Dean's Cards

[deweyinthehall]

So, I've never purchased from Dean's before...stared in bewilderment at some of his prices, but never purchased.

As I'm filling in some cards from 1967, I'm noticing that many of his cards that he describes as VG look EX, EX+ and even EXMT in some cases, which is in my range of condition.

Question - is Dean's a conservative grader, and might some of his VG stuff be considered EX or a little better by others?

Thanks!

[Gorditadogg]

Haha

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[Harliduck]

I'll double that "Haha"


I wouldn't trust a scan, pic, telephone call...ZIP from that p.o.s. of a "dealer"...so I'd say no...if it says VG, my guess is P. From past experience.

[jchcollins]

Say what you want about Dean’s pricing, but his grading is generally on point and has been for years.


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[mikemb]

I've had no issues or problems buying cards from Deans. Any stars or cards in excellent condition or better are way overpriced so stay away from them.

I have had no problems with his grading. His very good condition cards are in that condition if not a little better. Has good scans of both sides of all cards. Fast shipping too.

Again, stay away from the overpriced cards.

Dean's is not well liked here. So, you may not get many positive reviews.

Mike

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Say what you want about Dean’s pricing, but his grading is generally on point and has been for years.


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I'll clarify...and I've told my story here before...but crib notes my wife who knows zip about cards googled and found them to surprise finish a set for me for Christmas (stole my needs list, )...74 Topps, and she asked for Mint on the phone (only word she knew) and gave them the list. Cards that arrived were creased and hammered, and she paid more than Mint prices (WELL more). Since they sat wrapped for a while, they wouldn't do a return...took advantage of my wife. She never thought to open and look at them, just wrapped the package as it came. She felt like an idiot, and refuses to have anything to do with "cards" since...F them.

[jchcollins]

John, sorry that happened to both you and your wife. I'm speaking obviously only of my personal experience with Dean's. I have not bought much from them at all; their deserved reputation for over the moon pricing has kept me away from a lot of cards that I probably otherwise would have bought at one point or another over the last decade. I will say that I have noticed just within the last year, that there are some vintage items that Dean has come down considerably on in comparison to what we have come to expect from him. I have no idea if he is having success in moving more cards doing this recently or not.

But to the grading: I know Dean's guide (and video) on grading raw cards is pretty much right on. I did business with him on a lot of 1967 Topps commons a few years back after I decided I was going after the whole set. It was a mid-lower lot overall, maybe VG-EX range - and I have to say that I was pleased with their grading.

Your situation of course does not preclude someone reaching into the wrong bin or something else in the vein of a genuine mistake I suppose, but certainly nobody wants to pay Mint prices for VG cards. I would have sent them back.

Originally Posted by Harliduck

I'll clarify...and I've told my story here before...but crib notes my wife who knows zip about cards googled and found them to surprise finish a set for me for Christmas (stole my needs list, )...74 Topps, and she asked for Mint on the phone (only word she knew) and gave them the list. Cards that arrived were creased and hammered, and she paid more than Mint prices (WELL more). Since they sat wrapped for a while, they wouldn't do a return...took advantage of my wife. She never thought to open and look at them, just wrapped the package as it came. She felt like an idiot, and refuses to have anything to do with "cards" since...F them.

[Cliff Bowman]

Bash him all you want, I have bought several unlisted print errors and severely miscut cards from him over the past several years and never had a problem with him. If you are looking for cheaper cards of the same grade then ignore him and look on eBay.

[ALR-bishop]

Agree with Cliff and John C. Sorry about your experience John O

Given what has happened on prices maybe waiting for the market to come to their prices is not such a bad strategy. Seems to have worked for them for years

[toppcat]

I buy midgrade cards from Dean's and have never had an issue.

[butchie_t]

Deals on cards can be made at Dean’s, one just has to shop for them.

B. T.

[Casey2296]

I've bought a few cards from Dean's, mostly graded and cards that just weren't available elsewhere, happy with the cards and service. Almost pulled the trigger on a 51B Mantle psa 3 for 11k in 2020, kicking myself for that one. Always go to his website and buy direct for a discount and no sales tax.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

Bash him all you want, I have bought several unlisted print errors and severely miscut cards from him over the past several years and never had a problem with him. If you are looking for cheaper cards of the same grade then ignore him and look on eBay.

I agree with Cliff. I have purchased from Dean's and have not had issues.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

I agree with Cliff. I have purchased from Dean's and have not had issues.

Me too. I have had nothing but great experiences with Dean's and with the insane price run ups they are now cheaper to buy from than most other places. I just bought 2 T210s from them WAY cheaper than I could find anyplace else.

[Harliduck]

I'll admit, it's great for the hobby that they have turn some of their reputation around and nice to see (for once) some positive around Deans Cards as normally a thread here would not go well. It was funny to see when the covid surge hit that some of his once outrageous pricing turned into decent deals for a bit there...I had to pay a few dollars extra for some of the Bowman high number Umpire cards while going for that set, chuckling that they had some better deals.

Last time I will rip into them here, and will bite my tongue in the future. Take advantage of my wife and not stand behind it will gain a lifetime ban from me, no matter what, but again, good that such a large supplier is making some folks happy.

[deweyinthehall]

Well I took the plunge - just to get an idea before going way in, I ordered 11 1967 1st series cards - mostly commons but with the error/No Trade McCormick, the Mets team card and a couple other Mets which always seem to be a bit more. Total was about $35.00. Scans suggest all are in good shape - like Ex+ even though he has most listed as VG. Curious - in one assortment of VG+ samples of one card, all looked fine except one which had a nasty crease about a inch long in one of the corners. So, it pays to look and not just snap one up because it's in the grouping of the condition you're looking for.

[Gorditadogg]

I sent you a PM with my email address. Give me your want list and I will send you some EX 67T commons so you can compare them to Deans.

My guess is that Deans is going to send you $15 worth of VG cards but I am curious to find out what you think when you get them.

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[bnorth]

I received the 2 T210s I bought from them today. They actually look better than the high quality scans they provide. Their scans showed off every little chip in those beautiful red borders. In hand you don't notice them as much.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I've bought NM cards from them that graded 9. Past a certain level the Dean's premium isn't worth it, but for certain types of cards I've found them to be just fine.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I've bought NM cards from them that graded 9. Past a certain level the Dean's premium isn't worth it, but for certain types of cards I've found them to be just fine.

What types of cards would that be?

All I see are thousands of overpriced 50s and 60s cards plastered all over ebay and comc. What am I missing?

I understand with their massive inventory you can get some hard to find cards to fill your set and you might find it worthwhile to pay Deans ask to get those. Beyond that though I am not seeing what they have to offer.



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[Chris Counts]

I, too, have occasionally bought something from Dean, and was satisfied.

Dean gets a lot of flack because of his high prices, but I've never heard of him deceiving anybody, which I consider far worse than high prices.

[jingram058]

Lots of folks on these forums seem to have no problem at all paying 4 or 5 times what cards are worth. Whatever. There is an old expression about money and being soon parted. But it doesn't seem to apply to buying cards from Dean's. The money just doesn't ever seem to be parted.

+2 on the haha

[ALR-bishop]

Good of you to note our foolishness James.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Lots of folks on these forums seem to have no problem at all paying 4 or 5 times what cards are worth. Whatever. There is an old expression about money and being soon parted. But it doesn't seem to apply to buying cards from Dean's. The money just doesn't ever seem to be parted.

+2 on the haha

Well he's been in business forever so someone must be buying.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Well he's been in business forever so someone must be buying.

The one expensive card I've ever bought from Dean was a '67 Topps Brooks Robinson high number SP in a PSA 5. I made the mistake of doing this at the height of the bubble probably in 2020, but I was at a crossroads with my '67 set - and of the midgrade options for this card I had online at the time - Dean had the one I liked the best in the grade that I could afford. Working against me also was Covid lockdown fatigue, and I got it in my head that I really, really wanted THAT particular card. Yes, there were more reasonably priced cards by consideration of grade even on eBay, but I was not paying $1,000 or whatever for a PSA 7. So I bought the card. By today's standards I certainly overpaid for it a bit, but even at the time it was not what I would consider just off the charts egregious. It was packaged professionally and showed up on my front doorstep 2 days later.

Anywho, I digress. The point I wanted to make is that if you go on Dean's website and play around with the cart - the more things you add, the greater your calculated discount prior to checkout becomes. It's actually a clever little model, as you see things already added in your cart just continue to get discounted further the more cards you add. This of course is playing right into their hands, as you are spending more money total. But this model is not what you see off the bat when you just go looking for whatever expensive vintage card online one day, and of course with Dean - you hit on his site and he has the most expensive one you've seen. That's why people blow him off without further consideration most of the time, IMO.

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Well he's been in business forever so someone must be buying.

Peter- apparently only fools seeking a parting from their money 😎

[cannonballsun]

I too felt the same about Dean's as do the majority of the net 54 collectors. When I see he has something listed on ebay, I just pass on by.
One day I noticed an SP at a not too bad of a price. I went to his website to get his 20% (and no tax) discount, and saw he had several more SPs at even better way too low prices that hadn't yet been listed at EBay. I bought several of them, and I actually got a great deal.
It just shows, to find great deals you have to do the due diligence and put in the work. We all know the old saying about when you assume.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Peter- apparently only fools seeking a parting from their money 😎

Pick a card, any card at Dean's. Look at the price. Look at that same card elsewhere. 'Nuf said.

If that doesn't matter to you, well, you played the game of life pretty well. Enjoy!

[deweyinthehall]

Originally Posted by deweyinthehall

Well I took the plunge - just to get an idea before going way in, I ordered 11 1967 1st series cards - mostly commons but with the error/No Trade McCormick, the Mets team card and a couple other Mets which always seem to be a bit more. Total was about $35.00. Scans suggest all are in good shape - like Ex+ even though he has most listed as VG. Curious - in one assortment of VG+ samples of one card, all looked fine except one which had a nasty crease about a inch long in one of the corners. So, it pays to look and not just snap one up because it's in the grouping of the condition you're looking for.

Ok - my shipment came today.

I have to say I'm very satisfied. Of the 10 cards which he graded VG-EX, I would say each would have been graded at least EX+ and a couple ExMT by other dealers I do business with (and will keep doing business with, to be clear). Sharp edges, light corner touches, some centering issues.

The one he graded VG was a Matty Alou which physically is as good as the rest, but the purple printing of PIRATES is slightly off from the black letter borders. Still, not so much that I won't use the card in my set.

So, I'll be going back for more.

[ALR-bishop]

Dewey you have obviously played the game of life pretty well. ‘Nuf said

[mikemb]

Good to hear all went well. Pretty fast shipping too. Good luck with the 67 set.

Mike

[Snowman]

Ya, most of his stuff is laughably over priced. However, some are fairly priced. They're just few and far between. That said, his grading is very accurate. I'd say he's on par with Greg Morris' grades from everything I've purchased from him and seen on eBay.

However, if you see a card that looks EX-MT in the scan, but the listing says "VG", you should expect it to arrive with a crease that you cannot see in the photos.

[deweyinthehall]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Ya, most of his stuff is laughably over priced. However, some are fairly priced. They're just few and far between. That said, his grading is very accurate. I'd say he's on par with Greg Morris' grades from everything I've purchased from him and seen on eBay.

However, if you see a card that looks EX-MT in the scan, but the listing says "VG", you should expect it to arrive with a crease that you cannot see in the photos.

I can't speak for others, but the mixed VG/VG+ lot I received would have all be graded EX+ or EXMT by others - not a crease among them.

[GasHouseGang]

Remember during the pandemic price run-up when people were buying Dean's cards because they were actually the cheapest on Ebay? For awhile Dean's failed to keep up with the nearly daily price increases and their prices suddenly were bargains.

[JollyElm]

634. Lagflation
When a seller’s prices before the pandemic were stupidly high, but since he hasn’t done a show in a couple of years, the old price stickers on his toploaders remain unchanged and now make the cards look like sweet bargains in today’s market.

See also: Deantrification - when the stupidly high prices of an eBayer seller seem a tiny bit more reasonable to some people, because everyone else’s wildly skyrocketing prices have lessened the gap.

[Futbowl]

JollyElm are publishing a full dictionary? I think would enjoy the read….

[hawaiian bam bam]

I missed the memo on Deans cards.(I’m newer to this vintage board) What is the problem most common with deans cards? (What do you guys don’t like about deans cards?) thanks

[Cliff Bowman]

Originally Posted by hawaiian bam bam

I missed the memo on Deans cards.(I’m newer to this vintage board) What is the problem most common with deans cards?(What do you guys don’t like about deans cards?) thanks

Too expensive.

[swarmee]

Correct; nearly every card available from Dean's you could buy in better condition and 1/3 the price by using COMC.com (logged in) or some other site.

[hawaiian bam bam]

Oh got it. Thank you for educating me on this. I did notice his prices seemed a bit high nicht I also saw that he does ALOT of business on eBay. Thank you again, I appreciate you all.

[jayshum]

Has anyone ever tried selling cards to Deans? Just wondering if their buy prices are as strong as their sell prices.

[cardsagain74]

He's in the ballpark on cards like this, at least.

$40 for a five cent common. An 80,000% markup isn't too bad eh.

And there are four of them available (to increase the chance that you can find one to get your money's worth, I imagine)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275094973782

[G1911]

I have bought a few cards from Deans, because he has good front and back scans. Paying $6 for a $1 card that has a difficult but little known variation is fine for me, because it might take years to find one for cheaper. I can't imagine buying from him in any other scenario. It's not like they tend to have a lot of overpriced stuff, but cards that are rarely encountered. Topps/Bowman are the bulk of their absurdly priced inventory.

[John1941]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

He's in the ballpark on cards like this, at least.

$40 for a five cent common. An 80,000% markup isn't too bad eh.

And there are four of them available (to increase the chance that you can find one to get your money's worth, I imagine)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275094973782

I've always known Dean's Cards prices are crazy, but my eyes bugged out looking through the transactions. $8.75 for a VG 1957 Topps semi-star? What?

[irv]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

He's in the ballpark on cards like this, at least.

$40 for a five cent common. An 80,000% markup isn't too bad eh.

And there are four of them available (to increase the chance that you can find one to get your money's worth, I imagine)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275094973782

Here's a graded 9 that sold most recently for $12.90.
I would assume Dean's must be an 11 or 12??
https://www.psacard.com/auctionprice...44714625917964

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by irv

Here's a graded 9 that sold most recently for $12.90.
I would assume Dean's must be an 11 or 12??
https://www.psacard.com/auctionprice...44714625917964

Dale, he has simply priced his cards for 2122. This way he doesn't have to spend unnecessary time to go through and raise his prices as the value of his holdings appreciate.