I got a big announcement!

[rdwyer]

A friend on mine who I use to sell to, has sold his million dollar collection to someone I know. It has all kinds of stuff! Non Sports Cigarette Cards, T206's, and everything here that makes you drool. There are literally a couple thousand boxes of stuff. Toys, Signed balls, collectibles, books, almost everything.

Slowly but surely, the new owner is beginning to find stuff I want. And I get first grab. My last post was only a small part of which I picked up last week. There was a nr-mt set of Gomer Pyle and McHales Navy, besides the Zeenuts, Strip cards, etc.

Today I was trying to pick up a nr-mt. set of Mars Attacks. He wanted too much. Bummer. But he claims to have 3 more sets. :)

The big news is that he has over 1000 T206's! And I've seem them before. You know that's what I want to drop a ton of money on. If he would only hurry up and find them!!!

Anyway, my goal is to sell what I pick up to make a quick buck. If I buy anything substantial, I'll ask Leon if I can post here instead BST.

Today was slim pickings. I got one T205, one T206, a E91, and one I'm trying to find out what it is. Oh yeah, almost forgot. The guy that sold the stuff, and the guy that bought the stuff don't know crap! I'm expecting to find rare backs, etc.

[ullmandds]

A friend on mine who I use to sell to, has sold his million dollar collection to someone I know. It has all kinds of stuff! Non Sports Cigarette Cards, T206's, and everything here that makes you drool. There are literally a couple thousand boxes of stuff. Toys, Signed balls, collectibles, books, almost everything.

Slowly but surely, the new owner is beginning to find stuff I want. And I get first grab. My last post was only a small part of which I picked up last week. There was a nr-mt set of Gomer Pyle and McHales Navy, besides the Zeenuts, Strip cards, etc.

Today I was trying to pick up a nr-mt. set of Mars Attacks. He wanted too much. Bummer. But he claims to have 3 more sets. :)

The big news is that he has over 1000 T206's! And I've seem them before. You know that's what I want to drop a ton of money on. If he would only hurry up and find them!!!

Anyway, my goal is to sell what I pick up to make a quick buck. If I buy anything substantial, I'll ask Leon if I can post here instead BST.

Today was slim pickings. I got one T205, one T206, a E91, and one I'm trying to find out what it is. Oh yeah, almost forgot. The guy that sold the stuff, and the guy that bought the stuff don't know crap! I'm expecting to find rare backs, etc.

Awesome! Congrats on taking advantage of the unsuspecting!

[rdwyer]

Thought I could figure it out. What is this?

[bnorth]

Awesome! Congrats on taking advantage of the unsuspecting!

That is how this hobby works. You don't make money selling cards, you make money buying them as cheap as possible.:)

[Republicaninmass]

They dont know what they have




.....yet asking "too much" for nm-mt mars attacks set?

Just curious as I would be interested

[btcarfagno]

1916 Globe Clothing

[rdwyer]

Non sports he knows, T206's etc he doesn't know.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Best of luck, always in the market for lower grade tobacco lots, so keep me in mind!

[rdwyer]

Thanks btcarfagno. I never would've found that.

[h2oya311]

Thanks btcarfagno. I never would've found that.

Apparently you don't know what you have either! just sayin'!

[Steve D]

If he has any lower grade 1940 Gum Superman hi-numbers, I'd be interested.

Steve

[Snapolit1]

Apparently you don't know what you have either! just sayin'!

Yes, someone's get rich scheme about to take off. I anxiously await a few hundred "and one more question . . .what is this card worth" messages.

[Leon]

Talking about selling is usually fine on the front page. Selling stuff on the front page, not so much...Good luck.

A friend on mine who I use to sell to, has sold his million dollar collection to someone I know. It has all kinds of stuff! Non Sports Cigarette Cards, T206's, and everything here that makes you drool. There are literally a couple thousand boxes of stuff. Toys, Signed balls, collectibles, books, almost everything.

Slowly but surely, the new owner is beginning to find stuff I want. And I get first grab. My last post was only a small part of which I picked up last week. There was a nr-mt set of Gomer Pyle and McHales Navy, besides the Zeenuts, Strip cards, etc.

Today I was trying to pick up a nr-mt. set of Mars Attacks. He wanted too much. Bummer. But he claims to have 3 more sets. :)

The big news is that he has over 1000 T206's! And I've seem them before. You know that's what I want to drop a ton of money on. If he would only hurry up and find them!!!

Anyway, my goal is to sell what I pick up to make a quick buck. If I buy anything substantial, I'll ask Leon if I can post here instead BST.

Today was slim pickings. I got one T205, one T206, a E91, and one I'm trying to find out what it is. Oh yeah, almost forgot. The guy that sold the stuff, and the guy that bought the stuff don't know crap! I'm expecting to find rare backs, etc.

[Howe’s Hunter]

you know what I'm after. Just let me know. Thanks.

[brob28]

Good luck Rich - subtle hint - '33 Goudey and T206 Hall of Famers :D

[tiger8mush]

Any 1910 T213-1 (low grade) or 1922 E121 Lou Gertenrich backs?

[darwinbulldog]

Awesome! Congrats on taking advantage of the unsuspecting!

My reaction as well.

[rdwyer]

The owner is smart enough to check eBay, etc. before selling to me. For those who think I'm going to take advantage of him, your wrong. He owns a business that deals with collectibles.

[ullmandds]

well you are the one in your 1st post who exclaimed the sellers don't know "crap" and ou are planning to sell whatever you buy to make a profit...so you said it.

[KMayUSA6060]

I'm confused as to the objective of this thread.

Are you sharing this information so people can send you requests to look for? Or are you sharing this information to declare that you are taking advantage of a seller and getting a steal of a deal?

[Snapolit1]

I'm confused as to the objective of this thread.

Are you sharing this information so people can send you requests to look for? Or are you sharing this information to declare that you are taking advantage of a seller and getting a steal of a deal?

... from a buyer who is either stupid as a tree stump and doesn't know crap or alternatively is very smart and business savvy. All facsinating. And exciting.

[hangman62]

no doubt.. big announcement

[Beansballcardblog]

I'm sure they would fall out of the scope of a "big" discovery but I hope there are some T36 Auto Drivers that come available!

[mickey7mantle7]

What was the BIG announcement?

[charlietheexterminator]

I can't believe I'm sucked into reading this thread. None of it makes sense, and if it doesn't make sense, it's not true.

[mechanicalman]

I'm confused as to the objective of this thread.

Are you sharing this information so people can send you requests to look for? Or are you sharing this information to declare that you are taking advantage of a seller and getting a steal of a deal?

I'm trying to make sense of this as well. Here's how I would paraphrase:

Some dude amassed a million dollar collection, and another dude bought this million dollar collection, but surprisingly, neither buyer nor seller "knows crap." The OP, whose knowledge of cards must surpass that of buyer or seller, sees an arbitrage opportunity and is so excited about said opportunity, he must preemptively announce it to fellow collectors. Half of said collectors are confused or otherwise put off by this announcement; the other half are salivating for the chance at some exciting pick-ups.

[Snapolit1]

Just realized upon a careful re-reading that the guy who sold the stuff AND the guy who bought the stuff BOTH don't know crap. If the attempted buyer from the guy who doesn't know crap likewise doesn't know crap this could get really crazy in a hurry.

Awaiting an update. Presumably it shouldn't take too many more days for the buyer who doesn't know crap (well, knows a lot about somethings) to locate the horde of 1000s of T206s he just bought.

[pawpawdiv9]

SO, Did Sean Bassik buy the million dollar collection and you get his finder's fee???
I remember seeing the ad on here before about it.

[KMayUSA6060]

I'm trying to make sense of this as well. Here's how I would paraphrase:

Some dude amassed a million dollar collection, and another dude bought this million dollar collection, but surprisingly, neither buyer nor seller "knows crap." The OP, whose knowledge of cards must surpass that of buyer or seller, sees an arbitrage opportunity and is so excited about said opportunity, he must preemptively announce it to fellow collectors. Half of said collectors are confused or otherwise put off by this announcement; the other half are salivating for the chance at some exciting pick-ups.

Well said. Part of the confusion for me at least, is if said million-dollar-collection is indeed real AND worth a million dollars, why in the world would someone with that kind of money throw it away without any sort of knowledge on the subject matter he/she is purchasing?

Just realized upon a careful re-reading that the guy who sold the stuff AND the guy who bought the stuff BOTH don't know crap. If the attempted buyer from the guy who doesn't know crap likewise doesn't know crap this could get really crazy in a hurry.

Awaiting an update. Presumably it shouldn't take too many more days for the buyer who doesn't know crap (well, knows a lot about somethings) to locate the horde of 1000s of T206s he just bought.

I'm going to pop some popcorn in case it does get crazy, which is presumably looks like it will. I mean how do you have thousands of T206s and not know where they are in the collection you recently purchased? I understand those cards are smaller, but in this mass quantity they could suffocate someone.

[rdwyer]

I'm writing down the negative persons. When stuff becomes available, you won't be one of the ones I sell to.

[buckyball1]

RD--please put me on your "no sell" list; pretty self-revealing post,unless you're just trolling us?

jim frey

[Republicaninmass]

SO, Did Sean Bassik buy the million dollar collection and you get his finder's fee???
I remember seeing the ad on here before about it.

Probably would have been the smartest move, unless there was 100k in unknown t206 rare backs

[philliesphan]

I'd be keen to know more information about the Zeenuts that was in this gentleman's collection.

Do you happen to have any scans to share?

[iwantitiwinit]

Something stinks.

[rdwyer]

The Zeenuts were sold to Marckus99. 12-1914 and 3-1915. Mostly beaters.

[leaflover]

The last time there was a "big announcement" it was some guy in Hollywood coming out of the closet.

[jb217676]

Hi Richard,
PM sent. Thanks,
Jeff

[rdwyer]

I apppreciate all the emails. But I want to remind everyone to be patient like I have been. "Slowly but surely, the new owner is beginning to find stuff I want."
You can email requests, and I'll look through the emails when I pick up stuff. As I sell stuff, I'll try to get the buyers to post.

[frankbmd]

The owner is smart enough to check eBay, etc. before selling to me. For those who think I'm going to take advantage of him, your wrong. He owns a business that deals with collectibles.

RD--please put me on your "no sell" list; pretty self-revealing post,unless you're just trolling us?

jim frey

well you are the one in your 1st post who exclaimed the sellers don't know "crap" and ou are planning to sell whatever you buy to make a profit...so you said it.

My reaction as well.

I'm writing down the negative persons. When stuff becomes available, you won't be one of the ones I sell to.

Please add me to your list. I would like to hang on to "your?" quick bucks.:eek:

[brianp-beme]

My guess is that the collection is in this kind of disarray:


Brian

[Beastmode]

Just realized upon a careful re-reading that the guy who sold the stuff AND the guy who bought the stuff BOTH don't know crap. If the attempted buyer from the guy who doesn't know crap likewise doesn't know crap this could get really crazy in a hurry.

Awaiting an update. Presumably it shouldn't take too many more days for the buyer who doesn't know crap (well, knows a lot about somethings) to locate the horde of 1000s of T206s he just bought.

OK, this is hilarious. This whole thread is classic. OP appears to be "baiting" the waters, and several fish have swallowed the hook.

[Beastmode]

I'm writing down the negative persons. When stuff becomes available, you won't be one of the ones I sell to.

IMO, I think you should revise your post to:

I'm writing down the positive persons. When stuff becomes available, you will be the first I call.

Sounds so much better doesn't it?

[mightyq]

there is always one mistake in a post like this, here it is..."couple thousand of boxes", really? couple of thousand boxes? do you know the site that would look like, there would be pics like crazy because of the mass amount of boxes.....are you a non believer! or are you a believer? .....

[scottbdoug]

Awesome! Congrats on taking advantage of the unsuspecting!

+1 people people people. grow a moral compass.

[Stonepony]

+1 people people people. grow a moral compass.

Pete was being sarcastic with precise wit

[ullmandds]

:DPete was being sarcastic with precise wit

[scottbdoug]

Pete was being sarcastic with precise wit

hence the +1

[clydepepper]

Let me just say that I have nothing to add.

[rdwyer]

If you look at my statistics page you'll see I've been a member since 2009. I'd done 763 posts. Why do you think I would BS people here now? I'm hoping that by Saturday, I should have something really, really nice to put up in the BST. If you read my original post, it says "Slowly by surely..."

The Zeenuts were sold already, and they arrived at the buyer house today. He said he would post here letting everyone know he got them.

Please, I'm not a dealer. I'm a collector. I'm not like most dealers and charge ridiculous amounts for my stuff. I just want to make a buck or two.

I know that there is all kinds of cards in this collection. Possible Old Judge, Allen & Ginter, etc. Like I said, I know the seller of the collection.

If you don't believe me, you would be wise to wait and see. If I don't produce, Leon can ax my account.

[Marckus99]

Cards arrived.
Very easy transaction.


Thank again, Rich!

[Peter_Spaeth]

The post may not have been worded artfully, but I must be missing why the OP is taking so much grief here?

[Bpm0014]

Mostly for this line: The guy that sold the stuff, and the guy that bought the stuff don't know crap!

[slidekellyslide]

I think Richard may have been really excited to make this post and it did not come off how he wanted it to. I think we'd all be excited to come across a million dollar hoard of cards. Looking forward to seeing what this collection contains.

[Leon]

I think you nailed it.
I think Richard may have been really excited to make this post and it did not come off how he wanted it to. I think we'd all be excited to come across a million dollar hoard of cards. Looking forward to seeing what this collection contains.

[obcbobd]

The post may not have been worded artfully, but I must be missing why the OP is taking so much grief here?

+1.

[Snapolit1]

I thought it was pretty clear that the OP was gloating at his good fortune in now having gained access to a large valuable collection now in the hands of folks who didn't know the value of what they had. And he was going to make as quick a buck as he could at these folks expense. Didn't think that was too hard to discern. Does it make him the worst guy in the world? No. But hardly something I would be bragging publicly about.

There were also details in the post that didn't make a whole lot of sense. 1000s of T206 cards someone is having trouble finding.

Maybe the purchaser isn't such a dummy after all and is playing someone else here.

[frankbmd]

The post may not have been worded artfully, but I must be missing why the OP is taking so much grief here?

I think Richard may have been really excited to make this post and it did not come off how he wanted it to. I think we'd all be excited to come across a million dollar hoard of cards. Looking forward to seeing what this collection contains.

Our hobby is often cursed by the unfortunate truism that stuff trumps integrity.

No one likes to see a card they sold, back on the market and resold for multiples of the purchase price, which I would characterize as the "flipper's" dream resulting in not only "quick bucks", but big bucks. Dealing with a flipper, who pretends to be a collector, can lead to this type of seller's remorse.

Richard states he is a collector and not a flipper, but........

when he announces his intent to purchase a large collection of "stuff" from an unknowlegable seller with resale for profit as an objective, I think the buyer pool, myself included, was put off. His unartful wording in the OP seemed to suggest a buy low, sell high MO (modus operandi).

Richard was excited and openly honest, if not artful.

Is their risk in Richard doing this? Yes

Is there work and time spent reselling multiple small lots? To be sure.

Would other members of the Board do the same thing, if presented with the same opportunity? Oh yeah!!!

An openly honest flipper is better than one who deceives his intent, IMO.
If members of the board are able to purchase some of Richard's cards reasonably, this dust up will soon be forgotten.

[bnorth]

Our hobby is often cursed by the unfortunate truism that stuff trumps integrity.

No one likes to see a card they sold, back on the market and resold for multiples of the purchase price, which I would characterize as the "flipper's" dream resulting in not only "quick bucks", but big bucks. Dealing with a flipper, who pretends to be a collector, can lead to this type of seller's remorse.

Richard states he is a collector and not a flipper, but........

when he announces his intent to purchase a large collection of "stuff" from an unknowlegable seller with resale for profit as an objective, I think the buyer pool, myself included, was put off. His unartful wording in the OP seemed to suggest a buy low, sell high MO (modus operandi).

Richard was excited and openly honest, if not artful.

Is their risk in Richard doing this? Yes

Is there work and time spent reselling multiple small lots? To be sure.

Would other members of the Board do the same thing, if presented with the same opportunity? Oh yeah!!!

An openly honest flipper is better than one who deceives his intent, IMO.
If members of the board are able to purchase some of Richard's cards reasonably, this dust up will soon be forgotten.

Frank did you get permission to make an honest post filled with common sense? Those type of posts have no business in this thread or usually on the forum.:rolleyes::D

[slidekellyslide]

Well honestly I'm not sure how someone accumulates a million dollar collection without having some knowledge of the value of the collection. And it's not like Richard said they had no clue, they just might not know the T206 variations and such. I'll be honest if I went to a show and saw a rare T206 variation at the price of the regular card I would not alert the dealer, I'd just buy it. And so would you. It is not your job to educate the seller.

[Bruinsfan94]

Please add me to the negative list.

Brian Clifford.

[basesareempty]

well honestly i'm not sure how someone accumulates a million dollar collection without having some knowledge of the value of the collection. And it's not like richard said they had no clue, they just might not know the t206 variations and such. I'll be honest if i went to a show and saw a rare t206 variation at the price of the regular card i would not alert the dealer, i'd just buy it. And so would you. It is not your job to educate the seller.

+1000

[mechanicalman]

Well honestly I'm not sure how someone accumulates a million dollar collection without having some knowledge of the value of the collection. And it's not like Richard said they had no clue, they just might not know the T206 variations and such. I'll be honest if I went to a show and saw a rare T206 variation at the price of the regular card I would not alert the dealer, I'd just buy it. And so would you. It is not your job to educate the seller.

Of course I would buy said card in your example.

I just wouldn't go on a public forum and announce my good fortune to have stumbled upon a seller who "doesn't know crap" before I even made the purchase.

Perhaps a nuance, but a meaningful one.

P.S. I'm sure I'm now on the negative list, but that's OK. I'll wait until cards have been sold to another flipper, cleaned, graded, consigned, shilled, and then sold for the highest dollar before I jump in.

[KMayUSA6060]

What stood out to me was the OP's intent to point out that the original seller, and buyer that is the current seller, each lack knowledge on what they are selling. By pointing this out, bragging about it on a public forum, and insinuating that others have the opportunity to get in on this potential steal of a deal, it gave off a very negative connotation. The OP may not have intended for such a negative perception to be had, but it's how it came off. Meanwhile, throughout the thread, he dug himself into a bigger hole with his responses to people's comments. I can understand the excitement in a potential great deal and how that could lead to a less artful - as others have put it - original post. However, he had time to respond with more poise and clarity, and failed to do so. Therefore, I think many are still disbelievers in this thread.

For those that watch the show American Pickers, you'll know that there is a negative perception of Frank's deals compared to Mike's. Throughout my research to see how the show operates (essentially are the negotiations pre-determined or are they legitimate), I've read multiple forums where people talk about how Frank rips people off. He almost always low-balls people, purchasing stuff at prices that allow him to make double, if not triple his money. Quite often, Mike will inquire about an item, the owner will tell him he can have it for $XXX (let's say $200), but Mike will educate the buyer and share with him that the item is actually worth $XXXX ($1000, let's say), and offer the seller $400-500 for that item.

My point of bringing American Pickers up, is there are ways to get a good deal, without taking advantage of someone. The original post gave off the impression of a person looking to take advantage of an uneducated person. Now, shame on the seller for being uneducated with an investment, but I also don't know the full story and it's not my place to judge; it could be a situation where a friend is financially assisting a friend. Regardless, if the intent is not to take advantage of a seller, than the tone in the original post and throughout the thread by the OP's responses was set improperly. This is why I felt the need to post early on my concerns.

[scottbdoug]

What stood out to me was the OP's intent to point out that the original seller, and buyer that is the current seller, each lack knowledge on what they are selling. By pointing this out, bragging about it on a public forum, and insinuating that others have the opportunity to get in on this potential steal of a deal, it gave off a very negative connotation. The OP may not have intended for such a negative perception to be had, but it's how it came off. Meanwhile, throughout the thread, he dug himself into a bigger hole with his responses to people's comments. I can understand the excitement in a potential great deal and how that could lead to a less artful - as others have put it - original post. However, he had time to respond with more poise and clarity, and failed to do so. Therefore, I think many are still disbelievers in this thread.

For those that watch the show American Pickers, you'll know that there is a negative perception of Frank's deals compared to Mike's. Throughout my research to see how the show operates (essentially are the negotiations pre-determined or are they legitimate), I've read multiple forums where people talk about how Frank rips people off. He almost always low-balls people, purchasing stuff at prices that allow him to make double, if not triple his money. Quite often, Mike will inquire about an item, the owner will tell him he can have it for $XXX (let's say $200), but Mike will educate the buyer and share with him that the item is actually worth $XXXX ($1000, let's say), and offer the seller $400-500 for that item.

My point of bringing American Pickers up, is there are ways to get a good deal, without taking advantage of someone. The original post gave off the impression of a person looking to take advantage of an uneducated person. Now, shame on the seller for being uneducated with an investment, but I also don't know the full story and it's not my place to judge; it could be a situation where a friend is financially assisting a friend. Regardless, if the intent is not to take advantage of a seller, than the tone in the original post and throughout the thread by the OP's responses was set improperly. This is why I felt the need to post early on my concerns.

well said

[slidekellyslide]

Maybe this is a topic for a different thread, but how much responsibility do we have to educate sellers? The American Pickers scenario is different in my opinion because these guys are for the most part dealing with collectors/hoarders and not dealers. In that situation you should never take advantage of someone.

I purchased a Dogs Head cigarette package at a local antique show for $50 knowing full well it was worth ten times that amount. How much responsibility did I have to notify the dealer that I was going to make a lot of money by flipping that?

There is a tag sale company in my town that seems utterly clueless when it comes to certain items. I purchased a $1000 Notre Dame v Nebraska football program out of their dollar box. Is my moral compass off?

It is my understanding that Richard is buying these cards from a dealer of some sort and not just some hapless collector shelling out big bucks for million dollar collections.

[Snapolit1]

My parents live half the year down in Florida in one of those classic massive condo communities. I've often thought how fun it would be to put an ad in the local paper offering to buy vintage cards from seniors. Set up a handful of appointments every time I go down there. Grandpa kicks the bucket and Grandma takes a shoe box out of the closet and doesn't have the foggiest notion what it's worth. (Or "doesn't know crap" one could say.) I've though about how I would respond if all of a sudden Grandma pulls out a 52 Mantle. What if she's happy with $100. What if she says "you're a nice young man . . just take them." What do you do in that scenario? I'd like to think my response would be " . .wow. . .these are worth a lot of money. . . . . I think you should talk to [fill in the name of reputable auction house]. Let me help you get a lot of money for these . . . ."

Whenever I see those ads in the paper "Looking to Buy Cards" I always immediately translate it to "Looking to Buy Cards From Someone Who Doesn't Know Crap about the value of what they have."

[Eggoman]

Being "semi-retired', I assist families dispose of collections & partial estates due to MANY different circumstances. When I am invited into your house as a "professional" in that capacity, I will be as upfront and honest as I possibly can be.

I will tell you what I know about what you have. When I don't know something, (which is OFTEN), I will find out for you and tell you when I do know.

However, when I ATTEND an Estate Sale, Garage Sale, Flea Market, Antique Shop, Thrift Shop, etc. I DO NOT feel the need to be that honest.

If you put a price on an item, you are telling me that THAT is what you want for that item. If you feel that you know what you are doing and end up "give away" something for pennies on the dollar because you didn't do your homework - SHAME ON YOU!

MY thoughts...

[Snapolit1]

Being "semi-retired', I assist families dispose of collections & partial estates due to MANY different circumstances. When I am invited into your house as a "professional" in that capacity, I will be as upfront and honest as I possibly can be.

I will tell you what I know about what you have. When I don't know something, (which is OFTEN), I will find out for you and tell you when I do know.

However, when I ATTEND an Estate Sale, Garage Sale, Flea Market, Antique Shop, Thrift Shop, etc. I DO NOT feel the need to be that honest.

If you put a price on an item, you are telling me that THAT is what you want for that item. If you feel that you know what you are doing and end up "give away" something for pennies on the dollar because you didn't do your homework - SHAME ON YOU!

MY thoughts...

I think that's a fair distinction. I certainly don't go into a clothing store and say "gee, you could be asking a whole lot more for that suit pal."

[Bruinsfan94]

Being "semi-retired', I assist families dispose of collections & partial estates due to MANY different circumstances. When I am invited into your house as a "professional" in that capacity, I will be as upfront and honest as I possibly can be.

I will tell you what I know about what you have. When I don't know something, (which is OFTEN), I will find out for you and tell you when I do know.

However, when I ATTEND an Estate Sale, Garage Sale, Flea Market, Antique Shop, Thrift Shop, etc. I DO NOT feel the need to be that honest.

If you put a price on an item, you are telling me that THAT is what you want for that item. If you feel that you know what you are doing and end up "give away" something for pennies on the dollar because you didn't do your homework - SHAME ON YOU!

MY thoughts...

That is pretty much 100% true right there.

[KMayUSA6060]

Being "semi-retired', I assist families dispose of collections & partial estates due to MANY different circumstances. When I am invited into your house as a "professional" in that capacity, I will be as upfront and honest as I possibly can be.

I will tell you what I know about what you have. When I don't know something, (which is OFTEN), I will find out for you and tell you when I do know.

However, when I ATTEND an Estate Sale, Garage Sale, Flea Market, Antique Shop, Thrift Shop, etc. I DO NOT feel the need to be that honest.

If you put a price on an item, you are telling me that THAT is what you want for that item. If you feel that you know what you are doing and end up "give away" something for pennies on the dollar because you didn't do your homework - SHAME ON YOU!

MY thoughts...

Absolutely agree.

[Snapolit1]

I guess the OPs situation is somewhere between the hired appraiser and the store price situation. If he has stumbled upon a million dollar collection that some guy just bought and believes that the guy who bought it doesn't know the value of what he has . . . well that's neither of the above situations. I agree if someone posts a card for $100 on ebay and its really worth a $1000, I'd have no issue buying it. But if I walk into my neighbor's house and see a rare painting on the wall and say to him "hey, I'll give you $200 for that painting . . ." knowing full its some rare Andy Warhol that my neighbor is totally ignorant to, I think that's unethical.

[scottbdoug]

Maybe this is a topic for a different thread, but how much responsibility do we have to educate sellers? The American Pickers scenario is different in my opinion because these guys are for the most part dealing with collectors/hoarders and not dealers. In that situation you should never take advantage of someone.

I purchased a Dogs Head cigarette package at a local antique show for $50 knowing full well it was worth ten times that amount. How much responsibility did I have to notify the dealer that I was going to make a lot of money by flipping that?

There is a tag sale company in my town that seems utterly clueless when it comes to certain items. I purchased a $1000 Notre Dame v Nebraska football program out of their dollar box. Is my moral compass off?

It is my understanding that Richard is buying these cards from a dealer of some sort and not just some hapless collector shelling out big bucks for million dollar collections.

A used item is only worth what someone is willing to pay, and a seller can try charge what he thinks he can get or what he thinks the item is worth. To you, flipping items is easier than perhaps myself as I dont sell stuff and I have no network of buyers that you may have. So the buyer strictly speaking has no obligation to point out that they have a network of other buyers who would pay a lot more than what he is selling the item at presently.

Now saying that, I believe that a seller who is buying does have an ethical obligation to point out to someone that the item they are selling is worth more if that more falls within the 25%-33% that sellers buy things for to resell later. Would you feel comfortable buying a card that easily sells for 1000.00 and the person is selling it for 5.00 at a garage sale? I wouldn't. But I would say to him I will buy the card for 250.00, as that is approximately the value of it.

[slidekellyslide]

I buy stuff at garage sales all the time for a buck or two that routinely sell for $100+. I feel no obligation to educate sellers. I've spent decades learning the values of items. I can tell you which Atari 2600 cartridges are rare, I can tell you which vintage Newsweek and Time magazines are in demand, I can tell you which vintage Star Wars figures are rare. If a seller prices his items for sale and it's a good deal I will buy it. I would never lie to someone though if they asked me what something was worth, and I hate going to garage sales where nothing is priced and the seller wants you to "make an offer".

[Eggoman]

I buy stuff at garage sales all the time for a buck or two that routinely sell for $100+. I feel no obligation to educate sellers. I've spent decades learning the values of items. I can tell you which Atari 2600 cartridges are rare, I can tell you which vintage Newsweek and Time magazines are in demand, I can tell you which vintage Star Wars figures are rare. If a seller prices his items for sale and it's a good deal I will buy it. I would never lie to someone though if they asked me what something was worth, and I hate going to garage sales where nothing is priced and the seller wants you to "make an offer".

AGREED! Coming from ANOTHER collector/flipper who put in the time to learn about "stuff"...

It becomes a chess match of sorts... Do I, on the "buyer's side" of the table, know more than the person on the "seller's side" of the table.

The seller will CERTAINLY NOT prevent me from paying too much for something at their sale. Therefore, is it my responsibility to tell them that they have under-priced something???

I think not...

You priced it and I am willing to pay your price. However, I will NOT haggle price over something that is clearly already a bargain.

[iwantitiwinit]

Just to stir the pot a bit any update on the big announcement?

[rdwyer]

Yes, I've been doing some private sales.

[SMPEP]

I'll wade into the ethical obligation debate by mentioning my "original owner" standard.

If the person selling the 1952 Topps grey back is someone selling the cards their grandfather had as a kid, and they have no idea what they are selling, I'll educate them (and make a fair offer).

If the person selling the item is a professional card dealer who doesn't know what he has (which happens much less than it used to but some professionals would be shocked how many of these they sold), I won't say a thing and just buy it. Why? Well let me ask the dealer a question, did YOU Mr. Dealer give the original owner the fair market value of the item? The answer is No. You paid a faction of what you intend to sell it for. So the dealer put a price on the card that reflects the mark up from the price he gave the original owner.

In my mind, if anyone deserve the windfall profit, it's the original owner, not the dealer who didn't know what he was buying (and therefore didn't make a fair offer in the first place).

So if my professional knowledge is better than your professional knowledge Mr. Dealer, I EARNED that extra value. You didn't. And you still get the profit that your knowledge and skill earned from your original purchase. The original owner has a right to be peeved because he was taken advantage of - but not by me. It's the dealer that screwed him.

Cheers,
Patrick

[richieb315]

Cards arrived quickly. Thanks

[Snapolit1]

Yes, I've been doing some private sales.

Has the guy located his 1000s of T cards or does he need another month?

[Leon]

The OP has asked to lock this thread so it is being locked. Thanks....