Question about determining market value for lesser-known sets

[npa589]

I'm relatively new and am now well versed in the T206 language/T205 language, and am now beginning to branch out.

I've been using various resources to try and get a great understanding of current market value for certain sets, and different players/variations within the sets.

But there are always sets that are not included in those resources (such as in SMR) and I really have no clue what they're worth with regard to market value.

Now, I really don't want to have to sign up for VCP, but I'm beginning to see why people do.

Is that my only option here?


2nd question...haha - what is a E. (Ned) Hanlon Scrapps Die cut in poor condition worth?

[fkw]

price guides like the SCD Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards will give you an ideal of their value.

What set(s) do you think would be "lesser known"? Do you have examples?

IMO If its collected as a set it is probably well known, most of the lesser known sets (ie E222, T214, D303 Mothers, etc.), are not collected as a set but rather as "type cards" because a complete set is so tough or is unknown (not all cards discovered yet).

[npa589]

I wasn't really sure how to phrase that... I guess when I say "lesser-known", it's entirely dependent on whether it is included in SMR.


I used the SCD all the time, and used it to look up Scrapps tobacco die-cuts, but I feel it's actually too low for what I see them going for on eBay. It has a NM example at 2400 for the HOFers, and I've never even seen one above a 5 for sale (I haven't looked very hard either), and imagine if they had a 7 it would be more than 2400.

Also, SCD doesn't have C46 Imperial tobacco in there.

[AndyG09]

Nate,

Check in the minor league section in the back of the book. I'm pretty sure you'll find the C46s there.

Best,

Andy

[npa589]

I love this place!

Thanks Andy.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Most of the major auction houses keep past auction data on their websites. This will work well on those higher dollar items where they would be listed as individual card lots in their auctions.

[rainier2004]

I stopped using guides 8 yrs ago or so. All I have is the national SMR which is WAY off for the cards I watch ie 1915 cobb psa 2 per smr is $900...one just sold on ebay for $5200. I developed my own proportion system relative to other cards in the set and hawk ebay and other sites...I do get burned on rarer cards at times though.

[npa589]

I was keeping my own records for a while, but it just gets annoying having to copy and paste thousands of results.


Has anyone signed up for Terapeak? I believe that's a lot cheaper than VCP, and though it doesn't track auction houses, it does indeed keep track of eBay.

[ls7plus]

Many times, you can simple google a card you're interested in to get a flavor of what it has brought in past auctions, in one fell swoop, and give you some idea of what the availablility has been in recent years. REA, Goodwin, Legendary and a lot of others' past auction lots and prices realized pop up on such a google search, and the lot descriptions oftentimes provide valuable info.

Best to all,

Larry