Buying whole collections... your experience & tips?

[111gecko]

I always bring graded cards with me to share. Most people just go to EBay and try and guess grades..of course always 3 grades higher than they actually are. That is always the first set back.

If they are reasonable and willing to go through graded cards with you; they will understand.

The second shock is when they find out the value difference of a 50s Mantle from a 5 to a 2.

Again, many are reasonable when they can compare side by side. In my experience; just be straight with them and they will many times sell. The majority of people you are working with in those years are retired, don't need the money, and don't have to sell. Remember, they've had these cards longer than their families and they remember every card they bought in a pack. If you treat them and their cards respectfully and remember their emotions are involved, pricing kind of falls in place. They are more concerned who they go to..

[Huck]

Originally Posted by 111gecko

I always bring graded cards with me to share. Most people just go to EBay and try and guess grades..of course always 3 grades higher than they actually are. That is always the first set back.

If they are reasonable and willing to go through graded cards with you; they will understand.

The second shock is when they find out the value difference of a 50s Mantle from a 5 to a 2.

Again, many are reasonable when they can compare side by side. In my experience; just be straight with them and they will many times sell. The majority of people you are working with in those years are retired, don't need the money, and don't have to sell. Remember, they've had these cards longer than their families and they remember every card they bought in a pack. If you treat them and their cards respectfully and remember their emotions are involved, pricing kind of falls in place. They are more concerned who they go to..

Well said and I totally agree. Bring graded cards and explain the options, (1) auction (2) dealers at a show and their % (3) eBay (4) collector (you). Condition, condition, condition. Good luck!

[Belfast1933]

Wonderful advice from all... many thanks for sharing your own experience! I'll return the favor and will share my experiences as this develops. (consider yourselves "deputized" to help me with this!)

[Belfast1933]

Oops, may not be quite the find I hoped it might be… sounds like he might have a small collection of the 59 Fleer Ted Williams set.

He said he also has a very nice Mantle - “bat on his shoulder and Yankees is in yellow” 99% chance it’s 1960 (1% dream it’s a 52 Topps!)

He’s a very Nice gentleman - but probably very modest “collection!”

[MikeGarcia]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

Oops, may not be quite the find I hoped it might be… sounds like he might have a small collection of the 59 Fleer Ted Williams set.

He said he also has a very nice Mantle - “bat on his shoulder and Yankees is in yellow” 99% chance it’s 1960 (1% dream it’s a 52 Topps!)

He’s a very Nice gentleman - but probably very modest “collection!”

.. Has he mentioned his age ? If he's in his late seventies that implies a "boyhood collection" of early and mid fifties . Take the drive. Gas is cheap. Then post the Aaron rookie here.

..

[Leon]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

.. Has he mentioned his age ? If he's in his late seventies that implies a "boyhood collection" of early and mid fifties . Take the drive. Gas is cheap. Then post the Aaron rookie here.

..

+1. Ya' never know unless you go!
.

[philliesfan]

Agreed. Make the trip. You never know.
I dabble in stamp collecting at times. I was debating whether or not to drive an hour and a half for a $200.00 collection. When I got there she said $200.00 and I saw a cigar box and 6 large bins. I said sure I will have fun going through it. Low and behold when I got home there was $4,226.00 in mint unused US stamps ready for postage. Plus a lot of collectible stamps from around the world. So you never know.
Good Luck
Bob