Best Way to Sell Single Signed Ruth?

[btcarfagno]

Love your dad's ball Doug. Never thought I would say that phrase either.

Babe Ruth signed baseballs are the ultimate example of supply and demand. The supply of authentic examples seems never ending. The man signed thousands of balls per year for the last 20+ years of his life. Demand is equally as great, and average or better examples (your ball included) have been going up in price recently along with most other vintage Ruth collectibles.

I did a search at the Heritage.com website. They have auctioned off almost 100 Babe Ruth single signed balls over the past 18 months. If I had to venture a guess, your ball would go for somewhere in the $7,000 ballpark give or take. I have already taken out the buyers premium from that number...it is important to realize that most auction houses show the number that the bidder actually takes out of his/her pocket to pay for the item, which includes a buyers premium of 15-20% usually. So, if the auction site says that a similar ball sold for $8,000, the actual hammer price would have been around $6,667. Then if there is a sellers premium of, say, 10%, that $6,667 becomes more like $6,000. So the auction house receives $8,000 and the seller gets $6,000. If you are able to work the percentages down at all it is to your benefit to do so, but the auction house will still take a healthy cut of whatever the winning bidder actually pays for the item.

You may want to offer the piece on the BST here on net54. The likely buyer pay price for the ball at an auction house would be $8,000-8,500. Your take home would be (depending on your negotiating skills) $6,000-6,700. Thus, if you offer the ball here on net54 and take anywhere north of $7,000 you are likely making a better decision than the auction route.

Of course, if two bidders really want this particular ball, it could go to $10,000 or a bit more at auction. Then again, if only one person is willing to go to $6,000, then you get screwed. Understand, however, that Ruth signed baseballs are prevalent, and thus the market for them is somewhat stable and predictable. It isn't like two bidders will feel as though their next opportunity to get one at auction will be several years from now. There will likely be a similar one available within the next few weeks at one auction or another.

Tom C

[Bonk!]

Thanks Tom - definitely worth thinking about.

[Bonk!]

Thanks everyone - this is very helpful stuff.

[Bonk!]

With Leon's help I have secured an offer in the range discussed above. It is certainly a fair offer which I will accept on Friday unless anyone else is interested. If so, please PM me, as I would prefer to keep this reasonably confidential.

If this violates this site's rules I'm sorry, and will pull this message asap.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Bonk!

With Leon's help I have secured an offer in the range discussed above. It is certainly a fair offer which I will accept on Friday unless anyone else is interested. If so, please PM me, as I would prefer to keep this reasonably confidential.

If this violates this site's rules I'm sorry, and will pull this message asap.

It's all good....we have rules but there is also real life. Good luck with the sale!!

[btcarfagno]

I think that the ball at the below link is fairly similar to yours. It isn't quite as bold but it also doesn't have the fading spots that yours does. This ball sold just a few months ago for $8,000. Buyer paid $9,600 with buyers premium, and if seller was able to get a 10% sellers commission, ended up with $7,200 in pocket. Yours has the added bonus of being an Official American League ball. So anything in that ballpark, but hopefully north of $7,000, would be a fine private sale offer I would think.

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball/1...umbnail-071515

Hope it turned out well for your needs.

Tom C

[2dueces]

Nice Piece. Congrats!

[Bonk!]

Thanks for all your help and input. I have an out-of-state buyer, and would appreciate any advice on the transaction. I've done a Bill of Sale that says he will pay me via Paypal and that I have produced everything he needs to be assured of the ball's condition. As soon as I receive the funds I will send the ball via overnight delivery. I will also send him the JSA authentication as soon as I receive it. I've told him I will keep the funds in my Paypal account until I receive confirmation of delivery. Am I overlooking anything?

[CW]

Be absolutely certain to get insurance and ALSO signature confirmation so they have to sign for the package. I would also be hesitant to ship overseas since this is a one time deal where you don't want any headaches.

I would also recommend doing the opposite of keeping the funds in your paypal account. I would withdraw the funds to your bank account, and ONLY ship the ball once the funds are confirmed to be in your bank account.

Others may chime in, but I'm pretty sure those are two pieces of good advice.

[Bonk!]

He's in New Jersey, so that's only kind of overseas.

I'll think about the Paypal thing - I wanted to give him some assurance that I am not scamming him.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Bonk!

He's in New Jersey, so that's only kind of overseas.

I'll think about the Paypal thing - I wanted to give him some assurance that I am not scamming him.

Depending on the distance(could also fly) you could also exchange it in person for cash at a police station.

How did you get a JSA LOA if you have the ball and do not have the LOA in hand?