How many times has this happened to you?

[sycks22]

I had one buddy told me he collected a lot in the '70's so I thought maybe something decent. He also had he had some nice graded cards, those turned out to be PSA 9 Griffey Donruss / Topps traded rookies that he picked up late one night on QVC. I felt bad giving him all back and telling them they're pretty much worthless so I shot him $40 and he was happy. There are some Ryan's / Brett's in there, but nothing over $10.

[novakjr]

My wife's stepfather did this to me once. Told me about all these cards he had and how much he thought they'd be worth someday. One holiday he pulled 'em out to show me. I really didn't have the heart to tell him that they were all worthless...Even by late 80's-early 90's standards, they were worthless. Even if I had told him they were worthless, he probably wouldn't have listened to me. So I just let him keep afloat in fantasy land...

[rp12367]

Havn't had it happen with cards. But with comics, we were at a party and my wife mentioned that I collected comics, I had/still have a ton of silver age. So a guy claimed he had big collection, went over there a few weeks later and he had a ton of late 80's, early-mid 90's junk, a key apperance here or there but overall not worth cover price.

[zljones]

I had the same thing happen with a girl at my work that collected when she was a kid. She hyped up like she had some badass cards, then she brought them to work and they were all 1992 Topps, Donruss and other crap that was not even in great condition, creases, rounded corners, etc.... Of course I told her those cards were worth squat.

The problem is, these people that think they have these great cards they collected in the late 80s early 90s think their stuff is still hot, even though they haven't watched the market in nearly 20 years. When they see my collection they are blown away, but realisically my collection is great but compared to many other collectors, my collection is no comparison. My most valuable card is worth $1,500.

I also noticed that many people say cards are not worth anything anymore, then I correct them saying only those newer cards from before or during the baseball card bubble are the ones worth squat, but prewar is going up.

[sandmountainslim]

I had a customer who owns alot of rental property tell me "You should SEE the cards I found in on of my renter houses a few years ago" then he started to tell me how old they were and how many baseball stars were represented. Of course I asked to see them. He brought the cards by and they were all mid 80's Topps and Fleer. I told him they didn't interest me and his reply was he will give them to his grandson because they will be worth a fortune in a few years.....I just let him think that.

[kcohen]

I worked part-time at a local card shop for a number of years. There was a period where several calls a week came in with people expressing interest in selling their "old" cards, especially with the downturn in the economy. Many knew that they weren't worth much and just wanted to make room in their houses or just get anything they could. However, there was a small segment who thought that the cards were going to put their kids through college with the proceeds.

If they were located any distance from the shop, we told them not to even bother since the proceeds, if any, wouldn't cover the gas for the trip. Oh well. Unlike some other investments or speculations, at least with this one you cannot lose more than 100%.