Out of Touch

bcbgcbrcb · #1 10-07-2025, 02:57 PM

Hey John:

I feel the same way as you do in many respects and I assume that we are talking about vintage and not modern cards. First off, I have to agree that most/all of the cards that I REALLY want for the PC have gotten completely out of reach today. As far as buying to resell these days, I believe you can break things down into three categories. If you’ve got “big bucks” to spend (5-6 figures), a lot of money can be made right now in this overheated market, as the premium cards continue to set records (this could all change tomorrow but I am only speaking for today). If you have the funds to make 4-figure purchases regularly, the key is to buy high eye-appeal cards maybe 10-20% below comps and resell at around 20-30% above comps, highlighting the “premier for the grade” aspect. This only works if you DON’T HAVE TO sell them very quickly in order to recoup the money to keep this process going. Finally, if you’re on more of a shoestring budget, you need to buy mostly at card shows, squeeze the seller out of every last dollar that you can and resell as close to comps as you can get. Outside of these strategies, I don’t see this being a very lucrative endeavor these days. I continue to try to do this for a living and am only still around because of the giant head start that I had from my 2004-2014 collection.

Yoda · #2 10-07-2025, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Hey John:

I feel the same way as you do in many respects and I assume that we are talking about vintage and not modern cards. First off, I have to agree that most/all of the cards that I REALLY want for the PC have gotten completely out of reach today. As far as buying to resell these days, I believe you can break things down into three categories. If you�ve got �big bucks� to spend (5-6 figures), a lot of money can be made right now in this overheated market, as the premium cards continue to set records (this could all change tomorrow but I am only speaking for today). If you have the funds to make 4-figure purchases regularly, the key is to buy high eye-appeal cards maybe 10-20% below comps and resell at around 20-30% above comps, highlighting the �premier for the grade� aspect. This only works if you DON�T HAVE TO sell them very quickly in order to recoup the money to keep this process going. Finally, if you�re on more of a shoestring budget, you need to buy mostly at card shows, squeeze the seller out of every last dollar that you can and resell as close to comps as you can get. Outside of these strategies, I don�t see this being a very lucrative endeavor these days. I continue to try to do this for a living and am only still around because of the giant head start that I had from my 2004-2014 collection.

Phil, great advise and pretty much what I am unsuccessfully trying to do now. The number of cards I have been the underbidder are just the cards you refer to. Sniping, I suppose, is the answer, and my air defenses are weak. Like you, I sort of survive on preCovid purchases, purchased when prices seem high but sane.
All I know is that I have not taken on any debt to buy cards and worry about those that might be heavily leveraged to take on acquisitions they only plan on flipping in a couple of months. Markets ebb and flow but sometimes the dam bursts.

Exhibitman · #3 10-07-2025, 05:58 PM

Some things that work for me, at least in terms of commerce:

Beat the bushes. I hit every antique show, flea market, yard sale and estate sale I can find. I don't always find stuff but sometimes I do.

Broaden your reach. Maybe you study up on nonsports and try to make money there.

Obscurity means lack of price transparency. I look for categories of items where pricing is not easily understood.

Price discipline is paramount when purchasing. It is a numbers game. I have a price and that's it. If the seller says no, I walk (or at least I should; still licking my wounds over a bad deal at the show in August).

Follow Mr. Keeler's advice (thread needs a card anyway)

I hit 'em where they ain't. If there is a surge in excitement over Mantle, buy Aaron. If T206 has an extreme year, buy T205.

In the collecting arena, I used to just grab whatever caught my eye. Now, what works best for me is to try and go after only very specific cards for specific reasons. Like, I wanted to complete my E254 Tinker-Evers-Chance, so I went after a Chance in LOTG. I went to the National looking to upgrade some specific cards.

bmattioli · #4 10-07-2025, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Some things that work for me, at least in terms of commerce:

Beat the bushes. I hit every antique show, flea market, yard sale and estate sale I can find. I don't always find stuff but sometimes I do.

Broaden your reach. Maybe you study up on nonsports and try to make money there.

Obscurity means lack of price transparency. I look for categories of items where pricing is not easily understood.

Good advise.. Gotta dig everywhere..

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