Making a Major card purchase (51 Bowman Mantle) - where do YOU prefer to shop??

[Belfast1933]

As some of you know (and have helped me already!), I have decided to liquidate a good chuck of my PC that I never thought I'd sell to chase down a card that I've always loved... the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle (it's like a little work of baseball art, honestly!)

Here's my question - when you are making a major purchase like this, where do you focus your own search?

- here, Net54 (well, yeah! Of course!!)
- local card shows (I live in Massachusetts and a big one is coming up later this month)
- major Auction Houses
- Facebook Vintage pages
- smaller, regional AH's?
- other or maybe all?

I haven't yet built up the $$ war chest to get MM but I'm off to a great start and think I may get there within a couple of weeks.

I just want to be well armed with a "go get" plan when I am ready - i look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks all -

Jeff

[theshowandme]

REA auction just went live with a really nice SGC 2

Good luck

[parkplace33]

Card shows if you can find them. Cash is king at shows.

[Jim65]

I look at all options, whoever has the right card at a fair price, gets my business.

[Jewish-collector]

The Shriner's show coming up.

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[brunswickreeves]

eBay has inventory and several Best Offer options, goes through authentication, no travel on your part thus eliminating vehicle related risks/issues, no concerns carrying around a $10K+ card, no bidding war, and no negotiations in person when a seller has an advantage knowing you're there to purchase THAT exact card. That said, if you want to develop a relationship/rapport and hold the card in hand first, show is the way to go.

[mrreality68]

I personally prefer thru this board or thru a network of people.

It gets me the best price as the buyer and as seller as well because going thru auction houses etc you have to have the BP and/or seller premium as well as tax and shipping where if it is a private sale save on those to maximize for everyone.

But depending on what I am looking for if I cannot find it that way I go thru auction houses paying the BP, tax etc but you find what you want, many give you options ie to pay by credit card if you prefer that way and most have great reputations

[raulus]

Luckily, you've got options here, since this piece trades a lot. So there's no need to rush out and buy the first one you see just to scratch that itch.

I would spend some time assessing my budget, and more specifically figuring out what I want to get with my budget (i.e. graded, not graded, condition, centering, paper loss, etc). Then spend some time looking at recent sales and see where the market is these days for cards that fit your profile. Part of the fun is that it's always going to be a range. Maybe tweak your budget a little depending on what you find out, as you decide whether you want to maybe aim a little higher or a little lower to get just the right piece.

If you're not in a hurry, then you can afford to be patient and wait for the right time and the right piece. Especially since it sounds like this will be your new crown jewel, so you don't want to rush it to just check a box and get it done. Make sure you get the good stuff, and savor the process, especially since this might be one of the few times you'll ever get here.

Historically, auctions have been one of your best bets for landing quality pieces at the best prices. Not always and not for everything, but often they can be less expensive than retail or eBay BIN prices. So a big part of my strategy would be lurking around auctions with pieces that meet my criteria, getting in on the action, but setting a limit for when you're ready to bow out and let someone else have it if they exceed your limit.

Having said that, during the last few years, auctions can sometimes just go nuts. So know when to walk away, be cool with losing an auction, and recognize that sometimes the winner is actually the loser because they had to overpay. Sometimes the right card will come up at the right price on another venue, so make sure you're actively scoping out all of those spots, including the BST here. And don't be shy about making offers for the right piece, because sometimes sellers build in a little cushion with a plan to negotiate down a bit.

Lastly, while it's always easy to get all hopped up and emotionally psyched about a big buy like this, do your best to keep a level head and approach it analytically, just to avoid getting out over your skis and buying based on emotion. Taking it slow will probably help you to get there, although you might have to remind yourself a few times to not get emotional about it.

And then when you finally pick up the right card and the right price, you should totally go nuts celebrating all you want.

[Seven]

I've found great success and connections right through here, on Net54. Especially if it's from someone who we can all trust. Having the deal conducted that way, or even from a reputable dealer at a show, in my opinion, is the best. Auction Houses are most likely going to be the best in terms of selection, but with them you have to pay your dues, to Uncle Sam.