Goodwin Pickups

[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.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If memory serves, Greg Bussineau pioneered the over the top descriptions back in the 90s. Some of them were really quite creative. Brian Drent has had some great ones too, including once describing a card as the "color of a Hawaiian sunset." I imagine those guys must be laughing at some of their own prose.

[Orioles1954]

I'm partial to the descriptions in the Huggins and Scott catalogs

[barrysloate]

If you have something great, go ahead and say it's great. I would do the same. But so much of auction text is unnecessary and poorly written. Some of the descriptions I read make me cringe. But that's me.

I've always assumed bidders don't like to be talked down to, or treated as if they were buying a used car. If you are offering a piece with a great deal of history, explain the historical signifcance to your audience. It's extremely important and goes a long way in selling the item.

But when I see the hype that goes with slabbed cards I turn the page. Just give me a clear scan and the grade, and I can take it from there.

[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?

[ncinin]

Originally Posted by 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?

That is the most sound reason for that particular card receiving the bids it received. Check the scan out

[Peter_Spaeth]

When card doctors compete, everyone wins.

[calvindog]

Same exact card in each auction. One of the Mastro auction results was not realized because the card "wasn't paid for" and it was sold for less money. I guess the down economy still caused someone (or two) to suddenly decide that the card could be popped out and upgraded upon resubmission:

5/8/09 Goodwin $21,494.30
9/1/07 Mastro $14,383.20
4/27/07 Mastro $13,698.00
4/3/06 Mastro $12,773.40

Oh and in 2006-07 Mastro was certainly not shy about bidding up their cards in any manner possible.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Maybe Bill hyped Cobb's batting average.

[Vintageclout]

What nobody seems to realize and, correct me if I've missed a related response, is that detailed descriptions are more important for the CONSIGNER, not the buyer. As a frequent consigner to many auction houses, I want the auction house to make my card(s) sound like holy grails, within reason of course. REA, Heritage, Goodwin and Mile High are the four best (Mastro was also great) at accomplishing this and those auctions will continue to receive my high end material for "taking care" of my lots. Their descriptions and marketing concepts are the best. While I am sure it is also advantageous for the buyers as so eloquently stated by Jim B., keep in mind without a continuous flow of high end consigments, EVERY auction house is out of business.

Joe T.

[botn]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Same exact card in each auction. One of the Mastro auction results was not realized because the card "wasn't paid for" and it was sold for less money. I guess the down economy still caused someone (or two) to suddenly decide that the card could be popped out and upgraded upon resubmission:

5/8/09 Goodwin $21,494.30
9/1/07 Mastro $14,383.20
4/27/07 Mastro $13,698.00
4/3/06 Mastro $12,773.40

Oh and in 2006-07 Mastro was certainly not shy about bidding up their cards in any manner possible.

Jeff on this thread http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...C494.30&page=3 (page 6) when you were going after Mastro you classified the first and last sales as "the most likely to be legit."

Greg

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Same exact card in each auction. One of the Mastro auction results was not realized because the card "wasn't paid for" and it was sold for less money. I guess the down economy still caused someone (or two) to suddenly decide that the card could be popped out and upgraded upon resubmission:

5/8/09 Goodwin $21,494.30
9/1/07 Mastro $14,383.20
4/27/07 Mastro $13,698.00
4/3/06 Mastro $12,773.40

Oh and in 2006-07 Mastro was certainly not shy about bidding up their cards in any manner possible.

I was the consignor for the E300 Plow Cobb on 5/8/09 and I was paid for this card a few weeks after the auction. I also did not ask anyone to shill the auction on my behalf if that is what you are suggesting.

In that auction, I consigned four cards, and had good results on the E300, but took losses on the other cards. Overall, I did a little worse than breaking even on the four.

[botn]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

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

Yeah this is not a problem at all in the hobby.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Snip snip here, snip snip there, and a couple of tra la las....