Cards Passed Up

[mantleman]

Hey,

What are some of your stories about cards on your wantlist that you waited months or even years to find, except when given the chance/opportunity to purchase you held off for 10 minutes, something happened or decided to wait and come back to the dealers table. Only to return 10 minutes later to find the card sold, and you have regretted it ever since.

Here's my example, probably not as high scale as some of the other scenarios but I needed a 33 Goudey Gehrig (before EBAY), found one at a card show up here in Canada. It was at the first table when entering the card show and the dealer wouldn't hold it for me (I was about 15 years old at the time) so I decided to take a quick walk-around the rest of the small show, 15 minutes later I returned and he was exchanging the card for some cash with another guy. It was a great example for a lower grade Gehrig. Have since picked one up but it took many years later to find one that looked like that.


Love to hear your stories,

Andy

[vintagecpa]

When I was a freshmen college, I would periodically peek into a local coin shop that dabbled in cards. I enjoyed looking at the 1960's Mantle and Mays cards. One day, there was a decent conditioned T206 Cobb and a yellow Goudey Ruth in the case. It was the first time I had ever seen either of those players in a baseball card (way before the Ebay days). The owner wasn't real interested in either item, but received them in some large estate purchase of a coin collection and simply wanted to get some quick cash. He listed the Ruth for $1,000 and the Cobb for $300, but told me I could have them both for $500. Not having a current job or much money, I left the store to sleep on it. By the next morning, I had figured out a way to come up with $500 and drove down to the shop, but was told the cards were sold about 20 minutes before. It doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore given how many of these cards are available, but I was certainly kicking myself for a number of years for that hesitation.

[jthorst75]

I came across a 1933 Zeenut Joe DiMaggio (DeMaggio as the card says) about 7 years ago which I have always wanted since you rarely see them offered. The guy wanted $1500 but I thought it was steep due to creases and no coupon. At that time I was putting my money into restoring old cars and took a break from cards. Now all that I can find is on ebay which are $5k to $12k. I should have jumped on it and I never did find that guy again. Bummer! But I guess that is what keeps us going.

[MattyFan]

I bought my T206 Cobb Bat off Shoulder (VG-EX) from a coin dealer I am friends with for a fraction of what it is worth. He also had a Cobb Bat on Shoulder which I could have had for the same price in the same condition and I passed. I kick myself when I think about that.

[wolfdogg]

Passed on a raw T210-8 Joe Jackson for under $8000 about 10 years ago................coulda easily got it but passed..............probably in around PSA2 grade..............oh well.............