Buyer frenzy

[Spartan]

I don't know if I'm just a poor loser - ok. I am - or the good pickings are slim. But EVERY single card I've set my sights on lately have been blasted outta the water way beyond VCP prices. I even gotten so bold as to go beyond the norm with my own bids, wayyy beyond. All I can say, if you got something good to sale, go for it. Sniping has become a BOLD game and a profitable side affect for sellers. Still waiting on that to happen to me when I sell I still get amazed and chuckle when two people tangle themselves up hundreds of dollars above typical price. May yield alot of no pay bidders ...... I'm changing from vintage to 1992 donruss. Dare you to outbid me !! In summary, from my vantage point, record sale prices are being set beyond my personal comprehension (checkbook). Nite people !

[Bosox Blair]

Last few weeks same with me on eBay...can't win a thing. And I agree - most of the time recently I'm losing by a lot! I also agree that these items are going way over VCP. Who knows why?

Cheers,
Blair

[Exhibitman]

Without knowing which cards were at issue, it is speculative to respond. Some possibilities:

Maybe because "past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future" as Vanguard puts it.

Maybe because all it takes is 2 people wanting the card to make a fight of it.

Maybe because VCP creates a downward spiral of pricing that bottomed out with the last few sales. Lots of collectors refuse to pay more than VCP and want to pay less. Then the prices are reported on VCP at a new low, and the cycle repeats. Maybe you hit bottom and did not know it.

Maybe because the card(s) were infrequently transacted and the VCP "price" was stale.

Maybe because you wanted the card at a low price but others wanted the card more than you.

[sportscardpete]

Maybe because prices are doing this thing called rising...

[bbcard1]

It could just be a little blip...It happens from time to time and I become convinced I will never be able to buy another baseball card and then things settle down.

[ullmandds]

I'm not sure WTF you guys are talking about?!?! I've picked up a few cards in the last week or two at very reasonable prices...I thought?!?!

Without any specific info...this is a show...I mean thread about...nothing!!!

[SushiX37]

Time of year affects prices too, at least from my experience. The same card might not sell for as much, or have the same number of bidders in the dead of winter January. Seeing as how we are smack in the middle of baseball season, coming off the news of Black Swamp Find sale, prices are up across the board. Give it time man, you'll get what you want. Patience is difficult, I struggle with it a lot. But eventually you'll find the card you want.

Rich

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Bosox Blair

Last few weeks same with me on eBay...can't win a thing. And I agree - most of the time recently I'm losing by a lot! I also agree that these items are going way over VCP. Who knows why?

Cheers,
Blair

Seriously? I only run straight ebay card auctions when I can't get fair market value any other way - after expenses, I'm generally about 10% below my COST. So someone is getting deals. I guarantee you - my prewar cards, for the most part, sell well below VCP. Not whining, that's just the way it is.

[ullmandds]

Those ruth exhibits...like many ruth issues...have taken off last 6-12 months or so...esp in nice grade. There are still a fair amt of inexpensive...period ruth cards...but no longer strips...and no longer exhibits.

Surprisingly the 25' champions ruth exhibit is still kinda cheap?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Seriously? I only run straight ebay card auctions when I can't get fair market value any other way - after expenses, I'm generally about 10% below my COST. So someone is getting deals. I guarantee you - my prewar cards, for the most part, sell well below VCP. Not whining, that's just the way it is.

My guess is that there is more shenanigans going on, on ebay, than any place else in the hobby. I would bet some of those higher prices might be run up in a shill-type manner. ....

[theuclakid]

I do think it has been more of a sellers market this year than the last couple years...and coinciding, yes it has been much tougher to buy this year than the last couple years also....Memory Lane auctions just recently had many head scratchers....a couple examples of PSA 8'S, nothing extremely special...a 56T Williams sold for over $3000 with the juice, and a 61 Mantle sold for over $2600....both at levels I have never seen before....these were not 8.5's (let alone a 9) and probably would never be in an 8.5 graded holder.....Bruce Perry

[botn]

Originally Posted by theuclakid

I do think it has been more of a sellers market this year than the last couple years...and coinciding, yes it has been much tougher to buy this year than the last couple years also....Memory Lane auctions just recently had many head scratchers....a couple examples of PSA 8'S, nothing extremely special...a 56T Williams sold for over $3000 with the juice, and a 61 Mantle sold for over $2600....both at levels I have never seen before....these were not 8.5's (let alone a 9) and probably would never be in an 8.5 graded holder.....Bruce Perry

Hi Bruce!

It is ok if this happens in Memory Lane's auctions just not in Goodwin's.

Greg

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Seriously? I only run straight ebay card auctions when I can't get fair market value any other way - after expenses, I'm generally about 10% below my COST. So someone is getting deals. I guarantee you - my prewar cards, for the most part, sell well below VCP. Not whining, that's just the way it is.

Can I respectfully make a suggestion? I looked at your auctions and you seem to have decided not to sell to Canada. Your calll, but with the CDN $ roughly at par with US, there are a lot of Canadians looking to buy from the US right now. And even on these boards, there are obviously lots of serious Canadian collectors. Population of Canada is roughly equal to California.

If an auction seller complained to me that he wasn't doing well, and I saw that his auction rules included "no bids from California", I'd have little sympathy. Just sayin...

Cheers,
Blair

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Bosox Blair

Can I respectfully make a suggestion? I looked at your auctions and you seem to have decided not to sell to Canada. Your calll, but with the CDN $ roughly at par with US, there are a lot of Canadians looking to buy from the US right now. And even on these boards, there are obviously lots of serious Canadian collectors. Population of Canada is roughly equal to California.

If an auction seller complained to me that he wasn't doing well, and I saw that his auction rules included "no bids from California", I'd have little sympathy. Just sayin...

Cheers,
Blair

EDITED - my original response sounded negative toward Canadians, which isn't my intent, so I'll try again

Nope - too many problems shipping outside the USA. Regardless of who's fault it is, it isn't worth the aggravation. The only reason I originally posted was to call BS on the claim that ebay straight auctions are resulting in HIGH prices. If you run an honest auction, your prices are generally going to be below VCP, regardless of what countries you include/exclude. I'm not paranoid enough to think that I'm personally being picked on by the entire ebay card-collecting community - it's a seller-wide thing.

[sox1903wschamp]

It would suck if I could not buy Hockey from Canada. 95% of my Hockey purchases come from the great country of Canada. Jusy sayin...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Spartan

I don't know if I'm just a poor loser - ok. I am - or the good pickings are slim. But EVERY single card I've set my sights on lately have been blasted outta the water way beyond VCP prices. I even gotten so bold as to go beyond the norm with my own bids, wayyy beyond. All I can say, if you got something good to sale, go for it. Sniping has become a BOLD game and a profitable side affect for sellers. Still waiting on that to happen to me when I sell I still get amazed and chuckle when two people tangle themselves up hundreds of dollars above typical price. May yield alot of no pay bidders ...... I'm changing from vintage to 1992 donruss. Dare you to outbid me !! In summary, from my vantage point, record sale prices are being set beyond my personal comprehension (checkbook). Nite people !

Welcome to my world. It can be maddening. It may just be bad karma. PS Sometimes you have to wonder if some of those off chart prices are the house against one bidder. Just saying.

[Spartan]

I have random needs and interests.... 1954 eddie mathews johnston cookies.... Upwards of $360 at psa 8...... blew past $275 somewhat early.. I threw in the towel and said 'thank you lord for not letting me get desperate and try to set a $400 snipe'........... if electric bill is not paid, then internet does not work, and I can't bid, and post to Net 54.. I think some high bidders probably do me a favor .... damn them ! Thanks for all the open minded, candid responses to my post guys

[Peter_Spaeth]

if you want to see some low prices for a change, try selling something. It works every time.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

if you want to see some low prices for a change, try selling something. It works every time.

I have found myself on the wrong side of the "we buy junk and sell antiques" scenerio too many times. I just stopped selling ANYTHING. If I get something, it is mine for my version of forever.......

[Spartan]

you too !!! Patiently waiting for that dueling snipe bids that jump your card up $150 or more last second !!! I don't get that fortunate. Apparently you don't either. But, as long as we are ethical, that's the bottom line and we can sleep better with $100 less in our pocket, but pissed :-)

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Spartan

you too !!! Patiently waiting for that dueling snipe bids that jump your card up $150 or more last second !!! I don't get that fortunate. Apparently you don't either. But, as long as we are ethical, that's the bottom line and we can sleep better with $100 less in our pocket, but pissed :-)

I'm not sure what you guys are looking for, but I just kicked off a bunch of pre-war straight auctions, and if last week is a predictor, I should end up selling for at least $1K under my costs. If that's not cheap enough for you, I have no idea what you are looking for....free cards?

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

if you want to see some low prices for a change, try selling something. It works every time.

+1

[Tony Gordon]

I haven't really noticed a buyer frenzy on my auction items. Though sales have generally been good.

As far as selling to Canada, my best customers are Canadian. I haven't had any problems in the 11 years I've been selling cards internationally. Also, after years of handwriting all my shipping envelopes, I've finally gotten with the program and printed my first shipping label to Canada yesterday. It was painless.

The thing that bothers me about international shipping is the fact that eBay now charges an extra fee to have your items available for viewing by U.K. customers. This just nags at me and I won't pay the extra fee when it used to be free.

[irishdenny]

Originally Posted by Spartan

I don't know if I'm just a poor loser - ok. I am - or the good pickings are slim. But EVERY single card I've set my sights on lately have been blasted outta the water way beyond VCP prices. I even gotten so bold as to go beyond the norm with my own bids, wayyy beyond. All I can say, if you got something good to sale, go for it. Sniping has become a BOLD game and a profitable side affect for sellers. Still waiting on that to happen to me when I sell I still get amazed and chuckle when two people tangle themselves up hundreds of dollars above typical price. May yield alot of no pay bidders ...... I'm changing from vintage to 1992 donruss. Dare you to outbid me !! In summary, from my vantage point, record sale prices are being set beyond my personal comprehension (checkbook). Nite people !

Curious?

Can you Give uS an Example of a couple of the cards that You were "blasted outta the water, way beyond VCP prices?"

TIA...

[atx840]

Of the 150+ cards I've purchased in the last year, all from the US, only one went MIA for a few months, the rest have all shown up within two weeks. Yes, Customs is a pain & a few days delay.

A $5 bubble mailer usually covers any card up to $100, if it's a big $$ card I'll usually go FedEx. I certainly appreciate those on here that ship up north

[Bocabirdman]

When I buy cards, I will eyeball the location. If I have a choice, I will opt for a card in the US. Generally, I have had no problems getting cards from Canada. It takes a few extra days though. One day last spring, I won 2 lots. One was from Canada and the other from Germany. The lot from overseas beat the Canadian lot to my door by almost a week, even though both sellers sent them the next day.

[Deertick]

I too block any international sales, due to MANY issues. But I will sell if contact is made prior and terms are agreeable.

My favorite Canadian transaction was from a guy in Saskatchewan. He bought almost everything he (and friends) needed in the US via online. The shipping address he would give was a hardware store in Noonan, ND. Then once a week or so he would drive down and pick up his loot.

[SushiX37]

I won't sell internationally either. WAY too many headaches. It's just worth it. Anyone who has spent any time selling on eBay would agree.

Rich

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by SushiX37

WAY too many headaches. It's just worth it. Anyone who has spent any time selling on eBay would agree.

Rich

Simply untrue.

Cheers,
Blair