Common sense on BST

[Jacklitsch]

Post on the BST by Dad for cards for his young son and after making the gift find the card on the BST a month later.

[barrysloate]

I know it can ruffle people's feathers, but once you sell something you lose all control of it. The next guy is free to do whatever he wants. I've heard people say things like I'll only sell this to you if you promise to keep it in your collection, but that's never really enforceable. There is good will and karma involved in all of life's transactions, but there is a business side to this hobby too.

[vintagerookies51]

I agree with several others that they can do what they want with it... For some people (sometimes me) they intend to buy a card for their collection, but end up selling it because they spot another card they've been wanting for a long time.

[Runscott]

The opinions here are quite obviously along the lines of 'collector' and 'dealer'.

The disappointment arises when a collector is not looking to make money, hoping to pass along a good deal to a fellow collector....but instead gets hold of a dealer who spots the good deal first.

The only way around this is to offer items for sell, stating 'no dealers'. I have done this with pool cues and it works well.

[barrysloate]

It's fine to say "no dealers" but again, everyone's a dealer at some point so it's tough to enforce.

And Scott- do you sell Balabushkas?

[pow323]

Steve M. You must have delt with the same person that I did that was buying for his sons collection! What a lie that was!!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

It's fine to say "no dealers" but again, everyone's a dealer at some point so it's tough to enforce.

And Scott- do you sell Balabushkas?

I wouldn't suggest any enforcement - I understand the frustration and I'm just saying that if you're going to get offended by flipping, then state 'no dealers' . ...Or you could offer it at a 'fair' price that a dealer would avoid.

I think most of us try not to offend other board members in our dealings and those who do are probably remembered. Also, we are all aware that dealers will swoop in on things they can flip. If we're not, then we're naive.

In the pool cue world, I was thought of as a flipper, but was more of a renter - just like I once did with cards, I wanted to handle as many examples of historic items as I could - it's the only way to learn. I've never owned a Bushka, but I've sold several Rambows and never made a nickel. I currently have one and it's probably my second-favorite collectible, right behind the 1911 bat I have that probably swung at balls thrown by Walter Ball.

Scott <=== has whined plenty of times over deals

[Gradedcardman]

I agree with Barry. When you are selling you are essentially a dealer. Whether that is the intent or not. When I sell a card on BST I don't look for it in the future. It's sold and the new owner can do whatever he wants and when.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Same thing as buying stocks, why not turn around the next day and try to double your money if you can?

[Exhibitman]

A few thoughts:

1. The issue is a non-issue as far as I am concerned because I don't think there's any way to structure a 'golden rule' of BST behavior to prohibit or delay a resale of an item. I set my price and if I give away the item to someone who wants to flip it, so be it.

2. I am reluctant to cast aspersions on a buyer's decisionmaking process without having all of the facts. Circumstances and plans change. I have picked up impulse purchases many times only to quickly decide that the item doesn't fit with my collection. I've also needed to sell cards to make a quick buck to cover an unforeseen expense or take advantage of an unforeseen collecting opportunity. It happens.

3. As long as we're talking karma, there's another metaphysical concept that seems apporpos: detachment. Let it go. If you choose not to wring the top dollar out of your items, accept the possibility that your buyer may flip the item. In the end things pretty much work out as they should. Once a person is known as a notorious flipper, they aren't going to get any breaks here. FWIW, I've noticed that the really rapacious BST flippers have relatively short life-spans here. They seem to wear out their welcomes among the membership and fade back into the woodwork.

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

FWIW, I've noticed that the really rapacious BST flippers have relatively short life-spans here. They seem to wear out their welcomes among the membership and fade back into the woodwork.

Bingo. These things always seem to just take care of themselves. Simply move on!

[vintagecpa]

I agree with pretty much everything that is said. Once you own a card, you can do what you want. It is a collector vs dealer issue. Me being a simple collector makes it harder to understand sometimes. I just hate to see BST moving in that direction. I appreciate the opportunity to express my opinion. I see both sides of the fence. Mike

[ruth-gehrig]

I absolutely agree on both sides. I'm all for turning for a profit but baseball memorabilia is what I collect. Now I buy and sell other antiques for a profit and put most of those profits towards my baseball collection. I can definately see both sides here and how it would be frustrating to see something relisted especially if you substantially lowered your price because the buyer really wanted it for their collection.

[Fred]

I think the people that are voicing their opinion about a "free market" didn't really get the point that was trying to be made by the original poster. Why not just let a fellow collector that would really appreciate the card have it rather than rather than try to make a buck on it because you know you can.

Yeah, it says a lot about our society... it's like when you're driving, why be a prick and not let someone into traffic. Was a time when people actually tried to help each other out rather than have the mentality of having to be first or the "me me" thing. Our society just doesn't seem to get it these days.

This is a nice board and it would be nice to believe that there are a few good people out there that would put the hobby (and other hobbyist) first and their pocket book second.

What, did I offend someone - oh well.....

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Fred

I think the people that are voicing their opinion about a "free market" didn't really get the point that was trying to be made by the original poster. Why not just let a fellow collector that would really appreciate the card have it rather than rather than try to make a buck on it because you know you can.

Yeah, it says a lot about our society... it's like when you're driving, why be a prick and not let someone into traffic. Was a time when people actually tried to help each other out rather than have the mentality of having to be first or the "me me" thing. Our society just doesn't seem to get it these days.

This is a nice board and it would be nice to believe that there are a few good people out there that would put the hobby (and other hobbyist) first and their pocket book second.

What, did I offend someone - oh well.....

In a perfect world, most everything you said makes sense

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure you can control everyone who buys your product unless you question every single buyer, which won't happen.

Funny thing is, there are people that sell items high, low and right where they should be. Why don't we just attack the people that sell items too high on here? We would save ourselves some time

[Big Ben]

I can see both sides of this debate. While I have not sold any cards on here as of yet, I have been the beneficiary of some nice deals from this forum. Perhaps the classy thing to do is if a person decides to flip a card, they need to list that card on another site. (agreeing that a person can do anything they want with a purchased card)

Originally Posted by Jacklitsch

Post on the BST by Dad for cards for his young son and after making the gift find the card on the BST a month later.

This is BS. No wonder I caught flack when I started collecting the 206's for my daughter Melody. My girl would probably burn whats left of my cards if I sold any of hers. She found My Donovan Hindu last night. I tried telling her its mine but I guess I might not get this one back Best place I could think of for it.

[Leon]

I agree with most everything said except one thing, sort of. I am sure there will be contests in the future that have cards again. Once someone wins a card in one of the contests I actually hope they will sell it if not interested. I never thought the card contest card had/has any sanctity. A few winners have told me they would be selling them, even though they didn't have to tell me, and I was perfectly fine with that. Since I am the one picking the card I would be an idiot to think whoever wins it will always have an interest in it. Once they win they can do whatever they want with it.

As I said all along I think if you are honest in your dealings the rest will take care of itself. Please do let me know of abuses on the BST too....Be courteous to your fellow collectors is the overriding rule. (since there are no firm Net54baseball rules for the BST)