Posted By:
BillLHad to write everything down on paper before I typed this so that I could remember everything I want to say.
My dealing days were a while ago, when prices were based as a % of HBV. I didn't own a 3-price guide. My market also bought by %'s - flea markets and small local shows. Many of my customers were not collectors - relatives buying for someone else, Christmas, favorite player/team, one-shot deals, etc.
If someone can't justify their price to me, I could not justify buying from them. My pricing was usually based/justified/available as a % of HBV. The exceptions, as noted by others, are many.
Known sp's, market variances, star power, etc. all influenced my pricing. Also, my price source was always readily available for verification. The knowledgible collector understood, the novice had it laid out for them.
Jay - I'm a little confused (see if I can remember this correctly) "If you are collector, you better damn well know the market for what you collect." and one paragraph later "..telling a novice the high book on a VG will do nothing but confuse him or make him think that card is more costly than it actually is." Based on your first statement, it appears that your second statement wouldn't matter to you at all if that is what happens. But, if you tell a novice the HBV of a VG card and explain that the condition equals 20-25% of HBV, then he will quickly learn how to value many cards. Just telling the novice "$30", with no basis, just adds to the confusion.
As for overpriced #1 cards, r/c's etc., I certainly agree with the other posts. They fall under the exceptions noted above. If selling, know your market. If buying, do your homework.