Trade bait. Is it worth it?

[nevermore]

With the high costs of shipping, supplies, combined with odds of finding cards you that need available for trade...is it worth sinking money into trade bait? Or is it easier just buying the cards you need?

There is a poll question, but I'd also like to read what you have to say. It'll be interesting to see if the set builders, prospectors, and player collectors have different views on this matter.

 

[Pine Tar]

With the high costs of shipping, supplies, combined with odds of finding cards you that need available for trade...is it worth sinking money into trade bait? Or is it easier just buying the cards you need?

There is a poll question, but I'd also like to read what you have to say. It'll be interesting to see if the set builders, prospectors, and player collectors have different views on this matter.

Well it all depends on the cards you need, or would like.

I say yes it is worth some trade bait because some of the cards listed can be over priced and some of the
card are ready available cheaper through a trade. Also sometimes you can get a 2 for 1 you send 2 and get 1.

 

[colts1888]

i dont think its worth it trading has been so hard recently id rather just go buy a card i want then wasting my day trying to work out a trade

for you i wouldnt waste my time w. tradebait considering you collect Paul o neill who doesnt seem to have much high end stuff so id stick with buying your needs

 

[thegreathambino]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

 

[i43770]

I guess it depends on how much trading you do. I use to complete 10-25 trades a month, so I would go to shows and buy items to trade, if I could get a good deal on it. Or have purchased lots for a few cards, just to have the other cards to trade off.

 

[FortyFour]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

You talk to your house?

 

[thegreathambino]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

You talk to your house?

what?

 

[subject to change]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

You talk to your house?

That's what I was wondering.

 

[Pine Tar]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

You talk to your house?

I thinking the samething, but does you house talk back to Avery

 

[FortyFour]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

You talk to your house?

what?

you said

i always say to my house

 

[Pine Tar]

when i buy cards,.. i always say to my house .. " if i don't sell this, will i be happy with it.."

You talk to your house?

what?

you said

i always say to my house

[youtube:11cp83mx]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoZkxcucb8I[/youtube:11cp83mx]

 

[Jays_Cards]

Nope. I havent traded in a few years and I refuse to trade online, so I dont have any "trade bait". If I want something, I buy it.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Might be worth getting the trade bait if you know right away of someone with whom you can trade with. This is also the preferred way to go when selling - the quick turn-around is almost always preferred.

Its much easier and much less work to buy what's needed and not be left with a bunch of stuff you're not interested in just taking up space - unless you want to become a dealer

With the high costs of shipping, supplies, combined with odds of finding cards you that need available for trade...is it worth sinking money into trade bait? Or is it easier just buying the cards you need?

There is a poll question, but I'd also like to read what you have to say. It'll be interesting to see if the set builders, prospectors, and player collectors have different views on this matter.

 

[Codasco07]

Trading is so hard that I wouldn't sink funds into cards just to trade. I have no problem buying cards to flip though.

 

[17ROCKIES12]

I've found that if you find a good deal on a popular player it can work really well, otherwise i don't do it.

 

[1st4040]

when I got back into the hobby late 2007.. I had alot of quality rookies of players from the 80's and 90's.. I used these to either obtain PC items or in some cases lots of GU'ed to be able to trade for cards I need.. I prefer to trade for all the low end easy to find stuff and save my funds toward buying GU'ed or Auto's when possible.. I have made about 150 or so trades on various sites online to this point and probably added close to 400 cards to my collection that way while thinning out my tradebait.

I have only bought tradebait once at my local shop.. I picked up a handful of 90's inserts that fall into the 3-10BV range which really help me get the small deals done for my PC. If I goto a card show and cannot find anything of my player which is typically the case, I may happen across some nice inserts in the bargain bins that I will pick up knowing people here may need them or I can use as bait later down the road. I recycle all good bubble mailers sent to me so it keep the cost of trading down some thus making it worth it to deal when possible.. and unlike some people Im not against small 1 for 1 trades sent PWE in toploader which also keeps it cost effective.

 

[BunchOBull]

I never buy cards to resell. If I see a good deal, I'll just forward it along to someone who collects that player/set/etc.

I do however pick up cards for trade bait if I know it will help lead to a deal with someone whom may have an item I would like to own. That way, we both win.

 

[nevermore]

Depending on what you are looking for, I agree trading can be difficult, but I have found it works for me with what I collect.

Why I do get tradebait:
- It is cheaper to trade for lower-end inserts, than paying $0.99 + $2.50 shipping. Numerous times I have traded dime box pickups for O'Neill inserts selling for $3-4 on eBay.
- For me, it is yet another way to acquire cards I need. Some people won't sell and only want to trade.
- I have been able to make some awesome trades with a group of Yankees/O'Neill collectors in the past making it worthwhile to find trade bait, (especially stuff they need)
- I usually spend $20-25 a year at shows on cards for the trade box, and receive way more than that in PC cards out of it.
- I have traded for 1/2 of the O'Neill cards I picked up over the past year.

When buying tradebait:
- I only buy stuff people need, Yankees inserts/numbered, Ripken, HOF, etc from bargain boxes at shows. No junk.
- My trade box is limited to one side of a 1600 count box. I try not to go beyond that.
- I don't invest in high-end trade bait because it is very hard to trade for the higher-end Yankee autos. When people do give them up they are usually looking for cash in return.
- I avoid base, except for the occasional Jeter/Arod/Pujols. It is easier to ship 2 inserts vs. 20 base and also base cards take up too much room.

When trading:
- I only make trades for PC cards, (or to help someone out) and average 30-40 or so trades a year. Otherwise the Post Office eats up a good chunk of my collecting budget.
- I always reuse supplies, mailers. Saves money and the environment.
- I use PWEs for smaller deals when possible.
- I ship using the large envelope option versus package, costs something like $0.83 vs $1.24 for mailer with a single card.

1st4040 - Have you been to Southeastern Sports Cards in Fairhaven? Since the new owners took over in 2007(?) I have found many nice cards there. The previous owner was terrible.

 

[All The Hype]

Spend money on cards that you think other people might want?


Seems like spending the same money on the things YOU want makes a lot more sense.



The only time I'd purposely buy something as trade bait is if I had already pre-arranged a deal with someone else and my end of the deal was to buy and send them a particular card.

 

[Fandruw25]

I try to keep my trade bait at a minimum. Generally if someone has a card that I want FT then they'll also sell it. If not I can always buy a card on ebay and the trade that to them, assuming they are willing to wait.