SMR vs. VCP

HRBAKER · #1 01-28-2012, 10:45 AM

David,

You're saying that on the 99% actual prices are less bc people use the SMR and always want to pay less than the guide. I'm saying that the same prices are lower most likey bc not many people even use SMR bc it's really not taken seriously by very many people. The fact that the SMR prices are higher is just reflective of how out of touch it might if it were in fact used and for the very reasons Barry mentions above IMO. We are in agreement that it is not a legitimate pricing tool. It's an advertising slick masquerading as a price guide.

vintagetoppsguy · #2 01-28-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

David,

You're saying that on the 99% actual prices are less bc people use the SMR and always want to pay less than the guide. I'm saying that the same prices are lower most likey bc not many people even use SMR bc it's really not taken seriously by very many people. The fact that the SMR prices are higher is just reflective of how out of touch it might if it were in fact used and for the very reasons Barry mentions above IMO. We are in agreement that it is not a legitimate pricing tool. It's an advertising slick masquerading as a price guide.

Hello, Jeff. If SMR is a advertising slick masquerading as a price guide and not to be taken seriously, then why do the advertisers keep advertising in it? In other words, if it weren't being read by many, many folks, why would the advertisers keep wasting their money if they weren't getting any bang for their buck? The advertisers must see some value in spending their advertising dollars with SMR (unless SMR offers FREE ad spaces that I don't know about).

Nobody has yet to offer a theory as to why VCP is 99% lower than SMR on their prices. Again, SMR was out years before VCP, so people were paying less than book for years before there was anything else to compare to.

barrysloate · #3 01-28-2012, 11:14 AM

To continue Jeff's point, SMR has the same access to pricing as any of us. There is no reason for their prices to be inaccurate unless the people responsible are lazy or careless, and I doubt they are either of these. But there is obviously some reason why certain prices are not even remotely attuned to the market.

I know that when business is bad, dealers want to see very high catalog prices so that they can make some sales. And when the market is hot it's tough to buy, so lower prices may work better for them. I've always found, in any collectibles field, that price guides can't be trusted to provide accurate information.

The beauty of what VCP does is it has no opinion whatsoever about the market. If a card sells for $135.22, that's the price it will post. It doesn't matter if they feel it might be too high or too low. It will be up to the user of VCP to make that determination.

HRBAKER · #4 01-28-2012, 11:23 AM

Hi David,
Good question. I have to assume that circulation numbers for the SMR are large enough for most of them to see it as cost effective. I have no doubt that many people pick up and look at and read a SMR. I am not sure however how many of those folks give the pricing any creedence at all (i.e., see it as a starting point to negotiate down from).

And David, I could be wrong.

I also think that Barry hit the nail on the head for the differences in the prices btw the two, one is based of verifiable results and the other on ?????
I see it like this; VCP is like the stock page in the WSJ and the SMR is more like Pravda.

barrysloate · #5 01-28-2012, 11:41 AM

Doesn't everybody who becomes a member of PSA, and I believe that is a requirement to have cards graded by them, automatically get a subscription to SMR? As such, it has a very wide readership. It would make perfect sense for dealers and auction houses to advertise there, especially those that typically handle a lot of PSA graded cards. There are also some articles, albeit not always that interesting, as well as the price guide. The fact that it is not accurate, well that's another story. But I bet a ton of collectors read it, thus making it a great place to advertise.

And David, I think you have one thing backwards: I wouldn't be asking why VCP prices are lower than SMR's, but why SMR's are higher than VCP's. VCP has no control over what they publish. If a thousand dollar card sells for fifty bucks, that's what they are obligated to publish. It's SMR that makes the determination regarding what price to post.

toppcat · #6 01-28-2012, 05:11 PM

I find VCP to be quite useful and it has paid for itself every year I have had it and then some. It's not perfect but it's got a ton of information and also a lot of images. I use it for any number of purposes, not just buying and selling but if you use the site on a regular basis you will save money on your purchases.

smotan_02 · #7 02-23-2012, 08:21 PM

I wish VCP had an iPhone app for when I visit shows. I love the info, just too hard to search the main site on my phone.

BobbyVCP · #8 02-23-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smotan_02

I wish VCP had an iPhone app for when I visit shows. I love the info, just too hard to search the main site on my phone.

We have been working on one since last December and just working out the bugs now. Hope to have it live soon.

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