Mike Baker Authenticated

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Snowman

As I explained above, I controlled for this factor in my model. I am not making an assumption. I tested that hypothesis using robust statistical techniques. I scored the centering of every card on a scale of 1 to 10 and included that data in the model. The model measures the impact of both centering AND the stickers. The results are that BOTH centering AND having a Gold Diamond sticker adds value to the card. Significant value. Silver stickers didn't add much, but the gold stickers did.

I am not a data scientist so I cannot envision how a model can account for or demonstrate that a card with an MBA cert sells for more money than if it did not have the MBA cert without running parallel sales. I did however allude to the fact that I saw MBA certed cards sell for stupid money but the N was very small.

Based on the data though, the market appears to interpret these stickers as "this card is under graded" regardless of whether or not that is his intention.

Yes, anyone can look at the card and determine that it looks nice on their own. No sticker needed. But the same is true for grading in general. Anyone can look at a card in a 3 holder and see that it's in VG condition without needing the slab. Same is true with NM cards. And buyers are fully capable of placing higher value on better conditioned cards without slabs. Just look at Greg Morris's raw card sales on eBay. The raw card market appears to account for condition just fine on its own. Yet, we still have grading companies and the market has made it clear that it values their opinions. More so than just the card's appearance on its own merit. A NM-MT raw card sells for a fraction of what that exact same card sells for if it's sitting inside of a PSA 8 slab. The same is true of MBA Gold Diamond stickers. The market values them. It values them more than just the card itself.You may not like it. You may think those who place value on such things are [insert your favorite insult here], but the fact remains; it still adds value. Value in excess of what nice centering/eye appeal would otherwise add to a card on its own.

The bolded sentences are simply not accurate statements. Check Greg Morris's raw card sales for NM-MT and more times than not the card sells for more than it would in an 8. And stating the market values MBA certs is simply not true. The whole market does value them...you do and a small minority of collectors might.

There it is. Here come the jabs. People who like these Gold Diamond stickers are "insecure" lol.

You carried on in two infomercial missives about the virtues of MBA. In one you wrote

I say they deserve an award, and I plan on giving mine little gold diamond stickers because I like how they look. It's like the trophy shelf of my collection. And they display nicely too. Plus, now I can tell that clown who says, "comps for a PSA 5 are about $5k" to take a hike just that much more easily without having to defend why I'm asking above "comps" if I ever decide to sell.

That sounded pretty insecure to me. Was not an insult it was my observation. I know you want to be the only one who can make observations but too bad.