Buy/Sell/Trade check? How's it going over there?

[Bosox Blair]

I have done a bunch of B/S/T deals (mainly buying) and all turned out great.

Since the thread is wide open, I'll share a few anecdotes/observations though:

1. Bought a few cards from a nice gent who uses the B/S/T a fair bit. One of the cards - PSA graded - had a pretty serious crack in the slab in the area of the flip. Enough to make me worry someone *might* have tampered or switched it (and since the card appeared to be in a borderline grade, it worried me). I knew the gent who sold it to me had not done anything funny because I found a scan of the card/holder before he acquired it, and knowing where to look I saw the same crack. The B/S/T user promptly and courteously agreed to the return, and made me whole for the card price and the shipping back. A very stand-up guy. And typical of the excellent people I encounter using the B/S/T.

2. One time when I was selling some cards I got a PM from the "price police", advising me that my prices were too high. I disagreed, but invited him to make an offer. He never made any offer, and I believe he had no intention of buying any of the cards. All the cards sold to other buyers within 18 hours. So here's my stance - don't send anyone a message complaining about their pricing unless you are negotiating/making an offer. Nobody wants to hear from the busybody price police.

3. For the WTB guys, please be in tune with the value of what you WTB. I have sent several messages to WTB advertisers that go like this: "I have the card you are looking for. VCP has last # of sales as $X, $Y and $Z. I'll sell to you for a price in line with those." And then I get the response: "That is way more than I want to pay." So either (a) the WTB guy is not tuned into the going price for the thing he wants, or (b) he is looking to pay considerably less than the going price. Now I appreciate that not everyone has VCP. And I also think it is fine to look for a bargain. But before you WTB posters cause a number of people to take the time to respond to your post for nothing, my view is that you should learn what the market price is for the thing. And then, if you are looking to pay less, say so in some way. I have no problem at all with: "Anyone got a PSA 3 T206 Cobb bat off they would sell for a max price of $500 (actual price to be negotiated after I receive scans)?" Or "WTB ____ card at 90% of recent VCP - any sellers?"

These are just my own ramblings and I'm sure not everyone will agree...just a discussion.

But to bring this back around, I want to reiterate that all my B/S/T transactions have turned out great, and I think it is an excellent resource!

Cheers,
Blair