Not just a 1 of 1, but a special type of 1 of 1....

[bigbenjobu]

@parrrp for the 1/1 portion, you just have to look at the likelihood of a card getting a 10. The way graded cards sell anymore, a card graded a 9 sells about the same as a raw card (modern cards, not vintage). And even when you think a card is flawless, there could be something that you miss.

As far as consignment, are you a current eBay seller? And what is your rating? If you aren't a seller, you may be best to consign with an eBay seller. The eyeballs on this card will be important to get top dollar.

[pwaldo]

I wouldn't grade it just because grading is used to separate the same card from one another to make it stand out. If this is the only one with an inscription it doesn't need to be graded. Probably would get a boost with a PSA 10 but I would think selling it now would be the best time to get 100% for the card with all the hype and newest. After they do this several years the novelty will wear off. But I don't know anything about prospects so it depends on if this guy is good or not. If he turns into something you will leave money on the table but if he cools off into a total bust nobody is really going to want the card. So you have the ultimate boom or bust situation here. Another factor would be if you need the money now or not and if you are a gambling man. It sucks to not squeeze 100% of the value of a card but it is better to get 90% or even 50% than it is to get nothing. IE Wander Franco

[parrrp]

Yes, I am a seller on eBay. I actually just got back into it so I'm a bit lucky in that regard. Before ~3-4 mos ago, i had sold items, but it was about 4 years ago (~70 items). Over the past 3-4 mos though I've sold a little over 30 items (all cards) with my rating as Above Standard and 5/5 stars for everyone that filled out feedback. i have about 100 items up now.
(i just edited this post because I had a link in there and that's probably not right to do...if anyone wants my seller username and its ok, let me know).
(actually about to add ~30 more today and my football stuff over the next month to get ready for the football spike).

I sell all my stuff ungraded (but I think if I grade this, people will understand why since most of my stuff is under $50) as I know you don't want to mix that up. People will think you are selling non-10 cards raw if you also have a bunch of graded stuff. And more importantly, I sell all my stuff at at a fixed cost (w/ offers that come in regularly that I field). I don't auction as I really believe its not a good way to go for someone who doesn't have an established name. It would stink to see an easily $200 card go for $50 simply because people were unaware of it....but that right there is the crux of my situation right? How to make people aware that I have this card available. I'm sure there will be interest. It's just a matter of them coming upon my card in a search. Even harder is, it not going to be the easiest Title to create. I think I end up putting 1/1 in the title with a (read description)...is what I am thinking so far. Its going to be hard to convey what I've got in 80 characters.

So all that makes me think do I consign? Would they care about this card? i mean sure they'll do their jobs, but its going to end up being a figure that is not important to them vs bigger commissions. Are they really going to add value?

Do I possibly try a site like myslabs? That's really the only other site I think may be worth a shot. Mercari...meh. Facebook I actually already have something up for it there (because why not right? unless i'm missing something). Those, plus consigner run personal sites are the only places I'm aware of that are out there.

I mean ideally, I find a rich Dodgers fan like I joked about in the last post. But i don't know buyers in the industry. I mean that's a whole business. knowing people who buy like Steiner Sports does.

But here's the thing...I am dedicated to optimie this sale. I have the time and I have the determination to do this.

Do i have time to wait on a sale or even want to? no and no. i'm not taking the risk (he's hot right now and his name is starting to circulate over the past couple of weeks) and also I have gotten in a little over my head with breaking. Spending too much. But I understand this now and I got lucky...I got a way to recoup (most people don't get that opportunity). This fact adds a lot a bit of pressure to get this exactly right. Recoup and bid farewell.

[pwaldo]

People like to hate on eBay but that is going to get you the most money for a card like this. If you do it with a consigner you will get more money for the auction because they have more reach but you will be giving them a cut of the sale so you have to factor that in. If it were me I would put it up on eBay with a high BIN best offer and see what interest it brings. If you get a good bite take it. If not but there is a lot of inquires just let everyone know it will be going for a 7 day auction and bite the bullet and take the risk to see what it will go for.

[parrrp]

pwaldo - thanks for your take. I feel like that is a good way to go. Try my hand, see what type of response I get and go from there.

The thing thats pretty nuts is that this guy is just now popping up on everyone's radar. He just cracked the milb.com top 100 (87) and from everything I've read he is being billed as something special with all 5 tools (albeit he is only in Single A and 19). Then there's the LAD system of creating young exciting players (especially OFs). I'm too risk adverse to wait on him, but I hope people know of his potential and what is being said about him and maybe over the next few weeks while i get my card and up and running, he keeps making waves.

I'm saving up articles I have come across and while I don't think i can put links in the eBay description, I'm sure I can put quotes in there. Of course I don't know how many people pay attention to eBay descriptions. I really utilie that space for cards i have listed using a bit of my own knowledge and then shoring it up with ChatGPT.

With regards to grading...I think I'm going to go for it. A 10 can only help it. A 9 won't, but I can make that small investment and see if it works out. Still not 100% decided but leaning towards sending. OF COURSE I haven't even seen the card yet. I get it late Thursday. I'll obviously eyeball it pretty hard.

[bigbenjobu]

@parrrp I think you got some great advice from the post by @pwaldo.

So if you plan to grade, who are you sending it to? I only ask because if you send it to PSA, their basic level turnaround time is like 45-60 days. At that point the season will be over (or almost over) for A ball and you could lose quite a bit of value. As you said, a 10 can only help, a 9 will only waste time and your grading fee, but anything lower will hurt the value. Be sure to examine the card very well before sending it in for grading.

I would say list immediately on eBay at a high Buy it Now (like @pwaldo said) and just see what kind of bites you get. If you don't a number that you like, you could always send it in for grading and have it ready for the 2026 season in case he continues showing promise and progressing.

[parrrp]

Thanks @bigbenjobu and I agree about @pwaldo

The only grading company I would consider is PSA. I've looked into it and it looks like its $250-$300 (well $150 then shipping and fees that they hide...) for 5 business days. I get the card tomorrow late afternoon. Realistically I wouldn't send until Monday morning. So factor in a delay, we are talking about getting it back mid-August...? You are right though, I need to see the card in person to look over...and even still...make a decision because I'm flip flopping quite a bit here. I guess there is nothing to think about until I see it. I'll put up a nice photo tomorrow.

[bigbenjobu]

@parrrp I would say you are taking a huge chance by sending in for grading at $150. I personally would not grade this card. If it doesn't get a 10, then you just lost $150 (possibly over $200 like you said) from the profits and you cost yourself two weeks, at least. Look at the card tonight when you get it.

If it were me, I would list it immediately for a buy it now of like $1500-2000 (it seems these don't sell for over $1000, but none of the sold ones have been the same player caliber).

[parrrp]

Oh I'm definitely going to list it for more than that. Like you said, these have sold for less, but not any big names out there yet. Quintero just made the top 100 (#87) a few weeks ago and yesterday, they did an update to get ready for July 31st trades coming up and in 2-3 weeks is at #81. 5 tool potential is major for this guy. Some of that may be me thinking he's great because I want him to be great, but I've also spent a good 2 hours looking into everything there is to know about this guy and the Dodgers farm system. All signs are pointing in the right direction. The only 'negative' (if it is a negative..?) is that he is 19 and in Single A. Not really negative except we don't have info on him yet at higher levels.