Book Value versus Sell Value Trading

[jclouie]

I was hoping to get some opinions about trading with BV and SV.

I've been doing a little of both and sometimes I run into disagreements with friends or other traders about fair trades.

Example 1.

Skinner SPA FWA for an Eberle SPA FWA.

this looks like a fair trade on the surface because the book values are similar but if we were talking about sale values it would take almost 2 skinners to equal one Eberle.

To me something like this does not even come close to being fair.

Example 2
Claude Giroux YG for 12 Scrub YG

this looks totally unfair when looking at the BV but if you look in terms of SV it would work out as fairly close.


I believe we should look at everything in terms of both BV and SV and not just solely on one.

what do you think?

[JD4short]

depends on the people trading, i go buy sv = Market Value. Only way to trade.

[Tivo32]

I believe we should look at everything in terms of both BV and SV and not just solely on one.

I think you sum it up perfectly in this one statement. :)

[hockey01]

depends on the people trading, i go buy sv = Market Value. Only way to trade.

And i dont go by sv cause i dont sell, i trade, so i go by book value.
Only way i trade.

[gardzy99]

The pricing guides on cards are brutal. What is the difference between the 2 values?? A book value should be one number. We all know what cards have more value before we even refer to a guide. Why should a made up set of numbers influence anyone in terms of trading or selling. Do what I do. Trade at full BV (unless damage or imperfections) and sell at your sale price. Not what some fairy tale price guide tells you to sell it at. If people complain about your price, thank them for their time and move on. The hobby is about collecting what you want and being as honest as you can be. If you want to sell cheap, more power to you. If you want to sell high. Good for you as well. It's your card.

[RGM81]

My extended babble on the subject: https://www.sportscardforum.com/artic...%80%99s-value/

The conclusion:

Is there a perfect solution to assessing card values? No. Each collector will have their own way to approach their trading material, and some of them will vary greatly. It is not my place to say that one approach is superior to others, nor would I ever disrespect somebody that holds fast to Beckett Value even though it is a tool I choose not to utilize. Collectors are intelligent people and will use the formula that is best-suited to their needs and interests, and part of the great joy in the hobby is making deals work in which both parties walk away happy.

[thorni2]

depends on the people trading, i go buy sv = Market Value. Only way to trade.

What is your SV-tradevalue for a card that has sold for $10 and $50 and $300?

[earnedstripes]

i havent owned a beckett in years (i dont find a need to), and i trade on SV. in this world we live in, money has become the measuring stick (hopefully we all know this already). granted, it may be difficult to find a true SV because ebay SVs fluctuate worse than the stock market.

but to sum it up... who cares about BV.

If I am trading with someone and both cards are $40 BV, but mine sells on ebay for a $20 average and yours sells for a $10 average, why would I make the trade? Instead I could just sell mine on ebay for approx. $20 and buy 2 of your cards. If its close i dont really care about a buck or two, but for those that refer to Beckett as the bible, I dont want to trade my tavares card for your scott gomez card.

[Tivo32]

I've found that on most cards, the Low Column of the book value is usually somewhere right around the sale value.

[30ranfordfan]

Price guides, IMO, are worthless..... especially if you buy / sell / trade on the internet.

If I have a card that books for $60..... but sells for $250...... why would I trade it for another card that books for $60, but sells for $60 ??

Likewise..... if I have a card that books for $60, but sells for $5..... why would you trade me a card that books for $60 and sells for $60 to get it?



I prefer trading to selling, and normally don't mind taking a bit of a hit in "Sale Value" if I'm getting cards I need for ones I don't...... but why would I care about the numbers printinted in a magazine that very rarely actually updates its pricing?