Is low end trading finished for good

[Harpoon]

HI: I really need to find out if low end trading is finished for good????
It seems like the only cards traders want anymore are game used and auto's
I have been trying to collect cards from 1969 to 2003 and have listed alot of inserts and even some low end game used and even some rookies but it just seems that nobody wants to look in their dusty old boxes if they are not getting high value in return.
So how do you feel about the trading we are doing today and will it ever go back to the good old days?
Thanks "D" Harpoon

[TeamChevelle]

I can only guess as to why this is but I wonder if shipping costs dont play a role and the fact that no builds sets anymore?

[durangatang]

I would point to shipping costs as the culprit. Costs more to ship than the card is worth. Low end stuff can be found on sites such as sportcardlots so it is sometimes better to go that route.

[RGM81]

As the fellas above me said, it comes down to the shipping costs. If I can work a deal that includes a needed insert/parallel, I'm happy to do so on the side with GU/RC/AU being the main focus, but unless I really want it it's tough to justify the expense of shipping a $2 card.

[habsheaven]

I still do lots of low-end trading. The key is to make trades involving numerous cards. If you have a wantlist as large as mine and are willing to trade 1 or 2 cards for a bunch of low-end it is still very possible to make deals.

[gary991979]

I hope the low end is not done since I am a set builder I tend to need a lot of low end RC's and base. I am still going to list every card in my inventory and scan each one even the base. Not only am I helping SCF with there database but I hope to help another collector that is like me and can't find that 1 card from a set from 91-92.

I think a lot has to do with shipping but like Greg said if you make it worth while then whats the problem. I have traded a lot of good cards for a hand full of base but if I need them I need them. Keep in mid I need a lot of good cards to so that makes it easy to say I need some base too.

Another thing that I have learned in the last 18 months since I started trading online is that there is a lot of people out there and they like some weird stuff so you never know what your gonna trade.

I still do lots of low-end trading. The key is to make trades involving numerous cards. If you have a wantlist as large as mine and are willing to trade 1 or 2 cards for a bunch of low-end it is still very possible to make deals.

Wow you took the words right out of my mouth

and I think we have made a few trades like that in the past.

[30ranfordfan]

Yes, No, Sort of.

With the products that are released today, there is much more emphasis on the 'hits' (Game Used and/or Autographed and/or Rookie Cards) and much less attention paid to sets.

Honestly - of all of Upper Deck's releases this year (I'm just using them as an example, not trying to pick on them) how many are even a little appealing to set builders?

- Artifacts?
- Black Diamond?
- Upper Deck Series 1 / 2
- Victory
- SPx
- SP Game Used
- SP Authentic
- OPC
- The Cup
- Ultimate Collection

For set collectors:
- Series 1 & 2 for sure are good (My #1 boxes to buy every year)
- Victory yes, but for low end collectors (especially kids)
- OPC, sort of. Big set, challenging..... too much so, to sell to the same people as Victory.... but no high end enough to sell to higher end collectors.
- SP Authentic.

Black Diamond to a lesser extent too, I guess.

Would anyone even miss the base cards from Artifacts, SPx, SP Game Used, or Ultimate Collection? I'm sure there are a few people that do Cup Base sets too.... but it's in a different league so I'm not going to count it.






Now I know this is a little off topic from what you started discussing, but they tie in together nicely. Fact is that most products are marketed based on there RC / GU / Autos, and that's what most collectors seem to focus on nowadays. The base, and even most inserts, become necessary filler... and nothing more.

I would suspect most newer collectors (i.e. ones that have entered the hobby since the lockout) have never completed a base set. They've got no interest in it.


It costs $1.25 to use a bubble mailer in Canada. The cost of shipping supplies is roughly 50 cents a card (but drops significantly if you send multiples). So if there is a card that I want... it's worth 25 cents..... why would I pay $2 for it (even if it means I need to wait 3 months for the next Card Show to get it?).

Like others have already mentioned, you get a longer list and it's a little different. Many people seem hesitant to make a deal for 1 or 2 low end cards..... but if you've got a dozen they want, it's a little bit easily. REALLY easy for the 'low end' collector to make deals if they are willing to 'trade down' (i.e. If I'm willing to flip a couple of GU cards or Autographs... even cheap ones.... it's not that hard to find someone that will trade me the base or inserts I'm looking for).

[FFEMT840]

I dont mind making low end trades but will likely not trade for traders on the lower end so as long as I am getting some type of PC in return I am good to go.

[RGM81]

I hope the low end is not done since I am a set builder I tend to need a lot of low end RC's and base. I am still going to list every card in my inventory and scan each one even the base. Not only am I helping SCF with there database but I hope to help another collector that is like me and can't find that 1 card from a set from 91-92.

I think a lot has to do with shipping but like Greg said if you make it worth while then whats the problem. I have traded a lot of good cards for a hand full of base but if I need them I need them. Keep in mid I need a lot of good cards to so that makes it easy to say I need some base too.

Another thing that I have learned in the last 18 months since I started trading online is that there is a lot of people out there and they like some weird stuff so you never know what your gonna trade.








Wow you took the words right out of my mouth

and I think we have made a few trades like that in the past.

And believe me, we greatly appreciate it!

[pacadie]

A few weeks ago, I started a thread for team collectors. I invited people to tell me wich teams they collect and I then send them a list of low-end cards I have for trade. No bases, just inserts, parallels and RC with a BV going from 2 to 10 $. I have tons of this type of cards (around 2000).

I specified in my thread that you would not see Crosby GU or Ovechkin RC or Stamkos Patch or Gretzky Autos in my lists. I tought team collectors would like that since they are often hesitant to buy a 3 $ card since it cost almost more than that to get it by mail. I know, I am a team collector who would not pay 1 $ for a 2 $ card when it will cost me 4 $ to have it delivered to my home!

I received a lot of answer. I submit around 40-50 lists in a two weeks span. Guess what: 90 % of people who ASKED for a list didn't even care to reply... Low-end trading may not be dead, but it is not very well alive.

Another example: one great seller on this site often offer lot consisting of around 30 cards with a combine BV over 150 $. He sells those 10 $ and his thread get almost no hits.

This hobby is more and more about big hits, about big bucks, about low number and 200 $ four cards packs. If things have been that way when I begun collecting, in the 80's, I would NEVER have gotten into this hobby. NEVER.

But what can we do? Greed and money run this hobby now. Not passion about the great game of hockey. Just greed and money.

Trading, wich used to be the part of the hobby I enjoy the most when I get back in it five years ago, is tougher and tougher right now. If you don't have the flavour of the week or High-end stuff in your bucket, people will just snub you. I don't even care PMing another collector anymore when I see cards they have I like. I know that 95 % of the time, they will say (when they care to reply): "Sorry, nothing I can use. Do you have any Crosby or Ovechkin or The Cup GU/Autos that are not listed?"

Yeah! I keep them in my second mansion, with my Millenium Falcon, my Time Traveling Dolorian and my Pink Elephant...

Sorry about the rant...