Card Valuations

[Jimmy the Greek]

I apologize for the amateurish questions.

Other than looking up sold listings on eBay to figure out how much a card you own is worth, do you guys use any other tools for valuation when deciding how much you should be asking for when selling a card? Is the Beckett price guide still useful at all? What do you think prospective buyers are looking at when making their offers other than eBay sold listings?

Also, do you guys get concerned with doing traditional auctions on eBay starting at .99? It seems like every time I do that, my card sells for 20% less than every other sale I've seen of the same card. Do you think that's due to not generating enough views? Is consigning to someone like Probstein or PWCC a wise move?

Thank you!

[callou2131]

Beckett which used to be the hobby standard, and is now the hobby joke. A card is only worth what someone will pay for it. That would be actual sales data, and ebay and other auctions are the best way to view that.

[Neal]

Previously recorded sales is really the only way to get a true measure of the market. SMR is decent, if selling a PSA card, and VCP is fantastic when it comes to all graded cards.

The Beckett "Book" is still somewhat useful, but closer to being a joke. Without knowing what you have been selling for 20% less than other sales, perhaps it is the description, title, or start time .... .99 auctions can be extremely effective if started around 10pm EST on a Thursday for 10 days.

I have not consigned to either PWCC or Probstein, but have consigned items to Sterling Sports Auctions in the past with some nice results.

[clydepepper]

While EBAY sales history seems to be the most accepted way, it's flaws are that it will only show completed sales in the last month and if OBO is accepted, it won't show the actual selling price.

If anyone knows a way around these two limitations, please speak up!

[jfkheat]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

While EBAY sales history seems to be the most accepted way, it's flaws are that it will only show completed sales in the last month and if OBO is accepted, it won't show the actual selling price.

If anyone knows a way around these two limitations, please speak up!

You can see the best offer by using the Watch Count site. http://www.watchcount.com/ Just put the item number in and click SHOW ME WHAT'S MOST POPULAR.
James

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Neal

Previously recorded sales is really the only way to get a true measure of the market. SMR is decent, if selling a PSA card, and VCP is fantastic when it comes to all graded cards.....

I agree with Neal regarding his comment on previously recorded sales. I am primarily a set collector and as such, I regularly research the range of prices for various key cards in a set, particularly variations. I look at previous sales using the advanced search option as noted above - but have previously used other sources like Card Target as well. Others on N54 have subscriptions to Vintage Card Prices for older cards & sets. I am unclear on what sets they cover.

Agree also with the comment on using Sterling and some of the other auction houses - depending upon what you are selling. It seems the trend over the last few years to have more of the rare or uncommon items are being sold by auction.