"Why are you selling?"

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Funny, a bunch of people on the board know my eBay handle, and when I list something they not infrequently send me an email asking if there is any reason I am selling and hopefully nothing wrong and not a forced sale, etc. Nice sentiment, and I appreciate the notes.

Since I started collecting, I've never had any hesitation selling stuff I have. In my entire collection there are probably 10-15 items that I have no plans to ever sell, let's call them the "super special" stuff, usually one of a kind items. But everything else is fair game. I periodically go through the safe deposit box and find a few items that I haven't thought of in years and decide to give them a new home. Most of them have gone up in value.

I guess I always assumed this is what 95% of the people on the board do. Buy occasionally, sell occasionally, refine the collection, branch out, move things on that no longer resonate loudly. Am I mistaken? Are there a lof of collectors who buy and never plan on sellng any of their stuff? I'm not quite knocking on heaven's door at this point (I hope), but I have little interest in in leaving my heirs 100s or 1000s of things the need to deal with. To me that seems like it could be a burden.

For me, I mostly sell when I upgrade something. Otherwise, everything else is PC.

Steve, what you said about people asking why you are selling is interesting. I have been approached as well and know several of members that were asked this same question. Very strange, I wonder why all the spin up. Personally, I don't care why someone sells, it has no bearing on my collection.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

For me, I mostly sell when I upgrade something. Otherwise, everything else is PC.

Steve, what you said about people asking why you are selling is interesting. I have been approached as well and know several of members that were asked this same question. Very strange, I wonder why all the spin up. Personally, I don't care why someone sells, it has no bearing on my collection.

Probably everyone trying to decide when the music stops, and therefore when it's time to get out before the market crashes.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

For me, I mostly sell when I upgrade something. Otherwise, everything else is PC.

Steve, what you said about people asking why you are selling is interesting. I have been approached as well and know several of members that were asked this same question. Very strange, I wonder why all the spin up. Personally, I don't care why someone sells, it has no bearing on my collection.

Maybe they are hoping you need some cash and they can get a good deal buying some of your cards at bargain prices.

[Johnny630]

Most people that inquire why are looking for an angle or are paranoid, not confident in the market or cards.

[obcbobd]

Good question. I am 61 and have a lot of cards. Complete, or near complete sets of most Goudey, Payballs, Topps (up to 80), Bowman, plus about 3000 lower condition Topps/Bowman doubles. And I'm still buying. I've always thought that when I reached about 70 I would start selling off a lot of the bulk, cards/sets that don't mean that much to me. Easy to say now, will be tough when I reach 70. I will probably adjust my plan to start when I am 75 :-)

[JCM2009]

I am thinking about selling also. Been collecting for 50 years. I collect for the enjoyment of the hobby not for the financial aspect. I do not ever recall selling a single card in all my years of collecting.

But as I grow older, material things just do not seem as important to me any longer. I have no heirs. A couple of my nephews love the NBA and NFL but show no interest in baseball much less collecting. I may will my collection to one of the nephews so he may liquidate and enjoy the proceeds. Not really willing to sell to a dealer.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Most people that inquire why are looking for an angle or are paranoid, not confident in the market or cards.

Agreed or seeking approval for what they spend/collect.