Goodwin Pickups

[barrysloate]

Good points, but it is also helpful to offer that information succinctly. I think there are many people out there with short attention spans who may not want to read a long essay about each lot.

I offered historical background when it was necessary, but tried not to ramble or repeat myself. We veterans do get jaded, but I know when I'm reading through a catalog I'm skipping half the text.

[calvindog]

Jim, you can call me out by name, I think you'll find I have a pretty thick skin and am not easily deterred. And fraud in the hobby is a pretty important topic even if it does blow a potential zen moment. At least the FBI seems to think so.

[calvindog]

Dan, consignors who have shared in the ridiculous prices of Goodwin have every incentive to protect him now (just as many protected Mastro a few years ago). But everyone here knows the truth about what goes on in his auctions -- and many just don't want to say it here because to do so would be to kill the golden goose.

And unless Bill turns over his bidding records or the people who have gotten guaranteed prices on lots come forward I'm not sure there is much anyone can do other than set out the more ludicrous results he's gotten. Circumstantial proof is pretty powerful as it certainly tipped me off to Mastro's fraud and I guess some important people agreed. But I will add that whatever I felt about Mastro's shenanigans based on the auction numbers is tiny compared to what I see with Goodwin. But then again, I'm just a bidder and not a consignor so what do I know.

[barrysloate]

Dan- come on, you don't really believe that bidders pay more after reading the text? All well written lots are helpful to them, but do you think bidders exceed their limits because of the text? I highly doubt it.

But I do agree there are beginners coming into the hobby and the extra information helps them learn about the memorabilia (again assuming that it is genuinely well written).

[slidekellyslide]

Interesting info on the 1952 Pafko card...not a rare card, and one that comes up often. How in the world does this card get 4-5x in a Goodwin auction what it fetches on ebay?

[rman444]

Barry - would you think any less of me if I admitted that I have been whipped into a bidding frenzy because of a flowery auction description before?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Jeff, as you know, people believe what they want to believe. So if people want to believe auctions are clean, they are going to believe auctions are clean, and certainly even the most corrupt auction has lots of legitimate sales. It's what to make of the ones that defy common sense, or the ones that show up on the table a week later, or that ones that keep getting recycled, that make me, personally, cynical. Now, about Ty Cobb's batting average.....

[barrysloate]

Richard- depends what you mean by flowery auction description. Is it an accurate appraisal of a card that turns you on, or all the silly hype we see? Do you bid more when it reads "snow white borders" or "corners so sharp you can shave with them?"

If so, see your doctor.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Interesting info on the 1952 Pafko card...not a rare card, and one that comes up often. How in the world does this card get 4-5x in a Goodwin auction what it fetches on ebay?

Possibly the Goodwin & Co. description -- one of the best in the business, you know -- mentioned that Pakfo hailed from Boyceville, Wis., a peaceful village of just more than 1,000 residents that is just a few scenic minutes northwest of Menomonie. That would be worth at least $500.

And I've heard that Goodwin & Co. --get this -- will take cards slated for future auctions to shows and let prospective bidders have a gander at them. Kind of whet their appetite, so to speak. I'm not sure whether anyone has thought to do that. Golly, that probably would add another $750 to the hammer price.

It's all about marketing and descriptions in the catalog. Oh yes, and Goodwin & Co.'s super-neato-keen Web site. $500.

[ncinin]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Interesting info on the 1952 Pafko card...not a rare card, and one that comes up often. How in the world does this card get 4-5x in a Goodwin auction what it fetches on ebay?

I think the answer to the two 1952 Topps Pafko Black Back cards are evident if you look at the scans versus scans of the other PSA 5 in VCP.

Especially the PSA 5 that sold for $5,294. The centering is spot on and the corners look relatively clean. There is a 99% chance of the buyer of that card previewing the card in person and deciding there is a decent chance of cracking the card, fixing whatever problems are with the card and hoping to get it in a 7 holder and make $10,000 or more profit. If the card don't get into a 7, there is always a raw card customer who is getting a near mint example in his mind and there is profit to be made paying $5,294 if that is the case.

The Pafko that sold for $2,397 has superior centering as compared to scans of any of the other PSA 5's and the corners aren't shot either. There was probably an attempt to bump this card as well.

[barrysloate]

"...fixing whatever problems are with the card..."

So you are suggesting the card received a high price because the winning bidder plans to do a few alterations before resubmitting it?