Long time lurker with first question

[FrankWakefield]

My recollection is that about 20 years ago, or so, I'd find a card I'd been wanting in one of Larry Fritsch's catalogs, an old card. From experience, I knew 2 things, first was that it seemed that many of the cards I'd ordered from him were overgraded, and the second was that it was very easy to return any card I'd bought if I didn't like the condition or anything else about the card. A super easy return policy. He'd have a few cards, from time to time, that I just couldn't find anywhere else. Trouble was that they'd be priced quite a bit beyond what I thought the card was worth... which gets me to the point of just how badly do you desire the card. Too many times I've paid more than I thought a card was worth because I really wanted it. It is a balancing thing... I don't buy or collect a card because I think it is worth "X" dollars, I buy it because I want it. So at some point the card is the thing, not the money. Still, if you don't want the card that badly, then I wholeheartedly agree with that above about not legitimizing the insane BuyItNow prices on eBay.

Years ago I paid $120 for the Sinex T210 series 6 card... at the time I thought the card was worth about $25 to $30. I was annoyed at paying that much for it. I still am. But I wanted the card. And a week after I got it there was no way I'd sell it for $150 or so. Same holds true today. I wanted the card. And paying too much for cards is how I gathered in some that I have. If you're that enamored with the registry thing, then I think you'll eventually pay too much for some cards that you really want. So revive this thread in a couple of months, and let us know which cards you added at inflated prices. I won't ridicule such a purchase, I've been right there with you.

[Matt]

Frank - I think to a great degree, especially with cards more common then series 6 T210s, such as '38 Goudeys, eBay has become a great equalizer. If you knew there was a decent chance you'd be able to find that T210 sometime in the next month at market price, I doubt you would have paid Larry what you did. At the time, you had no other option.

[Howe’s Hunter]

has anyone noticed that Fritsch no longer even lists any T206 cards on line? It says the one-of-a-kind catalog is out of print, but you could fnd it online. But the link to it is missing. There were updated pages added within the last month or so, but no T206s.

I've called three times and left messages asking if they still sell them, or had moved away from the set, and have also e-mailed twice. Never a response.

[ksabet]

SO far I have not overpaid, but Frank brought up a great point. Do I go with desire or principle?

Seems to relate more than just cards huh?

[FrankWakefield]

Matt I agree with you on the 'supply' aspect... the a 38 Goudey is more plentiful than a T210. I agree, if the cards are available from time to time, then a bit of patience is in order.

Still, I'd not fault someone for paying what some would think is too much, just to get a certain card in hand. Doing that is card collecting for the card (or maybe the slab)... instead of buying because of a card's alleged value, or for some investment fallacy.

[Jim VB]

Kiya,

You're limiting your options by shopping for PSA graded only. On the card you mention, (#280) the PSA 4 is offered for $150, but there's an SGC 40 offered for $45. Buy it and cross it over.

Edited to add: http://cgi.ebay.com/1938-Goudey-Head...mZ380158074976


(Not my card. Just did a quick Ebay search.)


Edit #2- On this one, take a chance on a raw card. http://cgi.ebay.com/1938-Goudey-Head...mZ350253673365

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Edit #2- On this one, take a chance on a raw card. http://cgi.ebay.com/1938-Goudey-Head...mZ350253673365

I don't think that one is going to grade too high - I've only seen the front, but there's a crease in the top left corner and what appear to be a stain between his legs. Back scan would be nice as well...

[nolemmings]

I agree that you should broaden your search options beyond PSA, if you have not done so already. You probably have developed a good eye for authenticity and grade, so SGC at a minimum and raw if you're confident. Then you can submit them to PSA. If you're into the high grade game of set registry, your options are more limited, as sellers think they have a captive market, but mid-grade on down should not be that difficult.

I also agree that paying those inflated prices only justifies the sale to seller and encourages him to keep up the practice. Many of these sellers truly don't need the cash and or otherwise don't much care if their cards sell at any reasonable pace or not. One seller in particular, who just got his own thread, had some domino disks at BIN for at least a year, which is about how long I've been watching them. When I offered a slightly discounted price on one or two of them, I got a polite but firm no--- now he has taken to actually BUMP the price on those. C'est la vie.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Matt

I don't think that one is going to grade too high - I've only seen the front, but there's a crease in the top left corner and what appear to be a stain between his legs. Back scan would be nice as well...

Grading high, or not, to me that would be better than no card at all. I was not approaching it purely from the registry side.