Card values in trades/sales and being a fair trader/seller

hackadeandre · Aug 16, 2015

Just putting this topic out there and interested to hear people's thoughts. I'm sure this has come up many a time and I'm probably rehashing it.

For starters, I collect cards because I really freakin enjoy it and don't really care too much about the value of what I have, because any PC I'm not going to sell anyway so it's value is irrelevant.

However, when it comes to trading I am a firm believer in a fair deal, because it is an expensive hobby and we all (should be) collectors not dealers. I'd also like to add that most on this site range from awesome to totally awesome to deal with. But to be honest I'm really starting to get annoyed with the minority of members on this site (most aren't local) who are constantly trying to rip you off. The reason being, you spend an enormous amount of time working to THEIR parameters of a trade/sale (BV, ebay value, what they could get it for on COMC), taking pics, doing the research and then when you come up with something fair they walk away because they realise they won't get away with ripping you off.

Has this happened to you or has anyone come up with the most watertight value system that leaves nothing to the imagination regarding it's value?

Hobbymonsters · Aug 16, 2015

I doubt there's ever going to be world without this. Just human nature, some people are greedier than others, others simply have a different logic and can't fathom the other side of the equation. Luckily it goes both ways in the sense of the amount of awesome traders.

hackadeandre · Aug 16, 2015

Hobbymonsters said:
I doubt there's ever going to be world without this. Just human nature, some people are greedier than others, others simply have a different logic and can't fathom the other side of the equation. Luckily it goes both ways in the sense of the amount of awesome traders.

I guess you're right, it's unavoidable. And yes it is the awesome traders that keep you coming back to check the site out on a daily basis (like yourself Hobbymonsters).

Hobbymonsters · Aug 16, 2015

hackadeandre said:
I guess you're right, it's unavoidable. And yes it is the awesome traders that keep you coming back to check the site out on a daily basis (like yourself Hobbymonsters).

HAHA Thanks, The other dynamic is.. there is soooo many variables in the hobby, like.. a card might be 'worth' 100 bucks but If I wanna sell today and you have money but dont need it, it drops the perceived and in fact, actual value to maybe 70 or less depending circumstances. If you have a card I realllly want I would be more than happy to give you the benefit of favour in the deal for obvious reasons. If someone has a card in PC that you want, then it's kinda silent agreement or understanding there will be no discounts on the sale etc. off season slumps change in direction of pc's, player injury or scandal.. all these factors can be frustrating but also make the hobby what it is. A little bit of excitement mixed with luck, pride, joy, disaster and anything in between. I guess it's why a lot of us refer to it as an addiction, because it really is. Mix that with the fact that everyone sees things differently and ultimately, we all generally want the best deal possible, a lot of it comes down to communication and social skills. Luckily your a pleasure to deal with, you shouldn;t have tooo many problems.

Jay

ozflava · Aug 16, 2015

It's the nature of the beast unfortunately. I've been back in collecting for about 6 weeks now and had to walk away from a few deals.....some that were negotiations into a couple of weeks. It comes down to how much you value your cards and how much you desire theirs. If it's a card you really want you may be willing to get screwed a little (unfortunately). I made a decision when I started player collecting that If a card was ridiculously overpriced I would walk away......even if it's a 1/1. They're just cards. And it's made a huge difference along the journey. If you base your values on market, demand & scarcity and be fair & help others.....usually it all works out. Just might take a looooong time, haha

hackadeandre · Aug 17, 2015

ozflava said:
It's the nature of the beast unfortunately. I've been back in collecting for about 6 weeks now and had to walk away from a few deals.....some that were negotiations into a couple of weeks. It comes down to how much you value your cards and how much you desire theirs. If it's a card you really want you may be willing to get screwed a little (unfortunately). I made a decision when I started player collecting that If a card was ridiculously overpriced I would walk away......even if it's a 1/1. They're just cards. And it's made a huge difference along the journey. If you base your values on market, demand & scarcity and be fair & help others.....usually it all works out. Just might take a looooong time, haha

Great advice mate, thanks, I think you've nailed it with 'be fair and help others' as at the end of the day people will enjoy dealing with you and you'll get more out of the experience and help in return. I'm only relatively new here (a bit less than 6 months) but i'm sure that the time wasters/greedy people come and go but the good ones hang around!

drobfan8 · Aug 17, 2015

Yep some people are just jerks.

I have a few guys that are holding out on low end names of guys on my Exquisite wantlist because they know they're not worth much, I've offered them well above eBay but they're hoping I'll get desperate. It's pathetic. It would be fine if they were PC cards but these guys have doubles and triples and holding. Basically it's a form of extortion.

If a card (especially a double) I have really means so much to someone else I'm more than happy to move it.

Don't let it get you down, although it's starting to eat at me a fair bit.

Stay positive hombre. We are lucky on Ozcards that there are very few people like this.

hackadeandre · Aug 17, 2015

drobfan8 said:
Yep some people are just jerks.

I have a few guys that are holding out on low end names of guys on my Exquisite wantlist because they know they're not worth much, I've offered them well above eBay but they're hoping I'll get desperate. It's pathetic. It would be fine if they were PC cards but these guys have doubles and triples and holding. Basically it's a form of extortion.

If a card (especially a double) I have really means so much to someone else I'm more than happy to move it.

Don't let it get you down, although it's starting to eat at me a fair bit.

Stay positive hombre. We are lucky on Ozcards that there are very few people like this.

Thanks mate, you are right though that most here are great. These people with the Exquisite aren't true collectors if they can't move their doubles on for a fair price to someone collecting those cards. To be honest, I get more satisfaction sending a collector a few low end cards they may need for free rather than as you say, try an extort you and milk you for all you're worth. Good luck for your team in the NBA season although I don't think you'll be needing it!

vansan · Aug 17, 2015

Just thought I would add my two cents worth on this as I have been collecting for many years Mainly NFL & AFL
Now I do not collect NBA but because I have been off work for the past 6 Weeks due to a work accident I have bought into several NBA breaks.
Basically as an interest and some fun with the guys who I have done breaks with in the U.S. For some time.
Now I am always more than happy for the good hits to go to guys who PC them and do not ask for over the top $ as I am happy to help them with there PC and always add in extra cards just as a thank you which is something I have learned from trading with guys in the U.S.
but something I have noticed since advertising my NBA hits on here there are small % of people who only want the cards if they are super cheap even when I am offering them extras as a thank you.
As I say happy to always trade in a persons favour if they have a card I really want and they want what I have it's all about really helping another collector achieve a goal not fill mine or there pockets

West Oz Cards · Aug 18, 2015

I agree with many points here.

I've often been of the opinion that a trader rating should not be the main factor to judge a persons trading nature. Sure 100% positive means that the person honors deals and pays for what they agree on, but there is the other side of the coin where some people are just not great people to trade/deal with.

I like social media forums where you can give people a (non-transaction) rating for how negative or positive users are in the forum. That speaks more about a persons mentality, but it is a hard system to implement.

I've often upset a few people and caused them to hate me, just because I walked away from deals as their attitude was poor or they were blatantly trying to rip me.

I consider myself a very fair trader and estimate 90% of my trades or single card sales I would be losing out. I definitely don't mind if the other party is a fair and polite trader.
I also love to help out people chasing sets where I can.. I think that is more rewarding than just selling random cards.

The old motto 'do unto others, as you would have done unto you'.. that's probably sums up how I like to approach everything.

0401Specialk · Aug 18, 2015

I agree with Ben and it is a really good feeling to help other people out especially with set chases, there are a few members on here that I have traded multiple times with and the more you do the more they help you out and likewise. If I have doubles hanging round that you're chasing its pretty much sling me some coin to pay for postage and they are yours.

I think I'm pretty relaxed on the value of trades and sales as I know that what I paid for the box is never going to come back, if I can get a few bucks towards the next box I'm happy with that. I'm more inclined to give lower prices to people that have helped me out and if someone has hooked me up like Ben has in a few deals I'm very accommodating.

It's to hard to lay a foolproof method of valuing even eBay completed sales are misleading, I hit a Jabari /25 Hoops Red Auto (my avatar pic) in an early case of Hoops and when I checked eBay to value it the only sale of that card was high $800s which is insane (wasn't even jersey numbered). As long as you can agree on what you are using to value especially in trades it might make it easier don't expect the other dude to value using eBay if you're going to use the highest COMC price.

hackadeandre · Aug 18, 2015

It's funny to see that everyone who's commented on this thread I've had easy hassle-free deals with, which probably explains why all the comments are really intelligent and plain common sense! Thanks guys

Ben - yes I've had those ones where they were soooo painful but still managed to get over the line, which the feedback system doesn't reflect.

Kelsey - that was the main issue I've experienced recently, one value system for their cards (i.e. the price they nominate) and then the ebay value system for mine. That, and I'll have to give them more never mind the fact they didn't want the cards they were trading... Ohhh

0401Specialk · Aug 19, 2015

I knew I missed out on an opportunity to kill with those Kobe Anthologies doubles I sold you, they were $4 BV each, next time I'll get you

hackadeandre · Aug 19, 2015

0401Specialk said:
I knew I missed out on an opportunity to kill with those Kobe Anthologies doubles I sold you, they were $4 BV each, next time I'll get you

Hahaha I would have paid you how they valued cards in the 90's - double high BV. Missed an opportunity to get $96 from me!

0401Specialk · Aug 19, 2015

hackadeandre said:
Hahaha I would have paid you how they valued cards in the 90's - double high BV. Missed an opportunity to get $96 from me!

Watch out on the next trade, I'll get you.... Of course that jersey relic is worth $257 pay up

West Oz Cards · Aug 19, 2015

Funny that $4 BV on the kobe's , they were advertising those packs on lots of wholesale distribution sites at $5 usd per pack and claiming that they were $5 BV for every card so every pack was worth $$$$

yerrright hahaha pull the other one!

OutlawNinja · Aug 19, 2015

ozflava said:
It's the nature of the beast unfortunately. I've been back in collecting for about 6 weeks now and had to walk away from a few deals.....some that were negotiations into a couple of weeks. It comes down to how much you value your cards and how much you desire theirs. If it's a card you really want you may be willing to get screwed a little (unfortunately). I made a decision when I started player collecting that If a card was ridiculously overpriced I would walk away......even if it's a 1/1. They're just cards. And it's made a huge difference along the journey. If you base your values on market, demand & scarcity and be fair & help others.....usually it all works out. Just might take a looooong time, haha

Exactly the way I look at the hobby.
Way too many just in the game to make as much money as they can.
I have had to let so many go lately, just because they were overpriced. Including my white whale, owner stated he loved the card too much to let it go for any less .. well then why are you selling it?
Particular when I know the offer I put in was twice what he paid for it, sold to him by Ozcard member.
We are lucky here on this site, we have a great bunch of guys.

ozflava · Aug 19, 2015

OutlawNinja said:
Exactly the way I look at the hobby.
Way too many just in the game to make as much money as they can.
I have had to let so many go lately, just because they were overpriced. Including my white whale, owner stated he loved the card too much to let it go for any less .. well then why are you selling it?
Particular when I know the offer I put in was twice what he paid for it, sold to him by Ozcard member.
We are lucky here on this site, we have a great bunch of guys.

That sucks! In all honesty though, I've found that those type of guys usually do come around eventually. The downside though, is that it can take years. I can't think of one PC player card I've ever wanted that hasn't been offered to me down the track. Usually it's because they change collection direction, need funds or get out the hobby. That's the good thing being a HUGE player collector that most in the hobby know. The other thing I've found is that sometimes it just takes people a little longer to come to terms with the actual value of the card and the realistic demand. That's why if you base your offers on market value.....not 'wishful' value, you'll do pretty well.

Wouldn't help that you collect one of the best scorers and fan favs ever, haha. Love Nique!

goehring9 · Aug 20, 2015

All excellent comments here, which is very refreshing. I think that 80% of the traders are fair and reasonable... and like anywhere, there can be a few bad apples that leave a bad taste. Generally I keep telling myself that a card is only 'worth' what someone is willing to pay for it. Regardless of COMC, eBay, Beckett etc.

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