Falling Prices

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Posted By: Bobby Binder

I am seeing big drops in values straight across the board for all cards. Seems like nothing is immune to this effect except the very rare and super high end items. I think a lot of the bigger buyers are starting to cool off or take more control of their spending habits.

I wonder if the sellers that all list their cards for prices that where 50% above and beyond when the market was hot will lower their prices to adjust to the new market. I have not seen this happen at all.

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Posted By: steve

Jeez, I dunno about falling prices on T206 HOFers nice condition.



Last night I thought I had wrapped up a T206 Matty dk PSA 6 with my earlyish bid just under $1.5k.



Darn thing closed a little over $1.6k - no price drop here.



steve

ps. just for kicks - Two 1978 Reggie Jackson candy bars complete in original wrappers went for 13 bucks, missed bidding, should have. Is candy still any good?

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Posted By: PC

In recent searches on eBay, I still find myself wincing at the Buy It Now prices of the usual suspects (sifting out those overpriced BINs is a universally unpleasant eBay experience that we all share).

But previously, I laughed out loud at least once before wincing. So I think prices are going down, even among the wildly unrealistic, if ever so slightly.

However, just as gas prices falling "too low" is a negative economic indicator, I believe this too is a bad sign.

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Posted By: Bryan Long

That is one thing that I have noticed more and more. People know the prices on cards are dropping a ton so they set buy it now and start prices at want they want instead of letting the auctions go. I rarely even touch those auctions, because most people are still wanting the high prices they used to get - me included
Card prices have dropped significantly though I think.

.

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

"Two 1978 Reggie Jackson candy bars complete in original wrappers went for 13 bucks, missed bidding, should have. Is candy still any good?"

They go great with a couple cans of Billy Beer.

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Posted By: barrysloate

I'm one of the few dinosaurs who starts all my ebay lots at $9.95 with no reserve, and all my catalog lots at a fraction of their retail value. So I have a 100% success rate as far as material selling, but of course I am seeing a wide range of results. Many lots are selling for low prices compared to say a year ago, but I do get my share of good prices too. It's a mixed bag and very unpredictable. I think we are going to see that for awhile.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I haven't noticed low-end N172's dropping off any.

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Posted By: Tony galovich

Prices are down in auctions
But not on Buy it Nows
Those clowns will wait yrs to sell their cards at their obscene asking prices
I bid on over 200 items a week on a variety of collectibles
Winning very few items
Also on my sell items I'm getting lowball offers more now than ever
buyers want to pay 25% of retail or even Less

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Posted By: JimCrandell

Bobby,

I think you are largely correct--still tough commons to complete sets in 8 or better can still be surprisingly high.

I have spoken two 2 very large dealers about their prices and told them they did not reflect reality and that I could place a large order with them if they showed more flexibility on prices. Neither has shown a willingness to--yet.

This is a severe recession that is just beginning to hit main street. Patience buy the buyer will be rewarded.

Jim

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Posted By: steve

I have been looking at some Colgan's Chips offerred on ebay as BIN. The seller has minutely lowered prices. And quite frankly, seem to be ok prices. But I am apprehensive out purchasing them, not sure why.

What do you think of these prices?

Colgan's Wagner PSA 8, $2,089.
Colgan's Cy Young PSA 8, $1,699.

To me, they have some of the best photo's of any prewar issue. But alas, they are round - should that matter - and how much?

steve

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Posted By: John K

I think that there will be plenty of bargains of real nice cards, not the very top of the line. I'm still looking at things but will be looking for bargains. Not the time to be selling. How low will it go? I think that Obama will help a great deal but that it will take a bit of time. After all, Humpty Dumpty has fallen off the wall.

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Posted By: Rob D.

John K,

Kudos to you for deftly working in a political jab in a thread that seemingly was no place for one. The board certainly needs more of that. Great job!

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Considering that the recession has just started to be felt by the average American, we have a long way to go before hitting bottom -- along with card prices. For what it's worth, every damn card I want has maintained its value (until I sell them, of course). I'm not sure that even a major dose of hopenchange will make a difference for a very long time.

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Posted By: Jason

Most lower to mid grade stuff is still as strong as ever. Most of the inflated overpriced high grade stuff seems to be adjusting. I have however seen some lower prices in some lower grade pre war items. I have seen strong prices in post war stuff though on the contrary. I do not know what to think on the near depression which I think we are close to already. I really think eventually most collectors will be pulling what is left out of their portfolios (stock) and investing in material. I think vintage BB cards as well as coins, gold etc. have been a tried and true real tangible investment through even tougher times. Once the market gets close to 4000 , and it is not a matter of if but when, we may see some higher levels investing in these more tangible materials. Just my 2 cents.

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Posted By: leon

"Most lower to mid grade stuff is still as strong as ever."

And what universe, might I ask, are you seeing this? It's not on earth or this Galaxy. I watch pre-war baseball cards probably as much as almost anyone. I can categorically say your statement is not true. Nothing personal at all...That statement is just false. best regards

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Posted By: Jason

Collector grade stuff is looking good in T205's. I saw a few SGC 50 commons go for 30 bucks! That's a nice buy.

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Posted By: Anthony S.

Dagnabbit, Jason. Shhhhhh. I just decided to start the T205 set a few days ago. Nothing to see here people. Move on.

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Posted By: JimCrandell

Not letting a praise Obama comment go unchallenged.

The market is responding to Barack with an enormous vote of no confidence. Tax and regulate and move to socialism--great plan.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Let's not make this political please.

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Posted By: Fred C

Dan,

You're right, lets not turn this into a political thread, but Jim, how can you say the market is responding to a no confidence in Obama. Things were heading this way before he was elected. Yeah, lets do what Dan suggested and not kill the spirit of this thread. It's a good thread.

Personally, I don't care if the card market values drop 75%. I'd like to be able to pick up card board on the cheap. It'd be a nice change to what we've seen in the past 5+ years. Ok, we wont see a huge slide in the really neat stuff but at least circumstances may bring this hobby back to a level when it was fun to make a card purchase. A time where you could still type with two hands because you still had both of them after a card purchase. Oh yeah, if Obama is responsible for the drop in card prices then it's a good thing he got elected!

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Posted By: Rob D.

... but let's not make it political.

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Posted By: Jason

Leon-

If you read thoroughly I do say I have seen some drop in some lower grade material like T206 commons, Goudeys, some Cracker jack commons etc. However, some lower grade material is still doing fine such as tougher issues like T213s, T210s, T214s if you can find them. Also some Exhibits, caramels, and still many HOFers. I agree the majority of the mainstream sets have fallen. Perhaps everything will come down eventually but there still seems to be plenty of buying going on. It will be interesting to see what happens when the market goes down another 80%. I want to be an optimist, but a realist also. I would love to see stuff become more affordable the same as any other collector.


Jason

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Posted By: dstudeba

Please excuse my ignorance, but which market dropped 80%?

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Posted By: Jason

hasn't yet.

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Posted By: dstudeba

I see. Kind of hard for it to drop another 80% when it hasn't dropped the first 80% yet.

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Posted By: Jason

80% was typo.....30% I meant. Actually it has dropped almost 50% at low. I am predicting another 30% off of today's numbers, but who knows? I am no expert.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

But none of it as fast as my retirement accounts or home value

I am picking and choosing what to buy and definitely seeing some nice prices already, especially on postwar cards. Of course most of what I collect is so hard to find that if it shows up I go after it. I suspect many of you are in the same boat. Still, if anyone is panicky and wants to sell me a 1918 Zeenut O'Doul for $100, my email is above.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: JimCrandell

Fred,

I agree--lets not turn it into another political thread but do you really believe that people who invest real money in the stock market support socialism.

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Posted By: leon

Ok....I understand. I agree somewhat. The T213-1's are still hot (and very scarce) but the other T213's not as much....T210's have remained stable....it's kind of hit or miss I guess but a lot of the more mainstream tobacco and caramel has fallen quite a bit. The things I collect....nope, haven't hardly dropped at all. take care now....

PS...lets please not make this thread political....

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

It really only takes a couple of people to affect the market on any given set...have just a handful drop out and the market goes down.

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Posted By: Fred C

Jim,

Please check your email.

To all,

I would like to see prices on card board drop BIG TIME! Wouldn't it be nice to see cards at prices from 5-10 years ago? Oh, whoopty do, the accumulated value of my collection would drop. I didn't buy the cards as an investment or with the thought that they'd increase in value... silly me...

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Posted By: Jason

Well I never really look at collecting as an investment. (It certainly helps justify my expenditures to the wife)

That said, I certainly don't mind seeing that my chosen hobby sees monetary growth either.

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Posted By: Bob

The E94s and E98s in lower and middle grade are holding strong. I agree with the poster as far as these two issues go. I have seen HOFers in the E94 set sell for more in auctions and on ebay than they were selling for a year ago.

Hey Jim C.- Voldemort was a Republican!

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Posted By: boxingcardman

Let them drop like bricks. Then I can afford to buy stuff I have been priced out of over the last decade. Since my event horizon for liquidating my collection is the longest term of all (dirt nap), valuation is merely a device used to convince the wife I'm not crazy in this way too.

And Bobby: WTF is George Bush doing in your avatar?

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: Jimmy

I have seen prices change almost overnight this fall and I do not see it stopping anytime soon. Many of the shows we setup at are on one those declines we had about 3 years ago. Things will come back around soon, but good time to buy and the hobby still seems strong.



Jimmy

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Posted By: Jason

Looks more like Obama than Bush!

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Posted By: Al

I collect 55 Topps (now 13th in the Registry)and dabble in 70s and up Red Sox cards. True, the value of cards appears to have dropped, but I suspect it is an economy issue and has zip to do with Pennsylvania Ave. Sellers IMO are not protecting their sales by either not putting in a Reserve, or not starting the bid at a level commensurate with their expected sale goals. The "high end" collectors in the 55T set have pretty much settled into what they have accomplished and rarely upgrade. The middle tier is keeping things afloat with bids and finding great bargains compared to sales figures of not long ago. The lack perhaps of discretionary income by buyers and the need for cash by sellers has found fewer bidders and lower sales data. Although the few very high end cards will always retain their market value, I suspect time will rejuvenate things and eventually all will be well. I would like to think that collecting any cardboard has absolutely nothing to do with one's viewpoints or lack thereof of who is in the White House. It surely doesn't matter to me, what's done is done. I still search for bargains and will continue to upgrade my set when opportunity presents itself.

GL to all in your collecting goals.
Al

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Posted By: david Poses

while there are definitely bargains to be found, inventory across the board seems low (at least among my wantlist, which is fairly extensive and not all that scarce) unless one is in the market for "collector grade" t206s.

only one card i need has come up lately, and i think i overpaid. (e90 knight- raw- probably sgc 20-30. paid $96.00).

with my luck, the stuff on my list mirrors somebody else's, will show up on ebay and i'll pay a fortune for the e98 hippo vaughn i've wanted since forever ago.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

A lot of collector/dealer types use the year end to consolidate their inventories, generate cash flow (gotta buy the kid the GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip), and dump things at a loss to offset income in advance of tax season. That may be one reason you are seeing many $9.99 auctions with no reserves: as much as 45% of the loss realized on those sales will offset income taxes that would otherwise be owed.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: Tim

I started collecting PSA graded T206's two years ago. I'm currently #26 of 138 on the PSA registry/ 72% complete. Sounds like my timing was not the best. I plan to continue adding to my collection, but will definitely be more selective. The prices do seem to be softening for my level of collecting (PSA5's PSA6's). I guess there's a reason they call it the "monster set"......it really does become all-consuming. The eventual monetary gain is a consideration, but the "chase" is what it's all about, right?