National prices?

[mintacular]

I've been to the National in Cleveland a few years ago, and some other major shows since then including a few at RMU in PGH...Here are my observations about $...

1. Most of the dealers that have survived have done so because they "buy low, sell high"--it is a very tough market w/baseball cards and so only those types have survived. I think the dealers that are "reasonable" etc about prices in general could not survive and make profit selling at eBay competitive prices.

2. The best deals are at the margins, low dollar stuff and possibly very high dollar stuff. If you go in and are building sets and cherry picking from binders, etc. you can actually get nice looking vintage singles at ok $'s. Also, if you have wads of 20's and hundreds and know the market for what you are buying you can get a quality card for a good price, although sometimes you have to walk away....Keep in mind, most good dealers know what the cards go for on eBay so they will cut you a 10%+ deal knowing what the feels are.The WORST deals though are on the mid-grade vintage stars that are priced at 80% of book.

3. Be very careful buying raw....I made the mistake recently doing so from a prominent dealer and should've know that if it was really gradeable he would've sent it in. He lied to me (I don't send everything in 'cause I have raw vintage buyers only) but I should've known better.

4. If you are willing to take a loss, you can go in with something in your collection and part with it albeit not at full market $...i.e. "I have these 10 T206 beaters, take them from me but knock of $75 from "X" card that you really want...

[calvindog]

Example of the prices: I saw a Centennial Stamp Cobb in PSA 7; it had sold on eBay for $95 last December. I offered $150. The dealer insisted upon $200. I walked.

[Bosox Blair]

Just finished my first few hours at my first National.

Agreed - prices are high. Some are downright crazy. I was offered a graded T202 for $850. Recently 2 in the same grade sold on eBay...one for $405 and the other for $425. Dealers asking double the real world price is not unusual. Though I am happy to say it is not the "rule".

I talked to a few dealers who were willing to come close to the prices realized in recent auctions...close...maybe 10% higher .

Undoubtedly, some people will walk away saying confidently they got a "steal" on something. I saw no steals anywhere.

But I have lots more booths to visit tomorrow!


Cheers,
Blair

[bbcard1]

A rule I always follow is DO NOT wear clothing with logos of your favorite teams. I am a Marshall guy. Logic would dictate that I would want a dealer to tell me if he has something in the back, but more often I just felt like I got jacked up prices because the guy suddenly feels like his Pennington is more valuable to me than anyone else in the room. I actually got that when in about 1996 or so when Sample cards where hot, I was walking into a show and a Score rep was handing out cards. I had a Reds cap on because i was a fan when I was a boy...anyway, I walk in and the rep starts to hand me a Frank Thomas or someone who was hot and marketable, notices my reds cap and pulls it back and gives me a Joe Oliver. Thank buddy.

[Jewish-collector]

I was at the show today. Seemed to be less dealers than last time in Chicago. Since I'm a low end buyer, the show for me is as much a social time (meeting collectors, dealers, etc,...) as it is buying cards. Not to mention the Steve Miller Band concert downtown tomorrow night.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Example of the prices: I saw a Centennial Stamp Cobb in PSA 7; it had sold on eBay for $95 last December. I offered $150. The dealer insisted upon $200. I walked.

Cheapskate.

[calvindog]

Lol.

[Golfcollector]

My early opinion of doing a fly through last night for two hours.

Prices overall very high

[Big Ben]

Keep posting those reports everyone. --just trying to gauge what to expect price wise when I get there Sunday!

[bobbyw8469]

I think Ebay is going to be VERY popular this week!! I don't know about you, but I am not a fan of paying double fair market value! I am sure Levi is making a killing however. He only has to sell 10 or so cards......