Yes, another eBay thread

[raulus]

If we want to talk about pricing, then let’s talk about pricing.

Since it was raised earlier in the thread, let’s use the Maz as an example.

See pic below for the piece in question.

Most (not all) of the stuff that I’m selling is rare. In some cases it’s just hard to find in any grade. In other cases, it’s rare for the grade. That makes pricing a lot more exciting, because often there are no comps.

In this case, this piece is rare for the grade. It’s a 1 of 1 at this grade. You can definitely find them ungraded, and probably at lower grades. This grade would be tough to pull from an ungraded copy. If it was easy to get from a raw piece, there would be more that are graded at this level.

So the big question then is how do you price it? As we all know, the tippy top of the grading scale usually commands a decent premium. I know that’s heresy to a lot of people around here that a PSA 10 that is 1 of 1 should sell for a big multiple of a PSA 9. But that’s often the way it shakes out.

It’s true that you can get a raw piece like this for relatively little. Maybe $20 or $50 at the most. Most of them will have condition issues, and are very unlikely to grade at PSA 8.

So how do you price it? In this case, there are no comps that really tell you what it should be. It’s whatever I can agree on when I find a motivated buyer who really wants it. It could sit for years (already has), and I’m fine with that. I’m asking $700, but I’m flexible if someone wants to make me an offer. But I’m not giving it away.

But anyone else who thinks they know what this should be worth is just guessing, or really wants to buy it, but also really really wants to pay less than I’m asking.

[ALR-bishop]

Perhaps it was a Mays bottle cap that gets uncovered in the beginning of Alien v Predator

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by raulus

If we want to talk about pricing, then let’s talk about pricing.

Since it was raised earlier in the thread, let’s use the Maz as an example.

See pic below for the piece in question.

Most (not all) of the stuff that I’m selling is rare. In some cases it’s just hard to find in any grade. In other cases, it’s rare for the grade. That makes pricing a lot more exciting, because often there are no comps.

In this case, this piece is rare for the grade. It’s a 1 of 1 at this grade. You can definitely find them ungraded, and probably at lower grades. This grade would be tough to pull from an ungraded copy. If it was easy to get from a raw piece, there would be more that are graded at this level.

So the big question then is how do you price it? As we all know, the tippy top of the grading scale usually commands a decent premium. I know that’s heresy to a lot of people around here that a PSA 10 that is 1 of 1 should sell for a big multiple of a PSA 9. But that’s often the way it shakes out.

It’s true that you can get a raw piece like this for relatively little. Maybe $20 or $50 at the most. Most of them will have condition issues, and are very unlikely to grade at PSA 8.

So how do you price it? In this case, there are no comps that really tell you what it should be. It’s whatever I can agree on when I find a motivated buyer who really wants it. It could sit for years (already has), and I’m fine with that. I’m asking $700, but I’m flexible if someone wants to make me an offer. But I’m not giving it away.

But anyone else who thinks they know what this should be worth is just guessing, or really wants to buy it, but also really really wants to pay less than I’m asking.

I have sold my share of insanely rare cards. I have learned over the years what the market will pay but for the most part I just put an insanely high price on them. For example I just bought a card that there are at the most 5-7 known copies in the hobby. The normal final corrected version sells for $1 and I will ask $1500 for the variation I have and take the first $1050-$1200 I am offered.

I don't know much about grading rarities but would guess from what I have seen they get an even more insane asking price. On the very few times I have had silly rare stuff graded I basically double my asking price.

One of the biggest things I have noticed with silly rare stuff is you need to know your audience and not be in a hurry to sell.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I have sold my share of insanely rare cards. I have learned over the years what the market will pay but for the most part I just put an insanely high price on them. For example I just bought a card that there are at the most 5-7 known copies in the hobby. The normal final corrected version sells for $1 and I will ask $1500 for the variation I have and take the first $1050-$1200 I am offered.

I don't know much about grading rarities but would guess from what I have seen they get an even more insane asking price. On the very few times I have had silly rare stuff graded I basically double my asking price.

One of the biggest things I have noticed with silly rare stuff is you need to know your audience and not be in a hurry to sell.

This. I prefer actual rarity to condition rarity every day of the week and twice on Saturdays because when I decide to offer one up, the price is the price and if you don't want to pay it

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

This. I prefer actual rarity to condition rarity every day of the week and twice on Saturdays because when I decide to offer one up, the price is the price and if you don't want to pay it

I’m definitely with you there. I have plenty of stuff for sale that is also just plain rare in any condition, and I’m asking for the moon for it.

Such as this beauty below. I know what I bought it for, but then it was raw and in an auction. Hard to say what it’s worth now, but I know what I’m asking.

[Exhibitman]

I'd be a buyer at $7...

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I'd be a buyer at $7...

HA.

I’m usually a little more diplomatic when I get lowball offers sent via message. Typically my response is:

Thank you for your interest in my item, and for this generous offer. I am currently looking to sell for more than your offer, but perhaps if it doesn’t sell in the future, I will be willing to be more flexible.