Matt C,
I went back and reread your response (as well as the pm you sent), and you really do make some outstanding points. Consciously, everything you said makes sense to me, and I should be able to just say "buy what I like, ignoring the tpg determination for the most part, using it only as a starting point". But it's so damned hard for me to disengage what amounts to the cynical part of my mind. Sometimes I am over-analytical, which can be both a blessing and a curse depending on what I am doing at the time. And a healthy cynicism, especially in this hobby, is a good thing. It keeps me on my toes. I think once I get back into collecting again here pretty soon, some of this other stuff will subside.
Robert,
Those '57 George Kell cards are a perfect demonstration of what I'm talking about. Here's a comp for future discussion:
Currently, these cards, all being sold by PWCC, all ending at the same time, are exhibiting wide bid variance.
The PSA 8 is at $37.00 with 1 day 13 hours to go. 30 bids.
The PSA 8.5 is at $76.00 with 1 day 13 hours to go. 16 bids.
The PSA 9 is at $455.09 with 1 day 13 hours to go. 24 bids.
The PSA 8 looks like it has corners not quite as sharp, but there isn't that big a difference between these three cards unless you break out the magnifying glass.
Bidder: u***l ( 8,235 Feedback score is 5,000 to 9,999) has 7 bids on the PSA 8, and 23 bid retractions in the last 6 months, including 1 on this auction (if I am reading this right).
Bidder: i***r ( 1611 Feedback score is 1000 to 4,999) has 5 bids on the PSA 8.5, and 21 retractions in the last six months, including 3 on this auction.
And lo and behold, Bidder: u***l ( 8235Feedback score is 5,000 to 9,999) has 7 bids on this PSA 9.
So, the same guy is bidding on both a PSA 8 and a PSA 9?
Something seems rotten here.
Matt, I'm glad that you are still here after being burned out. That tells me that I'm not alone, and that I can, too, move past this.