Any issue with bring up comps when buying or selling a card?

[ezez420]

Originally Posted by G1911

This is a good way to identify people it ain't worth dealing with. If I bring up what the card is selling for, using fair and recent comps, and the potential seller tells me to shove it up my ass, then I know that A) his price will not be within the realm of reason and B) they have anger issues and are not worth dealing with or giving my address too anyways.

I get not being happy with very old or unfair and not comparable comps, but objecting to the use of third party facts and data is not reasonable and insulting people who choose to use data and facts is a rather extreme and hostile approach.

I have good luck engaging reasonably with people. Comps are a good, reasonable pricing method for routinely available cards. Great scarcities are hard to comp and are more of a gut feel and how much do I want it conversation. Usually there is a way to get the seller a good profit and get me the card at a price I am happy with too, and we may amicably do business and converse. Haven't yet had someone tell me to shove the data up my ass, but I'm sure it will happen!

Fair comps are relative to the scarcity, condition of the card for the grade and other factors.

Just like Beckett price guide was a "guide" or "SMR" so is VCP. And if you want to recite the price guide then go ahead but it's a turn off. Do it discretely.

But I guess all this comes with levels of experience.


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[G1911]

Originally Posted by ezez420

Fair comps are relative to the scarcity, condition of the card for the grade and other factors.

Just like Beckett price guide was a "guide" or "SMR" so is VCP. And if you want to recite the price guide then go ahead but it's a turn off. Do it discretely.

But I guess all this comes with levels of experience.


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Of course a fair comp is relative to the scarcity, condition, etc. I did not say otherwise. If someone cites a G grade sale for your EX card that would be unreasonable. No one has said otherwise. That is not what was actually said, just something easier for you to argue.

If you want to tell anyone who cites previous sales to shove it up their ass, that is right. That kind of nasty behavior is obviously going to tell some people who think that it might be a good idea to look at other sales that this is an unreasonable policy and not worth even dealing with.

If a person sees a seller with a PSA 5 Mantle, and they look at other PSA 5 sales of that Mantle recently and use them as part of the basis for their offer, and that seller tells them to take those comps and shove it up their asshole, 90% of buyers will drop it there (or throw some dirt back). The scenario does not have an unfair comp being used as anyone will agree that's not good. I get that scenario is easier to defend now, but that is not what was said.

[Republicaninmass]

Depends if you are buyer or seller

[Leon]

I don't mind comps. IF I can't justify my price then I need to rethink my strategy, or have a museum. Here is a card being talked about that is quite common, actually. I am sure I paid about 25% over comp when I bought it (still around the same, I guess). The best cards get the best money. Average cards, of more collected sets, get average prices.

[Yoda]

Many 25 year old hobby enthusiasts can't believe that comps are really a new tool spurred by the internet. "Back in the day' you either went to your local drug store and bought a pack, hoping you might land your own grail, or trade with your buddies; no auctions, card shows, VCP, dealers and the like. Trading was the key for any player and we 7 year olds had a good eye for the card's quality. I still remembering haggling and moaning, trading my '51 Bowman Rizzuto for a Reese (I was a die-hard Dodgers fan). High drama.
I think, given the prices on pre-war now, that the return to trading might be one of the big hobby stories of 2023. Of course, this is dealers and auction houses worst nightmares. Suddenly they are longer controlling things. Tough shit.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Leon

I don't mind comps. IF I can't justify my price then I need to rethink my strategy, or have a museum. Here is a card being talked about that is quite common, actually. I am sure I paid about 25% over comp when I bought it (still around the same, I guess). The best cards get the best money. Average cards, of more collected sets, get average prices.

Great Card Leon!! Smoker !!

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Leon

I don't mind comps. IF I can't justify my price then I need to rethink my strategy, or have a museum. Here is a card being talked about that is quite common, actually. I am sure I paid about 25% over comp when I bought it (still around the same, I guess). The best cards get the best money. Average cards, of more collected sets, get average prices.

This!

[ezez420]

Originally Posted by G1911

Of course a fair comp is relative to the scarcity, condition, etc. I did not say otherwise. If someone cites a G grade sale for your EX card that would be unreasonable. No one has said otherwise. That is not what was actually said, just something easier for you to argue.

If you want to tell anyone who cites previous sales to shove it up their ass, that is right. That kind of nasty behavior is obviously going to tell some people who think that it might be a good idea to look at other sales that this is an unreasonable policy and not worth even dealing with.

If a person sees a seller with a PSA 5 Mantle, and they look at other PSA 5 sales of that Mantle recently and use them as part of the basis for their offer, and that seller tells them to take those comps and shove it up their asshole, 90% of buyers will drop it there (or throw some dirt back). The scenario does not have an unfair comp being used as anyone will agree that's not good. I get that scenario is easier to defend now, but that is not what was said.

You should also see that I was being facetious in my response. Then I offered an explanation to the post. Not for sense of argument but a basis. You answer with a dissertation because it sounds like you would feel insulted if the dealer said that and probably have had someone tell you to go away in past. I normally don't respond to ignorance but in this case it deserves it.

If you were to come to buy from me you'd see I'm friendly and easy to deal with. If you come reciting comps and have a history with other people in the hobby of aggravating and insulting them well I'm sure like others will pay less attention to you.




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[jsfriedm]

The attitudes of many dealers remind me of the old joke about the opening of the first McDonald's in Moscow in 1990:

The Soviet staff is being trained by an American team flown in to get the store up and running. For hours the Americans harangue them about being helpful, polite, patient, treating customers with respect, etc. Eventually, Ivan raises his hand. "You want us to be polite to customers?" "Yes Ivan, exactly!" "But...we have the burgers?!!"

[Snapolit1]

As others have said, comps are very useful - as a starting point. I don't usually throw them in someone's face, but like to educate myself on how wildly overpriced the card actually is. Is it 30% overpriced, which is fairly common, or more like 60-70%. No dealer is going to fall to his knees and apologize over his pricing when you start telling him about comps. He knows full well how out of whack the price is. And is starting the game high. I usually open some negotiation and if it's clear its going nowhere just move in and save my breath.

And I don't usually start searching for comps standing in front of a table. Thaty's not helpful for anyone. Walk away, sit down with a drink at a table, do a little research. Return tio table if you think it's worth it.

Lots of dealers are praying for the combination of uninformed and flush with cash. If you spend sometime with comps at least you will have a few data points to begin an intelligent discussion.