Buy/Sell/Trade check? How's it going over there?

[Jaybird]

agreed on the scans. I pretty much skip over any B/S/T thread without pictures.

As a seller, I wouldn't want all the back and forth from people just looking for a scan when one could be posted into the thread in the first place. If you have a card 10 people are interested in, you're already talking about starting 10 email chains just to send a picture of the card. Lot of hassle for nothing, but that's just me.

All of my transactions have been good on the BST, by the way. Seems like I buy or sell something there at least once a week.

Thanks to all,

Jason

[Bosox Blair]

I have done a bunch of B/S/T deals (mainly buying) and all turned out great.

Since the thread is wide open, I'll share a few anecdotes/observations though:

1. Bought a few cards from a nice gent who uses the B/S/T a fair bit. One of the cards - PSA graded - had a pretty serious crack in the slab in the area of the flip. Enough to make me worry someone *might* have tampered or switched it (and since the card appeared to be in a borderline grade, it worried me). I knew the gent who sold it to me had not done anything funny because I found a scan of the card/holder before he acquired it, and knowing where to look I saw the same crack. The B/S/T user promptly and courteously agreed to the return, and made me whole for the card price and the shipping back. A very stand-up guy. And typical of the excellent people I encounter using the B/S/T.

2. One time when I was selling some cards I got a PM from the "price police", advising me that my prices were too high. I disagreed, but invited him to make an offer. He never made any offer, and I believe he had no intention of buying any of the cards. All the cards sold to other buyers within 18 hours. So here's my stance - don't send anyone a message complaining about their pricing unless you are negotiating/making an offer. Nobody wants to hear from the busybody price police.

3. For the WTB guys, please be in tune with the value of what you WTB. I have sent several messages to WTB advertisers that go like this: "I have the card you are looking for. VCP has last # of sales as $X, $Y and $Z. I'll sell to you for a price in line with those." And then I get the response: "That is way more than I want to pay." So either (a) the WTB guy is not tuned into the going price for the thing he wants, or (b) he is looking to pay considerably less than the going price. Now I appreciate that not everyone has VCP. And I also think it is fine to look for a bargain. But before you WTB posters cause a number of people to take the time to respond to your post for nothing, my view is that you should learn what the market price is for the thing. And then, if you are looking to pay less, say so in some way. I have no problem at all with: "Anyone got a PSA 3 T206 Cobb bat off they would sell for a max price of $500 (actual price to be negotiated after I receive scans)?" Or "WTB ____ card at 90% of recent VCP - any sellers?"

These are just my own ramblings and I'm sure not everyone will agree...just a discussion.

But to bring this back around, I want to reiterate that all my B/S/T transactions have turned out great, and I think it is an excellent resource!

Cheers,
Blair

[kllrbee]

Let me put it this way....
If it wasnt for the BST and the great members Ive met there, I would have quit the "Monster" awhile ago.
Thanks Net 54, Leon, and all members who participate in the BST.

[FrankWakefield]

I don't care for the PMing system. I don't like it, don't like the pop ups.

At present I don't get PM's, the feature was disabled through the CP (Control Panel).


I don't like okra. Don't like gin, either. It has been years since I tried either. I didn't like them then, I still don't like them now. I don't have to be eating okra twice a day to maintain a present, current dislike for the vegetable. And I mention this to address the 'tense' issues addressed earlier. I still don't like PMing and the pop ups even though it is disabled. (And for what it's worth I dislike the quote feature, it unduly lengthens threads and is primarily used in arguments and disagreements, contentious posts; instead of informative posts.)


So it sounds like....

Folks like B/S/T,

the price should stay up,

use of scans improve listings,

sellers should specify 'no PMing' or 'posts take precedence over emails' or whatever communications constraints they wish to impose.

I love the BST. Have had many excellent transactions. Have made some great buys and sales also.

My beef though is that people use VCP to quote a lot of stuff now. Realistically their data SUCKS and if your are not on everyday watching and tracking you don't have a clue what real market value is. So they take a beat to piss card in EX-Poor(yes a new grade of .10 - .50) and compare it to a grade one with a few creases and/or a spot of paper loss. One sells at $15-$25 and the other at $55 +/- and they ask $55 then tell you your and idiot for lowballing them if you make an offer of what it sells for. Just be realistic people. Thats why some guys sell everything right away and some never do.

[cubsfan102003]

The BST is probably what lured me in to checking this site everyday. I used to come here once every couple of weeks until I started using the BST. I only use it to buy stuff, but I find it easier than dealing with ebay most of the time. For the most part, the sellers in BST offer their cards at fair prices, and I don't have to decide on what to send for an offer. I just have to say I'll take it most of the time, and it's a done deal. Nothing but great experiences so far.

I am also one who will just hit the back button when there isn't a scan included. I know not everyone has a scanner, but when someone says, "PM or email me for scans", I just walk away. For one thing, I'm not real familiar with most pre war issues, as I'm just a beginner here. So I have no idea what the card design is, and if I'll even like it. Other times, I'm not aware of every player on my team from that era, and I don't want to dig out my lists to look to see if there might be 1 card on that whole list I'm missing.

I also usually hit the back button if there isn't prices included. I know it's just me, but I hate making an offer without having some sort of starting point to work with. If their your cards, you must have some sort of an idea as to what you want for them, give me something to work with.

Anyway, like I said I have had nothing but good experiences, and I love the BST section. It keeps me coming back every day.

Thanks,
Tom

[Exhibitman]

I've had some nice transactions via the BST threads.

I would ask sellers to leave up the opening prices; just note 'sold' next to them. I'd like to see what they started at to get some idea of how to price comparable stuff.

One thing that is a bit off-putting is when a buyer insists on knocking down the price by the % of paypal if they send a check. I don't accept that any more because I then have to take the check to the bank, which is far less convenient for me.

+1 on scans; asking for them to be emailed is so 1998...