Buying cards from craigslist

exigussrex · Apr 13, 2011

Anyone else do this? I am fortunate enough to live in an area that gets frequent postings about baseball cards. I love going through people's old collections even though I haven't found many valuable cards. I'm going to meet someone tonight who promises over 100,000 cards. I have never encountered such a large collection. Can I get some strategies or things to look out for? Unfortunately, the cards seem to be mostly from the 80s and 90s, but there are some unopened boxes that grabbed my attention. Here is the original listing:

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/clt/2303216065.html

Guest · Apr 13, 2011

People post ads like this all the time. To be honest, there's nothing there but a potential strained back.

Everyone collected in the late 80s and 90s during the 'sports card boom' and put them away thinking they were going to have the next Mickey Mantle card.

If you're a glutton of punishment and just want to sit there going through them and reminiscing, then by all means.

But even if you break them down into lots by player, team, etc. when you factor all the work, all the trips to the post office, all the supplies you need... you might as well go make sneakers in Indonesia for Nike. Honestly.

exigussrex · Apr 13, 2011

I understand. I've been getting cards off craigslist for a while. I enjoy looking through people's stuff - I just never look through 100,000 cards.

1st4040 · Apr 13, 2011

if it makes you happy go for it! worst thing that can happen is you stock up on fire starting material for years to come. there may be some hidden gems in there depending on whether or not the owner is a knowledgeable collector and the cards have been picked through already.

SydBarrett · Apr 13, 2011

Hey, noticed you're in Goleta, I just moved to Paso Robles. It's a long shot, but do u know of any LCS up my way?

exigussrex · Apr 13, 2011

SydBarrett said:
Hey, noticed you're in Goleta, I just moved to Paso Robles. It's a long shot, but do u know of any LCS up my way?

I don't know of any in PR. The closest one I can think of is Great American Baseball Cards in Santa Barbara. The central coast doesn't have a whole lot of options.

Matsuicollector · Apr 13, 2011

Most of the listings I see are for 80's & early 90's junk. I've only bought once from craigslist which was a lot of 13 1994 SP a-rod RC's, all in at least nm-mt condition for $260 total ($20 per). I've sold 12 of them for $950 ($830 after fees and such) and have kept one. Because of this purchase I check craiglist maybe a few times a week hoping to strike gold again. I've only seen 2 more listings worth taking a look at but they were sold before I could get to them.

rainmanesq · Apr 13, 2011

I’ve done it several times and had great luck w/it…but I’ve also had plenty of ‘wow, rare cards/great $$$ maker’ type of collections that really mean ‘bunch of overproduced 80s stuff/waste of gas/time’. If you’re close by + can spare some time, why not take a shot @ it? Supplies can be bought in bulk to save costs + things like Turbolister + paypal multiorder shipping (can print 50 labels @ 1x) can save listing + shipping time.

Bob Loblaw · Apr 13, 2011

1st4040 said:
if it makes you happy go for it! worst thing that can happen is you stock up on fire starting material for years to come. there may be some hidden gems in there depending on whether or not the owner is a knowledgeable collector and the cards have been picked through already.

Or waking up in a tub full of ice without a kidney...

AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR · Apr 13, 2011

Jeff N. said:
1st4040 said:

if it makes you happy go for it! worst thing that can happen is you stock up on fire starting material for years to come. there may be some hidden gems in there depending on whether or not the owner is a knowledgeable collector and the cards have been picked through already.

Click to expand...

Or waking up in a tub full of ice without a kidney...

:lol: :lol: That made me laugh! :lol: :lol:

nevermore · Apr 13, 2011

I have searched occasionally hoping to come across some Yankees stuff, haven't found anything yet worth buying. I've had quite a bit of luck selling my extras though.

If anyone is interested, possibly the greatest deal ever.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/clt/2321105056.html

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Buying cards from craigslist

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