Trading with Dealers at Card Shows?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I've never been a trader.

I have always preferred trading and do it very regularly.

I don't know how you trade without being cognizant of market value (comps).

With a dealer that is important. If you really only care about collecting cards many times actual value doesn't matter. I have made countless trades that one persons items are worth WAY more than the others and still both people are extremely happy with the trade.

If my card just sold for $500 last week, and your card sold last month for $300, why would I trade you a $500 card for a $300 card? Wouldn't it make sense to sell my card for around $500 and try to find the other card for around $300. And pocket the rest?

Maybe but if your card actually sold for $500 how much do you think you will really receive after selling fees. So in many cases a persons time of selling something is worth more than the actual extra cash you will end up saving.

Maybe the comps are stale and unreliable for obscure stuff like Leon references above. Or maybe in thinly sold cards you will do anything to grab something. Or maybe people just want to make a trade for the sake of making a trade because it feels fun. A few people on BST have approached me about trades and it typically goes like this:

My card/photo is for sale for $2000.

Hey would you be interested in any of these?

I look and "these" are worth (based on comps) like $1000.

Nah, not really looking for a trade.

Trades usually only work with those that want/like to trade and we are few and far between. We all know the guy that is always offering stuff for trade. Then when you contact them they want a T206 Wagner and a kidney for their beat up Gregg Jeffries rookie.