The Gold Standard - Loans w/cards as collateral

[slidekellyslide]

I honestly was not offended by what he wrote...I heard it a lot as a kid, and I still hear it today with people who think it's hilarious. I just think it's funny when people say they are not stereotyping after making an obvious stereotype.

Man that Asian lady sure is a bad driver...I'm not stereotyping because she really is Asian.

That is essentially what he said.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

It's an interesting idea, but didn't PSA try this years ago?

For whatever reason, it didn't work for them.

I guess I was wrong. Apparently it did work for them because, according to Bloomberg, they're still in business - Collectors Finance Corporation.

I think you guys have a lot of misconceptions about this service.

Originally Posted by conor912

I'm seriously not sure what's sadder....the existence of such a service, the people who would use it, or the fact that they're being let to advertise on this board.

According to Bloomberg, it's (Collectors Finance Corporation) used mostly by dealers looking to free up some cash, which makes sense if they have a lot of cash tied up in inventory and are looking to make a significant purchase.

Originally Posted by Kevin.Shenker

How do validate the cards are not stolen? This seems like the perfect place to try and pawn a stolen card. Do you have something in place to flag people who have pawned x number of items and never came back for them, or to flag people that repeatedly pawn the same high dollar cards?

You have to show valid id and I'm pretty sure that they report to local law enforcement. Therefore there would be a record of who pawned the item.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Man that Asian lady sure is a bad driver...I'm not stereotyping because she really is Asian.

In my house that is not a stereotype it is a fact.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by bnorth

In my house that is not a stereotype it is a fact.

its probably a stereotype that many long time card collectors have asian spouses.....

[Sean]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

its probably a stereotype that many long time card collectors have asian spouses.....

When did this become a thing?

[frankbmd]

My Asian wife uses headphones, but she can't type.

[iowadoc77]

Wow. I believe we have derailed just a bit... pawn shops to stereotypes. And everything in between. Great day for a mid-day coffee and some popcorn. I for one am thoroughly enjoying this thread.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Sean

When did this become a thing?

just look around at the National next year and you will see.....and yes my spouse is asian.....not sure if im a long time collector yet though..so maybe i join that club later..

[Sean]

I only saw one Asian woman at the National this year, and she was with me.

I'll have to be more observant next time; I was too concerned with T206s.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

just look around at the National next year and you will see.....and yes my spouse is asian.....not sure if im a long time collector yet though..so maybe i join that club later..

Collecting for about 30 yes and married for close to 20 . The only thing I know for sure is the longer I have been married/collecting the more I realize how little I know about them.

[Brian Van Horn]

You know if "Married......with Children" ever has a reunion show, the baseball card finance may be a good plot line.

[marvymelvin]

Just relax people. I guess I should have mentioned I am "married to the mob" per se. The inlaws joke about themselves and their cousins all the time.

And why does Wonka get a pass with his picture of three mobsters, and mechanicalman with his link to the "native american" loan company.

Double standard I guess, but really my bad for underestimating some of your needs to intellectualize my act of stereotyping my own family.

And Shenker your "brief history" on net54 is replete with "complaints" followed by "but I am not complaining", and "questioning" long time collectors assessment of your card, followed by "but I am not questioning". Stand back and watch awhile before you jump in...

But...I am not complaining...just saying..

Back to the topic at hand please...

[Eric72]

Some "stereotypical" traits that might apply to a few of us Baseball Card collectors:

- We are a predominantly male group...who collects photographic images of other males. I wonder what mainstream society would say about that.

- Most of us (myself included) would benefit from shedding a few pounds.

- We typically have no problem spending a fair amount of money on a piece of cardboard, and quickly justify the purchase. However, spending the same amount of money on something practical for ourselves (such as a pair of new shoes) involves much more thought.

- Baseball Card collectors (unfortunately) spend more time thinking about cards than sex. Seriously, consider it...other than your teenaged years, what did you think about more frequently?

- We sometimes think of cards as an, "investment." Gentlemen, this is a hobby. Wall Street would probably laugh at this in 2015. Thirty years ago, maybe not so much.

Just my thoughts.

Best regards,

Eric

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

Just relax people. I guess I should have mentioned I am "married to the mob" per se. The inlaws joke about themselves and their cousins all the time.

And why does Wonka get a pass with his picture of three mobsters, and mechanicalman with his link to the "native american" loan company.

Double standard I guess, but really my bad for underestimating some of your needs to intellectualize my act of stereotyping my own family.

And Shenker your "brief history" on net54 is replete with "complaints" followed by "but I am not complaining", and "questioning" long time collectors assessment of your card, followed by "but I am not questioning". Stand back and watch awhile before you jump in...


But...I am not complaining...just saying..

Back to the topic at hand please...

I think I get a pass because I didn't reference the ethnicity of the lenders. I was just highlighting the usurious rates of Western Sky, irrespective of ethnicity. the quotes are yours, not mine.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by conor912

It's an adjustable rate, depending on how many fingers you let them brake.

I'm seriously not sure what's sadder....the existence of such a service, the people who would use it, or the fact that they're being let to advertise on this board. This service being hobby-related is tangential, at best.

You are entitled to your opinion just like everyone else. I am not sure how different this is than when I have paid an auction house a percent a month to pay out a large lot I won at auction. I got a good deal and it worked out great, interest and all. I don't think this collateralized sportscard loan is for most of us, but for a dealer, or even a collector, it could be a way to do a deal they couldn't otherwise do.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Some "stereotypical" traits that might apply to a few of us Baseball Card collectors:

- We are a predominantly male group...who collects photographic images of other males. I wonder what mainstream society would say about that.

- Most of us (myself included) would benefit from shedding a few pounds.

- We typically have no problem spending a fair amount of money on a piece of cardboard, and quickly justify the purchase. However, spending the same amount of money on something practical for ourselves (such as a pair of new shoes) involves much more thought.

- Baseball Card collectors (unfortunately) spend more time thinking about cards than sex. Seriously, consider it...other than your teenaged years, what did you think about more frequently?

- We sometimes think of cards as an, "investment." Gentlemen, this is a hobby. Wall Street would probably laugh at this in 2015. Thirty years ago, maybe not so much.

Just my thoughts.

Best regards,

Eric

Great post, Eric. So sad and true at the same time.

[cincyredlegs]

I love pawn shops because I can get great deals on the things I like. However, let's be honest, pawn shops are in business to advantage of people in dire straits. Nothing more, nothing less. If you have ever been in a pawn shop, the people in there selling or getting loans are people that are just trying to pay there car payment, $'s for food or clothes for their kids. It's Leon's board and he can sell advertisements to whoever he wants.

Personally, I wouldn't have started a thread about them but that is me and it's not my board.

Mark

[marvymelvin]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

I think I get a pass because I didn't reference the ethnicity of the lenders. I was just highlighting the usurious rates of Western Sky, irrespective of ethnicity. the quotes are yours, not mine.

Yes right, out of all of the loan companies you could have chosen you chose the one that is 100% owned and run by native americans with a native American spokesperson. Absurd to say you didn't reference the lenders. The ad and your use of it speaks for itself.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Some "stereotypical" traits that might apply to a few of us Baseball Card collectors:

- We are a predominantly male group...who collects photographic images of other males. I wonder what mainstream society would say about that.

- Most of us (myself included) would benefit from shedding a few pounds.

- We typically have no problem spending a fair amount of money on a piece of cardboard, and quickly justify the purchase. However, spending the same amount of money on something practical for ourselves (such as a pair of new shoes) involves much more thought.

- Baseball Card collectors (unfortunately) spend more time thinking about cards than sex. Seriously, consider it...other than your teenaged years, what did you think about more frequently?

- We sometimes think of cards as an, "investment." Gentlemen, this is a hobby. Wall Street would probably laugh at this in 2015. Thirty years ago, maybe not so much.

Just my thoughts.

Best regards,

Eric

Wall Street guys are in signfiicant part the ones buying the high end investment type cards. Not all cards are good investments, but some probably are.

[mark evans]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Some "stereotypical" traits that might apply to a few of us Baseball Card collectors:

- We are a predominantly male group...who collects photographic images of other males. I wonder what mainstream society would say about that.

- Most of us (myself included) would benefit from shedding a few pounds.

- We typically have no problem spending a fair amount of money on a piece of cardboard, and quickly justify the purchase. However, spending the same amount of money on something practical for ourselves (such as a pair of new shoes) involves much more thought.

- Baseball Card collectors (unfortunately) spend more time thinking about cards than sex. Seriously, consider it...other than your teenaged years, what did you think about more frequently?

- We sometimes think of cards as an, "investment." Gentlemen, this is a hobby. Wall Street would probably laugh at this in 2015. Thirty years ago, maybe not so much.

Just my thoughts.

Best regards,

Eric

Having been married to the same woman for 30 years, I find that cards offer greater variety.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

Yes right, out of all of the loan companies you could have chosen you chose the one that is 100% owned and run by native americans with a native American spokesperson. Absurd to say you didn't reference the lenders. The ad and your use of it speaks for itself.

Yup. You got me. There were 326 google images I found of lending companies charging an 89% interest rate, but I specifically chose the one that would hijack the thread and advance my anti-native American agenda. That was my goal all along. Ban me now.

You said to relax, dude, and I agree with you. No need to mention other posts that, like yours, had no negative intent. My name is Sam Swartz, per the rules.

[marvymelvin]

Hey Sam, I suggest a ceasefire. Lets get back to the BST and buy some cards. Everyone move along, nothing happening here. I never attack, just bite back a bit when provoked, and you were unfortunately in the crossfire. Also feeling a little cranky and "Blue" about my Jays losing today.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

Hey Sam, I suggest a ceasefire. Lets get back to the BST and buy some cards. Everyone move along, nothing happening here. I never attack, just bite back a bit when provoked, and you were unfortunately in the crossfire. Also feeling a little cranky and "Blue" about my Jays losing today.

All good, man. I just joined this board to learn about cards, buy some off eBay, and distract myself from work. Sorry about your Jays. At least they're in the playoffs. You can probably guess my team did not.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Some "stereotypical" traits that might apply to a few of us Baseball Card collectors:

- We are a predominantly male group...who collects photographic images of other males. I wonder what mainstream society would say about that.

- Most of us (myself included) would benefit from shedding a few pounds.

- We typically have no problem spending a fair amount of money on a piece of cardboard, and quickly justify the purchase. However, spending the same amount of money on something practical for ourselves (such as a pair of new shoes) involves much more thought.

- Baseball Card collectors (unfortunately) spend more time thinking about cards than sex. Seriously, consider it...other than your teenaged years, what did you think about more frequently?

- We sometimes think of cards as an, "investment." Gentlemen, this is a hobby. Wall Street would probably laugh at this in 2015. Thirty years ago, maybe not so much.

Just my thoughts.

Best regards,

Eric

My wifes comment after going to the one baseball card show she's been to -

"I don't think I've ever seen so many fat middle aged white guys in the same place before"

And that's coming from someone who married one and works in computers.

Steve B

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

And why does Wonka get a pass with his picture of three mobsters

I've lived the "thug life" for so long nobody would dare question my posts Brad!

[marvymelvin]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

I've lived the "thug life" for so long nobody would dare question my posts Brad!

My brother in law Franco and best friend Dino just spit up beer through their nose after seeing your post. Is that really you holding the pineapple??

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Leon

You are entitled to your opinion just like everyone else. I am not sure how different this is than when I have paid an auction house a percent a month to pay out a large lot I won at auction. I got a good deal and it worked out great, interest and all. I don't think this collateralized sportscard loan is for most of us, but for a dealer, or even a collector, it could be a way to do a deal they couldn't otherwise do.

You do you. The market will dictate...just not my style.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

My brother in law Franco and best friend Dino just spit up beer through their nose after seeing your post. Is that really you holding the pineapple??

No that cat has way more swagger than me....I can only wish to be that hardcore.

[DHogan]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

My brother in law Franco and best friend Dino just spit up beer through their nose after seeing your post. Is that really you holding the pineapple??

Not something I would want to see.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by conor912

You do you. The market will dictate...just not my style.

There is a lot of give and take on the board. I didn't say anything when you posted your unauthorized ad on the front page. I don't say much about a lot of stuff that goes on. You are a good member and I wouldn't say anything about it but since we are talking about ads I figured I would throw it out there. Maybe some day I can make the show you are VP of Publicity for.

[the 'stache]

This thread.

[MikeGarcia]

..." yada yada yada ...' and therefore to avoid said shortage of popcorn , every nine pages there must be posted , by a member in good standing , of any ethnic heritage , a photo of an actual pre-war baseball card.' "


...

[dealme]

Originally Posted by steve B

My wifes comment after going to the one baseball card show she's been to -

"I don't think I've ever seen so many fat middle aged white guys in the same place before"

And that's coming from someone who married one and works in computers.

Steve B

My wife made a very similar comment, but it was at a Rush concert. On the other hand, she was happy about the lack of lines for the ladies' restroom.

Mark

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Leon

There is a lot of give and take on the board. I didn't say anything when you posted your unauthorized ad on the front page. I don't say much about a lot of stuff that goes on. You are a good member and I wouldn't say anything about it but since we are talking about ads I figured I would throw it out there. Maybe some day I can make the show you are VP of Publicity for.

If everyone else who has previously posted a notice about a show has privately asked for your permission, which I admittedly did not, then I apologize.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by conor912

If everyone else who has previously posted a notice about a show has privately asked for your permission, which I admittedly did not, then I apologize.

"Posting of auctions, events or shows, on the front page, must be approved by the moderator first."

No apology necessary. The rules are the rules and every single ad on the front page is approved by me, either before or after it goes up. Just about the only time I have deleted anything (except in a few extraordinary cases) is when there is an unauthorized ad on the front page. Thanks.

ps... to reiterate, I don't mind your ad if it helps collectors, it doesn't seem to be a real "for profit" venture as much as a good collectors show, AND you are a good participant here. That is why I hadn't said anything (no reason to) but the rule is to ask first. I don't think The Gold Standard Card-Collateral banner will hurt anyone or cause harm to the board. But we do all have our opinions and everyone is welcome to voice theirs in a (mostly) professional manner .

[Kevin.Shenker]

Originally Posted by marvymelvin

And Shenker your "brief history" on net54 is replete with "complaints" followed by "but I am not complaining", and "questioning" long time collectors assessment of your card, followed by "but I am not questioning". Stand back and watch awhile before you jump in...

Back to the topic at hand please...

Um. Where do you see me complaining about anything?

I have put my opinions in about certain topics, yes, but I don't know that I need to sit back and wait for the more "veteran" people to do so, so that I can more appropriately fit into what others are doing too.

Where did I question anyone's assessment of a card? But also, and maybe more importantly, why do you care so much about my conversation history?

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Wall Street guys are in signfiicant part the ones buying the high end investment type cards. Not all cards are good investments, but some probably are.

Agreed, Peter. However, most, "collectors" are driven by other forces. And, most, "investors" seek opportunities elsewhere.

Again, just my thoughts.

Best regards,

Eric

[YankeeCollector]

I live in New York and I have used the Gold Standard and I highly recommend them. I have never had any issues and the cards were always returned in the same condition that I left them.
There are situations where I'm waiting for a big check and I get an opportunity to buy a collection and I need cash quick- I have gone to the Gold Standard.

In addition, if I needed to pay a hospital bill for a family member and I didn't want to part with a Ruth that will prob take me 5 years to replace, I went to the Gold Standard.

It's an ideal situation for when there's an irreplaceable card that you do not want to part with or when you overextend yourself in an auction and u need a little cash. I highly recommend this company.

[GoldStandard]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I clicked on the link to check out your site. I could not find your interest rate listed any where. What rate do you charge for these loans?

Sorry for the delayed response.

The interest rate is 4%/month The term of our loans is 4 months. Our clients only pay for the time they use the money. If the loan is payed back in the first month they are only charged 1 month interest.
These loans are not for everyone. If you find yourself in a temporary cash pinch this can be a nice option. We deal with many collectors that use our services for a wide variety reasons. Please let us know if you have more questions.

[Kevin.Shenker]

At the end of 4 months you have paid a little over 16 percent interest or approximately 50 percent interest per year?

Am I understanding this correctly?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by GoldStandard

Sorry for the delayed response.

The interest rate is 4%/month The term of our loans is 4 months. Our clients only pay for the time they use the money. If the loan is payed back in the first month they are only charged 1 month interest.
These loans are not for everyone. If you find yourself in a temporary cash pinch this can be a nice option. We deal with many collectors that use our services for a wide variety reasons. Please let us know if you have more questions.

What other types of fees are associated with a loan? At a straight 4% fee there is no way you wouldn't be losing $ on transactions under a few hundred $.