General Forum

After 20 years I started catalogging my collection for the sole purpose of liquidating them, then realized how much I enjoyed it. Found this site and began trading (a couple sucessful trades so far) Which then led me to shopping. I seem to remember the shops/shows that want full book value and the ones that offered "deals" just for the sake of having fun, and of course the fair prices you "normally see". As I redicover the hobby it seems so inconsistent in pricing. Yes there are sites with deals to be had and there are sites that only have full book pricing, but have also seen a huge disparity (like book values arent even a guide/suggestion/point to start?) on other sites....ie found an auto card on Ebay for .99 + 1.00 shippin with same card listed above and below the listing at 15 bucks,+ 4 shipping, or an older set for as little as $5 and as much as $500. I cant help but ask....is this the new normal due to "investors" and/or Covid? and do you think that its hurting or helping the hobby?

Having gotten back into the hobby in 2017 I see what you are observing is mostly normal in disparities of prices - especially on auction sites.

As for investors, those people are primarily in the graded card market.  

I don't beleive high prices for resale of cards is bad if that is the going rate.  I do think high prices of resale of unopened boxes is bad because retail shelves get wipped out by one buyer and then it detracts people from collection.

I am aware that 'investors" are spending money on the graded super rare cards, but was really thinking about the people looking to make a quick buck...on my example buy for .99 and sell for 15 (going rate??) I could "flip" the card for $14 profit (not my intent, as I wouldnt have the card I wanted! lol) My thoughtwas a non-collector or less educated collector paying the high price, then getting burned or turned off the hobby when they find out they never will get a return.

set_builder39 is right. Book value / Beckett and market value are two different things. The actual card value is what someone else is willing to pay for. 

Also, if you're back after 20 years hiatus, it is very possible that most of your cards are from late 80's / early 90's to late 90's. May I suggest you not to expect the prices paid in that era. It was called the overproduction (aka junk wax) era, market satured and their value has collapsed. Some complete base sets can go now for $5.00.

If you can win something at an auction for 99 cents, guess what - you're not selling it higher on that same site.

I appreciate the fact that the question I asked may not have been clear, but not sure how stating something obvious is helpful somehow...but hey you do you.

You were talking about flipping a card for a $14 profit and being new to the hobby. I was actually trying to offer some friendly advice. I won't be doing that for you in the future, certianly not if that's the thanks I get. Enjoy buying those 99 cent cards.

Vroomed, I think you missed the part of his post that said "not my intent, as I wouldnt have the card I wanted," and went on to note that such flippers may turn casual collectors such as himself off the hobby...

I think those $15 listings are hoping for a customer that comes to ebay when the $0.99 options have all been bought and the person thinks "Ok, the $15 is the cheapest so I'll get that one" without doing any research into ended/sold listings and being patient.

Keep in mind; anyone can list something for any price. It doens't mean that is the value of that item.