What Should A Dealer Do?

[PolarBear]

Golden Rule.

[mettoy66]

In todays world someone with average intelligence can find out most things on the internet. That being said, I am not a dealer so I don't have an answer.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by mettoy66

In todays world someone with average intelligence can find out most things on the internet.

This. I’m not sure why it’s a buyer's responsibility to educate the seller.

If you were in the market for a new vehicle and you go down to the local Chevy dealership and pick out a new car, is it the salesman’s responsibility to tell you that the Chevy dealership in the next town over is having their Pre-Labor Day Sale and has the exact same model $2K less, or is it your (the buyer) responsibility to do your homework first?

Or, as a buyer, if you saw the card in a dealer's showcase marked $50, is it the your responsibility to educate the seller?

Whether you are a buyer or seller, it is your responsibility to educate yourself as to what you are buying or selling.

That said, I wouldn't lie to or mislead the buyer or seller. In the example posted here, if I were the dealer, I would ask the buyer what they want for the card. It is their card, isn't it their responsibility to know?

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by mettoy66

In todays world someone with average intelligence can find out most things on the internet. That being said, I am not a dealer so I don't have an answer.

Yes, but one should have a good feel for the source. Trustworthy? Reliable? Motive? There's lots or information and misinformation out there for various reasons. Some of it is just plain wrong.

[WhenItWasAHobby]

Great topic.

I've talked about this issues with other collectors many times.

I always love hearing responses from dealers that couch their answers with some leeway to take advantage of the ignorant person.

I've always wanted to have someone walk around shows and see what offers dealers would be made on an expensive card by someone claiming they have no idea if it's worth anything at all.

I'm also sure all the dealers wouldn't mind their if their inevitable low-ball offers to self-admitted, uninformed, non-collectors were posted on the internet.

[rocarroll]

Since the card being presented by the seller is professionally graded then he should be some what educated on cards and values. Not much of a break for the seller IMO. If he presented it raw in a group of others maybe a different story. My point being people buying graded cards or submitting cards to be graded should be more educated as opposed to someone showing up with a shoe box of cards. So let's hear it what did the OP do?

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by rocarroll

Since the card being presented by the seller is professionally graded then he should be some what educated on cards and values.

Just to be clear, in the poll description I said that the card is shown to the dealer in raw format, and not graded.

It seems that for many the issue may turn on how the seller presented the card to the dealer. Did he say, "I'll take $50 for the card." Or did he say, "What would you pay for the card?"

For me, this is such a specific rarity in collecting that I would educate the seller either way. And I think most dealers that I frequent would say the same thing. But, I also think a lot of dealers would just give the guy the $50, or give a low-ball offer to gauge the seller's awareness of the market.

[ullmandds]

this discussion is kinda interesting...as in the "olden" days...dealers made their livings "taking advantage" of unknowing customers. yet NOW...it seems that now it is the "dealers" responsibility to educate the consigner/walk-in/seller.

I'm not sure how I feel about this?

personally I have always been an advocate of knowledge is power...and it's one thing to be evaluating a babe ruth or ty cobb card...that most will know is valuable or can easily be looked up...but a card like this...not so much!?

[glchen]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

...It seems that for many the issue may turn on how the seller presented the card to the dealer. Did he say, "I'll take $50 for the card." Or did he say, "What would you pay for the card?"
...

I think what often happens is that the person comes to a dealer's table with the card and says, "I want to sell this card." The dealer says: "How much do you want for it?" The person says: "$50." Dealer says: "Here are two $20's and a $10. Thanks for your business."

[midmo]

.

[ibuysportsephemera]

I think that it depends on who the buyer is. Earlier in this thread there was nice story about a candy shop owner and a child. In that case, you would be a complete scum to take advantage of someone who doesn't know about value and also doesn't have the resources to establish value.

If I was approached by an adult with the card in this thread, I would ask what they want for it? I don't think that the dealer has an obligation to educate the person selling the card on the value. It is the seller of the cards obligation to establish the value of the card on their own. If he asked me what it is worth, that is a different story. To low ball him at that point would be a dishonest thing to do.

I once sold a Brooklyn Dodgers item to a dealer at a show. I showed the piece to him and he offered me $500. I was thrilled to get that amount. I watched him later sell it for $1,000. I was happy for both of us. Should I have expected him to offer me the $1,000 in the first place?

Jeff

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Golden Rule.

He who has the Gold makes the rules?

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by Bocabirdman

He who has the Gold makes the rules?

Sure, ok.

I was thinking more along the lines of - if I had that card and brought it in to a dealer, how would I want to be treated by the dealer?