Buying A Sizable Collection

[mintacular]

I am driving out to take a look at a pretty valuable collection tomorrow from a stranger and was wondering from the more experienced members on the board how to handle the issue of "So, what is your reason for buying these cards?" if it comes up. (I will be making this purchase for resale purposes). Just be straightforward?: "I am a seller on eBay..." Somehow I think that might turn off the opposing party compared to the notion that I am filling voids in my personal collection, etc. Thanks!

[Jay Wolt]

As long as the seller is happy w/ the price
He shouldn't care if you keep it or sell it.

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

As long as the seller is happy w/ the price
He shouldn't care if you keep it or sell it.

Ditto what Jay said!!!

[FrankWakefield]

If you're wanting to "handle" the situation, figure out what's going on in the guy's head. If he has collected stuff over a lifetime, is a student of the game, then you need to be a respectful student of the game yourself... how fortunate you are that he's blazed a trail for you, what a great opportunity for you to march forward from where he has reached... maybe selling a few of his things, and a few of yours, where there is overlap, so you can get even more. I don't care for the idea of him being "handled", but I was just answering your question.

If the seller focuses on things in a more monetary way, then grasp upon that...

And I agree, a 'right price' will sooth things.

[mintacular]

He says he is in no hurry to sell but if the price is right I think he will. I am already slightly concerned that his understanding of how book prices work may be skewed. He also stated that the newer of the old stuff was near-mint, which I find hard to believe. But back to my point, I find it hard to believe that human nature isn't to recoil/jack the price up if you realize the buyer will be reselling your collectibles for a profit.

[JasonL]

It is probably safe to assume that he cares what happens to them, and that question alone should be your cue that a sentimental or thoughtful answer might be appropriate.

Or you could always come back with some simple ones, like:
"I want them."
or
"I like baseball cards"
or my personal favorite:
"I have nothing better to do with my money"

Good luck with the deal !

[tothrk]

Take his mind off of the cards. Upon exchanging pleasant greetings, immediately stuff him in the trunk of your car and drive around for 3 or 4 hours. He'll be glad to see you and his cards leave without asking you any questions.

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

If the guy told you he had cards that are "Near-Mint" I think you are in for a tough road. As you stated, "You were worried about book price". If he knows about "near Mint" there is a very good chance he knows of book value and those people tend think they are the "Bible"

Good Luck,

Lee

P. S. To some people the new old stuff is 80's cards, they are 20+ years old.

[mintacular]

We'll see, guess I might have to educate him on book $ in a non-patronizing way, if need be. "New old stuff" was my descriptor (late 50s, early 60s)

Do what I do and be honest about your intentions. If I buy a large collection I always tell the seller about my plans. I always go through the collection and take out the better cards for upgrades or ones I like or don't have. From there I slowly sell off the rest to be able to afford building the rest of my collection. The closer is ask them if there is any cards that they would want to see in 10 yrs. I have about 20-30 cards I have kept with me because the seller has personal ties and did not want them to be pawned off for money. This is what sold the deal for me. About 3 yrs ago I bought some in Deleware and the guy contacted me back in June to get pics to show his Step-son what he had collected as a kid. Still had the 5 cards. He was estactic that I kept my word.

The book pricing deal is fairly easy to overcome. You have to make money the same way he does and cards "Are only worth what people are willing to pay for them." Maybe a laptop and some VCP will cure the "book value is what I want bug." You would be supprised at what I have bought using a laptop and VCP as a guide.

I do hope this helps you in some way. Best of luck and post those pics when you get the deal closed.

[effe]

I assume you're buying the collection raw. Perhaps you could bring along some graded card examples to help as basis for comparison.

[Oldtix]

Totally agree with full disclosure. One of the best finds I ever made came as a result of one of these situations. A person like you've described recommended me to their friends after I had been square with them, and that turned out to where the real goodies were.

What goes around comes around. Good luck!

[insidethewrapper]

If you think he may overestimate the condition of his cards I always put in my briefcase some graded cards from 1-10. If you have some, take them out to compare to the ones he has overestimated. Just a stain or so on the back brings them down to 1-2 grade range. Everyone thinks there cards are mint-near mint until I show them a graded 8+, then they realize they have a 3-5 range card.

[mintacular]

...for the advice. I was thinking this morning that in reality a decent chunk of the cards may end in my personal collection as an upgrade or new addition. And some of them will be traded for inventory that I desire more. In short, I will not be "flipping" these per se.

As per the graded card example, I will keep that in consideration; a good thought there.

[bbcemporium]

Mintacular,
If you walk in the house and the beckett price guide is on the table, your chances of closing the deal are slim to none. Make him a fair offer, and if he has already received other offers, you may be able to close the deal. If you are the first person who has made an offer, regardless if the offer is fair or not, chances are he is going to be disappointed and want to shop it around. Just my experience.

[mintacular]

I can't control what he thinks is "fair"--just need to organize my ducks in a row, make a reasonable offer w/a defense of that $ figure, and explain how Beckett prices "work" if need be. Chances are my offer won't be too much lower than any other (informed) buyer, so if he rejects it now, I could very well get a call at a later date after he receives other "low" offers.

[bbcemporium]

Sounds like you have the right idea. good luck

[drc]

If asked, say you're a "collector/dealer." You can add that you've collected and been interested in cards for years (if it's true). Most collectors do some selling and trading, so there's nothing un-kosher in selling.

If you don't agree on the entire collection, maybe you can buy some individual pieces.

[pwilk17]

The Truth Will Set You Free!

[Potomac Yank]

It's come to this .....

Brain pick the best way procure a score ...

Hey man, at least you're being straight forward.

[mintacular]

Well I met the gentlemen, very nice guy. But the Beckett was all marked up and the asking price was WAY too high. I might make an offer on part of the collection but he seems content to dangle the cards around for a few weeks until he gets a huge offer (which probably won't come).

I guess that's his choice but my $/interest will be elsewhere by then. Oh well, ultimately they're his cards and he can do what he wants with them I guess.

[carrigansghost]

Well what was the vintage of the collection?

Rawn

[mintacular]

Sorry I throw that word "vintage" around to herky-jerky; vintage to me is anything 50s 60s. He had no pre-war stuff, you know?

[carrigansghost]

Kool thanks.

Rawn