Ridiculous

[Abravefan11]

I think it's worth keeping in mind that everyone has a personal threshold for what is ludicrous. While some people's may be the premium paid for a 10 over a 9, others would consider $100 for a piece of cardboard ludicrous. To each their own.

[terjung]

Originally Posted by Abravefan11

others would consider $100 for a piece of cardboard ludicrous.

Good point.

In the grand scheme of things, we all collect cardboard pictures of dead guys who used to play a game. There's not a whole lot of intrinsic value in that. (...says the guys who has spent more than he cares to admit)

[barrysloate]

The prices do seem crazy but the label says "10" and that's what they are buying. The "9" may look just as nice but the label doesn't read "10", it reads "9." And that's all the difference in the world.

You also have to appreciate just how much money some people have, so paying six figures sums for some of these cards may not be a big deal to them.

I find the sale fascinating and the question I would ask is not how someone could afford 432K for a Clemente, but why someone would actually think it is worth that much. I bet you would get some interesting answers.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I find the sale fascinating and the question I would ask is not how someone could afford 432K for a Clemente, but why someone would actually think it is worth that much. I bet you would get some interesting answers.

For friendly debate........I am not saying this as necessarily a bad thing but I think I can sum up why it is worth 423k in one word. Ego.

I even admit to collecting and having an "ego" doing it. Why would we ever pay 100s or 1000s for these pieces of cardboard otherwise.

[RichardSimon]

Leon - I am rarely on this side of the board but this thread caught my eye, and your analysis hit the nail on the head.
EGO,,, mine is better than yours, mine is bigger than yours,, older, rich white men playing with what was originally children's cardboard.
To each his own I guess.
Oh, and let's not forget the power of the PSA Set Registry and the ego involved with that. The autograph/memorabilia guys that I know tend to chuckle about registry sets but the marketing genius at PSA who dreamed that one up does deserve a bonus.
I think many if not all collectors do have some ego about what they have. On the autograph side why do so many of us frame our pieces and mount them on walls all over our homes. I know I do . I love it when a visitor makes a glowing comment about my Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln signed documents.

[barrysloate]

Ego is absolutely part of the equation. Maybe the winning bidder believes this is the best Clemente rookie known. Maybe if he was told it was the fourth best he wouldn't even have placed a bid. Who knows. But one thing I believe is he really does think the card is worth that much money. I don't think just because people have a lot of money they are willing to make stupid purchases. Bill Gates can afford to pay $1000 for a hamburger but he never will because he knows no burger is worth that. So I bet the winning bidder will not only tell you he got a good deal but that it was undervalued. And maybe next time around someone will pay him 600K and he'll turn out to be right.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Ego is absolutely part of the equation. Maybe the winning bidder believes this is the best Clemente rookie known. Maybe if he was told it was the fourth best he wouldn't even have placed a bid. Who knows. But one thing I believe is he really does think the card is worth that much money. I don't think just because people have a lot of money they are willing to make stupid purchases. Bill Gates can afford to pay $1000 for a hamburger but he never will because he knows no burger is worth that. So I bet the winning bidder will not only tell you he got a good deal but that it was undervalued. And maybe next time around someone will pay him 600K and he'll turn out to be right.

The winning bidder for the Clemente posted his thoughts on the PSA board here: Link

Basically, copying his post, this is what he said:

"I also agree that in many cases a sweet 9 is just as appealing as a 10, visually very hard to see the difference...I would have bought a Clemente RC in a 9 if I ever had the chance at a nice one, but the only one I remember seeing for sale in the past 10 yrs had an iffy corner, so I had to make a decision...I typically wont replace 9s with 10s, for example I have a 54 Aaron 9 that actually belonged to Dmitri which he sold bc he was pissed it didnt get it a 10, it is a great looking card and every bit as nice to me as the 2 10s Ive seen. This was more a special situation of actually needing the card, not bumping up from a 9 to a 10. Though I admit on the Brock I have 2 9s and decided to buy the 10 and trade or sell the 9s to fill in other gaps in my collection."

[Al C.risafulli]

I used to work for a guy who would only drive a Mercedes. He had five or six of them, and if you asked him why he didn't sell one and buy a Cadillac, a Ferrarri, a Ford Taurus or whatever, he'd reply that he would only drive "the best car." It didn't matter if it was a completely subjective thing, in his opinion, Mercedes was the "best."

In some people's opinion, a PSA 10 is "the best." It's just another way to collect. I have no issue with it.

-Al

[bh3443]

While I admit not having the means to buy an Aaron 9 or 10 or even an 8, I'm pretty happy with the ones I've had from PSA that were 1.5, 4 and 5!

My ego used to go along with my collecting but in a different way: More cards were better! I'd rather have a dozen Aaron Rookies in all grades than just one pretty darn perfect one!

Richard, yes, that PSA registry idea is a goldmine!

Great article, I really do enjoy that sight. However, this one's my favorite!
From the amount of posts I've made, I see I like to talk!

I've had a bunch of fellow Net 54 friends over my house and I am in contact daily with so many of you. Whether it's doing a deal or just saying hello, I love to say that the finest hobyists I've ever known are the crew here on 54.
I find it comforting to know the future of our hobby is safe as it resides HERE!

Have a great day my friends,
Bill Hedin

[campyfan39]

PSA is the only winner in the scenario. No doubt they are flooded with submissions seeking the regrading of 8-9's.

[kcohen]

I find the characterization of "ludicrous" as overly judgmental. If you've got the bucks and it brings you some pleasure, whether it be ego-driven, investment-driven or whatever, why not? Each to his own.

[CMIZ5290]

WONDER WHAT A PSA 10 COBB GREEN PORTRAIT WOULD BRING??

[Leon]

Just to be clear if I wasn't. I have NO issue whatsoever with folks doing what they want to with their money. I think it's awesome that folks have the coin to buy what they want. No hard feelings or judgement on my side.

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Leon - I am rarely on this side of the board but this thread caught my eye, and your analysis hit the nail on the head.
EGO,,, mine is better than yours, mine is bigger than yours,, older, rich white men playing with what was originally children's cardboard.
To each his own I guess.
Oh, and let's not forget the power of the PSA Set Registry and the ego involved with that. The autograph/memorabilia guys that I know tend to chuckle about registry sets but the marketing genius at PSA who dreamed that one up does deserve a bonus.
I think many if not all collectors do have some ego about what they have. On the autograph side why do so many of us frame our pieces and mount them on walls all over our homes. I know I do . I love it when a visitor makes a glowing comment about my Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln signed documents.

Sorry, I saw this and had to say something. You do know who bought and sold this, right? I don't know what "old and white" has to do with anything when it was a 38 year old black man who just sold this collection.

Originally Posted by sportscardtheory

Sorry, I saw this and had to say something. You do know who bought and sold this, right? I don't know what "old and white" has to do with anything when it was a 38 year old black man who just sold this collection.

Has nothing to do with who bought and then sold it. We are talking about the person who has bought it now and I think he is implying that most people buying these types of cards for collections fall in to the Older White Guy demographic. There is a lot evidence to prove that comment also. Look at the make-up of the board. Most of the big $ collectors fall in the over 40 age.