Just wondering if anyone here collects Steiner or Upper Deck signed memorabilia?

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

Like wise Scott. But we have to understand that there has to be a thousand guys that do collect Steiner/UDA for every one of us... Not that there's anything wrong with it!

So my next questions for the board are... Why do you think that is? Why are we in the collecting minority?

Jimmy,
I don't think that there is any doubt that many of the collectors out there are scared that they might buy a bogus autograph of a player that they want to collect, thus Steiner and UDA exist. IMHO, as collectors we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on what we aspire to collect, or bad things can happen ( AKA "let the buyer beware").

It's also my opinion that people that do pony up the huge dollars for these overpriced UDA and Steiner sigs will undoubtedly "own them forever" because they never will get their money back out when they go to resell them down the line.

As the two of us have discussed via e-mail, as collectors we don't truly own these baseball "treasures". We're merely caretakers until we pass them along to other collectors somewhere down the line. I always consider whether I believe I can get my money back out of a purchase at some point in the future. What I'm basically doing is establishing an exit strategy upfront FWIW.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Jimmy,
I don't think that there is any doubt that many of the collectors out there are scared that they might buy a bogus autograph of a player that they want to collect, thus Steiner and UDA exist. IMHO, as collectors we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on what we aspire to collect, or bad things can happen ( AKA "let the buyer beware").

It's also my opinion that people that do pony up the huge dollars for these overpriced UDA and Steiner sigs will undoubtedly "own them forever" because they never will get their money back out when they go to resell them down the line.

As the two of us have discussed via e-mail, as collectors we don't truly own these baseball "treasures". We're merely caretakers until we pass them along to other collectors somewhere down the line. I always consider whether I believe I can get my money back out of a purchase somewhere down the line. What I'm basically doing is establishing an exit strategy upfront FWIW.

Once again we're in agreement Scott. As usual, your comments are well thought out with keen insight. My best, Jimmy

[RichardSimon]

Just my quick two cents here,,, this thread has turned into a real interesting and well thought out one.

[barrysloate]

Yes, some very good points on this threads, especially CJ's.

I would think that a great many of Steiner's customers are not sports memorabilia collectors at all. They are merely baseball fans. If they love Derek Jeter they very well may want something signed by him. They haven't a clue what it's worth, but they want the guarantee it's real, and with Steiner I believe you can count on the fact that the signature is genuine. On the other hand if you are a serious collector and spend a good deal of time and money building a collection, it's likely that Steiner products will hold little or no appeal.

[yanksfan09]

The prices are certainly outrageuos when buying direct. I never buy from them direct, but I buy stuff from them off of ebay all the time at bargain prices. Last year I bought a Stan Musial UDA ball at auction with a bit of toning for about $30. I don't mind spending a bit more on something to ensure it's real.

As for the manufactured - cut up cards and such; they're garbage. Who'd rather have a piece of a signed check hacked up (usually badly) and arbitrarily inserted into a stupid 1/1 insert? I don't get that.

But, just for getting signed 8x10's or baseballs I think its a great way to go if you can find them for a cheap price on ebay or somewhere....