Making a Major card purchase (51 Bowman Mantle) - where do YOU prefer to shop??

[raulus]

Luckily, you've got options here, since this piece trades a lot. So there's no need to rush out and buy the first one you see just to scratch that itch.

I would spend some time assessing my budget, and more specifically figuring out what I want to get with my budget (i.e. graded, not graded, condition, centering, paper loss, etc). Then spend some time looking at recent sales and see where the market is these days for cards that fit your profile. Part of the fun is that it's always going to be a range. Maybe tweak your budget a little depending on what you find out, as you decide whether you want to maybe aim a little higher or a little lower to get just the right piece.

If you're not in a hurry, then you can afford to be patient and wait for the right time and the right piece. Especially since it sounds like this will be your new crown jewel, so you don't want to rush it to just check a box and get it done. Make sure you get the good stuff, and savor the process, especially since this might be one of the few times you'll ever get here.

Historically, auctions have been one of your best bets for landing quality pieces at the best prices. Not always and not for everything, but often they can be less expensive than retail or eBay BIN prices. So a big part of my strategy would be lurking around auctions with pieces that meet my criteria, getting in on the action, but setting a limit for when you're ready to bow out and let someone else have it if they exceed your limit.

Having said that, during the last few years, auctions can sometimes just go nuts. So know when to walk away, be cool with losing an auction, and recognize that sometimes the winner is actually the loser because they had to overpay. Sometimes the right card will come up at the right price on another venue, so make sure you're actively scoping out all of those spots, including the BST here. And don't be shy about making offers for the right piece, because sometimes sellers build in a little cushion with a plan to negotiate down a bit.

Lastly, while it's always easy to get all hopped up and emotionally psyched about a big buy like this, do your best to keep a level head and approach it analytically, just to avoid getting out over your skis and buying based on emotion. Taking it slow will probably help you to get there, although you might have to remind yourself a few times to not get emotional about it.

And then when you finally pick up the right card and the right price, you should totally go nuts celebrating all you want.

[Seven]

I've found great success and connections right through here, on Net54. Especially if it's from someone who we can all trust. Having the deal conducted that way, or even from a reputable dealer at a show, in my opinion, is the best. Auction Houses are most likely going to be the best in terms of selection, but with them you have to pay your dues, to Uncle Sam.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Seven

I've found great success and connections right through here, on Net54. Especially if it's from someone who we can all trust. Having the deal conducted that way, or even from a reputable dealer at a show, in my opinion, is the best. Auction Houses are most likely going to be the best in terms of selection, but with them you have to pay your dues, to Uncle Sam.

Zero taxes are due Uncle Sam when you buy a card at auction, if anywhere else; you may have to pay state sales tax, which can be substantial, and you may be able to avoid that buying directly from a collector or a smaller outfit.

Personally, I would look to AHs, and be patient - they will have the biggest selection and you know you are paying FMV. Otherwise, I agree that connections made through net54 is a very solid option, but may take more time.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Set a realistic budget and if your dream card shows up buy it from whoever has it.

[Mrc32]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Set a realistic budget and if your dream card shows up buy it from whoever has it.

This is what I did for my 54 Aaron. Took years to find one at a decent price, but I found one at a show in Indianapolis. Got it for a steal. Could have flipped it the same day for $1000 more than i paid. But it will be in my collection forever.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Seven

Auction Houses are most likely going to be the best in terms of selection, but with them you have to pay your dues, to Uncle Sam.

Maybe this was a reference to state sales taxes?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by raulus

Maybe this was a reference to state sales taxes?

Yes, it was. Depending on the State you live in, of course. It's 4% here in NY.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Seven

Yes, it was. Depending on the State you live in, of course. It's 4% here in NY.

Cool cool.

I got schooled a few months ago by Leon, who reminded me that only some auction houses are required to collect state sales tax in some states. If memory serves, it's based on whether the auction house exceeds a specific $$ volume of pieces that get shipped to any given state.

So depending on the auction house, and depending on the state, you might not have to pay sales tax. Most AHs actually have a list of which states they're required to collect sales tax in, so you can always refer to that list to confirm whether or not you'll get hit when you buy.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by raulus

Cool cool.

I got schooled a few months ago by Leon, who reminded me that only some auction houses are required to collect state sales tax in some states. If memory serves, it's based on whether the auction house exceeds a specific $$ volume of pieces that get shipped to any given state.

So depending on the auction house, and depending on the state, you might not have to pay sales tax. Most AHs actually have a list of which states they're required to collect sales tax in, so you can always refer to that list to confirm whether or not you'll get hit when you buy.

Technically you should be paying Use Tax if the auction isn't required to collect Sales Tax, and you live in a state with a Sales Tax. Of course almost nobody does that.

[jethrod3]

I would prefer to buy my slabbed Mantle rookie from an auction house but that probably won't happen. With the expected winning bid for perhaps anything above around a 1 representing what would be a huge chunk of change for me, I just have a hard time coming to grips with paying the buyer's premium. I'd likely be paying a bp of 20% to most auction houses that, in listing maybe that PSA 3 Mantle I want, has to do the same amount of work as listing an item that brings in 1/10th of that amount and only therefore charges a bp that equates to 1/10th of the total amount of the buyer's premium for the Mantle.

To be clear, this is in no way meant to be a criticism of auction houses, and I fully realize that for rarer, more valuable pieces, auction houses may do a lot more work promoting them than less valuable pieces, and this would of course justify receiving higher compensation. But the lower middle grade Mantles are fairly common and need little promotion. For me, I think I just have some sort of a mental block about paying a 20% BP when it ends up translating to a large amount of money.