Need advice on navigating a collection purchase, including T206s

[Four Pitches]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Are you in a position to be able to sell a "couple hundred thousand" cards? No disrespect but unless you are getting some massively underpriced deal it sounds like you may be a bit over your head if this isn't what you do, especially if you can't afford to make a mistake. You might be better off bringing in an experienced dealer (the ones i know would certainly give you a substantial referral fee if it works out).

No disrespect taken! Buying collections, having some graded, selling what I don't want and keeping the rest to build my PC...this is part of me enjoying the hobby, so no issues with that. This one would be the latest in a series of collection purchases. Undoubtedly it would be the largest, though. I do spend a significant amount of my free time with cards...enough so that I disclose hobby income on my tax returns.

I understand the point about pulling in someone else as a partner, however. Definitely a consideration for me.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

roughly where are you located? Any number of knowledgeable guys here might be willing to go with you just for the fun of seeing a fresh collection and in the interest of helping someone out.

[FrankWakefield]

2. Take a black light with you.

1. Take an experienced knowledgeable collector that you trust and who has deep pockets and an interest in buying the collection with you.

3. Minimally, open every box and look at the contents. You don't want to open a few boxes of cards from 1900 to 1935, and then find you've bought boxes of 1991 Donruss cards, too.


If you're excited about buying these cards, your excitement can cloud your reason... with another collector in tow, you guys could keep one another grounded.

Damn a loupe, take a black light first, then reading glasses, a magnifying glass, or a loupe. If there's a box of loose cards, you can illuminate them on their sides and learn A LOT in a few seconds.

Whoever has them probably wants to sell ALL at once, and not let you cherry pick.

You probably should not have a long conversation here; but find that friend collector and tack the convo off-line; lest someone ferret out this collection and buy it first.

[drcy]

Bring the severed head of a collector who wronged you, so he knows not to cheat you.