Considering selling everything - Final Update/Tally

[DHogan]

Time heals all wounds. Some leave scars. It sounds like you have a great wife.

[bobbyw8469]

I didn't do enough research to understand just how low the A cards went for.

Don't believe this statement one bit. If the card looks really nice for the grade, some collectors could care less if it has been trimmed. I'm not saying they have ulterior motives, but it is a chance to get a really nice looking card for lesser money than they would pay if it got a numeric grade.

[buymycards]

Hi Kevin, I can't believe people are advising you to close your auctions, and you went ahead and closed them. They were getting some decent bids and there were still five days to go. I was bidding on most of your items, and when I got home a few minutes ago the auctions were gone. You can bet that I won't be bidding on any of your items when you list them next time.

Rick

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by buymycards

Hi Kevin, I can't believe people are advising you to close your auctions, and you went ahead and closed them. They were getting some decent bids and there were still five days to go. I was bidding on most of your items, and when I got home a few minutes ago the auctions were gone. You can bet that I won't be bidding on any of your items when you list them next time.

Ricki

Ricki,
I apologize. I am paying the price in the fees and I will obviously lose part of the market (you and others) in the future.

I like to think that I have a level of integrity. That is why I asked the question before I took it down. It sounds like I did the wrong thing and I am sorry. I wish that I would have made this post yesterday and had a better state of mind when I put up items.

[drcy]

You hastily put up the lots in the wrong state of mind under duress, then when people pointed out you should wait and better plan before selling the stuff you had to make a decision one way or the other. Don't feel bad about it. I'm not ordinarily for ending auctions early, but you should be given a hard time under the situation.

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by drcy

You hastily put up the lots in the wrong state of mind under duress, then when people pointed out you should wait and better plan before selling the stuff you had to make a decision one way or the other. Don't feel bad about it. I'm not ordinarily for ending auctions early, but you should be given a hard time under the situation.

I just wanted to stay thanks again. Hopefully the roller coaster is over and the grind begins. I am seeing clearly, smiling more, making every attempt going forward to be less dramatic and more even keel - but I will be the first to admit that is a lifelong struggle.

Out of curiosity this morning I counted up the HOF auto cards.
There are 43 deceased HOFers including 12 on the vintage card
Highlights include a 56 signed Ted Williams in lower grade. Wife suggested I keep that for the 56 set but I would love to figure out the value and trade for a higher grade slabbed 56 Williams but not sure of the trade value

There is a 65 signed Hunter Rookie, 58 Mathews 53 Kiner, a 51 red back Feller as well 12 total Killebrew signed cards - most of them on modern issues. There are reprints of Hubbell, Spahn, Rizzuto, Kiner. There are also 5 modern Tony Gwynn Cards.

In addition there are 47 cards signed by living HOFers including a 62 and 66 Perry, 64 Giant Brooks Robinson, 67 Frank Robinson, Ripken, Schmidt, Henderson, Carew and a few others.

Yet to be catalogued include 2 Griffey Jrs, Bo Jackson, a very nice grade 71 Steve Garvey, 53 and 67 Joe Nuxhalls, Don Mattingly, 71 Tommy John, and enough Bert Campaneris' to cover family members for multiple generations (20ish).

Challenge now will be ascribing value on these as there not a ton of comps (if any).

So, thank you again for your guidance. The auction was at 50 bucks and who knows where it would have gone with 13 cards pictured off of a camera with bad lighting.

No hurry as I am going to let it breath a bit - just wanted to point out what was there versus what was listed in the posting.

[bobbyw8469]

If I were you, I would get familiar with some grading companies. You would be able to get some of the money back, but you might have to spend a little more on top of the $14,000 you already spent to do it.

[kailes2872]

I wish that I would have posted this yesterday. I woke up today thinking that I was going to liquidate everything and this thread helped me snap out of the funk a bit and think about a plan. My pride was hurt and I was spinning a bit. I was looking at the stuff and it made me ill. i wanted it gone. I probably sold the lot for too cheap on BST last night and now have $30-$40 in Ebay fees as a result of stopping the auctions. From the above thread, it looks like I did the wrong thing pulling them down. It was less than 24 hours ago, but it was still pulling down after I had them listed. Hopefully, I have paid my last stupid tax on the lot. Between the opportunity costs lost on the lot last night and the fee for pulling down, I need to add $100-$150 to the original total when I keep track of how far I can claw back.

When you add in the PMs offering to sell my collection, it has been an interesting few hours to say the least, but I will heed the advice of the board and proceed with a plan.

My plan will be his:
1.) I will get a new scanner. We have a 3-1, but it sounds like there are better ones designed for listings. If someone could throw out a suggestion, that will be a top priority.

2.) Step away for a brief time and get rid of the emotion.

3.) Red Man's - sell individually with good scans (54 cards total)

4.) 1953 Bowman Color - sell card #1 (nice shape), Musial, Hodges, Rizzuto
and Wynn individually. Sell the rest as 10 card common lots starting at $9.99
(54 cards total)

5.) 1950 Bowman - Sell stars individually. Sell others as 10 card common lots. (175 cards total) starting at 9.99

6.) 1951 Topps Red Backs - Sell stars individually. Sell others in 10 card lots (26 cards total) starting at 9.99

7.) 499 '59 Topps nice grade. Sell stars - roughly 20 individually, sell high numbers (non-star) individually, sell others in 25 card lots. starting price of $9.99

8.) 380 1966 cards. Very few if any high or SP's - mid grade. Sell stars (Mantle, Aaron, Jenkins, Sutton) individually, all others sell as 50 card lots starting at $9.99

9.) 520 1967 cards - Sell stars (Mantle, Killebrew, Robinson, etc.) individually, sell the few SP's (Cash/others), individually, sell the commons in 50 card lots starting at 9.99

10.) 662 1969 near set. Sell stars individually (trimmed Mantle, all others except Ryan and Jackson), sell others in 50 card common lots. Maybe sell all leader cards as a lot? Very crisp grade

11.) 1970 - 3 different groups totaling approximately 1900 cards High Grade - pull and sell all stars individually. All others sell as 50 card lots starting at $9.99

12.) 385 1972 Cards - Strong Grade - 50 card common lots. If there are any stars I will pull them and list them, but I don't think there are many if any. It is a great group of cards for a set builder though...

13.) Autographed Card Collection - Call Auction House and leverage their expertise. this is not a focus for me, so apparently, I under value these. I will let them take these and find out what the market will bear.

14.) Autograph pictures and cuts of guys like Cool Papa Bell, Earl Averill, Babe...Herman, Gabby Harnett, Smokey Joe Wood, Leo Durocher, and a couple others that I can't remember off the top of my head - leverage with AH (just not sure which one as I know REA deals with high end stuff and this might not be of interest to them)

15.) Hubbell Auto Bat, Ball, Glove - same as above.

16.) Gomez Bat, Same

17.) I am not sure yet of the autographed photos of Mays, Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio (especially if there are questions of the authenticity despite the COA). Also autos of Dan Marino, Reggie Bush (2) , Tim Tebow, Dan Marino, Ray Lewis (2), and a few others that I can't remember off of the top of my head. I think I will just post as a BIN or BO, but not sure. (I am keeping Peyton, Marvin & Reggie - it might not have been worth 14k, but it was in my wheelhouse of Colts).

18.) Pre War - mostly cheap low end stuff. 10-12 common T206's I'll probably give to Conner as he builds his Monster. Trying to sell the felts in the BST auction. cut up strip cards. I will post on BST, but I don't think that they have much value as they are cut up. Rudy York Head's up I will sell individually. The 36(?) Goudey that has 4 on the page - Dazzy Vance - sell individually. 33/34 Goudey, give to Conner as he becomes the pre-war expert in the family.

19.) 1956 Jackie Robinson (VG) (2) Sell individually, Warren Spahn, individually, 20+ doubles sell as a lot.

19.) Berra Rookie - sell individually

20.) 48 Feller - sell individually

21.) 1954 Bowman Commons (approximately 20) Sell as Lot.

22.) 48-52 Bowman (approxmiately 20) sell as lot

22.) 1952-1955 Topps - Keep in anticipation of building those sets.

I have a bunch of assorted 10's and 20's of each year - not sure if I should consolidate those and sell as a shoebox lot over multiple years or if I should sell them as a lot on the year. Minimally, by the time I get to early 70's, I should combine the years.

24.) I have a small number 3-5 Hires Rootbeer cards. Those might be okay to sell them by themselves.

25.) Aaron auto ball and Mays auto ball - keep and put them on a shelf below my (already owned) Mays/Aaron autographed picture. I will do the display that has the ball with the card display of both of them.

26.) 56 Topps 175 or so - keep and use this as my basis to build the set. when I get off probation.

27.) Mantle/Williams auto framed picture - keep, Mantle/Mays framed auto picture - keep

28.) Berra 49/50 Pin, sell on Ebay as auction if it does not sell on B/S/T


That looks like everything. The Commons, while commons, are nice solid grade. Hopefully, the lots will bring more than the minimum - but that will be a big determining factor as to how much I get back.

Let me know if you think if the lots seem like the right size. I can do individually. It will be a grind, but if the feeling is that it will be value worth the effort, then I will do it - I just anticipate a bunch of unsold lots if it happens that way.


Lessons Learned/Next Steps:
1.) Breathe - assume the deal will be worse than advertised/overvalued. Don't box myself in the corner with a sight unseen commitment

2.) Corallary to #1. If I get there (in the unlikely event an opportunity like this happens again), and it is not as imagined or advertised, change scope, shape of money, cherry pick if allowed, walk if necessary.

3.) Get Conner to work on using the new scanner and make it a project with the two of us.

4.) Thank my lucky stars for my dear wife and treat her to a nice dinner.



I will start separating out lots in the near term as I get time. Then, in a few weeks/months, I will begin posting. I think that I will post them slowly - i.e especially the 70's as I don't want to lose track of which lot I posted and send the wrong one. I think that I will put the Red Man's up later rather than sooner, as if it proves to be more profitable than I think it will, I would love to keep these and the 70 Bowman's - but more than likely they will go up.


So that is the plan. I am thinking clearly and grateful for the Net54 board members. I have only been here since February and I have learned so much. The haze is lifting today and I will sleep well tonight for the first time in a week.

Thank You

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by buymycards

Hi Kevin, I can't believe people are advising you to close your auctions, and you went ahead and closed them. They were getting some decent bids and there were still five days to go. I was bidding on most of your items, and when I got home a few minutes ago the auctions were gone. You can bet that I won't be bidding on any of your items when you list them next time.

Ricki

And who can blame you. What a train wreck.

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

And who can blame you. What a train wreck.

+1

Yes, I know. Dumb decision on my part.

[Orioles1954]

This is just such a strange thread. My only advice is not to get too attached to these pieces of cardboard with pictures of baseball players who 99% of the world doesn't know anyway. Oh sure it's a neat hobby that so many of us enjoy, but when it causes such a rush and frenzy of emotion I seriously think it's time to call it a day. Just a FYI, I have sold my collection and started over several times and have never regretted it.

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

This is just such a strange thread. My only advice is not to get too attached to these pieces of cardboard with pictures of baseball players who 99% of the world doesn't know anyway. Oh sure it's a neat hobby that so many of us enjoy, but when it causes such a rush and frenzy of emotion I seriously think it's time to call it a day. Just a FYI, I have sold my collection and started over several times and have never regretted it.

We can end the thread. I was hoping not to come off as a train wreck. I didn't want this to be a strange thread. It has been helpful and cathartic - and I will always appreciate the advice offered.

After I get through selling this stuff, I will take a break and stop as you recommended. When on, I will go back to lurker status and just read and learn.

[Louieman]

I'm a pup in this pound of dogs we call net54, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. But man, Kevin, if you look at the soul-exposing intensity of your first post, is your most recent post (the one with the new plan) any less intense or raw or emotional? I don't think so, not at all, even if you're convinced you have a clear informed mind about this now.

I'd go back to what the 2nd poster said, and just calm down. Do nothing. It's been a whopping 5 hrs since you poured your heart out onto this forum and strayed from selling the whole lot. Any new plan you come up with should be able to stand the test of time if it's really legit. If I were in your shoes, I'd do nothing involving this decision for at least a week.

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by buymycards

Hi Kevin, I can't believe people are advising you to close your auctions, and you went ahead and closed them. They were getting some decent bids and there were still five days to go. I was bidding on most of your items, and when I got home a few minutes ago the auctions were gone. You can bet that I won't be bidding on any of your items when you list them next time.

Ricki

It seems to me (if you've followed this thread from the beginning) that you could have a bit of empathy for what Kevin is going through. You're out NOTHING. ...and NOTHING is promised to you. Kevin had a horrible experience and spoke about it through his heart. He asked for and got advice (really good advice, IMO) from this board of caring experts. He followed that advice. There's no need to get snippy about it and compound his misery.

Kevin: It seems like you've got a good plan. Hang in there and all the best going forward! Cheers!

[Ladder7]

Keven, Although you knew it wasn't a worthy investment, you'd honored your commitment. That speaks volumes of your character... For making a hasty business choice, welcome to the club. Moral of the story, And this is not to be shared outside of here. Though we know for certain we're shrewd, clever and cunning. On our best day, women are way smarter.

Best of luck to you.

[ibuysportsephemera]

One other thing Kevin...I have been selling on eBay since the late 1990's and have watched the many changes. Many years ago, auctions on eBay were the way to maximize your sales. Not every auction was a winner but if you put up enough similar items a few great bidding wars could carry the whole group. NOT ANYMORE. I can tell you for certain that on the memorabilia side you will do much better with fixed price items. If you put a reasonable BIN price you can do much better than starting items at $9.99 at auction. The key is having patience and not putting unrealistic museum pricing on the cards. I don't know if this pertains to cards as much (maybe another experienced card dealer can jump in on this). Just my 2¢ and I hope that you wiggle out of this without too much loss. BTW it looks like there is quite a lot of material in this purchase and on the face looks like you might do OK (but I am not a card guy so what do I
know )?

Jeff

[Jacker_ Cracks]

Originally Posted by ZenPop

It seems to me (if you've followed this thread from the beginning) that you could have a bit of empathy for what Kevin is going through. You're out NOTHING. ...and NOTHING is promised to you. Kevin had a horrible experience and spoke about it through his heart. He asked for and got advice (really good advice, IMO) from this board of caring experts. He followed that advice. There's no need to get snippy about it and compound his misery.

Kevin: It seems like you've got a good plan. Hang in there and all the best going forward! Cheers!

Exactly. Well said!