Attn: "Super" collectors, Beckett wants YOU

My advice: don't do it!


I used to buy these Sabathia DK 1/1's, I have a bunch. I asked a simple question on their MB one day because I was a little confused when the blacks turned out to be 1/1's as well. They published my question in their magazine without even asking me, which I didn't mind at first... then people started putting cards I needed on ebay, which was helpful, but... I was winning them for $10 for non autos, and ~$30 for autos. These people were listing them for $200!


So if you collect a player, and enjoy sellers acting like they are selling to regular people instead of holding hostages, keep your stuff out of this magazine.

My $.02

+1

They're still in business?

Jeff N. said:

They're still in business?

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A shepherd will always make a living so long as his sheep aren't poached.

Card Magnet said:

[quote="Jeff N.":3l8e80ra]They're still in business?

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A shepherd will always make a living so long as his sheep aren't poached.[/quote:3l8e80ra]

Are you calling gilmo a poacher? Thems fightin words!

I understand some collectors are leary of notority. But it's been my experience that it's about a 3 to 1 good experience to bad experience being known as a "super collector" of a guy. What I mean is that I've had many more people try to help me in my collecting than have tried to take advantage of me.

At this point I'd LOVE for someone to offer me a card I'm hunting at a high premium. I have cards on my want list that "book" for less than $10 that I'd happily pay $40 or $50 for!

VizquelCollector said:

At this point I'd LOVE for someone to offer me a card I'm hunting at a high premium. I have cards on my want list that "book" for less than $10 that I'd happily pay $40 or $50 for!

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Yah, but do you want those cards to be held at ransom for $200?

I've been working on a couple of basketball sets for almost 10 years now and am down to less than 10 on each. I thought about writing in to try to get some out in the market, but I've always been afraid they'll be at some ridiculous price. And that's why I haven't done it yet.

brouthercard said:

VizquelCollector said:

At this point I'd LOVE for someone to offer me a card I'm hunting at a high premium. I have cards on my want list that "book" for less than $10 that I'd happily pay $40 or $50 for!

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Yah, but do you want those cards to be held at ransom for $200?

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Nope, obviously not. But I've never encountered another Vizquel collector that will seriously overpay. If someone wants to hold onto it, they'd be welcome to do so and I'd be happy enough using the $ elsewhere.

On the other hand, if I had 20 guys hold cards for "ransom" but it led to 5 guys that I could deal with on other cards, I think that'd be a win.

brouthercard said:

VizquelCollector said:

At this point I'd LOVE for someone to offer me a card I'm hunting at a high premium. I have cards on my want list that "book" for less than $10 that I'd happily pay $40 or $50 for!

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Yah, but do you want those cards to be held at ransom for $200?

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Exactly. I suppose there are two possible remedies to this though: 1) print in the article that the collector isn't going to pay absurd prices as a result of being in their article; and 2) have Beckett publish a follow-up on any vultures that may have surfaced as a result of the article. If Beckett were into 'journalistic excellence' it would do well to publish negative aspects of the hobby where appropriate, actually the follow-up story may be as interesting or more interesting than the initial article.

VizquelCollector said:

brouthercard said:

VizquelCollector said:

At this point I'd LOVE for someone to offer me a card I'm hunting at a high premium. I have cards on my want list that "book" for less than $10 that I'd happily pay $40 or $50 for!

Click to expand...

Yah, but do you want those cards to be held at ransom for $200?

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Nope, obviously not. But I've never encountered another Vizquel collector that will seriously overpay. If someone wants to hold onto it, they'd be welcome to do so and I'd be happy enough using the $ elsewhere.

On the other hand, if I had 20 guys hold cards for "ransom" but it led to 5 guys that I could deal with on other cards, I think that'd be a win.

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I'm in complete agreement. I'm actively looking for 23 cards - some have been on my wantlist for well over 15 years. They shouldn't be that rare, but apparently they are. If my collection happens to get chosen and catches someone's eye out there, then I'd happily pay a premium to obtain that elusive card. Obviously I'd hate to get held hostage, but I'm thinking (hoping?) that most collectors out there really do like to help each other out.

I doubt they'd be interested in my Hensley Meulens collection.

RL24 said:

My advice: don't do it!


I used to buy these Sabathia DK 1/1's, I have a bunch. I asked a simple question on their MB one day because I was a little confused when the blacks turned out to be 1/1's as well. They published my question in their magazine without even asking me, which I didn't mind at first... then people started putting cards I needed on ebay, which was helpful, but... I was winning them for $10 for non autos, and ~$30 for autos. These people were listing them for $200!


So if you collect a player, and enjoy sellers acting like they are selling to regular people instead of holding hostages, keep your stuff out of this magazine.

My $.02

Click to expand...

I had this same problem with a couple sellers because of my website. Some sellers that knew about my list would list every card they had of McGwire at 30% of Beckett value, then for all the ones I needed, they listed them at 200% then had the nerve to ask me why I wouldn't buy from them.

I've gotten a little smarter about it. I think for the most part, people here know I won't overpay if I don't want to. I do think you can overpay on something, even if you need it. But then again, sometimes I just get it anyways. But at shows now, if I see a Bagwell I want, I'll only tell a handful of dealers I know personally that I need it for my collection. Most of them, I just tell them I have a friend who is interested in Bagwell. It's harder to screw a "friend" buying something for his "buddy" because if they get too steep, they know I'll walk. Throw a few lines in that lets them know you aren't a casual collector yourself, and they figure they don't have much of a chance. Let them know you colelct said player at your own peril.

Actually had a guy get in my face at one of these little piss ant shows because he was hawking one of those Treat Bagwell autos for $60. I told him no thanks and walked away and he came up bellowing about how I'd never find it cheaper. I then informed him I had just purchased one on ebay a few weeks prior for $10 delivered. He shut up. I moved on. Player collecting sucks sometimes.

onionring9 said:

RL24 said:

My advice: don't do it!


I used to buy these Sabathia DK 1/1's, I have a bunch. I asked a simple question on their MB one day because I was a little confused when the blacks turned out to be 1/1's as well. They published my question in their magazine without even asking me, which I didn't mind at first... then people started putting cards I needed on ebay, which was helpful, but... I was winning them for $10 for non autos, and ~$30 for autos. These people were listing them for $200!


So if you collect a player, and enjoy sellers acting like they are selling to regular people instead of holding hostages, keep your stuff out of this magazine.

My $.02

Click to expand...

I had this same problem with a couple sellers because of my website. Some sellers that knew about my list would list every card they had of McGwire at 30% of Beckett value, then for all the ones I needed, they listed them at 200% then had the nerve to ask me why I wouldn't buy from them.

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That's pretty lame....

They had us all.
Then they lost us all.
Screw them.

I've submitted half a dozen times... photos, stats, great detailed info... nada. No reply "thanks for submitting" or anything. Kinda gave up.

theplasticman said:

I've submitted half a dozen times... photos, stats, great detailed info... nada. No reply "thanks for submitting" or anything. Kinda gave up.

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Probably because your collection is so lame. Put a little effort into it

gracecollector said:

theplasticman said:

I've submitted half a dozen times... photos, stats, great detailed info... nada. No reply "thanks for submitting" or anything. Kinda gave up.

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Probably because your collection is so lame. Put a little effort into it

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Don't feel bad, I've been ignored too. Chris Olds dropped me a line about this article. It's nice being able to ignore him this time.