Tips for Finding Obscure Cards at eBay

[GregMitch34]

I've become more of a "type" collector of late, getting one example of different types, and I often marvel at the pickups shown here, of varying condition and rarity. I realize people make deals or trades here, but how can one easily search for the more obscure cards at eBay? It's easy to find the more popular issues, one can search by a "t" or "d" number etc. (if you can remember it) but that's not so easy with the more obscure issues--and some of them I've never heard of before seeing them here.

Any tips for eBay searching?

[t206blogcom]

I share your frustration, but I'm not sure others would be willing to share their methods or secret search formulas as then there'd be more people finding and bidding on the items. More competition = higher prices = fewer pickups.

[rdixon1208]

This kind of reminds me of a thread that I saw a while back on a fishing forum where a guy was new to the area and asking for the best spots to fish and baits to use for fishing one of the local lakes at night. The only tips he got were "Watch out for snakes" and "Don't fall out of the boat."

[GregMitch34]

So, "friends" here not really "collegial," huh?

lots of searching

I'll share one of my "secrets"; One of my foci is Central Washington University baseball. Obscure, yes, but everyone from Hunky Shaw to Billy North played for them. I look for past university names including Central Washington Normal School, CW College of Education, CW State College etc. Found more under those headings than any other.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

So, "friends" here not really "collegial," huh?

Collegial but also very competitive. I do tons of searches and help folks a ton....but on searches I think everyone needs to be careful not to fall out of the boat and watch for the snakes.

[Cat]

Originally Posted by rdixon1208

"Watch out for snakes"

That was going to be my advice but you beat me to it.

[Wite3]

Actually, I, like Leon, do a lot of searches and tend to alert people when I come across something they might want. The best method I have found is make it known what you are looking for (people know I like obscure Phillies and t205s) and often people will alert you to something they found. Of course, you have to make friends and participate in the board enough to earn people's respect and trust but, honestly, that is not that hard to do. Good luck!

Joshua

PS The B/S/T is often way better than ebay anyway!

[TUM301]

Hit em where they aint !

[ChiSoxFan]

Originally Posted by Wite3

PS The B/S/T is often way better than ebay anyway!

+1

ChiSoxFan

[christopher.herman]

Originally Posted by Wite3

The best method I have found is make it known what you are looking for (people know I like obscure Phillies and t205s) and often people will alert you to something they found.

Agreed. "Collecting karma" has been very real for me in my dealings here. No better feeling than the unsolicited PM or email from a board member who has a card that he thinks that you'd be interested in.
Good luck,
Christopher.

[Jcfowler6]

Look everywhere but ebay