The $100 Experiment Thread Discussion...

[Leon]

It seems as the $500 and $1000 Experiment threads are being a crowd favorite. Thanks Greg!!
This board has been, is, and should be all about having as much fun as is humanly possible with mostly pre-war and vintage baseball cards/memorabilia. Several folks want a $100 Experiment thread. A few concerns should be discussed as well as any others that pop up as we go.
Would these threads take too much away from the nature of the front pages of the different sections (Front page, Memorabilia, Autograph etc..)? There has been at least one member address this with me privately. Coffee talk on that one....
We might discuss the $100 thread running at the same time as the other 2? That might be too much? And with what has been seen in the threads already, should we discuss offering a $490 market value card(s)/item for $500?
We can usually give harmless and fun things a try. If they don't work then we'll figure it out.
There have been some very good values and many, if not most, of those have sold. Let's keep that spirit while we discuss the $100 thread. Thanks everyone.

.

[4815162342]

A $100 thread will be complete and utter madness, but hilarious nonetheless!

[yanksfan09]

Thinking a little more long term, I sort of like the idea of maybe having 1 open sale thread at a time on main page and maybe change dollar amount weekly. One thread could close and another could open. This would address the concerns of some for having too much clutter on top of main page if it was just one active thread per week. Each month could have 4 separate threads where only one is live at a time. It could be set dollar amounts of 100, 250, 500, 1000 etc.. or other amounts that could even change month to month to appeal to collectors of all levels. I think it's a good idea overall as more sales mean that more cards are finding their way to the people who appreciate them most. However I think if there is 2, 3 ,or more active sale threads at a time it may get annoying especially after newness wears off. However 1 thread is pretty easy to skip over for all uninterested parties.

WTF? BST on the front page in the past, has been actively discouraged until these $500 & $1000 threads. Not sure the reasoning for this reversal of policy, but I expect the worst. Why not just have a $100/$500/$1000 auction once a month in the BST section, or open a net54 auction house with nothing but Buy It Now options. Stupid. Just my two cents.

[Joshchisox08]

I'd rather see a $25 or $50 thread. You know for us little guys who don't have the big $$$

[Leon]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

WTF? BST on the front page in the past, has been actively discouraged until these $500 & $1000 threads. Not sure the reasoning for this reversal of policy, but I expect the worst. Why not just have a $100/$500/$1000 auction once a month in the BST thread, or open a net54 auction house with nothing but Buy It Now options. Stupid. Just my two cents.

That is why we are having this discussion. You aren't the only one with these concerns. They are fair and warranted. That being said, as I told the one person privately, nothing has changed with respect to the BST nor will it change. If we do any of these threads they are just an exception at trying to have some fun. If that turns out to not be the case then we won't do them. There has been no reversal of any policy which I am aware of.

[pokerplyr80]

What's wrong with trying something new? If you don't like the threads don't open them.

[brass_rat]

I understand the concern of having a BST-like thread running on the main stage, but I see them as "pickup threads with prices".

I haven't bought nor sold anything (yet), but I have enjoyed looking at the activity.

I really like Erick's idea of having a single-running thread (instead of three). Why not do a rotation --
Week 1: $100
Week 2: $250
Week 3: $500
Week 4: $1000
(repeat)

Use one thread and just update the title every Sunday. Or use four threads and lock/unlock them at the appropriate times.

That would keep the "clutter" down in a nod to those that don't like the idea.

If people don't like the threads, I'm sure they'll die off on their own pretty quickly.

Either way, it's been fun watching the threads.

Cheers,
Steve

[Bliggity]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

I really like Erick's idea of having a single-running thread (instead of three). Why not do a rotation --
Week 1: $100
Week 2: $250
Week 3: $500
Week 4: $1000
(repeat)

Use one thread and just update the title every Sunday. Or use four threads and lock/unlock them at the appropriate times.

I think these threads have been great, and if done correctly, they won't clog up the front page. But I also think a weekly rotation is probably too fast for the threads to run their course, and would be tough to moderate since they'd have to be changed weekly. It also may not give folks enough time to turn over inventory to have something new at that price point every month.

So what about a once-a-month rotation? Whenever the monthly pickup thread starts, we can also start a monthly "Buy this for X" thread. I think $100/250/500/1000 sounds right, and then start over. Only one thread per month. I'm a low-budget guy and would have fun with a $25-50 thread also, but I think that would just turn into a mess. There has to be at least a little heft to the price to keep things interesting and keep it from becoming a clearinghouse for everyone's reject cards.

ETA: Or, whoever starts the thread can pick a random number, maybe $335 or $1150 or whatever. That would keep things pretty interesting also.

[unamuzd1]

I've never felt compelled to read everything on the front page, so I'm fine either way. What's interesting to me is that so far, they've exposed me to a few items that I wouldn't have thought about otherwise. As a guy who mainly buys just a couple of sets, having these prominently displayed on the main page might get me to branch out a little more.

Or I could be less lazy and go look at more than the 2-3 BST boards I check with any regularity.

I like the threads, but would be fine if they got "strategically re-positioned" or "re-imagined" to either take up less board space, or fit somewhere else.

Morrie

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

WTF? BST on the front page in the past, has been actively discouraged until these $500 & $1000 threads. Not sure the reasoning for this reversal of policy, but I expect the worst. Why not just have a $100/$500/$1000 auction once a month in the BST section, or open a net54 auction house with nothing but Buy It Now options. Stupid. Just my two cents.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. There's already a BST area.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Tabe

This pretty much sums up my thoughts, too. There's already a BST area.

I agree as well. Ill also add any of the cards that sold would have also sold on the BST. The were all fairly priced and cant see them being overlooked there as opposed to the front page.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Jason

I agree as well. Ill also add any of the cards that sold would have also sold on the BST. The were all fairly priced and cant see them being overlooked there as opposed to the front page.

I'm not sure I agree with this sentiment. I think the fixed price mandate and the high profile nature (and sheer fun/novelty) of the threads on the main page caused some dudes like myself to offer cards at prices they wouldn't have offered on the BST. Plus, it was more rewarding to know the cards for sale wouldn't be quickly buried by sales of beaters, countless WTB requests, and incredibly myopic trade proposals. "Looking to trade my PSA 1 Cycle Pink Chase for your PSA 3.5 Red Cobb."

[EldoEsq]

I like the 100 idea...I love reading the 500 thread, but that amount is more than my wallet currently allows!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[jason.1969]

I was digging the idea of a $100 thread until Bill posted the baseball-themed denominations. I like that even better but would just ask that we at least occasionally made it down into double digits.

Here is a variation that might be interesting...each month a player is chosen along with 2-3 numbers significant to the player. Example: Hank Aaron with 44/714/1957. Then members list their items that month and indicate whether the price is $44, $714, or $1957.

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[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

I was digging the idea of a $100 thread until Bill posted the baseball-themed denominations. I like that even better but would just ask that we at least occasionally made it down into double digits.

Here is a variation that might be interesting...each month a player is chosen along with 2-3 numbers significant to the player. Example: Hank Aaron with 44/714/1957. Then members list their items that month and indicate whether the price is $44, $714, or $1957.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Probably the best idea on here. That way it can be consolidated into one thread rather than 2-3.

[Leon]

Still deciding on how to approach these threads? It seems the majority would like to see them continue in some form or fashion at least from the responses given. I can't imagine there being more than one at a time if we move forward. Also, to me, when these threads were first done it seemed like the spirit was to try to make whatever you offer be a much better deal than otherwise. I am not saying they all had to be great deals but at least better than normal. Some of them were that and it was great. Then some were more of BST type things offered for a 10% discount here in hopes of selling. I dunno. I think it will be hard to manage. If someone wants to step up and manage the threads, and only have one going at a time, I think we can discuss trying that. If anything doesn't work or has unintended undesirable consequences then we will quit. It's not that big of a deal, really. Nothing is changing with the BST, listings are still to be done in correct spots....and so forth. These threads, if done, are one offs. Who cares, anyone can just not click on one measly thread if they don't like it. If that is too much of a bother, sorry.

As a suggestion, maybe we have a different thread every 2 weeks BUT when one is started the other gets locked. That way there could be different dollar level threads and it could add diversity. And if that is the case, while it's a nice thought to want to include all members at all pricing levels, I am not sure we can meet that objective. I don't know if a $25 thread works or not? Lastly, for whatever reason, it seems the enthusiasm has subsided just a bit. If we never get to a great consensus on what to do, then this experiment will retire into thread archives......

[Thecafewha]

I like the idea. The more active selling threads the better.


Joshua Van Pelt

[aaroncc]

I think its a good idea. Anything to advance collectors interests. Personally don't think it would hurt the main board. After all each are only a single thread and it seems like everyone is having fun.

[Huck]

I like the idea. The $1,000 thread does not seem to be garnering much action. The $500 memorabilia thread is D E A D. I think a $100, $250 or as proposed baseball stat number entry point would have quite a bit of action. Also, I guess it all depends on what the seller considers a "deal".

[peterose4hof]

I think these threads are great, but belong in a separate subsection of the B/S/T.

1. The B/S/T section has the added security of a member having to be logged in to view

2. The main board should not be clogged up with B/S/T type threads

3. If these types of threads continue to be popular, placing them in the B/S/T area could drive more traffic to the other B/S/T threads

[Huck]

Originally Posted by peterose4hof

I think these threads are great, but belong in a separate subsection of the B/S/T.


2. The main board should not be clogged up with B/S/T type threads

What is this clogging business? Is it similar to a toilet about to flow over the rim? Is it similar to traffic in the city of angels? It is one thread, read it or don't read it, kind of simple.

[LEHR]

Originally Posted by biohazard

I like the idea. The $1,000 thread does not seem to be garnering much action. The $500 memorabilia thread is D E A D. I think a $100, $250 or as proposed baseball stat number entry point would have quite a bit of action. Also, I guess it all depends on what the seller considers a "deal".

I say give these types of threads the green light. Sure, a $50-$100 thread will most certainly see more action than a $500-$1000 thread but I'd still bet they all are done and drop off the main pages in a month, tops. And in the mean time the participants can have some fun with the hobby.

Just my $0.02.

[JustinD]

I like the idea of only 100, 250, 500, and 1000 dollar options. I would advocate a one or two week at most rotation for each thread and fully agree to Leon's idea of locking the previous threads and leaving just the one. I think this is absolutely necessary to keep the excitement of each thread and not have them filled with junk to sift through as some people will always put things in that just won't sell.

I am totally against a 25 or 50 dollar thread, not being elitist, but small purchases can be put on the BST and is that not more ebay territory? I just would not be interested in a giant thread with not much eye candy at that price point. Also, I think lots should not be allowed. If you want to sell 230 1972 Topps commons for a 100 bucks, please use the BST.

Just my 2 cents.