Any Trading Cards guys? (Sports, etc) (4 Viewers)

[FairWarning]

I use discord to see what the noobs are into.  There will be some burials soon with them.  

 

[TheWalkmen]

Check sold comps.  You can do that on a website like 130point.com.  They have a “search eBay sales” function—where you can look at the prices that sold items have went for—including “best offer” prices.  I’d be wary of buying wax online because of not knowing the origin of wax is, and if they searched/weighed it.  

Very helpful, thanks!

 

[TheWalkmen]

When I am buying something in person at either a show or Local Card Shop or retail, I will at least do an eBay search of the product and see what the Buy It Now prices are to see if they are in the ballpark. You are going to pay more at the LCS, but if it's not a ton, probably worth it.

Thanks, appreciate the reply.

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

best option for grading right now? anyone subbed recently? I have a growing stack of what i believe to be 10s, mostly cheaper newer rookies

might be best to wait till PSA bulk opens back up, or try for one of their lottery drawings

 

[Major]

best option for grading right now? anyone subbed recently? I have a growing stack of what i believe to be 10s, mostly cheaper newer rookies

might be best to wait till PSA bulk opens back up, or try for one of their lottery drawings

Crazy the monopoly PSA has on the market especially at the prices they charge and wait time involved.  

I'm always curious, what is the goal of getting a cheap card graded?   Seems like the cost outweighs the chances of an elusive 10.  I honestly can't tell the difference most of the time between an 8, 9 or 10 but they sure do look cool in a plaque. 

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Crazy the monopoly PSA has on the market especially at the prices they charge and wait time involved.  

I'm always curious, what is the goal of getting a cheap card graded?   Seems like the cost outweighs the chances of an elusive 10.  I honestly can't tell the difference most of the time between an 8, 9 or 10 but they sure do look cool in a plaque. 

I guess investment more than anything, but only because they charge based on the perceived final value. So cheaper to get them graded now if you think they'll pop later. At least that's my theory.  I hate grading, honestly. But part of the industry now. I think they'd be better served to just "authenticate" rather than assign grades, since it's so subjective. 

 

[Major]

I guess investment more than anything, but only because they charge based on the perceived final value. So cheaper to get them graded now if you think they'll pop later. At least that's my theory.  I hate grading, honestly. But part of the industry now. I think they'd be better served to just "authenticate" rather than assign grades, since it's so subjective. 

That makes more sense.  Didn't know about the perceived final value aspect.  

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

That makes more sense.  Didn't know about the perceived final value aspect.  

Someone can correct me if I misspeak here. I haven't graded in about 15 years, but have been looking into it again. The way I think it works now is you estimate the cards graded value (based on the grade you think it will fetch, I think there are fee tiers based on value). You pay. They grade. If it gets a higher grade that puts it in the next fee tier, you are charged the difference before you get your card sent back to you. That's my understanding anyway. 

 

[comfortably numb]

I guess investment more than anything, but only because they charge based on the perceived final value. So cheaper to get them graded now if you think they'll pop later. At least that's my theory.  I hate grading, honestly. But part of the industry now. I think they'd be better served to just "authenticate" rather than assign grades, since it's so subjective. 

Honestly, i wouldn't grade cheap rookies for that line of reasoning.

You are gonna spend a lot of money on lotto tickets that will be worthless.

Id rather wait and if they turn out to be good, then pay the additional cost which may not be additional anyway if the threshold is not passed.

I dont know what you mean by cheap rookies?

Burrow that is worth 100 now in a 10 or some back up TE that you think may be a stud down the road

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Honestly, i wouldn't grade cheap rookies for that line of reasoning.

You are gonna spend a lot of money on lotto tickets that will be worthless.

Id rather wait and if they turn out to be good, then pay the additional cost which may not be additional anyway if the threshold is not passed.

I dont know what you mean by cheap rookies?

Burrow that is worth 100 now in a 10 or some back up TE that you think may be a stud down the road

fair point, and like I said, might be better to just wait on bulks to open back up

I'm mainly talking basketball. I'm leary of anything that's not a QB in football these days, as far as holding value. 

 

[comfortably numb]

Someone can correct me if I misspeak here. I haven't graded in about 15 years, but have been looking into it again. The way I think it works now is you estimate the cards graded value (based on the grade you think it will fetch, I think there are fee tiers based on value). You pay. They grade. If it gets a higher grade that puts it in the next fee tier, you are charged the difference before you get your card sent back to you. That's my understanding anyway. 

yes, 

kinda, not the grade you think it will get per se but the price it would sell at the current market on the priec you THINK it will get

Right now PSA is officially opened...but the current price to grade is $100 for cards with an APR (auction price realized) of max $1499
If you send in a card thinking it would be a PSA 9 at a value of 1k and it gets a 10 with the value now at 2200 for example....

you get upcharged to the next tier

Which currently is max value of $2499 for $150
(you would be charged 50 extra)

I personally wouldnt be grading cards at $100 unless the card comes back worth over 1k anything lower and I am just waiting for it to keep droppin

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

yes, 

kinda, not the grade you think it will get per se but the price it would sell at the current market on the priec you THINK it will get

Right now PSA is officially opened...but the current price to grade is $100 for cards with an APR (auction price realized) of max $1499
If you send in a card thinking it would be a PSA 9 at a value of 1k and it gets a 10 with the value now at 2200 for example....

you get upcharged to the next tier

Which currently is max value of $2499 for $150
(you would be charged 50 extra)

I personally wouldnt be grading cards at $100 unless the card comes back worth over 1k anything lower and I am just waiting for it to keep droppin

gotcha, thanks for the detail

definitely agree that makes sense at that price point

might check the market on SGC/HGA for some of my cheaper ones and see if it might be cost effective

Also have some coins to get graded  

 

[comfortably numb]

gotcha, thanks for the detail

definitely agree that makes sense at that price point

might check the market on SGC/HGA for some of my cheaper ones and see if it might be cost effective

Also have some coins to get graded  

sgc is the cheapest and fastest option at this point, doesn't hold the resale as PSA but if you want to go that route I would check the return on your cards in SGC gardes to see if it is worth it

 

[Courtjester]

IMO the bubble is going to pop here as the novelty of card collecting goes by the wayside and the faux collectors/investors leave the hobby. At that point, I plan to pounce and get what I want as they look to unload stuff to fund their "next" thing.

I actually saw NBA/NHL packs in the wild a week ago at Target--couldn't believe my eyes. 

PSA is enjoying the continued demand but give it some time and they will adjust their prices. 

 

[comfortably numb]

IMO the bubble is going to pop here as the novelty of card collecting goes by the wayside and the faux collectors/investors leave the hobby. At that point, I plan to pounce and get what I want as they look to unload stuff to fund their "next" thing.

I actually saw NBA/NHL packs in the wild a week ago at Target--couldn't believe my eyes. 

PSA is enjoying the continued demand but give it some time and they will adjust their prices. 

Not sure about popping but its already very deflated,
I bought 3 Jordan PSA 10s for 200 just as things started to get warm. 6 months later sold them for 750,900 and 1k. That same card is about 300 now. 

PSA is smart
They open up again at the normal rates and they will be closed in 2 months again.

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

IMO the bubble is going to pop here as the novelty of card collecting goes by the wayside and the faux collectors/investors leave the hobby. At that point, I plan to pounce and get what I want as they look to unload stuff to fund their "next" thing.

I actually saw NBA/NHL packs in the wild a week ago at Target--couldn't believe my eyes. 

PSA is enjoying the continued demand but give it some time and they will adjust their prices. 

Agreed. I think they had to do thwart some of the demand and clear their backlog. 

 

[comfortably numb]

I has 12 smaller orders (20-35 cards) at PSA 
They started to finally come back. Still waiting on 6 more lots. Should hopefully arrive in the next 2 months

 

[Shula-holic]

I has 12 smaller orders (20-35 cards) at PSA 
They started to finally come back. Still waiting on 6 more lots. Should hopefully arrive in the next 2 months

I've got one now that's been out over a year.  

 

[comfortably numb]

I've got one now that's been out over a year.  

yep, all mine that arrived were out 11-12 months

 

[FairWarning]

best option for grading right now? anyone subbed recently? I have a growing stack of what i believe to be 10s, mostly cheaper newer rookies

might be best to wait till PSA bulk opens back up, or try for one of their lottery drawings

SGC seems to be the hardest grader now.   If that’s the case, they should value, no?  Personally I’m not a graded card guy, just observing on FB and Blowout Forum.

 

[FairWarning]

IMO the bubble is going to pop here as the novelty of card collecting goes by the wayside and the faux collectors/investors leave the hobby. At that point, I plan to pounce and get what I want as they look to unload stuff to fund their "next" thing.

I actually saw NBA/NHL packs in the wild a week ago at Target--couldn't believe my eyes. 

PSA is enjoying the continued demand but give it some time and they will adjust their prices. 

Same here.  It’s soon to be a snipers paradise on eBay.

 

[Don Quixote]

When I was visiting my mom for the holidays, she gave me a box of my old baseball cards. Lots of stuff from late 80s and early 90s, but have a few older ones too. The bulk from a period of the height of card collecting, so supply may outpace demand. A decent number of the good ones were in sleeves and haven’t been touched for around 25 years and still in good condition.

Sample of stuff includes some Topps rookies of Randy Johnson, Frank Thomas, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Barry Larkin, and George Brett (the Brett has been in a case, but has some bent corners).

Maybe I’ll spin through the thread here, but any good recommendations? Just keep them in boxes for nostalgia and maybe see if my son is interested in a few years (he’s five now)? 

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

When I was visiting my mom for the holidays, she gave me a box of my old baseball cards. Lots of stuff from late 80s and early 90s, but have a few older ones too. The bulk from a period of the height of card collecting, so supply may outpace demand. A decent number of the good ones were in sleeves and haven’t been touched for around 25 years and still in good condition.

Sample of stuff includes some Topps rookies of Randy Johnson, Frank Thomas, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Barry Larkin, and George Brett (the Brett has been in a case, but has some bent corners).

Maybe I’ll spin through the thread here, but any good recommendations? Just keep them in boxes for nostalgia and maybe see if my son is interested in a few years (he’s five now)? 

Most of it likely isn't worth much aside from a few of the big name rookies. If they are in good shape, though, you might have decent value in getting them graded. Look up 130point.com and search them to give you an idea of graded and ungraded values from recent eBay sales. That's probably the best and fastest way to gauge the value of what you have. 

 

[Don Quixote]

Most of it likely isn't worth much aside from a few of the big name rookies. If they are in good shape, though, you might have decent value in getting them graded. Look up 130point.com and search them to give you an idea of graded and ungraded values from recent eBay sales. That's probably the best and fastest way to gauge the value of what you have. 

Thanks. Will check out that site.

 

[comfortably numb]

Thanks. Will check out that site.

Yea a couple bucks on each of those you mentioned.
The Brett may be 20-50 depending who and where you sell.

 

[Major]

Most of it likely isn't worth much aside from a few of the big name rookies. If they are in good shape, though, you might have decent value in getting them graded. Look up 130point.com and search them to give you an idea of graded and ungraded values from recent eBay sales. That's probably the best and fastest way to gauge the value of what you have. 

Yep.  We collected around the same time Don and most of the stuff we treasured back then isn't worth much.  Outside of Griffey's UD, a few errors and Tiffany/Glossy/Desert Storm cards, the 80s and early 90s baseball stuff is really disappointing.  Mint PSA 9/10s hold some value but those are needle in a haystack type finds and probably not worth the cost/hassle of grading.  Basketball cards fared much better primarily on the strength of Jordan and lower print runs.

And big hugs for that 130point site.  First time checking it out. 

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Yep.  We collected around the same time Don and most of the stuff we treasured back then isn't worth much.  Outside of Griffey's UD, a few errors and Tiffany/Glossy/Desert Storm cards, the 80s and early 90s baseball stuff is really disappointing.  Mint PSA 9/10s hold some value but those are needle in a haystack type finds and probably not worth the cost/hassle of grading.  Basketball cards fared much better primarily on the strength of Jordan and lower print runs.

And big hugs for that 130point site.  First time checking it out. 

credit to @jvdesigns2002 for that a while back! it's much faster than going to eBay and filtering (and 130p will give you the best offer price when there is one, ebay results don't do that)...when the site works lol

the link they have for the new beta version sometimes works great, sometimes won't pull anything back when the old version still will

And on both versions, sometimes it just craps out. Usually if you try back a little later it will load results.

 

[Don Quixote]

Yep.  We collected around the same time Don and most of the stuff we treasured back then isn't worth much.  Outside of Griffey's UD, a few errors and Tiffany/Glossy/Desert Storm cards, the 80s and early 90s baseball stuff is really disappointing.  Mint PSA 9/10s hold some value but those are needle in a haystack type finds and probably not worth the cost/hassle of grading.  Basketball cards fared much better primarily on the strength of Jordan and lower print runs.

And big hugs for that 130point site.  First time checking it out. 

Even the errors seem not worth that much. I have a few error cards like the Smoltz card with Glavine’s picture on it, and the Al Leiter rookie, but looks like even those are just going for a couple of bucks.

 

[Major]

Even the errors seem not worth that much. I have a few error cards like the Smoltz card with Glavine’s picture on it, and the Al Leiter rookie, but looks like even those are just going for a couple of bucks.

Yeah a lot of the errors that were worth money back then didn't hold up over time.   The errors I was referring to are the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas no name and the 87 Donruss Opening Day Bonds/Johnny Ray which I don't even remember being a thing back then.  There are a few variations of the Ripken FF card that also bring money but I forget which ones.  

 

[ragincajun]

I remember getting the Beckett magazine and sitting on the floor of my room looking values up.  I had a small suitcase full of cards from the 80s, some from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.  It was lost in a flood.

My Boys are now 10&7 so thinking of getting back into the mix.

 

[ragincajun]

Full sets of Fleer, Topps, and Donruss from 87.

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

I remember getting the Beckett magazine and sitting on the floor of my room looking values up.  I had a small suitcase full of cards from the 80s, some from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.  It was lost in a flood.

My Boys are now 10&7 so thinking of getting back into the mix.

You probably didn't lose much from the 80s aside from a few key rookies, but OUCH on the 50, 60 and 70s. Might have been some good stuff in there. :(  

The game has changed quite a bit since our day. lol Hard to find packs to open in the wild, and the ones you can find are usually probably more than you want to spend.  If it's just for sentimental reasons with your sons, which is awesome btw, you can pick up some cheaper wax product from eBay. 

 

[comfortably numb]

You probably didn't lose much from the 80s aside from a few key rookies, but OUCH on the 50, 60 and 70s. Might have been some good stuff in there. :(  

The game has changed quite a bit since our day. lol Hard to find packs to open in the wild, and the ones you can find are usually probably more than you want to spend.  If it's just for sentimental reasons with your sons, which is awesome btw, you can pick up some cheaper wax product from eBay. 

I just bought a local lot of closed packs/boxes that I will mostly move soon. 

89T cello
87T/90T rack pack case
87F wax box

a bunch more...lol
91UD JUMBO packs...1st pack i opened...Chipper Jones.

I have been buying/selling for a few years now. Haven't gotten into the new stuff much and haven't bought any packs/boxes so I haven't felt the "pain" most collectors have dealt with in the last 18 months

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Back in August, I was inspired by the Field of Dreams game and as a White Sox fan, I wanted a piece of memorabilia from that game. Considering Tim Anderson won the game with a walk-off, I figured it was only appropriate to find something iconic with his name on it. A day after the game, Topps Now came out with some cool relic cards including a whole series of numbered cards that included a piece of corn stalk. I was on and off the Topps Now site throughout the day and things were selling out quickly. I didn't want to miss out on something, so when a TA7 card came up, I threw it in my cart and checked out as quickly as I could. This was the most I have ever paid for a baseball card, by far, at $399 but it's definitely worth it to me and now I wish I would have bought two. I was lucky enough to get the first of the 25 numbered copies. Pretty #######g cool. 

Tim Anderson - Field of Dreams Corn Relic #1 of 25

 

[FairWarning]

Yeah a lot of the errors that were worth money back then didn't hold up over time.   The errors I was referring to are the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas no name and the 87 Donruss Opening Day Bonds/Johnny Ray which I don't even remember being a thing back then.  There are a few variations of the Ripken FF card that also bring money but I forget which ones.  

The Bonds/Ray errors were pretty big back then also.

 

[shuke]

I just bought a local lot of closed packs/boxes that I will mostly move soon. 

89T cello
87T/90T rack pack case
87F wax box

a bunch more...lol
91UD JUMBO packs...1st pack i opened...Chipper Jones.

I have been buying/selling for a few years now. Haven't gotten into the new stuff much and haven't bought any packs/boxes so I haven't felt the "pain" most collectors have dealt with in the last 18 months

You really think you're going to be able to move these?

 

[comfortably numb]

You really think you're going to be able to move these?

Already did.

 

[shuke]

Already did.

What did you get for them?

 

[comfortably numb]

What did you get for them?

Added them into a bigger lot I was working on moving to a local guy I sold to in the past.

I paid 400 for those and and about 25 other boxes.

I added that all into the lot for an extra 350 ($2300 total for about 200k cards) and kept the  87 sealed case, 91 UD  2 sealed boxes and 2 jumbo boxes. I'll have fun looking for the Jordan SP now.

The 87 is easy to move. Ewing it's still sealed. Should get 125 for that easily.

 

[Major]

Added them into a bigger lot I was working on moving to a local guy I sold to in the past.

I paid 400 for those and and about 25 other boxes.

I added that all into the lot for an extra 350 ($2300 total for about 200k cards) and kept the  87 sealed case, 91 UD  2 sealed boxes and 2 jumbo boxes. I'll have fun looking for the Jordan SP now.

The 87 is easy to move. Ewing it's still sealed. Should get 125 for that easily.

Nice.  When I was trying to play catch up after 25 years and monetize my collection it seemed like the opened wax market is a completely different beast than individual cards.  Sealed v. unsealed, fresh out the case, can even get the boxes graded/authenticated, etc.  Makes sense with all the fraud in the past. 

 

[Major]

The Bonds/Ray errors were pretty big back then also.

I vaguely remember it but probably ignored because it was an Opening Day set.  Doesn't make much sense to me now as I was a huge Bonds fan when he was with the Pirates but I was partial to the Dale Murphy reverse negative for some reason 

 

[comfortably numb]

Nice.  When I was trying to play catch up after 25 years and monetize my collection it seemed like the opened wax market is a completely different beast than individual cards.  Sealed v. unsealed, fresh out the case, can even get the boxes graded/authenticated, etc.  Makes sense with all the fraud in the past. 

Yea, you can pay 2x-4x more for boxes that are wrapped and authenticated from a sealed case.

I've sold empty boxes/cases/wrappers for some gas money

 

[McBokonon]

Fanatics buying Topps

 

[Major]

Yea, you can pay 2x-4x more for boxes that are wrapped and authenticated from a sealed case.

I've sold empty boxes/cases/wrappers for some gas money

I imagine there's a ridiculous premium for the 1986 Fleer Basketball given the rarity and ease of predicting sequencing.  I wish I had that info back in the day.  Think it was around 89 when I found out about that for baseball and started fleecing Fleer and UD from retail outlets. 

 

[Eephus]

Fanatics buying Topps

Fanatics going for the kill after taking the MLB license away from Topps.

 

[FairWarning]

I vaguely remember it but probably ignored because it was an Opening Day set.  Doesn't make much sense to me now as I was a huge Bonds fan when he was with the Pirates but I was partial to the Dale Murphy reverse negative for some reason 

I do remember it being $75-10o, shortly after release.  It wasn’t a popular set, so it probably fell out of collectors minds.

 

[FairWarning]

Fanatics going for the kill after taking the MLB license away from Topps.

That is good for Heritage and Topps Now collectors I would imagine.  

 

[gump]

Fanatics going for the kill after taking the MLB license away from Topps.

Yea, it's just Rubin escalating the timeline on the takeover from '26 to now.  A lot of the Topps execs are coming.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Football-l and baseball- Ive gots tons of late 70s, early 80s stuff and then a score 90 which is loaded with stud rookies but I know aren't worth anything. 

Then there’s all these starting line up figures. Sitting in boxes of Tupperware waiting for everyone to throw theirs away so mine can be worth something to my children??? (Wishful thinking on my part but I don’t want to just throw them in the trash.)

 

[comfortably numb]

Football-l and baseball- Ive gots tons of late 70s, early 80s stuff and then a score 90 which is loaded with stud rookies but I know aren't worth anything. 

Then there’s all these starting line up figures. Sitting in boxes of Tupperware waiting for everyone to throw theirs away so mine can be worth something to my children??? (Wishful thinking on my part but I don’t want to just throw them in the trash.)

Ha,

Yea I'm not a starting lineup guy and when I have gotten them always hard to move.