Timeline of Ebay best offer - start to finish...

[Golfcollector]

I had a couple of big additions to my Sam Crawford personal collection this week.

This one appeared out of nowhere. It is not the best of condition. But it is a rare card. I think between PSA and SGC there have only been 3 total graded. This obviously would not grade higher than a 1 or better yet likely just Authentic if I ever decide to send it in.

At first look when I saw this one - all I could thing about was " man that left border is roached...actually it looks like roaches might have nibbled on it."

There are also some pinholes in the card. But....the photo is clean and crisp. No stains, watermarks, nasty creases (although the side damage is nasty enough.)

Then the real internal debate begins...………..

(inner dialogue)

"It's rare"
"It is ROUGH on that border"
"I can actually afford this one, I could never afford a high grade example"
"Man, should I make an offer on it?"
"WTF chomped on the left side?"
"It doesn't look TOO bad"
"I'll call XXXXX see what he would do"

Call XXXXX (collecting buddy) - we often bounce things off one another as I think it is always important to have the voice of reason on some purchases so you don't just totally make an impulse buy.

I Have long discussion with him and decide to make an offer.

Buyer almost immediately responds with a counter offer.

More internal dialogue - - -

"It's really not that bad"
"When the hell am I going to see another one of these"
"I wouldn't pay what a nice one would cost"
"Damn, the w600 Wagner and Cobb on REA are going for a LOT...- hey idiot those are Wagner and Cobb! And the borders looks nice on those cards, not like a bunch of termites had a late night snack like on this Wahoo"
"You know if the seller was just a little less, I would likely have already scooped it up"


I make another offer

Get another counter offer...…

Still a little more than I would like to pay.....

Decide to go to bed and cannot fall asleep... More thoughts ring in my head.....

- Should I get back on the computer?
- What if it is gone in the morning?
- Do I really need it?
- We are not that far apart?
- If it is gone in the morning, well....then..its gone....

I wake up and decide if it's gone I am going to be pissed...

Get out of bed and head straight for the computer.....and bought this.

[IMG][/IMG]

A nice addition to my Crawford Collection.

"Sometimes the time to buy something you never see, is when you see it"

(quote attributed to my collecting buddy, and Mike Wolfe of American Pickers, although I am not sure who I heard it from first. Or maybe my friend stole it from me one of the many times I have told it to him)

Regardless.....Thanks for reading. Stay safe everyone!

[realbigfatdog]

Beautiful. I am truly fascinated by this set (and the prices they realize at auction). Nice get and congrats on the very important add to your PC.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[KaiserCurt]

I don’t know much about Crawford or even the set, but that internal dialogue you wrote was hilarious! Pretty much summed up a lot of thoughts that go through my (and probably most others) mind before a purchase. Great post!

Curt

[jb67]

Great story to go with a great pickup!!! Congrats.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jb67

Great story to go with a great pickup!!! Congrats.

+1 Thanks for sharing.

[brian1961]

Dave, I absolutely love your post. The combo of your innermost reasonings and feelings is something we can all deeply relate to. It may be quite true that a hungry termite or cockroach began working on this gorgeous card, but the pest only got just so far. The heart of the card----Wahoo Sam's portrait, is unmarred (or uneaten!%*!), as well as the important nameplate and producer of the card. Dave, you bought yourself a card with all the heart and soul looking virtually pristine, and while we would all wish for you a graded high-end gem, your bank account will not have vanished.

I think you did extremely well, and since you're a connoisseur of Mr. Crawford, that visage of Sam is telling you, "Look, Dave, I scared those lousy pests away from me; now I'm glad you finally lost sleep enough to buy me for your own to enjoy! One thing's for sure---you won't let any more of those blasted pests get close to me!!!!! Here's looking at you, my fan; I saved this card for you! Put me in a nice spot in your collection of 'ol Sam and have fun remembering me. Those were swell times, buddy!"

Thanks again, Dave, for sharing your journey of joy. --- Brian Powell

[Vintagecatcher]

Congrats on the W600 Dave.

Perfect item to have matted and framed.

Enjoy!

Patrick

[Leon]

Congrats and great read.

[Andrew1975]

I enjoyed reading this, and can definitely relate. Congrats on an awesome card.

[Republicaninmass]

Nice work.


Another way to look at it


Got 80% of the card, for 25% of an sgc 10 price!


I'd say you did the right thing

[hcv123]

I have never regretted what felt like "overpaying" in a moment for a truly rare card - only ever regretted not doing so. Enjoy it - that is a toughie!

[BabyRuth]

Trim the border on the left, right up to the image and submit to PSA. With any luck it'll just get a MC qualifier!!!

Nice pickup - you did the right thing, buy what you like and if you know how tough it is, pull the trigger!!!