eBay price... Is that what the card is really worth??

Ive noticed most people are not willing to pay 'ebay prices' as so they pick up a bargain.
But im just wondering as collectors, are we placing to much emphasis on the SOLD listings to determine the value of our cards?
To the point that its actually hurting the value of our cards...

2 things:

1. Not everyone scours ebay for every single card they might like. Ive seen numerous
listings that have ended with prices i wouldve happily paid double for.

2. You pick up a steal on ebay. After a month or 2, you decide to sell/trade that said card
and they use the actual listing of that card as a reference saying thats all its worth...
So then in order to sell/trade it, you might actually lose money on what you considered as a steal?!

So effectively with that in mind, does that mean the value of cards eventually get lower and lower til it aint worth jacks#!t
coz no one wants to pay more than what the last one sold for... Has anyone else noticed this?

I know that hardly anyone use Beckett to determine the value. Is there a better way??

Feel free to chime in. Be interestin to read other peoples opinions/experiences...

I think there are many forces at work here that have all been touched on at some point in time in this and many other forums.
The "big player" theory definitely has merit as it can be seen in any market. And at the risk of sounding like one of those conspiracy theorists, I think the big reason Beckett prices are so high is because of those "big, big time" sellers who spend huge amounts of money on advertising and grading through Beckett.

The "internet changed everything" theory is certainly true. When I was a kid, I was at the mercy of my local card shop (so were the adult collectors in town). I had to buy what they had at the price they set because I didn't have many other options. Now eBay gives me literally millions of options. Accessible supply has gone through the roof while demand has, at best, stayed level. Economics 101 says price goes way down in that scenario.

However, I think the books still have some utility. . .

First and foremost, I think the books serve a similar purpose as "sticker price" on a car. It's basically a way for the buyer to brag to his friends about what a great deal he got ("This MIchael Jordan rookie card books for a 650.00 bucks, but I got it at a garage sale for 75.00" and it's way off-center with frayed corners and an edge crease). I mean, would any of us be caught dead actually paying full book for a card, in any setting, in any condition? Probably not 'cause everyone wants to feel like they're getting a deal.

On the other hand, buying a card on eBay is buying a different product than buying a card in person, be it at a shop, show, or whatever. A discount is definitely in order when you can't physically hold the item in your hand before purchasing. Or, conversely, you have to pay a premium if you wanna' touch before you buy.

I think eBay's main utility is as an index of the prices cards are actually selling for (with the caveat, "on an internet auction site). MJ rookies averaging $650 odd in grade 8 on eBay is good information to have, but it doesn't make saying "If you want THIS MJ rookie TODAY grade 8, the price is $850" wrong.

I tend to check all completed listings that actually sold and work out an average. If the sample is large enough I'll exclude the highest and the lowest to cut out any bidding wars/shills or cheap steals.

Then I'll compare that average with the price on Beckett

I'll compare with COMC too if there's a listing.

Somewhere in the middle is the truth.

Isn't the price really just what someone is willing to pay? I use ebay as a guide only.

Lazlow said:

I tend to check all completed listings that actually sold and work out an average. If the sample is large enough I'll exclude the highest and the lowest to cut out any bidding wars/shills or cheap steals.

Then I'll compare that average with the price on Beckett

I'll compare with COMC too if there's a listing.

Somewhere in the middle is the truth.

Click to expand...

that is pretty much exactly what i do.....

I like it when ppl only want to pay the LOWEST price they can find on ebay for multiple items combined shipped.... Good luck with that now.... If they want to play that, don't forget to pay $8 postage per item... Don't forget that inserts are worth nothing and should be included in deals for FREE as they dont sell for 99c plus shipping on ebay so that means they should be given away....

Just stick to buying singles for the PC (stay right away from wax)... then you shouldn't have to worry about selling for the most part

Lazlow said:

I tend to check all completed listings that actually sold and work out an average. If the sample is large enough I'll exclude the highest and the lowest to cut out any bidding wars/shills or cheap steals.

Then I'll compare that average with the price on Beckett

I'll compare with COMC too if there's a listing.

Somewhere in the middle is the truth.

Click to expand...

Thats generally what i think most people do... but what about those that may have 1 or even no completed listings?

motiv8dan said:

Isn't the price really just what someone is willing to pay? I use ebay as a guide only.

Click to expand...

Yes but what if the 1 or 2 people that wouldve bid high on that particular card, doesnt see your listing?
And it ends up selling for less than half of what they wouldve been willing to pay. Does that mean the end price is all its worth?

Jonathon M said:

Just stick to buying singles for the PC (stay right away from wax)... then you shouldn't have to worry about selling for the most part

Click to expand...

I generally dont tend to buy wax. As ive noticed for the most part, the cards tend to only have a shelf life of about 3 months.
Then when the new product comes out, nobody wants the cards youve busted...

And when you list them on ebay (and because everyones "on to the next one") it sells for jack s#!t
coz no ones 'searching' for them! Its a vicious cycle really.

Its not about money. I dont buy cards to profit from. I buy them to collect.
But sometimes i do get bored of them. My point is, it just gets a bit tiring and frustrating to sell/trade with other
collectors who expect YOU to not get at least equal value back from your purchase because its not the hottest thing on ebay.

nino_013 said:

Thats generally what i think most people do... but what about those that may have 1 or even no completed listings?

Click to expand...

Then I guess you could check what that particular athlete's cards generally go for, particularly comparable cards if its auto/jersey/patch/etc, and weigh it up against the rest of the set.

Use these factors to find a price you're comfortable buying/selling for.

There is only so much you can do, at some point two people have to come to an agreement to set the bar.