Is there such a thing as a "buying season"?
 

This may be a crazy question and, if it is, please don't bash me too badly. Here goes: Is there a better time to buy postwar baseball and football cards? I don't mean the Mantles and Jim Browns that are always strong regardless of the season. I am a set collector and I am wondering if better deals can be found on football cards during baseball season and vice versa. Does in-season interest drive up demand and prices?

Best times I've found for buying cards online or via auctions are during the National and right after Christmas.

Good thread, Ed. I will admit to having thought about this, too. Now that he has mentioned it, I have found what Adam said to be true about buying after Christmas. It has seemed as though at least a few dealers have been a little more ready to push inventory out the door after Christmas and into the New Year. It could also be some collectors have sold some of their cards to pay for the holidays making those cards newly available. That being said, I can blow money on baseball cards anytime of year. Just ask my wife. :D

I agree, interesting thread, Ed. :)

I've noticed that for modern cards, at least, like the Bowman Chrome autos I like to collect, they tend to drop in price a few weeks before Christmas, too. I guess by then the baseball season has ended, the awards have all been handed out, and nobody is really thinking about baseball. It may be a simple "out of site, out of mind" situation. I know that the modern football card prices tend to ramp up a little as the season draws near.

I'd love for somebody to do a price analysis of a nice cross-reference of vintage baseball cards, and how the prices of those cards vary.

I don't think there is buying season..but I agree it would be seasonal for modern cards when the sport is about to start...

the vintage stuff I don't see much a difference

but when you about 2 months before the national.....dealers start the 'ill sell it at the national" when you don't offer their asking price..

after the national they seem more willing to negotiate..

Ed do you mean a buying frenzy? That's when you blow your wad of cash on Baseball Cards.

Anytime when theres a Auction House running, is the time to buy!!!
Of course theres always a few running at all times, so anytime is the time to buy!!!

While some like HugginsScott just ended, others are open like Legendary and our own B&L (Brockleman/Luckey) has theirs up running now. And for some theres always Ebay.

Henry, maybe that is a better term :). I will elaborate a little. I am currently working on 4 sets: 52 Topps BB low #, 56 Topps FB, 65 Topps BB, and 65 Philadelphia FB. As we approach BB season, I am wondering if it would be smart to take a break from the BB sets and hit the FB sets hard this spring/summer. Will the advent of BB season lower the demand for FB cards, thus providing me some bargain opportunities? May be wishful thinking.

Interesting topic - and who hasn't tried to figure this out?!

I have had great luck just before Christmas on eBay, and at local card shows. In fact, the closer to Christmas, the better. Got some great deals on set breaks on eBay for my '69 and '72 sets. After New Year's, not so much. In short, I think holidays are a great time to pick up bargains. (But not while you're drunk - stay away from eBay when you're drinking!!)

It's funny how weird little things will spike prices. When the National offered those Diamond Stars of Ruth, Gehrig, etc. it seemed like every dealer raised his prices on the originals by 50%. Seems like it's finally tapering off a bit now.

Sunday nights on eBay are tough. Mondays seem to be much better.

Personally, I haven't noticed a difference for in-season prices for vintage, unless a particular player is in the news - like when Bobby Cox made the hall of fame.

December is good for any sport vintage.
People, not dealers, sell for extra cash. The closer to Christmas, the better.
January is also good for first couple weeks.

I am on several forums and the off season is always slow when it comes to buying/selling cards. When the season starts it always revs up