
https://www.psacard.com/psasetregist...lishedset/3092

I would argue that increase is likely due to grading costs of commons and the reduced supply of commons.

I should've specified that I couldn't speak for what high-grade registry sets like yours have done during that time (was only referring to the typical raw or mostly raw set) That looks amazing. But I still think that person who paid 3000 could've done a good bit better (based on all those comps I quoted from the last three months). Your ebay link won't come up though.

Like you said though, the '72 has a lot of breakup value versus what people pay for it complete (even if they don't get a very good price). Those highs add up so quick for a '70s set. Mine isn't in the same universe as your PSA 8 registry bonanza, but even in the raw ex-mt/nr mt it's in, the underlying value still packs a punch

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

I should've specified that I couldn't speak for what high-grade registry sets like yours have done during that time (was only referring to the typical raw or mostly raw set) That looks amazing. But I still think that person who paid 3000 could've done a good bit better (based on all those comps I quoted from the last three months). Your ebay link won't come up though.

Like you said though, the '72 has a lot of breakup value versus what people pay for it complete (even if they don't get a very good price). Those highs add up so quick for a '70s set. Mine isn't in the same universe as your PSA 8 registry bonanza, but even in the raw ex-mt/nr mt it's in, the underlying value still packs a punch

Not sure what happen to that link, hopefully this one works:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25533367593...p2047675.l2557

Since I finished my original raw 72 set circa 2001, I have probably broken up around 20 complete 72 sets, plus numerous other near 72 sets over the past 20 years as this set was the most profitable set to break for me. The profitability is mainly due to the high numbers. However, in recent times, with the demand and supply changes (as noted by Glyn) breaking this set currently at the new typical prices for a decent profit is much tougher.

[Republicaninmass]

It's been near impossible for me to add any 1952 topps high series , even going after big lots of 20+ cards and paying "retail", after the BP, shipping, and tax. I'd suspect a full set would go for the full value of its parts, even more if it had a mantle.... people feel just to "get a mantle" is worth it. Also, always fun to upgrade a set along the way to you own personal liking. I cant speculate on others, but assume a "factory set" in the original box from the 70s might bring a premium as well.

[jayshum]

The current Mile High Auction has a 1958 Topps set listed as a complete set as well as individual cards with final sale determined by which is higher. Any bets on which way it ends up?

http://milehighcardco.com/1958_Topps...-LOT83297.aspx

[Exhibitman]

From the dealer standpoint, there is one thing that makes it more attractive to sell sets or near sets: time. Both the time value of money and the time it takes to sell. A single card takes as much time to sell as a set. Plus, when I buy a collection I want to get my money out and ready for the next deal as quickly as I can. Selling 20 sets is a hell of a lot more manageable than selling 2,000 cards.