PWCC first 1 sticker, then 2, now 3 different?

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Who here cares what PWCC says about a card in the form of a sticker? Come forward and confess.

There are many, many collectors that NEED someone else's opinion on their card in order to make them feel all warm and fuzzy about their purchase. Isn't that what grading is all about?

Personally, I don't care what PSA, SGC, PSA/DNA, JSA, BVG, BAS, PWCC, blah, blah, blah, has to say about any item I own. I have more personal experience than ANY of them.

Don't get me wrong, Peter, I actually agree with what you're saying. However, I just don't see how you can bemoan collectors that pay more money for a PWCC sticker, but don't have the same sentiment for someone willing to pay more money for some other TPG sticker or flip?

Both (PWCC or any TPG) are selling an opinion. I don't see a difference.

[Peter_Spaeth]

David I guess the difference for me is that, for better or worse, TPG has become an industry standard and with all its flaws does make it easier and at least somewhat safer to buy in the internet age. For a clearly interested seller to be adding its own stickers, though, strikes me as a complete gimmick but obviously for whatever reason people are obviously willing to pay for it. It seems there are people out there who will just follow wherever PWCC leads them. Some of the stickered cards sell for crazy premiums and I suspect at least part of that price goes beyond the merit of the cards and the fact of the sticker is responsible.

BTW as has been pointed out, the potential for preferential treatment is pretty obvious.

I do understand your point, but in my mind this is far more pointless than TPG.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

David I guess the difference for me is that, for better or worse, TPG has become an industry standard and with all its flaws does make it easier and at least somewhat safer to buy in the internet age. For a clearly interested seller to be adding its own stickers, though, strikes me as a complete gimmick but obviously for whatever reason people are obviously willing to pay for it. It seems there are people out there who will just follow wherever PWCC leads them. Some of the stickered cards sell for crazy premiums and I suspect at least part of that price goes beyond the merit of the cards and the fact of the sticker is responsible.

BTW as has been pointed out, the potential for preferential treatment is pretty obvious.

I do understand your point, but in my mind this is far more pointless than TPG.

I agree. It's a gimmick, but their buyers have bought into the gimmick. PWCC is the sheepherder and they have a lot of blind sheep that follow them. The sticker is just another way to increase their profit, but can you really blame them? If they have buyers willing to pay extra for that silly sticker, all power to them.

In my opinion though PWCC is really missing the boat on gimmicks. They should start their OWN grading company if they really want to maximize sales. Can you imagine how much market share they could take away from the other TPGs? Then they could even use their stickers on the really high end cards and make even more $

[darwinbulldog]

Shouldn't the PWCC-A sticker be on, y'know, 30% of the cards in their auction? Did they run out of stickers?

[Peter_Spaeth]

The increase in profit probably comes equally from inducing people to consign to them in the hopes of getting one of those stickers. Why sell a card yourself when PWCC can magically churn so much extra value out of it. I agree, David, it's good marketing, it just offends me because the whole premise is so stupid.

[darwinbulldog]

It's a slippery slope. Soon they'll be telling us to buy the card not the holder.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The increase in profit probably comes equally from inducing people to consign to them in the hopes of getting one of those stickers. Why sell a card yourself when PWCC can magically churn so much extra value out of it. I agree, David, it's good marketing, it just offends me because the whole premise is so stupid.

So as most auction houses are doing these days...buying their own cards and putting in their own auctions...does this become an issue or is it already...when they are "stickering" their own submissions to increase their bottom line...and is their criteria for "Stickering" their own submissions less strict than their "Stickering" of others submissions?????

I'm in sticker shock!

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The increase in profit probably comes equally from inducing people to consign to them in the hopes of getting one of those stickers. Why sell a card yourself when PWCC can magically churn so much extra value out of it. I agree, David, it's good marketing, it just offends me because the whole premise is so stupid.

The premise makes sense to me. Whatever your opinion of Brent and PWCC, he sells 1000s of cards a month, including many high end examples. Him saying a particular card is among the top 5 or 15% in terms of eye appeal for that card at that grade means something. Clearly many buyers agree. And if I know my card has eye appear that exceeds the grade why wouldn't I send it there if I assume it will get a sticker? It will net more after fees than I could sell it for on my own.

[Touch'EmAll]

Y'know, over the years of seeing a lot of slabbed cards, I agree not all cards within a single grade are created equal. Most fall within acceptable norm, some are honestly high end for the grade, but also...some are honestly low end for the grade - when do we get the stickers for those ?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

The premise makes sense to me. Whatever your opinion of Brent and PWCC, he sells 1000s of cards a month, including many high end examples. Him saying a particular card is among the top 5 or 15% in terms of eye appeal for that card at that grade means something. Clearly many buyers agree. And if I know my card has eye appear that exceeds the grade why wouldn't I send it there if I assume it will get a sticker? It will net more after fees than I could sell it for on my own.

With due respect to Brent, I can judge eye appeal for myself, thank you. And I bet you can too. It's utterly meaningless.

[itslarry]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

With due respect to Brent, I can judge eye appeal for myself, thank you. And I bet you can too. It's utterly meaningless.

Just like all TPA's!
Foolish people trusting psa makes me laugh.
At least pwcc wasnt founded on one of, if not the, biggwst scams in card history.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I agree. It's a gimmick, but their buyers have bought into the gimmick. PWCC is the sheepherder and they have a lot of blind sheep that follow them. The sticker is just another way to increase their profit, but can you really blame them? If they have buyers willing to pay extra for that silly sticker, all power to them.

In my opinion though PWCC is really missing the boat on gimmicks. They should start their OWN grading company if they really want to maximize sales. Can you imagine how much market share they could take away from the other TPGs? Then they could even use their stickers on the really high end cards and make even more $

Agreed David....and if they REALLY wanted to maximize profits...GET OFF OF EBAY!!! Bruce Herishon(sp?) did it with his movie posters. Have their own website with their own auction platform built into it. They have a big enough following, do they REALLY need Ebay??

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Agreed David....and if they REALLY wanted to maximize profits...GET OFF OF EBAY!!! Bruce Herishon(sp?) did it with his movie posters. Have their own website with their own auction platform built into it. They have a big enough following, do they REALLY need Ebay??

I'd be surprised if PWCC doesn't already have plans to do this in the not too distant future.

[Throttlesteer]

This is their way to be a TPG without being a TPG. If the started stabbing, it would look even more like a conflict of interest

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Agreed David....and if they REALLY wanted to maximize profits...GET OFF OF EBAY!!! Bruce Herishon(sp?) did it with his movie posters. Have their own website with their own auction platform built into it. They have a big enough following, do they REALLY need Ebay??

Yes they do need Ebay. Inexperienced buyers and consignors are their target audience.

[swarmee]

Remember they pay a very small fee compared to the rest of ebayers. Taking them off the medium would be a huge negative as far in concerned. However, it *might* make it easier for them to vet bidders and reduce shilling, if they were so inclined.