Hey guys, sorry if this thread has been done before, but i was just wondering if it is worth paying for the online subscription or just occasionally getting the mag (tho im not sure where from)??
If you want something you can manipulate (electronically), then online is your answer. Online also has EVERYTHING in it, but alas, is only available via subscription (and watch they don't sign you up for auto-payments each month), whereas the magazine is available for ever, but only has selected cards listed (usually the "hot" ones of stars, and players on the move - or more favourable ones).
Personally, I'd go with online, get what you need, and cancel the subscription. When you need it again, buy another.
As im only new again to the hobby, i just wanna see what im breaking is actually worth. (I can't for the life of me find another Panini Preferred Assists Prime Booklet on ebay or anywhere, which is prob a good thing haha). I've also got a gang of old cards from 1990-95 that i wouldnt mind seeing what they are worth.. As well as a few old school MLB, NFL, NHL cards. So yeah, a month by month thing that i can cancel and re-up when it suits me sounds pretty good...
Online is by far the better option...
If your only into 1 sport eg: Basketball, then it will only cost $9 a month, thats cheaper then any magazine by the time you get it in the country...
Not only that, you will be upto date on price changes, where as the magazine is at least 3 weeks out of date...
Prices change just about everyday!
If you start buying graded cards, its the best way to check pop reports and know how much a graded card is worth over a raw card.
Ill have to look at it a bit more to make sure its only a month by month n no contract sorta deal... I enjoy watching the other major American sports, but wouldnt have a clue about players except im on an RG3 kick which i cannot explain (prob madden 13 demo), so basketball is pretty much all i'll be looking at... Eventually ill get in to graded, but im just trying to ease my way back into the hobby at the moment. (kinda haha)...
When you say what they're "worth", online sales (ebay, etc) are by-far your best (possibly, more accurate), but to have a set price for something like insurance, etc, then a "guide" like Beckett is ideal.
An online subscription (say 1 month), will get you access to practically EVERY card in that guide (Basketball, or Football, or Hockey, etc), much the same as the actual magazine. Just the main difference, is the online one will expire, whereas the magazine will remain in your hands for a lot longer, but as I said man, the down-side there, is the magazine won't contain all the cards you want to source/check.
Online subs are also great for obtaining checklists, etc. They do take some time getting them down, but they're still worth while.
I've been using http://www.checkoutmycards.com/ as a price guide. They have almost all the base cards and inserts listed and the prices are more realistic. Beckett is good for a rough guide but they tend to overvalue a lot of cards that you couldn't even shift, let alone sell for half what they say.
As WoobieZarz says, ebay.com completed listings is still the most accurate way to value your cards, just a bit slower when you're trying to sort through 1000's of base.
Also there is http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ which has all the checklists and some prices (not many) but it does let you catalogue your collection which is nicer than an spreadsheet IMHO.
i have beckett online i think its worth it if u are looking to buy or sell cards as u get up to date pop reports and daily prices, cards change in value all the time so its well worth having and will save u money in the long run, example if ur looking to buy a card that some1 is asking $400 for bgs 9.5, u can check the graded value aswell as the pop report and u may find that the card is only worth $200 bgs 9.5 so it helps alot
Other then BGS graded cards, which these days your lucky to not get back bent in half... or they get "lost" once they sign for them, Beckett is outdated, over rated and hardly used by anyone for anything other then checklists....... If anyone manages to sell a heap of cards at Beckett Value (on most cards obviously, there is the odd exception!) then they will make a killing and basically rip someone off...... Beckett is a ROUGH guide only, has been for years now.
Yeah mate would recommend the Beckett only as a guide, ebay completed auctions is the best bet. Believe there is another program which tells you more detail what cards have sold for.
I sell Becketts and tell people when I sell them dont expect to get Beckett prices for your cards.
True it all comes down to the card itself and what some1 is willing to pay for it, I've seen so many cards sell well above bv and many sell under bv ! End of the day if some1 really wants a card they will pay stupid money for it, if it's graded 9.5 for example it's worth alot more, especially when it's low pop