A Philosophical Question...

[Fred Bear]

So here's the deal...

I sometimes feel like I have a 'different' perspective on 'value' within our hobby. I'll leave it at that, for now...

Personally, every card in my collection is 'worth' more than I paid for it. I say that because I 'value' them more than the money others would be willing to pay for them. That's how I got many of them (on auctions where I paid more than anyone else)... I would even argue that you would never collect something which you paid more than it was worth to you (i.e. you would've kept your money).

Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good deal (I'll 'settle' for 'fair'). In fact, many of the cards I've successfully sniped have come at costs much, much less than I was actually willing to spend! So, even in instances where I've 'over-payed' by another collector's standard, I've 'saved' money in my own opinion! [Please note: It doesn't matter, because I'm a relatively young guy and those cards won't surface again for sale until I pass on...]

As a scientist, though, I love to collect data, so I like to hear the opinions of others... Especially since it comes up so often when negotiating a trade or sale...

So here's the scenario...

You have 2 buyers interested in 'rare' card, say /5 or /10.

Buyer A lives in your country and has offered you $X for your card. $X minus your shipping costs and selling fees leaves you with $Z.

Buyer B lives outside of your country and has offered you $Y for your card. $Y is greater than $X as it includes registered shipping fees, but after shipping and other fees, you are still left with $Z.

So, my question is two-fold...

(1) Which collector 'deserves' the card? Does the collector willing to pay more deserve it more? What else would you consider?

(2) How much is the card 'worth'? Is it worth $X, $Y or $Z? Does perspective or location matter?

[TJJenkins]

I don't see shipping as part of the value the card holds, so I'd give it to whichever asked about it/offered on it first. If $Z is a constant, then the card was valued the same in my eyes by both prospective buyers.

[30ranfordfan]

I guess it depend on how much $X, $Y, and $Z really are.

When I deal on eBay, anything $100 or more goes out registered, and I normally eat that cost myself. Going to the post office for registered mail is work I hate doing, and shipping out of country also ends up being extra work that I don't enjoy. I am more than willing to do it, but I avoid it at all costs.

If you're talking about a $50 that that buyer B is willing to pay a shipping premium for - I'd be much happier selling to A. If you're talking about a $300 card that I would hav registered anyway.... I'd probably go with whom ever offered first.


I clicked the wrong thing on the poll though..... the card, IMO, is worth $Z. Sale Price - Cost of doing business...... but that's to an online buyer. As a buyer I'm happy to pay $X for the card locally, when I can get the card instantly, and don't need to worry about shipping issues.

[mooneyes]

you forgot "R" E=mc2... ;) it is all relative, but yeah all things being Equal, Z, than first come first serve...Speaking of all things relative, who annointed Mr. Beckett the Lord of all card's value? I only wonder because on occasion I have asked to trade for a card, and the other trader, to my surprise, asked for much less than I expected. The reason, they are strict followers of the "book" which values some cards much higher than I could ever sell on ebay...the "other" book I guess...maybe call it the people's book, so now we have BV and PV.... x pie...Mmmmm pie...:P

[Drewk86a]

Since you wind up with the same "profit" in your pocket after either deal. I would make the deal with the person who made the first offer. I think it is very hard to decide who "derserves" the card more. The foreign buy pays more because he has to (shipping / tracking), not necessarily because he wants it more.

While the card owner certainly has the ability to pick and choose who he sells to. I would sell to the first buyer (based on your example of winding up with $z after both deals).

[Fred Bear]

Interesting opinions, all.

I guess one thing I've learned that I do different is that I factor shipping costs into all my 'values'... With no LCS (closest shop is an hour plus drive to buy Crosby singles), I've trained myself to be 'happy' with shipping as part of the equation and expect those prices when I shop at shows... If I would pay $35 dlvd for a Datsyuk auto on eBay, I'd pay $35 for the same card at a show or shop. I don't necessarily worry about the fact that the shop owner doesn't have to give anything to the post office to get it to me...

I also agree that first to offer is a good 'tie-breaker'.

I think 30ranfordfan makes a good point about the amount of 'work'. I know I tend to gravitate towards deals that are 'easier' for me and to work with traders who make it easy. Can you put a dollar amount on the 'easy factor'? Would you sell for less to Buyer A to avoid the postal 'work'? How much?

[Crater_Satori]

In any walk of life whenever a discussion like this arises, I always like to throw in Variables...I can't stand constants, lol. And the one you brought up just now is the one that popped into my head first....which trader was easiest to work with? Who ever gets the nod is the trader I would deal with, since both essentially offered the same amount. I say "essentially" the same amount as I do not see much of a difference in value between any of the scenarios...if we are talking a $100 card and $20 shipping, the difference between $120 and $100 is negligible imo....because any "value" we put on the card is perceived (whether buying or selling)...and perception is variable.

[reoddai]

For everyone:
"You put a card for sale.
Someone from your own country offers you 20$, but after shipping and fees, you'll be left with 15,
someone out of country offers you 30$, but after registered shipping and fees, you'll have 15$".
A = in country
B = out of country
X=20$
Y=30$
Z=15$

You really are a scientist, especially since you've made y>x>z. Forcing us to use our brains.

Anyways. Voted. Also, +1 on this

Personally, every card in my collection is 'worth' more than I paid for it. I say that because I 'value' them more than the money others would be willing to pay for them. That's how I got many of them (on auctions where I paid more than anyone else)... I would even argue that you would never collect something which you paid more than it was worth to you (i.e. you would've kept your money).

I have several PC items that I would sell for 400$. The card is probably only worth ~20$, but there's a "Removal from PC fee" too.

Cheers,
reoddai

[Kessel_fan_87]

This thread makes my head hurt lol

[Blargh]

Value should be Z in my opinion since that is the highest amount a buyer is willing to pay for it. Whenever I do ebay or other online options, I compare the price+s/h to the max I am willing to pay. Therefore the max (price=S/H) is my personal book value for the card.
As for the sale, I'd go with B since it includes registered mail and I'd feel safer about it. If registered wasn't involved, or was with both, I'd go with the person in my country, assuming there is less chance of a postal screw-up.