BST Section: Has priceless become the norm rather than the exception?

[Fred]

I'm usually a hard pass on most BST items because the prices are a bit "optimistic" from a sellers stand point. I did recently purchase a card that was priced right, but that's the exception rather than the rule. I check it daily because every once in a while, something shows up that I'd like to have (at a reasonable price). But again, not that often any more.

I've made a few trades that started on the BST. The toughest part is having two parties that have a clue about card values and neither needing to feel they have to come out ahead. The way I see it, if I'm on the "under" side of a trade, then it's because it was my choice and I did so because I wanted to add something to my collection that I'd otherwise have to pay for. I like trading, it used to be a fun part of the hobby many years ago.

The BST isn't dead. You just have to be patient and wade through a lot of stuff that is more than optimistically priced.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Fred

I'm usually a hard pass on most BST items because the prices are a bit "optimistic" from a sellers stand point. I did recently purchase a card that was priced right, but that's the exception rather than the rule. I check it daily because every once in a while, something shows up that I'd like to have (at a reasonable price). But again, not that often any more.

I've made a few trades that started on the BST. The toughest part is having two parties that have a clue about card values and neither needing to feel they have to come out ahead. The way I see it, if I'm on the "under" side of a trade, then it's because it was my choice and I did so because I wanted to add something to my collection that I'd otherwise have to pay for. I like trading, it used to be a fun part of the hobby many years ago.

The BST isn't dead. You just have to be patient and wade through a lot of stuff that is more than optimistically priced.

Not at all directed against Fred, but proving my point that people complain when the seller doesn't list a price, and most of the time when they do.

[Snapolit1]

Agree with OP.

No price in most cases means “I’m not looking for a market price transaction ….. I am looking for someone uninformed to overpay me dramatically ….”

I generally skip those. Can’t think of many commercial transactions where someone refuses to name the selling price.

Only exception maybe an ultra rare item with no discernible market.

Just another example of this market where buyers and sellers are often operating from different realities. “I don’t want the 2024 price dammit …. I want the March 2021 price!!”

[rand1com]

Any item I am interested in buying, I know what I will pay so making an offer without an asking price is not an issue.

I have done it a few times on here and bought the item at my offer. Did I pay more than I could have gotten the item for? Maybe. But I got it at the price I was willing to pay.

Same as putting in a ceiling bid in an auction. If I win at my high bid, I got it for a price I was satisfied with. Would I prefer to get it for less, of course?

[eliotdeutsch]

Maybe I’m contrarian too.

But only a buyer looking to “pick someone off” would get so upset about a listing without a price …

[CW]

I just clicked on the first 15 or so "for sale" threads in the most popular BST section (pre-war), and the great majority did have asking prices.

It could just be a case of negativity bias, where the "make an offer" for sale BST threads are not really that common, but when Phil and others come across them it strikes a nerve so they remember it, and they appear more frequent then they actually are.

Just a theory.

It also seems that the majority of the priceless BST threads are for very rare or very big money cards, or a combo of the 2 (such as a T206 Plank), where the comps are infrequent so the seller simply does not want to price it too low and would rather field offers.

[Carter08]

My house, car, and baseball cards are all for sale. Open to offers.

[Eric72]

I tend to skip by items without a price. In my experience, discussions with the seller are typically not productive. They typically go something like this:

Me: I see you're selling [card name] on the BST. How much are you asking for it?

Them: Yeah, it's really nice-looking, isn't it? Strong for the grade.

Me: It looks good to me, too. So, how much did you want for the card?

Them: I don't know. I've been considering selling this for a while. I haven't figured out a price yet. Why don't you make me an offer? The worst I can do is say no.

Me: Well, I'd be interested somewhere around [insert number slightly below what the card is currently selling for on eBay]

Them: blah, blah, blah, can't go that low, blah, blah, blah, this is really strong for the grade, blah, blah, blah, I was thinking more like [overly optimistic price]


Sorry, I've been down this path too many times. For me, it's about time...and not wanting to waste it. If you're offering something for sale, don't forget the part where you include a price. Not everyone enjoys negotiating. Believe it or not, some people find it tedious and decide to simply pass.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I tend to skip by items without a price. In my experience, discussions with the seller are typically not productive. They typically go something like this:

Me: I see you're selling [card name] on the BST. How much are you asking for it?

Them: Yeah, it's really nice-looking, isn't it? Strong for the grade.

Me: It looks good to me, too. So, how much did you want for the card?

Them: I don't know. I've been considering selling this for a while. I haven't figured out a price yet. Why don't you make me an offer? The worst I can do is say no.

Me: Well, I'd be interested somewhere around [insert number slightly below what the card is currently selling for on eBay]

Them: blah, blah, blah, can't go that low, blah, blah, blah, this is really strong for the grade, blah, blah, blah, I was thinking more like [overly optimistic price]


Sorry, I've been down this path too many times. For me, it's about time...and not wanting to waste it. If you're offering something for sale, don't forget the part where you include a price. Not everyone enjoys negotiating. Believe it or not, some people find it tedious and decide to simply pass.

Now that does sound a bit familiar.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not at all directed against Fred, but proving my point that people complain when the seller doesn't list a price, and most of the time when they do.

I look at it my comments about the pricing on the BST as an observation rather than a complaint. The comment wasn't directed to "no pricing". I guess (as usual) I just start blurting/writing stuff that's a little off topic. That shouldn't be a surprise to most people that ignore my posts...

My thought about no pricing is that I simply pass on the item unless it's something I'm interested in. If I'm interested, I'll send a request for pricing. If none is given, then it's just a total pass on the item. That's probably how I should have responded originally.

As to "why" the seller doesn't provide pricing, I can only speculate that they're looking for a buyer that really wants the card and would be willing to pay more than the going price for the card and the seller is afraid to list the card with a price because if someone immediately says "I'll take it", then the may feel they screwed up because they could have received more for the card. Makes you wonder if the seller gets offended if someone makes them an offer they feel is a bit too low.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I don't get upset by such posts, but it has always seemed to me that they are somehow not 100% genuinely interested in selling. If you really want to sell something, wouldn't you put a price on it?

Sure, there's risk that someone will jump on it and you'll feel stupid (as Fred points out) but there's also risk the other way—you alienate potential buyers who won't make an offer for fear of being seen as "too low" and therefore insulting.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

I don't get upset by such posts, but it has always seemed to me that they are somehow not 100% genuinely interested in selling. If you really want to sell something, wouldn't you put a price on it?

Sure, there's risk that someone will jump on it and you'll feel stupid (as Fred points out) but there's also risk the other way—you alienate potential buyers who won't make an offer for fear of being seen as "too low" and therefore insulting.

Are the 90 percent of people who put a ridiculously high price on cards any more serious about selling?

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Are the 90 percent of people who put a ridiculously high price on cards any more serious about selling?

That is a good and fair point. Maybe....slightly, yes? (Especially if they're lugging them around to card shows)

[Bpm0014]

IMO a seller can do what they want, if it doesn't work for you, move on. Don't see why they owe it to anyone to put a price if they prefer to solicit offers.

I totally agree

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Are the 90 percent of people who put a ridiculously high price on cards any more serious about selling?

Which is worse: 1) listening to offers, or 2) $2.567 million?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Which is worse: 1) listening to offers, or 2) $2.567 million?

The reference.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ighlight=stahl

[Leon]

At least it's a starting point. If the asking price is super high you can always offer 50% or whatever....And tell the seller that is what it's worth to you.

There are a few of my friends I deal with where I have gotten close to 50% off, by asking. I think I got close to 50% off of the one below. A friend was selling it on the bay...Ducky had no dental plan.

I would way rather members put prices on their listings but that is their call...

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Are the 90 percent of people who put a ridiculously high price on cards any more serious about selling?

[1952boyntoncollector]

i do think its not courteous if 100 percent of your cards you list are priced so high that nobody buys them as you are taking up space for people who want to sell their cards potentially but its not my website

[Kutcher55]

Facebook has these "DonD" (Deal or no Deal) groups where the specific charter of the group is that people can post things without a price and solicit offers. It is well defined there, so if you don't like it then tough noogies. The DonD format is favorable for the seller of course because they have the potential to get offers higher than what they would be willing to accept for the card, and if the offer doesn't meet their # they can simply "no deal" and keep the card.

I would prefer net54 disallow such a format, but it is not my site. Ultimately, like many, I just avoid such listings, as I avoid dealers who don't post prices at shows. It's a good way of avoiding unnecessary encounters with the lame-asses of the world.