Observing a Card Buyer at an Antique Shop

[aelefson]

Hi-

I went antique shopping over the weekend and in one shop I noticed a guy looking intently at a monster box filled with cards. I took a glance and the box appeared to be filled with 1987 Topps cards. I watched as he took out his phone and started to lookup the cards. I mentioned something about the lot, and how it might be fun to buy for 10-20.00. It was priced at 99.00. He excitedly showed me a few cards like the McGwire but also included the Griffey senior which was odd. He said that if they graded high the box would be worth buying. I told him there were way too many cards produced during this era, and the chances of getting high grades were very slim.

He kept looking at the cards and kept researching them on his phone. I doubt he bought the box, but given his naivete he might have. I am just amazed at how much time he spent going through these. Unfortunately, I did not find anything at that shop (but in the recent past I have found some Spalding guides and a Ruth midweek pictorial there). I did find a decent group of 70-71 Topps basketball cards at another shop (100+ with some HOFers for 45.00 in decent condition) and a Dwight Evans game issued bat at a different shop. Yesterday, I found two 1952 Coke Tips baseball players (Bauer and Furillo) at a flea market along with a few other baseball related Coke items at a good price.

Part of me is glad that someone like him is actively looking at antique shops for cards as he can waste his time on the newer, common stuff while I look for rarities and older items. I am just amazed at how easy he seemed to think making money off of 1987 Topps cards would be.

Alan