Buying Cards You See For Cheap Or Spending It All On Something You Want?

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Posted By: Addie_Joss

I always encounter this debate when I'm at shows or searching around eBay. I'll always see one card I really want that may be say, 600 dollars. But then I'll cruise to think about it and come across another card I don't really want that may be priced at 400 when I think I could maybe flip it for double the price and pay less than the 600 for the card i really want. I seem to always make the latter decision and end up regretting it even though I technically end up better off financially. I wish I could just spend my money guilt free.

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Posted By: Dave S

Seems like you've answered your own question. It's your call to decide whether you'd rather make a few bucks or get the card you really want. If it's a readily available card that's one thing...if it's seldom offered, that's another.

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Posted By: Matt

This post reminds me of someone else's; I can't quite put my finger on it...

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Posted By: Addie_Joss

Well I know I answered my own question but I was wondering how the decision process gets made with you guys. I'll give you an example, recently I was at a show and contemplating buying an m101 Marquard with a Standard Biscuit back that probably would have graded a 5. The price was 500 dollars. So I cruised and thought about it when I came up to a table where a guy was willing to make me a deal. The guy offered to sell me a 1915 Cracker Jack Bresnahan graded a 4 and a t206 Lajoie throwing graded a 3 for 500 total. In the end I couldn't turn the deal down and ending up making 280 on the Lajoie and 450 on the Bresnahan. Now I wish I just bought the Marquard and kept it.

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Posted By: Jim VB

I was at a show and contemplating buying an m101 Marquard with a Standard Biscuit back that probably would have graded a 5. The price was 500 dollars. So I cruised and thought about it when I came up to a table where a guy was willing to make me a deal. The guy offered to sell me a 1915 Cracker Jack Bresnahan graded a 4 and a t206 Lajoie throwing graded a 3 for 500 total. In the end I couldn't turn the deal down and ending up making 280 on the Lajoie and 450 on the Bresnahan. Now I wish I just bought the Marquard and kept it.



You don't have a dilemma. You have the same problem as many of us. You're just undercapitalized.

You didn't but the $500 card you wanted, but instead bought two others that netted you $730 in profit. With enough cash, you could have bought all three, paid for the Marquard with the profits and walked away with the card you wanted AND $230 in cash.

By the way, welcome to the club. This problem never ends. Some guys just add zeros to the end of the numbers.

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Posted By: Paul

It sounds to me like you did the right thing. M101-4/5 Marquards are not that rare. You'll find another, and probably won't have to wait more than a few months. And when you find it, it is yours essentially for free. You just spend the profits from your other deal, and you'll have cash left over.

Now, if you are looking specifically for a Marquard with a Standard Biscuit back, you may spend a long time looking for it. In that case, I can see why you would have some regret.

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Posted By: Marty

That is why you have a credit card. Buy the three cards, sell the two, keep the third and pay off your credit card bill when it arrives. You will make all the money with zero outlay, but some risk. 100% leveraged for a small amount for a short time should not cause to much mental anguish.

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Posted By: Addie_Joss

I woud get into all sorts of trouble if I had a working credit card.

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Posted By: Dave F

Um. Nevermind. Just had this weird Peter C thought dancing in my head.

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Posted By: Russ Bright

yes, this is the exact reason that my paypal credit cars always has a balance on it, i buy something to turn around and sell and pay it off and then buy another card so my balance never goes down, i would stop if i could but i'm addicted...

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Posted By: Marty Ogelvie

AJ,

you need to plant a money tree in the back yard and then you could spend your money guilt free....

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Posted By: Addie_Joss

I have one but its not in season yet

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Posted By: Chris Counts

I believe in the philosophy that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. By that I mean that I'm basically an opportunist when it comes to old cards. If I see a good deal, I buy it and worry later how I will turn those cards into something I want. I love to trade, and it's easy to trade great stuff, especially when you get a good deal on it ...