Kevin Keating?

[RichardSimon]

I have known Kevin for a long time and you can certainly trust him and the merchandise he sells.

[Hankphenom]

I've set up at shows with Kevin for the last six years, and we've been close personal friends for almost twenty years. In all that time, I've never seen or heard of a single incident questioning his honor or integrity. He's a West Point graduate, was an Army Ranger, has a master's degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), has a wonderful wife and twin boys. Kevin was a collector for many years before he even thought about becoming a dealer, starting at age eleven in 1970 hanging around for hours at the Chicago hotel where the players stayed waiting for them to come out so he could get their autographs. Then he found out you could write to the old Hall of Famers and they would write you back, and he was hooked. As for his expertise? When Jimmy Spence or Steve Grad have a tough one, they walk it over to Kevin. That's the God's truth--I've seen it countless times. And about his prices, show me in the hobby where the highest quality material goes for a bargain? And Kevin only deals in the highest quality material. I think it's probably safe to say he's the biggest dollar volume vintage baseball autograph dealer in the country, so he must be doing something right. Anything else you need to know?
Hank Thomas

[prewarsports]

To add to this thread, Kevin is a great guy. When I was just getting started out dealing in Pre-War autographs instead of just collecting to help supplement my Family through Law School, I had an item that Kevin wanted. I talked with him on the phone and told him I wanted $2000 and explained why and he not only bought it, but gave me $2250 for it to help with Law School Bills! I have sold lots of stuff to him over the years and he is not only a great guy, but knows his stuff more than any dealer I have met except for maybe Jodi Birkholm (who is a freak with his knowledge on obscure prewar guys!). I would trust Kevin with anything and everything but as is mentioned in this thread before, he has high end items so they are not cheap.

Rhys Yeakley

[tinkereversandme]

I agree with all of the above BUT think he's out of his mind when it comes to his pricing. I just don't get how he can ask those prices in this economy with so much competition. Who would pay $50 for Vida Blue 8x10?

Larry

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by tinkereversandme

I agree with all of the above BUT think he's out of his mind when it comes to his pricing. I just don't get how he can ask those prices in this economy with so much competition. Who would pay $50 for Vida Blue 8x10?

Larry

Kevin's not out of his mind about anything, and I find it hilarious that you come up with a $50 item as an example of his overpricing. Like when someone at my table asks what's the best I can do on a $10 item, I say, "how much of a discount do you want off ten bucks?" What a waste of breath to complain about somebody's prices. Nobody's making you buy anything. Just move on.

[Leaf]

I have purchased from Kevin in the past and I can tell you that he has virtually everything. The cost of stocking massive inventory isnt free and the constant availability of such great merchadise carries a premium value.
BG

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Leaf

I have purchased from Kevin in the past and I can tell you that he has virtually everything. The cost of stocking massive inventory isnt free and the constant availability of such great merchadise carries a premium value.
BG

And I would like to add... Great Pieces are completely worth premium values, no question about it. It's real simple, try and find the kind of stuff that Kevin stocks, at any price! Most great pieces will eventually fetch the asking prices, almost without exception.

[Vintagedegu]

-

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Vintagedegu

Someone asked for opinions, and he gave his. Just move on.

I rendered my opinion of his, now you've rendered yours of mine. Just move on.

[bbcard1]

I don't collect autographs, but have heard good things about Kevin from friends who do.

[prewarsports]

I think the other thing to keep in mind is that for the most part anything Kevin sells is generally regarded as "pre-certified" by most in the hobby.

For example

Mickey Mantle 8X10 from DEALER X is $125
Mickey Mantle 8X10 from a dealer with full JSA or PSA is $295


People understand you pay a premium because it is already certified and I think that Kevins prices reflect that perception. ANY dealer worth anything will offer a lifetime Guarantee, but Kevins opinion is as highly regarded as any in the business including Jimmy Spence or the folks at PSA and you are paying for that just like you would pay extra for a thrid party authentication.

Rhys

[thetruthisoutthere]

For the most part, when it comes to autographs, you get what you pay for (most of the time). It's unfortunate that in this day and age that we can only trust a handful when it comes to autographs. I only hear good feedback when it comes to Richard Simon and Kevin Keating. But most important, learn, learn, learn. Learn about the autographs you are interested in.

[pscolgrafs]

$30 to $ 70 for Vida Blue? Why don't you try using a current indicator in Ebay. I see eBay BIN's at 80% off what Quality is asking.

And he has Mantle 8x10's for $495.

In a world full of auction catalogs stacked to the ceiling and trusted authenticators working with auction houses, great items come along quite often and anyone should be able to ask whatever they want for anything they possess (it's their right), but the prices are goofy. Not quite Historyforsale goofy, but never the less. I saw one nice piece on eBay sell for $800 and he had one for 12 times that.

Never the less if you want to bypass the authentication fees and want to purchase from a trusted dealer, I guess this is the route to go.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

For the most part, when it comes to autographs, you get what you pay for (most of the time).

True, to a point. If the price is "too good to be true," you're buying garbage. But a genuine Ruth, say, is a genuine Ruth. Paying twice the going auction rate doesn't make it twice as genuine.

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

But most important, learn, learn, learn. Learn about the autographs you are interested in.

Truer words were never spoken.