Deans Again

[Yoda]

Hear ye, hear ye, much to my amazement Deans is having a sale with discounts up to 20%. Seems to apply to his entire inventory. First major move like this on his part I have ever seen. His 149 Goudey Ruth might move into the affordable area for some folks.

[oldjudge]

I have dealt with Dean in the past and it was an easy and pleasant experience. I’m not sure why people constantly complain about him; his cards—he can charge what he likes. No one is putting a gun to buyer’s heads forcing them to pay his prices.

[ALR-bishop]

Admit it Jay, if there was never another thread about the pricing by Dean, 707 and Yepdog, you would miss them

[Peter_Spaeth]

From other threads, it seems putting a price on something is THE most important thing on earth, so if Dean does that, no complaining.

[ALR-bishop]

We see what you did there Just being contrary

[CW]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

We see what you did there Just being contrary

And wrong again. Don't forget the wrong part.

[Shankweather]

Dean be like

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Admit it Jay, if there was never another thread about the pricing by Dean, 707 and Yepdog, you would miss them

Hi Al! I don’t know who Yepdog is, but I like Levi and the guys at 707. If we eliminated every thread where people are bitching about something the board would probably have to close down.

[tjisonline]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

…the pricing by Dean, 707 and Yepdog

Unfortunately, these 3 sellers are usually 3 of 5 who have unusual cards on my ol’ target list. While their customer service might be top notch (which is expected w/ many established vintage dealers / resellers anyway), I usually skip over their listings on eBay & elsewhere. I do happily engage w/ them in-person though.

They each must be doing something right as they continue to operate (or are extremely lucky w/ sales & margins). Can be a # of reasons.

Great listings, service, & collections but they aren’t for me. I rather give 100% of my orders to folks like monster cards, net54 collectors, & FB / IG folks who can be trusted.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I have dealt with Dean in the past and it was an easy and pleasant experience. I’m not sure why people constantly complain about him; his cards—he can charge what he likes. No one is putting a gun to buyer’s heads forcing them to pay his prices.

Jay, I wasn't complaining about Dean, only that he sent me an email announcing his new discounted prices.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I have dealt with Dean in the past and it was an easy and pleasant experience. I’m not sure why people constantly complain about him; his cards—he can charge what he likes. No one is putting a gun to buyer’s heads forcing them to pay his prices.

I am not sure if I ever related this here in the past. If I have and you remember, mea culpa.

When I was getting back into collecting in 2010, I thought about building a 1978 Topps set, which was the primary set I had as a kid. The first place I landed while searching for where to buy cards was Dean's. Looking at his prices and adding up how much a set would actually cost to build, I almost quit the hobby before I started. Thankfully, I went to an in-person show and found several great sellers who sold cards at reasonable prices.

Dean is free to charge whatever he wants for his cards, and y'all are welcome to spend your money however you see fit. But, don't ever assume your experience is typical for the hobby.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

When I was getting back into collecting in 2010, I thought about building a 1978 Topps set, which was the primary set I had as a kid.

I think the people recommending giving Dean's a second shot are those talking about a higher caliber of card, where Dean's is at least a little more competitive.

I just wish that I had bit the bullet (and even used a credit card if needed) and plunked down the $12K they had listed some 1952 Topps Mantles in VG condition on COMC. That's probably my biggest dissapointment in the 10 years I've been back in the hobby.

[carlsonjok]

Originally Posted by swarmee

I think the people recommending giving Dean's a second shot are those talking about a higher caliber of card, where Dean's is at least a little more competitive.

That may be so and it doesn't disprove my point that Deans is mostly inaccessible to some significant portion of collectors. Again, if he choses to sit on his inventory and only cater those who can afford his prices, that's fine. But don't discount that there may have been many would-be collectors who's experience was similar to mine and were scared right out of collecting because of Dean's prices.

I mean, compare:

1978_GM_7.jpg

and contrast:

1978_DC_7.jpg

I didn't hunt around for this example. This is the only card I looked at. Greg Morris is, IMO, the best online seller in the hobby and not surprisingly commands premium prices. I am sorry, but I don't care how good Dean's customer service is, it ain't worth 10 times what is already at the top end of the market.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

I am sorry, but I don't care how good Dean's customer service is, it ain't worth 10 times what is already at the top end of the market.

You got that right!!! It's quite sad, but he enjoys a small cult following on Net54...

30. Dean-noser (also Dreckonomist)
A person who, in the face of all common sense, always feels compelled to praise the well-known and heavily discussed eBay rip-off artists who laughably try to sell their cards for ten times as much as everyone else.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

That may be so and it doesn't disprove my point that Deans is mostly inaccessible to some significant portion of collectors. Again, if he choses to sit on his inventory and only cater those who can afford his prices, that's fine. But don't discount that there may have been many would-be collectors who's experience was similar to mine and were scared right out of collecting because of Dean's prices.

I mean, compare:

Attachment 636035

and contrast:

Attachment 636036

I didn't hunt around for this example. This is the only card I looked at. Greg Morris is, IMO, the best online seller in the hobby and not surprisingly commands premium prices. I am sorry, but I don't care how good Dean's customer service is, it ain't worth 10 times what is already at the top end of the market.

There are precisely zero people who would have been collectors but who got scared out of the hobby because of Dean's prices.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

Dean is free to charge whatever he wants for his cards, and y'all are welcome to spend your money however you see fit.

I agree. Dean is free to charge whatever he pleases (or actually whatever he can get). But by the same token we here are also free to sneer at his prices. Freedom of choice (including freedom of speech) is always my bottom line.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

I have dealt with Dean in the past and it was an easy and pleasant experience. I’m not sure why people constantly complain about him; his cards—he can charge what he likes. No one is putting a gun to buyer’s heads forcing them to pay his prices.

Agree. I have purchased from him several times in the past and have had no issues. He has quite a loyal following and I trust him. He even took time out of his vacation to email me at 8 PM, a long response to one of my questions submitted through his website about a certain variation.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Hi Al! I don’t know who Yepdog is, but I like Levi and the guys at 707. If we eliminated every thread where people are bitching about something the board would probably have to close down.

Yepbg. The key seems to be this: add cards that you want from his inventory to your eBay watchlist, and wait for a discount. Then, you can purchase at only moderately above market value.

[Rich Klein]

Something to remember

Dean's and Levi *I don't know Yepdog as well as those two* usually put prices on items and grade accurately and ship prompt. I mean, you know what you are getting on every level so stop moaning.

Seriously wouldn't you rather pay 10 percent more and get the item you want with an almost perfect chance of getting the item prompty and well shipped than taking a chance

Rich

[ALR-bishop]

Levi sends me cards for review before payment. I correspond some with Deans about variants they don’t know about. Yepdog always has odd ball/scarce and variant Topps stuff

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Levi sends me cards for review before payment. I correspond some with Deans about variants they don’t know about. Yepdog always has odd ball/scarce and variant Topps stuff

I am not at the level of Levi sending me cards before I pay. I have only made one decent sized purchase from him. He personally went out of his way to give me some of the best customer service I have ever had in the hobby.

I have only made a few purchases from Deans. I have bought some T210s from him. At that time I was way more than happy with the prices I paid.

I have nothing but great things to say about both.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Something to remember

Dean's and Levi *I don't know Yepdog as well as those two* usually put prices on items and grade accurately and ship prompt. I mean, you know what you are getting on every level so stop moaning.

Seriously wouldn't you rather pay 10 percent more and get the item you want with an almost perfect chance of getting the item prompty and well shipped than taking a chance

Rich

No, I expect that from any seller. I like Levi a lot and always chat with him at the National. But, I don't think I will pay more for a card because of the dealer.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Something to remember

Dean's and Levi *I don't know Yepdog as well as those two* usually put prices on items and grade accurately and ship prompt. I mean, you know what you are getting on every level so stop moaning.

Seriously wouldn't you rather pay 10 percent more and get the item you want with an almost perfect chance of getting the item prompty and well shipped than taking a chance

Rich

I never dealt with Dean, but Levi always paid very well to get the cards he wanted. I have no problem with him making a profit. Or anyone else.

[Flintboy]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Something to remember

Dean's and Levi *I don't know Yepdog as well as those two* usually put prices on items and grade accurately and ship prompt. I mean, you know what you are getting on every level so stop moaning.

Seriously wouldn't you rather pay 10 percent more and get the item you want with an almost perfect chance of getting the item prompty and well shipped than taking a chance

Rich

I think that’s called running a good business. I shouldn’t have to pay more for that. It’s a pretty sad commentary when people come on here and defend Deans. Yes they can charge whatever they want, but to defend the absurdity of that pricing is odd.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Flintboy

I think that’s called running a good business. I shouldn’t have to pay more for that. It’s a pretty sad commentary when people come on here and defend Deans. Yes they can charge whatever they want, but to defend the absurdity of that pricing is odd.

Not any worse than those that post that every card they have is overpriced. The T210s I purchased from them was cheaper than any other place I could find them. Do they price cards higher than most, sure but at least they post a price and decent pictures. Buying their overpriced cards is as silly as putting a cheap set together one or a few cards at a time. I honestly don't get all the hate.

[Flintboy]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/27666052533...mis&media=COPY



79 NM set for $2,360…..Anyone care to come on here and defend that nonsense?

[FromVAtoLA]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Not any worse than those that post that every card they have is overpriced. The T210s I purchased from them was cheaper than any other place I could find them. Do they price cards higher than most, sure but at least they post a price and decent pictures. Buying their overpriced cards is as silly as putting a cheap set together one or a few cards at a time. I honestly don't get all the hate.

I just bought a half dozen T210s and T209-2's from Deans too. I was going to buy five but buying one more card gave me the next level of their volume discounting and made the overall deal better. I just won a t209-2 on ebay a couple of hours ago and paid more for that card then I did for the ones I bought from Deans.

[Cozumeleno]

I've almost been waiting for a thread on Dean's since many of their prices have really come down over the past few months. I've actually bought a few cards from them over that time that I considered to be very good deals.

I'm not sure what compelled them to give away this B.E. Thompson Contentnea card for $245 but, presumably, they didn't know what they had.

I have no idea if it's a temporary thing and, yes, the prices are still high on a lot of things. But some of their prices have been flat out reasonable lately.

[The Nasty Nati]

I'm pretty sure Dean's prices are the same. He just temporarily bumped the prices and then lowered them by 20% to seem like there is a discount. I know because I was tracking a few.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by The Nasty Nati

I'm pretty sure Dean's prices are the same. He just temporarily bumped the prices and then lowered them by 20% to seem like there is a discount. I know because I was tracking a few.

+1
You can always get 20% off by going direct to the website and spending 1000-1500 bucks, I think that's the limit.
Unfortunately he has to charge sales tax now or one could save an additional 10% if you're from a high tax state.