Has anyone risked a "too good to be true" purchase online, and had a positive result?

[mossy56]

Bought an album page that was signed by Mel Ott, Rogers Hornsby and Roger Bresnahan. Most people didn't notice the Bresnahan. I bought it for $800. Sold the Ott and Horsnby as cuts for $800 and kept the Bresnahan and got it slabbed PSA DNA. So basically it cost me $150 for a Bresnahan.

[xbaggypants]

I was lucky enough to win the majority of these lots with some very valuable hockey cards: https://ebay.ca/sch/blueantique1/m.h...p2046732.m1684

[h2oya311]

In 2014, I bought a 1935 Wheaties Lou Gehrig (w/ nice full ornate borders) for $19.14 off eBay ($9.99 + $9.15 shipping). It had all the signs of trouble (poor image, low feedback, no other cards for sale by the seller, etc., etc.), and I don't believe it was listed in the usual spot on eBay. But something inside of me told me to take a chance. So I did. By the way, this was not a Buy It Now, this was a full-blown 7-day auction. When I got the card, I was floored that it was the real deal. The back had "$8" written in pencil. Ironically, that's pretty much what I paid for it.

Funny thing is, the seller felt that he "overcharged" me for shipping and refunded me $3.84 to get in line with the actual shipping cost. Oy vay. I feel like such a schmuck today now that I am recalling this "win".

I later traded the Gehrig for a very nice looking T205 Cobb that I subsequently consigned to an AH. It sold for $780. I'd say that the reward outweighed the risk.

By the way, the next thread should be about the bone-headed moves we've all made and later regretted (specifically as it relates to "too good to be true"). I've had plenty of those that have likely fully negated my very few wins.

[Exhibitman]

I often pick up cards that the seller doesn't know about; a benefit of being into some niche items. However, on the risk-reward scale this is one that comes to mind:



I'd been looking for a Dr. J RC for a while and came across this one, raw, for $90. I assumed it was possibly trimmed, damaged, fake, whatever, but the seller was local and there was the eBay/PayPal refund thing so I took the risk. The card looked great, measured out, etc., so I sent it to PSA and got back the 8. Still have it, BTW.

[guy3050]

Back in May I found a 1st game program/scorecard from the Expos 1st Home opener in 1969 Online , while I was at the older gentleman's house he showed me another program/scorecard cover from 1969 against the Pirates , he got the autograph himself back in 1969 , I offered him $225 and he accepted ,Here is the autograph ,I found a cool picutre of Roberto signing autographs at Jarry Park and got both framed together.

thumbnail_IMG_1536 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

thumbnail_IMG_7097 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

[xbaggypants]

Originally Posted by guy3050

Back in May I found a 1st game program/scorecard from the Expos 1st Home opener in 1969 , while I was at the older gentleman's house he showed me another program/scorecard cover from 1969 against the Pirates , he got the autograph himself back in 1969 , I offered him $225 and he accepted ,Here is the autograph ,I found a cool picutre of Roberto signing autographs at Jarry Park and got both framed together.

thumbnail_IMG_1536 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

thumbnail_IMG_7097 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

Nice!

[japhi]

Originally Posted by guy3050

Back in May I found a 1st game program/scorecard from the Expos 1st Home opener in 1969 , while I was at the older gentleman's house he showed me another program/scorecard cover from 1969 against the Pirates , he got the autograph himself back in 1969 , I offered him $225 and he accepted ,Here is the autograph ,I found a cool picutre of Roberto signing autographs at Jarry Park and got both framed together.

thumbnail_IMG_1536 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

thumbnail_IMG_7097 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

Incroyable!

[kevinlenane]

I am in the middle of an ill advised risk on a scrapbook containing some questionable and damaged Goudey cards I'll tell you in a week if it was worth it...

[Hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by guy3050

Back in May I found a 1st game program/scorecard from the Expos 1st Home opener in 1969 Online , while I was at the older gentleman's house he showed me another program/scorecard cover from 1969 against the Pirates , he got the autograph himself back in 1969 , I offered him $225 and he accepted ,Here is the autograph ,I found a cool picutre of Roberto signing autographs at Jarry Park and got both framed together.

thumbnail_IMG_1536 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

thumbnail_IMG_7097 by Guy Bourque, on Flickr

You win the thread

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[toledo_mudhen]

This

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BABE-RUTH-1...p2047675.l2557

is probably not going to turn out well

[Econteachert205]

I still have the Gehrig and love it!

Originally Posted by h2oya311

In 2014, I bought a 1935 Wheaties Lou Gehrig (w/ nice full ornate borders) for $19.14 off eBay ($9.99 + $9.15 shipping). It had all the signs of trouble (poor image, low feedback, no other cards for sale by the seller, etc., etc.), and I don't believe it was listed in the usual spot on eBay. But something inside of me told me to take a chance. So I did. By the way, this was not a Buy It Now, this was a full-blown 7-day auction. When I got the card, I was floored that it was the real deal. The back had "$8" written in pencil. Ironically, that's pretty much what I paid for it.

Funny thing is, the seller felt that he "overcharged" me for shipping and refunded me $3.84 to get in line with the actual shipping cost. Oy vay. I feel like such a schmuck today now that I am recalling this "win".

I later traded the Gehrig for a very nice looking T205 Cobb that I subsequently consigned to an AH. It sold for $780. I'd say that the reward outweighed the risk.

By the way, the next thread should be about the bone-headed moves we've all made and later regretted (specifically as it relates to "too good to be true"). I've had plenty of those that have likely fully negated my very few wins.

[Jim65]

Not a card but a few years ago I bought a 1987 Keith Hernandez Mets jersey the seller had advertised as an autographed retail. I was just getting back into collecting game used so my knowledge was lacking but I had a feeling it was game used. I bought it and turned out to be genuine. Best $200 I ever spent.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

I still have the Gehrig and love it!

I knew you’d put two and two together! There aren’t (m)any Gehrigs out there with those same characteristics...