Damn SMR Prices

[Bosox Blair]

I agree that SMR is off on some stuff. Cracker Jacks are a classic example, and I started a thread on another BB about how off the guides were on CJ.

For other stuff - even pre-war like T206 and T205, it is a lot closer to reality.

Cheers,
Blair

[Drew6]

I was reading this thread about SMR and responses to potential buyers. My response would be to politely decline the offer and simply state that it is the price you would like to get for the card. After all it is your card and you can list it for whatever you want.

As far as the SMR is concerned, I have seen/experienced dealers most recently at the Philly show, telling individuals with cards to sell or trade that they will only pay X% of SMR or asking what % of SMR are they asking for. Many cards always sell for b/t 3-5x's SMR. In my case a dealer approached me unsolicited as I was picking my cards up from SGC. Bottom line, as was stated earlier, SMR is a guide and should be used as such. I personally will read it, then toss it out when I am done. I don't have a problem paying what a card is worth to me which in some instances can be 20% of a guide like SMR or 5-6x's SMR. Just my 2 cents.

[JamesGallo]

I get all the ins and out and the "guide" response. However I find it tough when some says well your card is only in the guide for $1000, why do you want double that price? The gap is SO large that it's hard for me not to laugh and just blow them off.

I recently had someone tell me an SGC 30 1915 Matty was only worth 300. I guess it's just like any other low ball offer, but these are people that apprently know what their doing and yet really have no clue.

When I got back into collecting I realized very quickly that SMR was way off on everything except maybe the mid years 50s-80s.

I just wish the prices were a little closer especially since they now have the grades down to poor. Anyone want to sell me a CJ Jackson, I will pay double SMR :-)

James G

[HRBAKER]

It has been years since I have even picked up a SMR. What I seem to be hearing is that the price guide is basically useless to most informed buyers/sellers. So giving them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they are newbies but could quite possibly be someone trying to grab a deal from someone. A polite decline is in order I think.

The road runs both ways though. How many times have you made a very fair offer to a seller based on real world sales history for a like card to be told, "I can't take that. I've got more than that in it!"

At the end of the day regardless of guides, VCPs or anything else, it comes down to what one is willing to take that day for that card.

[cyseymour]

I find it most frustrating. I mean, what is the point of having a price guide with the wrong prices? You really have to go by VCP these days to have any grasp of what the cards are really worth.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have emailed Joe Orlando several times and told him that SMR is grossly wrong on CJs, and I am sure others have as well, and I have given him a variety of examples of actual sales -- to no avail it seems. He keeps saying thank you I will look into it or to that effect.