Day Late and a $ short / Missed the Boat

[e107collector]

I feel I wanted to share some of my experiences, and can't wait to hear some responses from fellow board members on this topic.

How many times have each of us either sold a card that was either flat in value for many years, only to have it skyrocket in price once you got rid of it? Or, happened to pass on purchasing a card at a great price, only to have it become unaffordable?

My experiences:

1. I bought a really nice PSA 4.5 1951 bowman Mantle in a REA auction about 5 years ago. I paid around $3,200 for it. Nice centering and no print lines. A few years ago I decided to re-focus my collection, and try to obtain some more "scarce" issues. The card never moved in value since the time I purchased it, and there was always a ton for sale on ebay, auctions, etc. I sold to card to a fellow board member for around $3,400. Currently, the card in that condition should sell for around $7,200 - oh well.

2. Also, around that time I had a 1984 Star Co. Jordan that I bought in 2006 from Steve Taft for $1,500. It was a SCD 7.5 at the time I bought it, and then it crossed to a BGS 8 - all subs were an 8. I sold it on ebay for $1,750. I couldn't sell this card for anything, but finally someone bought it. Now this same card is around $6,500 - $7,000 or so in a comparable grade.

3. I also wanted to get a Babe Ruth M101-4 rookie, but couldn't afford one when the prices were low, prior to 2008. Now this card is way out of my league.

I'm sure I'm not the only one this has happened to. Feel free to share your stories.

Tony