Cards = Investments

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Fred

I just saw a post on page 3 I'd like to comment on.

This should be 2/3 of the way down page one. If you go to your User Control Panel (CP) you can change the number of threads on one page, to 80, instead of the default, which is 10-20. Just a friendly suggestion so you don't have to scroll down so many pages, it's all on one page.

Oh, and back to subject... Buy low, sell high.

[Fred]

Thanks Leon... I probably should have just said post #21. Aint nuthin like bein a computer illiterate... but hey, I know how to enter a bid on ebay and my momma still loves me (I think)!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Fred

.. but hey, I know how to enter a bid on ebay and my momma still loves me (I think)!

and that's all that really counts!!

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Leon

Oh, and back to subject... Buy low, sell high.

Not sure about that advice. Last time I did that the dog and car were gone and there was case of Doritos in the kitchen.

[Smanzari]

I think they are definitely investments, but definitely long-term ones. I actually wrote a fairly long paper on it while getting my Masters in Finance (which my professor loved). I will see if I can find it on my old computer later this evening....

[Touch'EmAll]

One would like to think cards are investments. Everyone is willing to talk about the good buys/sells. But not as often do you hear the not good buys/sells.

Last year I took losses on two cards purchased a while back. I sold a 1935 Diamond Stars Jimmy Foxx PSA 8 - through ebay for a loss. And I sold a T206 Cobb Green PSA 5 for a loss - through Robert Edward auction.

These cards are "supposed" to be higher end vintage quality HOF'ers in semi-high demand, just like cards folks here recommend for investments. Still chalked up the losses nonethless.

And yes, I have had a few positive transactions as well.

Just food for thought,

Steve

[ullmandds]

Most of my collection I have owned for decades...and these have turned out to be excellent investments over the years...but the fact is they were never purchased as investments...just cards because I love them! In more recent years I have bought and sold a few cards here and there and made a little money in most cases...lost some in some cases. It used to be a lot easier to buy lots from auction houses and sell some of them and recoup all of your initial investment...and then keep the rest.

Those that can successfully "invest" in vintage cards have a lot of knowledge...and do a lot of leg work to find these deals. The avg joe will not be successful at this.

[mawitzi]

I do not believe that buying baseball cards is a smart investment. They do not pay interest or dividends. They increase in price only if the market for them gets bigger. If the collector base for cards does not grow you will not see prices increase.

Before investing in cards you need to be sure that the number of people that will want them in future will grow. So, are you sure of this?

I collect because I enjoy it. I hope my cards hold their value, but I don't really know what will happen in the future. I also hope prices don't increase too much, as this would price me out of my hobby.

[pcoz]

[QUOTE=mawitzi;1080178]I do not believe that buying baseball cards is a smart investment. They do not pay interest or dividends. They increase in price only if the market for them gets bigger. If the collector base for cards does not grow you will not see prices increase.

There are many investments that don't pay you back interest or dividends, ie...art, sportscards, commodities, growth stocks for that matter. If you look at the prices of "most" prewar cards the past 10+ yrs, they've appreciated significantly. Even "E" cards, which have recently been soft, have exponentially grown. As for the collector base...none of us were around 100 yrs ago, so I'm not concerned with a solid base in the future if I needed to sell my cards, as I'm sure others will come into the hobby of the sport we all love. If you're concerned with this aspect, then collect the high-end rare pieces that you know collectors will gravitate to anytime. We all are in the hobby because we love the cardboard. But, anyone that says they can spend 5-10k for a card and not care what its resale value down the road isn't being honest. No one wants to see their investment not be worth at least what they put into it if not more over time. Most great cards have been excellent investments as well as enjoyment for those who own them IMO.