State of the Hobby

HRBAKER · #1 06-07-2010, 02:33 PM

To me it is like any other inventory driven business, when sales slow your profit is tied up in inventory. This should be particularly true for sellers who have multiple copies of the same card at the same grade. The trouble with many still is that a 25% discount off of their asking price can sometimes be multiple of what the card "retails" at.

Section103 · #2 06-07-2010, 02:40 PM

I havent experienced his willingness to deal just yet. I made an offer 75% of his B-I-N price and completely in line with VSP (I was slightly over) and he came off $6. That's his right, but Ive come to accept the fact that we're just not going to make a deal.

quinnsryche · #3 06-07-2010, 02:53 PM

I have not bought anything from Levi but I will say I make VERY reasonable Best Offers and am continually turned down or come back with ridiculous counter offers. BMW Cards on ebay is a prime example of ridiculously overpriced cards ($250 for a SGC 60 common) and just as ridiculous counter offers ($225-$200).

HRBAKER · #4 06-07-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

I have not bought anything from Levi but I will say I make VERY reasonable Best Offers and am continually turned down or come back with ridiculous counter offers. BMW Cards on ebay is a prime example of ridiculously overpriced cards ($250 for a SGC 60 common) and just as ridiculous counter offers ($225-$200).

Unless you are dealing with a true grade rarity, patience will pay dividends.

JasonL · #5 06-07-2010, 03:56 PM

it would make sense that if multiple sellers with historically high prices are now trending towards making deals to move inventory, then we are only at the beginning of what may potentially turn into an extended buyer's market.

glchen · #6 06-07-2010, 04:04 PM

I don't know about 707 now being reasonable. I've made best offers too that were a little below average selling price (hoping that he would counter at average selling), but he never counter offered. Of course, his prices are twice what others sell at, so I think he still is very over-priced.

I think in general though (w/ my entire 2 months of collecting experience), the market is a little softer, so it's a buying opportunity. There are still certain cards and types that are hot, and still hard to buy at good prices, however.

Leon · #7 06-07-2010, 05:36 PM

I have known Levi several years and have not a bad word to say about him.

Maybe it's as simple as he wants to sell more cards so is accepting offers when previously he didn't?

I should also add that Levi and I have always gotten along very well.....I think he's a nice guy.

MW1 · #8 06-07-2010, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

I have not bought anything from Levi but I will say I make VERY reasonable Best Offers and am continually turned down or come back with ridiculous counter offers. BMW Cards on ebay is a prime example of ridiculously overpriced cards ($250 for a SGC 60 common) and just as ridiculous counter offers ($225-$200).

Thank you for your feedback. My counter-offer on the card you have referenced was $150, which you declined.

Matthew H · #9 06-08-2010, 01:01 PM

He may have realized that if he is going to bother listing cards on eBay, he may as well try to be competitive. I have never bought from him at a show but love his setup

I have made offers to him on ebay but his counter offers are too high. There are alot of desperation sales on ebay so why buy his cards when with a little patience you can get the same card same grade for alot less? (I mean VERY little patience, It doesn't take long to find a better price on ebay)

Look, this card lasted about ten minutes with this BIN:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Babe-Ruth-1933-G...item230762d84b

I could not buy it at the time but the seller told me that he just really needed the cash right now.

hunterdutchess · #10 06-08-2010, 04:16 PM

Any guesses to how much 707 would make if he sold all of his cards at auction starting at .99 ?? Gotta be close to a few million ??

botn · #11 06-08-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew H

Look, this card lasted about ten minutes with this BIN:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Babe-Ruth-1933-G...item230762d84b

Don't think the Ruth is good.

HRBAKER · #12 06-08-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by botn

Don't think the Ruth is good.

That was my initial thought. Very foggy picture/scan for such an expensive card.

T206DK · #13 06-07-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section103

I havent experienced his willingness to deal just yet. I made an offer 75% of his B-I-N price and completely in line with VSP (I was slightly over) and he came off $6. That's his right, but Ive come to accept the fact that we're just not going to make a deal.

The most he has offered to deal on any card I've been interested in was $5, and the card was already overpriced 4-5x. I have noticed 50's baseball cards can be had at great prices if you find the right seller. I've been buying '52 and '53 Topps off of sellers recently for great prices after emailing them with an offer.
when sellers like Mike wheat and 707 actually drop their starting prices then I will think the economy is haveing an effect.

nolemmings · #14 06-07-2010, 11:06 PM

I've been able to deal with 707 a couple of times this year, and once with Mike at BMW too. Granted, these guys are not giving their stuff away, but we reached a price acceptable to both sides.

I agree with Jeff and Leon, this is most likely just an effort to move some inventory. I would like to see it develop into a trend, especially among others who continue to price their stuff way too high.

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