How to track down elusive white whales?

[MattyC]

Ok, so with frustration reaching hulk rage-out levels, I'm beginning to hope that I've overlooked some method of locating desired cards. Surely there is a way to find cards we want other than waiting for AH's to open, and then paying those exorbitant 20% premiums. I'd rather put half that cash in the card owner's hand directly.

I've reached out to a couple well-known dealers who've unfortunately been unable to pick up the scent of anything on my want list. I've attended whatever shows I can and asked around there, also to no avail.

It seems there are cards that money just can't buy outside of AH's. Been underbidder three times in a row now. So do you bite the bullet in such instances and pay what you know is over any resale value at an AH just to get the card(s)? Or is there some other avenue one can pursue?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Ok, so with frustration reaching hulk rage-out levels, I'm beginning to hope that I've overlooked some method of locating desired cards. Surely there is a way to find cards we want other than waiting for AH's to open, and then paying those exorbitant 20% premiums. I'd rather put half that cash in the card owner's hand directly.

I've reached out to a couple well-known dealers who've unfortunately been unable to pick up the scent of anything on my want list. I've attended whatever shows I can and asked around there, also to no avail.

It seems there are cards that money just can't buy outside of AH's. Been underbidder three times in a row now. So do you bite the bullet in such instances and pay what you know is over any resale value at an AH just to get the card(s)? Or is there some other avenue one can pursue?

It's a simple formula really. Bid higher. Most of us that have been doing this 10+ yrs know that when you see a really scarce card, and you know it might not come up again for a long time, you buy it. Yes, you overpay a little bit. My collection has hundreds of things I have overpaid for. Is it really overpaying if there is an underbidder right next to your buy price? Pay the money.....or don't get the card.

[MattyC]

Oh I hear ya. Believe me I am not cheap nor am I a bargain hunter. I'm always right there til the end, but there's that one bid at an AH that goes beyond my budget-- and that is the winning bid, lol.

I thus reason if I can connect with an owner directly, I can put equal or even more money in his hand, and stay on budget.

Basically the AH is charging a 19-20% finder's fee.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Oh I hear ya. Believe me I am not cheap nor am I a bargain hunter. I'm always right there til the end, but there's that one bid at an AH that goes beyond my budget-- and that is the winning bid, lol.

I thus reason if I can connect with an owner directly, I can put equal or even more money in his hand, and stay on budget.

Better strategy, to me, is to buy it when you see it. I will bid multiple times what something is worth, depending on what it is, if I have to have it.

[scooter729]

You can always try posting your want list on here with a price you'd pay for the item. Maybe if the offer is attractive enough, the owner will opt for your offer vs. consigning to an auction house. It can't hurt to try!

[MattyC]

Scooter, I am definitely going to stay atop that option. Can't hurt the cause at all.

[Peter_Spaeth]

You arent paying any premium to an AH. It is coming out of the consignor,s net.

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by Leon

It's a simple formula really. Bid higher. Most of us that have been doing this 10+ yrs know that when you see a really scarce card, and you know it might not come up again for a long time, you buy it. Yes, you overpay a little bit. My collection has hundreds of things I have overpaid for. Is it really overpaying if there is an underbidder right next to your buy price? Pay the money.....or don't get the card.

+1

Unfortunately Leon's right. Sometimes you have just bite the bullet and bid over your comfort level if you really want/need the card. Case in point, a little over a year ago, 3 different T206 Broad Leaf 460's came up on eBay, same seller. I 'needed' one, so I bid with strength and won one of them. Today it's certainly worth more than I paid. Just keep that in mind, if it's a rare/desirable card, it'll almost always appreciate in value, if there's strong demand there.

Good luck.

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Been underbidder three times in a row now.

Over what period of time? 1 year? 3 years? 10 years? If it is one year consider yourself lucky that you are going after a card that comes up a lot. Another strategy would be patience. If you are talking about a 10 year span then just bid higher, who cares where it goes, AH or consignor.

[Zone91]

Can you give us a example of say 1 or 2 cards you are ''dying'' to find that way we could have a better opinion? Personally I do not mind overpaying for a card I truly want and have been searching for...for a long time.

As a collector I have learned almost everything comes up for a sale...yes some times it takes years but in that case you have to bid strong.

Or maybe simply your budget DOES NOT fit with the cards you want (maybe the stuff you want is simply outside your league of play...I have a LOT of stuff like that I simply can't afford even if I waited 100 years)...can't want to find a 10 000$ card for 5000$ it just does not happen!!! Personally I am ready to spend up to 10 000$ to 20 000$ on a card I truly want but NOTHING higher than that....NEVER!!! Even if the card was 20 001$ I would simply tell myself it is out of my league and simply move on to other options....and never think about it again as been a possibility...a LOT of us live this way unless you are a millionaire then things are completely different....But I know I will NEVER be a millionaire so I learned to coop with the reality I have in front of me and make my purchases accordingly.

Post # 1

[smotan_02]

Another method is to recruit people to be your eyes. Send me your list and what you are willing to pay and I'll be on the look out for you. I've found that some people are more resourceful and diligent than others when looking for that unique collectible.


PS- Don't be surprised if all the cards come in at exactly what you are willing to pay

[Craig M]

Matt...I can fully understand why you do not post your want list of T206'
s with maybe a few dozen to go. It basically tells us that if you are having difficulty with these certain cards for as long as you have working on your set then these may be cards that should be added to our DIFFICULT list. It may then be wise for us to ramp up the search for these cards; while prices are still within our range.

Personally, I am constantly adding cards to my difficult list as I learn about them.

Adrian...you stated that you will NEVER be a millionaire! How do know that? You should take the word NEVER out of your vocabulary as anything is possible with lots of positive thinking and the correct use of your mind and skills that you have acquired thus far in your life.

Craig

[Zone91]

Craig M

Because I know my salary and expenses. For me to be a millionaire would involve LUCK...and I do not gamble (ex: casino) at all so I would need even more LUCK!!!

I will live a comfortable existence (I am more than happy to have) but not a life of a millionaire you have to be honest with yourself in life at a certain point.

Post # 2

[ullmandds]

being a millionaire aint what it used to be!!!!!!! I guess in canada it's not so critical with subsidized health care, etc...but I'd be pretty disappointed if I don't retire a millionaire someday!!!!! I still won't be throwing major bucks at bb cards...unless I win the powerball!

[thehoodedcoder]

Originally Posted by Zone91

Craig M

Because I know my salary and expenses. For me to be a millionaire would involve LUCK...and I do not gamble (ex: casino) at all so I would need even more LUCK!!!

I will live a comfortable existence (I am more than happy to have) but not a life of a millionaire you have to be honest with yourself in life at a certain point.

Post # 2

you never know. you could get hit by a rich persons car or bit by a wealthy owner's dog and back into a lump sum.

kevin

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by MattyC

...if I can connect with an owner directly, I can put equal or even more money in his hand, and stay on budget.

Matt- I reach out to people all the time to purchase things directly from them, but more times than not, they want to consign to AH's instead of dealing direct, because otherwise they feel like they are "leaving money on the table." i've been told that a ton of times.