Vintage Card Performance During A Recession

[Johnny630]

The best to sell cards is now.....the best time to buy is in a recession.

[MR RAREBACK]

as long as your job is safe I would not worry

[Exhibitman]

Cards were a mixed bag in the last recession. Even the most popular vintage was soft; take a PSA 4 T206 Cobb red bg as an example (prices from PSA):


7/21/2017
$3,099.99
4
132268288467
eBay
discountcdtoolsdvd
Buy It Now
18295420

7/6/2017
$2,700.00
4
263058172309
eBay
biglin847tl8
Buy It Now
31737907

6/29/2017
$3,120.00
4
80027
Heritage Auctions
2017 June 29 Premium Sportscard Catalog Auction - Dallas Ended Jun 29th
Auction
18295420

11/7/2015
$1,912.00
4
10464
Heritage Auctions
2015 November 5 - 7 Sports Collectibles Catalog ... Nov 7, 2015
Auction
19199199

7/23/2015
$2,220.00
4
6
Greg Bussineau Auctions
Summer 2015 Vintage Trading Cards and Memorabilia Auction
Auction
15658217

6/6/2013
$1,367.31
4
372
Goodwin and Co. Auctions
Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XLIX
Auction
12498648

1/8/2008
$1,819.00
4
93
SCP Auctions
SCP Auctions January 2008 Internet Auction
Auction
90661364

12/16/2007
$2,031.58
4
133
Memory Lane, Inc.
Serious Rarities - December 8th Auction
Auction
04791456

[oldjudge]

People lose jobs in a recession. Bonus money for those receiving this type of compensation tends to be less. I see no argument where collectibles would gain in value during a recession. How much value is destroyed is anyone’s guess. It is most probably a function of the length and severity of the recession.

[Mark]

Good points, and thanks for some stats, Adam. I knew a guy who thought that sports memorabilia is a good investment during recessions, but I don't think that is the general view. It might be time to sell some cards and raise some cash so that I can buy on the dip when the recession hits in a year or two.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Mark

Good points, and thanks for some stats, Adam. I knew a guy who thought that sports memorabilia is a good investment during recessions, but I don't think that is the general view. It might be time to sell some cards and raise some cash so that I can buy on the dip when the recession hits in a year or two.

Your last sentence is exactly what is s been doing over the past few years except for only a couple guys.

[Rhotchkiss]

I imagine most cards will go down in a bad economy, but I would think a down economy presents a good time to buy, and likely is a bad time to sell. I view cards as a longterm investment (yes, I used the “I” word). Like real estate, if you buy the right stuff and are able to hold it for years, you will likely make out pretty well. At least, that’s my plan and I am sticking to it!

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by MR RAREBACK

as long as your job is safe I would not worry

AND the only way that is if you work for yourself. There is no such thing as job security, maybe you didn't get the memo.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

AND the only way that is if you work for yourself. There is no such thing as job security, maybe you didn't get the memo.

Not true either. You may be your own boss, but you don't work for yourself. Who pays you?

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by tschock

Not true either. You may be your own boss, but you don't work for yourself. Who pays you?

Your customers (clients)

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by tschock

Not true either. You may be your own boss, but you don't work for yourself. Who pays you?

The companies that are affected pay me.... I still get paid, just not as much which is evident from the last recession At least, I'm not out of a job.

Personal Care Products aren't goin anywhere...ask your wife or your mother

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

The companies that are affected pay me.... I still get paid, just not as much which is evident from the last recession At least, I'm not out of a job.

Personal Care Products aren't goin anywhere...ask your wife or your mother

Even though the person you originally commented on said "job", I believe the more appropriate word would have been "income". Doesn't matter who you work for (yourself or someone else) if the income stream isn't there. Are you implying that working for yourself is "safe" in a recession if your income ends up being 1/2 or 1/4 of what it was before?