What Part Does the SMR Play in Your Purchasing?

[Bosox Blair]

Since the question is raised on another thread, I thought a poll might be in order.

So what part (if any) does the SMR play in your purchasing/bidding behaviour?

[kmac32]

None

[asoriano]

Not at all.

[Jantz]

Zero



Jantz

[freakhappy]

I actually use it for a reference sometimes. But most of the time, I just look at past sales and don't bother with the SMR since it doesn't really reflect past sales.

I did use it just the other day to see the price of a Bazooka Mantle...it did help quite a bit b/c I had no idea of the price range. It was slabbed a PSA 5 and the seller had it listed at $300 and the SMR was $200, so I knew it was around that range somewhere, so it gave me a general idea. I don't take the SMR too seriously though.

[Piratedogcardshows]

It doesnt play any part in my decisions either.

[rdixon1208]

What is this SMR you speak of?

[HRBAKER]

Nada bit

[chaddurbin]

Originally Posted by Bosox Blair

So what part (if any) does the SMR play in your purchasing/bidding behaviour?

as a placeholder for my cup of tea when i put it down to make a bid on ebay.

[Publius]

Less than zero, as anyone quoting smr value I immediately think has no idea what they are doing.

[Wite3]

Never has, never will.

[wonkaticket]

None.

[old-baseball]

Absolutely NONE

[Runscott]

zippo.

[leaflover]

I use it quite often. When I put my duplicates up using the "auction format" on Ebay, I start them at 50 percent of SMR values.

[Gradedcardman]

Nada

[Sixtofan]

None. I am always surprised how much SMR conversation there is, given its irrelevance to the vintage collector

[Texxxx]

It makes a really good fly swatter when a fly lands on my cards.

[Bosox Blair]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses - I actually didnt realize this thread was up! I tried to create a poll for the first time and it didn't seem to work, so I thought the thread wasn't posted...LOL .

But I'm glad people are responding anyway!

Cheers,
Blair

[Tim Kindler]

None!

I get SMR once a year! I use it for reading while I'm standing in line to get in at the National from 9:30- 10:00 on Saturday morning each year after I get my free copy.

[FrankWakefield]

If my distracted counting is correct, there are 14 zero/nada/none's up there.

+14

[rp12367]

None +15

[JasonL]

and I throw away the magazine as soon as I see that one of my favorite players isn't featured within, and that usually takes 10 seconds to accomplish. The only reason it doesn't take 5 seconds is that the table of contents is so darn diffucult to locate!

[Danny Smith]

Totally worthless

[freakhappy]

I guess PSA didn't get the memo when people stopped using Beckett monthly as a guide...

[sox1903wschamp]

Zero/Zilch/Nada. We actually have an SMR acronym for a Merchandising program for the company I work for and I just roll my eyes every time it is referenced because it reminds me negatively of my hobby

[Fred]

Is the SMR that Pretty Stupid Assesment tool that some people use to try and figure out what their card board is worth? To me a card that you collect is worth what you're willing to pay for it.

[YankeeCollector]

Useless and antiquated

[vintagetoppsguy]

Ok, now I am really confused. Nearly everyone claims that SMR has no relevance on their purchasing decision. At the same time, nearly everyone claims that SMR pricing is flawed.

One would have to surmise that if you’re not using SMR as a point of reference in your purchasing decision, then there is no reason to look at the pricing data. If no one is looking at the pricing data, how does everyone know it’s flawed?

I think some people aren’t telling the truth.

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Ok, now I am really confused. Nearly everyone claims that SMR has no relevance on their purchasing decision. At the same time, nearly everyone claims that SMR pricing is flawed.

One would have to surmise that if you’re not using SMR as a point of reference in your purchasing decision, then there is no reason to look at the pricing data. If no one is looking at the pricing data, how does everyone know it’s flawed?

I think some people aren’t telling the truth.

You know it's flawed because the people that quote SMR when selling a card are always WAYYYYYYY off base. So, if they are indeed quoting the price from SMR, then even if you haven't read SMR, you know it is CACA.

[brianp-beme]

I truly have never seen SMR and only vaguely know what it is about...ignorance can be bliss, especially as a low condition collector!

Brian

[HRBAKER]

David,

The SMR has been around for years. Many of the people who said "nada" bearing out somewhat what I mentioned in the other thread probably did at some point take a look at the SMR's pricing data, realized it was laughable and have since moved on. Couple that with the fact that they used to (and may still) list prices for cards in grades that had a "zero pop" (to use the vernacular) and that the whole thing was published by a company with a very real interest in the stated values - why would anyone give it a second thought as a buyer.

[DixieBaseball]

What's SMR ? No, seriously.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by NashvilleBaseball

What's SMR ? No, seriously.

Sportscard Market Report - a price guide/periodical published by PSA

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Ok, now I am really confused. Nearly everyone claims that SMR has no relevance on their purchasing decision. At the same time, nearly everyone claims that SMR pricing is flawed.

One would have to surmise that if you’re not using SMR as a point of reference in your purchasing decision, then there is no reason to look at the pricing data. If no one is looking at the pricing data, how does everyone know it’s flawed?

I think some people aren’t telling the truth.

Honestly this thread is pretty pointless...we are relying on people telling the truth about following a guide that some/most people have bashed quite a bit before this thread was created. I believe most people wouldn't admit it if they actually did, but if you count the people in this thread that said no, it's under 1% of the people that participate in discussions.

There's no doubt I use the SMR, but I know where it stands when it comes to realized prices. It seems like most of the people here use the VCP for their reference, so why would they use SMR?

Make a poll about this question and then you will probably see a more realistic number.

[barrysloate]

Do the fine folks at PSA read this board? What might their reaction be when they see these responses from a cross section of vintage collectors?

[ScottFandango]

It can actually be useful In determining where a seller may have placed a reserve...many big time Psa sellers use this as a guide,they think their cards should not sell below the SMr. Therefore I have successfully navigated best offers and reserve auctions by using this "secret" number that's usually not a secret.

I think all tools should be used, however useless they may seem at face value

[bbcard1]

I don't really use any price guide any more. The issues I am collecting is widely traded and as a rule I can figure it out. I do take my free issue at the national.

[bcbgcbrcb]

None for me but I can see it as a useful tool for registry collectors though.

[HRBAKER]

David/Mike,

There's a difference between saying you think people aren't telling the truth and the fact that regular users of the SMR may choose to not post in the thread. I am telling the truth.
Like I said in the other thread it may be the case vast numbers/majority of vintage collectors use it (for pricing), that's not my impression though.

[gnaz01]

I show it to my wife when I buy a card and tell her what a deal I just got

[irishdenny]

None... I'm with Dennis Purdy on this one!

[bobbyw8469]

VCP is a good tool, but it misses alot of sales. It also doesn't take into account different variances within the same grade (ie - butt ugly card vs beautifully centered, undergraded specimens).

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

VCP is a good tool, but it misses alot of sales. It also doesn't take into account different variances within the same grade (ie - butt ugly card vs beautifully centered, undergraded specimens).

It takes into account the variances by showing you a scan of the card. Then you can judge for yourself. I much prefer this method to someone else telling me what VG-EX means.

[BobbyVCP]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

VCP is a good tool, but it misses alot of sales. It also doesn't take into account different variances within the same grade (ie - butt ugly card vs beautifully centered, undergraded specimens).

WOW this is the first time I have had something like this thrown at me. So you want us to rank each of the graded cards as well? Like it was said I think giving the GOLD members at least the scan of the card that sold should suffice then they have all the ammunition to make a decent value.

[tbob]

Absolutely none.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by BobbyVCP

So you want us to rank each of the graded cards as well?

Bobby,

I don't think that's the way BobbyW meant it. When he said, "It (VCP) also doesn't take into account different variances within the same grade," I think he meant cards with qualifiers. At least that's the way I understood it.

In other words, a card with a qualifier is almost always going to sell for less money than a card without a qualifier. When you group cards with qualifiers with cards without qualifiers, it lowers the VCP average.

For example, look at this 1965 Yaz card.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-TOPPS-3...item4ab31b9b07

It sold for roughly 10% of VCP average ($378.69) of a regular PSA 9. Having that card with the qualifier grouped with the rest of the PSA 9s brings down the VCP average, does it not?.

Anyway, I think that's what BobbyW was referring to, but he can correct me if I am wrong. I don't think he was asking you to "rank each card." However, omitting cards with qualifiers (or listing them separately) would give a more accurate average price for a card.

[bh3443]

Hi,
I've been following this thread, and thought some of you might like to see the court document from the Mark Lewis, Card Price Up-Date) vs Denny Eckes/Jim Beckett.
I found it interesting. I'd love to hear from those interested in reading it. Here's the link, enjoy!
http://openjurist.org/736/f2d/859/ec...-prices-update

Regards,
Bill Hedin

[BobbyVCP]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Bobby,

I don't think that's the way BobbyW meant it. When he said, "It (VCP) also doesn't take into account different variances within the same grade," I think he meant cards with qualifiers. At least that's the way I understood it.

In other words, a card with a qualifier is almost always going to sell for less money than a card without a qualifier. When you group cards with qualifiers with cards without qualifiers, it lowers the VCP average.

For example, look at this 1965 Yaz card.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-TOPPS-3...item4ab31b9b07

It sold for roughly 10% of VCP average ($378.69) of a regular PSA 9. Having that card with the qualifier grouped with the rest of the PSA 9s brings down the VCP average, does it not?.

Anyway, I think that's what BobbyW was referring to, but he can correct me if I am wrong. I don't think he was asking you to "rank each card." However, omitting cards with qualifiers (or listing them separately) would give a more accurate average price for a card.

We have a separate section for cards with qualifiers called PSA-Q and if you look on the grid page with all the graders on it, there it is at the very bottom. We do know that cards with qualifiers are about 2 grades lower then ones with out. This is why we do not group them with the ones with out.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by BobbyVCP

We have a separate section for cards with qualifiers called PSA-Q and if you look on the grid page with all the graders on it, there it is at the very bottom. We do know that cards with qualifiers are about 2 grades lower then ones with out. This is why we do not group them with the ones with out.

Bobby,

Am I looking at this wrong? I see the 1965 Yaz PSA 9 O/C listed with the other PSA 9s when I do a VCP search. It's the first card listed with a sale date of 1/23/12 for $36.00.