How to track down elusive white whales?

[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.