Issues That Are Tough to Sell
 

Yes, we all know that t206s and some other issues are almost liquid assets, but what about the issues that are extremely hard to move? I'm NOT talking profit margin here, just what happens when you want (expect) to sell certain cards fairly quickly at fair prices so you can buy others. Obviously, the number of collectors of each issue vary wildly, but I'm wondering if you have found some issues SURPRISINGLY hard to sell--whether it be Fan Craze, or Ramlys or t207s. Thanks.

lower to lower/mid grade "Play Ball" cards have always been a tough sell, especially the 1939 & 1940's

Assuming for the argument that you aren't blowing them out:

T202
E126

T207 commons don't seem to move very fast.

and the easiest set to sell ?

t206, cracker jack, 33 goudey and 52 topps ?

I had 4 low-grade 52 topps and couldnt give them away for some reason...was asking $1 on the final one that I eventually paid to mail away. Ive only had a few of my 80+ Cjs Ive sold up for sale for more than 1 week.

Also, Rhett, I know you're right on the PB's and Im about to put up 190 mid-grade 1940's FS...you made me cringe! :eek:

Rephrasing the question
 

So are they tough to sell...or are they overpriced? It seems to me you're asking the wrong question. If they sit around at a given price, then economics will say it's overpriced...

Cheers,
Geno

Geno,
I am not sure there is any price I would collect '40 Playballs at. :)

Some tough Post War odd balls are book valued way high and are tough to sell at that price.

There are some minor league issues that don't seem to be selling. No one bought the Clement Brothers card that was on eBay. It had an opening bid of $499.

I was watching the Sterling Auction last night and haven't checked yet to see if anyone bought the Texas Tommy.

I think that the more mainstream cards will sell right around the same price with very little variation over time. The more obscure cards can easily be either a "home run" or "bust" and these would be the kind that can sit for a long time with many price reductions and still not sell until they are practically given away. I should know, these have been my forte for the past several years.

That's an open ended question because if you put any preWWII issue on ebay for .99 I don't think you would have any problem selling them. Now getting a price close to what YOU think they are worth is another issue.

Lee

Phil: Define mainstream in a pre war context?

I'd think that '33 Goudey, Cracker Jacks, and T206s would all qualify as "mainstream"

Others would probably include sets like T205 as well, but the one's I've listed definitely qualify.

agreed 100%

Good answer, Brian, I would go with that.

basically any issue that you see a ton of listed on ebay at any given time is probably pretty mainstream.

I agree with Lee, you can put nearly any pre war card (valued over $10) on a .99 ebay auction and it will sell, the issue is really what do you expect it to sell for and what is a true fair price.

My ebay store has lots of the odd ball cards, like exhibits, m101, harringtons, etc and I have found you have two selling choices, make it a BIN, be patience and if at a fair price it will sell within 1-2 years or need/want the cash now then auction it on ebay, sterling or another AH and it will sell but you will take much more price risk. It just gets down to thin demand in these sets and since you are not a bidder on it like the last time, unless new blood has starting collecting the player/set then a good chance the card will sell for less.

On sets like T206 there might we 5 underbidders within 20% so even if resold soon it will realize a close price. On some of the thin demand sets/cards the third bidder can sometimes be 50%+ less than the top two bidders, in these cases I hope you are putting it in your collection otherwise plan to lose big.

Econ 101
 

The seller can dictate a price, but the buyer ultimately dictates the value at that point in time. If it's hard to sell (assuming good visibility), it's overpriced in the current market. Of course, a new buyer (market) may emerge if you let it sit there. An auction is the purest way to determine today's "value."

Take Care,
Geno

Try selling a C46 that isn't Gandil, Hoy or one of the 2 HOFers... you'll practically have to give it away. I don't know if it's because they're ugly or if the "Blame Canada" bias is in full effect, but those cards don't move.

Bill

What Bill meant to say was Taylor, not Hoy, but point well made. ;)

What about Ramlys and Fan Craze. Great-looking cards, loved by many, but hard to sell at fair price if need be?

Thanks, Steve - wrong "Dummy" by the wrong dummy.

Greg - T204's go up & down. The market for them stinks now, but give it time and they'll be back up.


Bill

It been my finding that....... all cards are hard to sell if the price in not right, and all cards are easy if the price is right.

some cards are tough to ship though ;) ie uncut stips of W573's, and things like the LaSorda below

http://centuryoldcards.com/images/19...rielasorda.jpg
1952 La Patrie Album Sportif

I just want to second what Bill is saying and even bit a bit more specific. Somebody please try selling a mid-grade C46 Delehanty so that I can upgrade mine ;)

Seriously though, C46s seem to travel in large groups. When I was buying I had all kinds of luck picking them up in bunches and when I was selling, I had luck selling them in bunches. But buying or selling a specific 1 or 2 at any given time can be challenging.

Regards, eh ;)

Richard.