Phone Call of a Lifetime

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

I probably get at least two calls or more with the same type of story. It's amazing how many try to convince me they are worth a whole lot of money. Mostly tell people to donate them to a church.

Lee

[drcy]

Yes, many late '80 to early '90s junk card stories.

My story is an old lady who had an old baseball card that she wouldn't sell for less than $20. It was an SF Hess and I paid her $800. She asked where she could find another. I said she couldn't, which is why I paid her $800.

[Tao_Moko]

Originally Posted by drcy

Yes, many late '80 to early '90s junk card stories.

My story is an old lady who had an old baseball card that she wouldn't sell for less than $20. It was an SF Hess and I paid her $800. She asked where she could find another. I said she couldn't, which is why I paid her $800.

You mean you acted professionally with basic human decency and as an adult?!

[bigtrain]

Originally Posted by drcy

Yes, many late '80 to early '90s junk card stories.

My story is an old lady who had an old baseball card that she wouldn't sell for less than $20. It was an SF Hess and I paid her $800. She asked where she could find another. I said she couldn't, which is why I paid her $800.

This reminds me of my own “old lady” story. Years ago, I had a small antique shop. An old lady brought in a 1910 vintage typewriter and said she couldn’t sell it at her yard sale for $10. I also collected typewriters at the time. Instead of paying her $10, I explained to her why it was unusual and rare. I offered her $200. She decided to keep it.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

This reminds me of my own “old lady” story. Years ago, I had a small antique shop. An old lady brought in a 1910 vintage typewriter and said she couldn’t sell it at her yard sale for $10. I also collected typewriters at the time. Instead of paying her $10, I explained to her why it was unusual and rare. I offered her $200. She decided to keep it.

I've had more than my share of these types of stories. I don't usually do it unless I am at a show or shop and the item is already priced and the dealer should know better, but usually it is just best to pay them their $20-30 and take it off their hands, they leave happy and so are you. The likely end to this story is that she will have that typewriter until the day she passes and the person inheriting their estate will end up getting $5-10 for it.

I have had a lot of people reach out to me to sell and use my expertise [that I offered for free] against me and have it blow up a deal. Greed does funny things to people.