NonSports Forum

Net54baseball.com
Welcome to Net54baseball.com. These forums are devoted to both Pre- and Post- war baseball cards and vintage memorabilia, as well as other sports. There is a separate section for Buying, Selling and Trading - the B/S/T area!! If you write anything concerning a person or company your full name needs to be in your post or obtainable from it. . Contact the moderator at leon@net54baseball.com should you have any questions or concerns. When you click on links to eBay on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. Enjoy!
Net54baseball.com
Net54baseball.com
ebay GSB
T206s on eBay
Babe Ruth Cards on eBay
t206 Ty Cobb on eBay
Ty Cobb Cards on eBay
Lou Gehrig Cards on eBay
Baseball T201-T217 on eBay
Baseball E90-E107 on eBay
T205 Cards on eBay
Baseball Postcards on eBay
Goudey Cards on eBay
Baseball Memorabilia on eBay
Baseball Exhibit Cards on eBay
Baseball Strip Cards on eBay
Baseball Baking Cards on eBay
Sporting News Cards on eBay
Play Ball Cards on eBay
Joe DiMaggio Cards on eBay
Mickey Mantle Cards on eBay
Bowman 1951-1955 on eBay
Football Cards on eBay

Go Back   Net54baseball.com Forums > Net54baseball Main Forum - WWII & Older Baseball Cards > Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-07-2018, 10:36 AM
Snapolit1's Avatar
Snapolit1 Snapolit1 is offline
Ste.ve Na.polit.ano
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5,760
Default Valuation

Toughest thing about buying anything is that valuations at the upper end of any market always look stupid. Every successful stock always looks overpriced. Google looked like a crappy deal at 100. I remember when Amazon was 25 and pundits were saying steer clear.

In 1999 I sold a condo in NYC for way more than I bought it for. I thought the buyers were insane. I felt guilty at the closing. That condo is now worth 5 x what I sold it for.

I then bought a house in the burbs. Everyone told me we really overpaid. One of my new neighbors drove buy rolled down car window and started mocking me for what I paid. Now of course it is worth way more.

Everything I have ever bought in my life that I was convinced I really overpaid for turned out to be a smart move. And almost everytime I went the cheap route it fell flat. (Cars are the exception, because they are always a waste of money and not an investment.)

Not saying every card is going to appreciate in value. But be careful before you laugh at the stupid price some guy just spent on a Goudey Ruth or Ruth rookie. 5 years from now will probably be higher.

Last edited by Snapolit1; 01-07-2018 at 10:37 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-07-2018, 10:45 AM
Leon's Avatar
Leon Leon is offline
Leon
peasant/forum owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: near Dallas
Posts: 34,199
Default

Steve, if you could go back and read a lot of old posts, I feel the same way. I have excitedly paid record high prices for a ton of cards. And all but a few have been great buys, when looking back, with respect to valuation in the future. Even my star card, the E90-1 Young, was a record high price paid. And I couldn't be happier with it and am quite sure it is more valuable today.
__________________
Leon Luckey
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:01 AM
mechanicalman's Avatar
mechanicalman mechanicalman is offline
Sam Sw@rtz
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,134
Default

As a VCP record-holder myself on a couple cards, I agree with the sentiment here. One of my hobby mentors once told me that you can't "overpay" for quality cards; you can just pay its future price early.

Of course, I don't believe that applies to all cards, or perhaps even most, but I firmly believe centered HoFers from the most collected pre-war sets should do well. And if they don't, I don't care - they deliver a ton of intrinsic value for me. My retirement is not dependent on my collection.

Edited to add: Steve, your neighbor sounds like a dick. Who wouldn't want someone to pay high in their own neighborhood?

Last edited by mechanicalman; 01-07-2018 at 11:04 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:08 AM
rainier2004's Avatar
rainier2004 rainier2004 is offline
Steven
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spartan Country, MI
Posts: 2,040
Default

Sam is a smart dude.

I recently overpaid for a PC as of 1/12018...by 8/1/2018 I bet its s deal. That's not why I buy, but I do try to buy things early that I think will sky rocket and overpaying now versus not being able to afford it later is a no brainer for me. Enjoy the hobby, its not all about the $$$.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:08 AM
Hankphenom Hankphenom is offline
Hank Thomas
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,494
Default

The wealthy know that it pays to buy the best, but the problem comes in having the wherewithal to do that. The rest of us are stuck with the reverse--and more difficult--proposition: buy low, sell high.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:09 AM
rainier2004's Avatar
rainier2004 rainier2004 is offline
Steven
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spartan Country, MI
Posts: 2,040
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hankphenom View Post
The wealthy know that it pays to buy the best, but the problem comes in having the wherewithal to do that. The rest of us are stuck with the reverse--and more difficult--proposition: buy low, sell high.
Then there's the buy low, don't sell model...I like that one better.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:12 AM
bbcard1 bbcard1 is offline
T0dd M@rcum
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 3,318
Default

Personally, I accept my collection as a hobby...it's a good hobby, one that should at worst be worth what I have in it. But as such I don't ever buy cards as investments. My IRA/401K is an investment. My business is an investment. My cards are a hobby. For that reason, a lot of time I end up with low to mid grade sets and am happy in them.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:24 AM
Snapolit1's Avatar
Snapolit1 Snapolit1 is offline
Ste.ve Na.polit.ano
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5,760
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rainier2004 View Post
Then there's the buy low, don't sell model...I like that one better.
Buy low sell high is a beautiful thing. My experience has been that buy high sell higher is a lot more common.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-07-2018, 11:31 AM
Snapolit1's Avatar
Snapolit1 Snapolit1 is offline
Ste.ve Na.polit.ano
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5,760
Default

Really just a variation on the old adage “buy the best house you can afford”.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-07-2018, 04:27 PM
drcy's Avatar
drcy drcy is offline
David Ru.dd Cycl.eback
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,466
Default

Disagree with the sentiments in this thread. The way to wealth isn't via overpaying. Rather a silly notion if you ask me.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-07-2018, 04:42 PM
Snapolit1's Avatar
Snapolit1 Snapolit1 is offline
Ste.ve Na.polit.ano
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5,760
Default

When I was a kid I used to hound my old man about buying the inverted Jenny airmail stamp. (You may know what it is, US airmail stamp with airplane upside down.) In 1971 some lunatic bought a plate block (4) of them for $150,000. At the time it was considered sheer insanity. There were headlines in the paper about the craziness of it. Today it's probably worth north of 5 million. During the same period of time thousands of US stamps that are hoarded away by folks have stayed flat or gone down in value. I am sure the same thing is true with baseball cards.

It's not about overpaying. It's about paying more than anyone else for something that is a genuine scarcity and having the vision that demand for it will grow over time.

Last edited by Snapolit1; 01-07-2018 at 04:48 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-07-2018, 04:53 PM
mechanicalman's Avatar
mechanicalman mechanicalman is offline
Sam Sw@rtz
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,134
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by drcy View Post
Disagree with the sentiments in this thread. The way to wealth isn't via overpaying. Rather a silly notion if you ask me.
I don’t believe this thread is about the “way to wealth” through baseball cards.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-07-2018, 04:57 PM
drcy's Avatar
drcy drcy is offline
David Ru.dd Cycl.eback
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,466
Default

Whenever the topic of what cards are good investments comes up, I mention that it's not just the card but what you pay for it. Paying more than market price, or even at market price, is bad investing practice.

I also think asking "what is a good investment?" is a sign of myopic financial thinking, but that's another topic.

Last edited by drcy; 01-07-2018 at 05:03 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-07-2018, 05:24 PM
jbsports33's Avatar
jbsports33 jbsports33 is offline
Jimmy
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MA
Posts: 1,618
Default

education is the key to everything, even this hobby!

Jimmy
__________________
“Devoted to Bringing Quality Vintage Sports Cards and Memorabilia to the Hobby”
https://www.ebay.com/str/jbsportsauctions
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-07-2018, 05:38 PM
pokerplyr80's Avatar
pokerplyr80 pokerplyr80 is offline
je.sse @rnot
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: California
Posts: 3,914
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mechanicalman View Post
As a VCP record-holder myself on a couple cards, I agree with the sentiment here. One of my hobby mentors once told me that you can't "overpay" for quality cards; you can just pay its future price early.

Of course, I don't believe that applies to all cards, or perhaps even most, but I firmly believe centered HoFers from the most collected pre-war sets should do well. And if they don't, I don't care - they deliver a ton of intrinsic value for me. My retirement is not dependent on my collection.

Edited to add: Steve, your neighbor sounds like a dick. Who wouldn't want someone to pay high in their own neighborhood?
I agree on both points. Many cards are very tough to find with excellent eye appeal for the grade. When one is available it's often worth it to break a record. Any time I've done this I haven't had a problem getting out of the card later.

And I would welcome any neighbor who overpays for a house in my neighborhood. I'm not in real estate, but I'm pretty sure prices are usually based on what comparable homes have sold for. Maybe the guy didn't want his property taxes going up.
__________________
Successful transactions with peter spaeth, don's cards, vwtdi, wolf441, 111gecko, Clydewally, Jim, SPMIDD, MattyC, jmb, botn, E107collector, begsu1013, and a few others.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-07-2018, 07:18 PM
rainier2004's Avatar
rainier2004 rainier2004 is offline
Steven
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spartan Country, MI
Posts: 2,040
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mechanicalman View Post
I don’t believe this thread is about the “way to wealth” through baseball cards.
Yeah, I didn't read that was the topic of the thread either.

Drcy - sometime you simply have to "overpay" according to the market, if I feel its worth it that I am just paying market value. When there are 6 or examples that exist of a card, buying something privately can actually save money as it can blow up in an auction. Glad we disagree...
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-07-2018, 07:39 PM
Vintageclout Vintageclout is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 516
Default Cardboard Investment

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapolit1 View Post
Toughest thing about buying anything is that valuations at the upper end of any market always look stupid. Every successful stock always looks overpriced. Google looked like a crappy deal at 100. I remember when Amazon was 25 and pundits were saying steer clear.

In 1999 I sold a condo in NYC for way more than I bought it for. I thought the buyers were insane. I felt guilty at the closing. That condo is now worth 5 x what I sold it for.

I then bought a house in the burbs. Everyone told me we really overpaid. One of my new neighbors drove buy rolled down car window and started mocking me for what I paid. Now of course it is worth way more.

Everything I have ever bought in my life that I was convinced I really overpaid for turned out to be a smart move. And almost everytime I went the cheap route it fell flat. (Cars are the exception, because they are always a waste of money and not an investment.)

Not saying every card is going to appreciate in value. But be careful before you laugh at the stupid price some guy just spent on a Goudey Ruth or Ruth rookie. 5 years from now will probably be higher.
+1 - it’s rather quite simple...buy premium Babe Ruth memorabilia because today’s retail is typically tomorrow’s wholesale!

Last edited by Vintageclout; 01-07-2018 at 07:44 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-08-2018, 08:20 AM
itslarry itslarry is offline
Larry Young
member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 107
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pokerplyr80 View Post
I agree on both points. Many cards are very tough to find with excellent eye appeal for the grade. When one is available it's often worth it to break a record. Any time I've done this I haven't had a problem getting out of the card later.

And I would welcome any neighbor who overpays for a house in my neighborhood. I'm not in real estate, but I'm pretty sure prices are usually based on what comparable homes have sold for. Maybe the guy didn't want his property taxes going up.
Bingo on the house. If you aren't going to sell, why in the world would you want higher taxes.
My parents pay more in taxes the the house cost 35yrs ago. Sure uses to make him cranky tax time.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-12-2018, 09:30 AM
Leon's Avatar
Leon Leon is offline
Leon
peasant/forum owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: near Dallas
Posts: 34,199
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by itslarry View Post
Bingo on the house. If you aren't going to sell, why in the world would you want higher taxes.
My parents pay more in taxes the the house cost 35yrs ago. Sure uses to make him cranky tax time.
As for taxes, Ag exemption is the way to go ....Ya' just have to fit the mold. At a house we own, nearby, we lease 3 acres to someone raising sheep so those 3 acres are ag exempt for tax purposes. And for where we live, in Texas it's 6 acres and 6 beehives to be an apiary. Love helping nature and me at the same time. (see Texas guidelines for an agricultural exemption). Oh, what were we talking, value? I say, diversify and buy wisely. And Cards CAN be an investment but it's risky too.
Every thread needs eye candy. Happy Collecting....



.
__________________
Leon Luckey
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-12-2018, 09:38 AM
Snapolit1's Avatar
Snapolit1 Snapolit1 is offline
Ste.ve Na.polit.ano
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5,760
Default

I would happily put a few alpacas in my backyard if I could swing a tax deduction. But I've heard they are nasty and not much fun.

Last edited by Snapolit1; 01-12-2018 at 09:38 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 01-12-2018, 09:42 AM
conor912's Avatar
conor912 conor912 is offline
C0nor D0na.hue
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,151
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapolit1 View Post
One of my new neighbors drove buy rolled down car window and started mocking me for what I paid.
WTF? How neighborly.
__________________
Items for sale or trade here UPDATED 3-16-18
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 01-12-2018, 09:44 AM
conor912's Avatar
conor912 conor912 is offline
C0nor D0na.hue
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,151
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by drcy View Post
Paying more than market price, or even at market price, is bad investing practice.
I'd like to hear more about all these investments you're getting at below market price.
__________________
Items for sale or trade here UPDATED 3-16-18
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 01-12-2018, 06:36 PM
mark evans mark evans is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 605
Default

I don't see past card sales or trends as an indicator of future values. To me card collecting is most satisfying when approached as a hobby.
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Walter Johnson Valuation Eggoman Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions 9 06-27-2015 03:46 PM
T206 experts help me out with a valuation T206Fan Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions 2 05-22-2015 06:05 AM
Valuation on an E90-3 Johnny Evers PSA 1.5 wcsportscards Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions 6 03-26-2015 12:15 AM
Help with Autograph Valuation Archive Net54baseball Sports (Primarily) Vintage Memorabilia Forum incl. Game Used 2 08-03-2008 07:34 PM
PSA vs. SCG -- Discount Valuation Archive Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions 136 04-06-2008 06:42 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:25 PM.


ebay GSB