Ranting...

[Gmac555]

I'm probably beating a dead horse here but when did Ebay sell values trump Beckett Book Values? So many times, I hear well this card doesn't sell for as much as mine, etc...etc. This is a trading card forum for collectors is it not? A true collector doesn't care about sell value, they collect cards as a fun hobby or past time. They aren't interested in flipping a card for a profit. When did ebay become the number one source of putting value on something? As far as I know it is only one source of many to judge the value of something not THE source. If a person wants sell value for the card then go ahead and just sell it. Most people like to trade for things that they collect or want but its becoming more evident people want to trade up to sell higher. I know the economy is bad right now and a few people make their living through sports cards but do we really need to add ebay sell values to a true collectors trading game? I feel as if it's almost an insult to the hobby.

[mikesilvia]

Generally, I'm a proponent of Ebay value over Beckett value because I believe it is a better way to value cards than Beckett or Tuff Stuff. Publishing a magazine can leave your data months old by the time it hits the shelves.

Having said that, bit traders need to come to a compromise on what they see as the fair trade value. SCF and other online sites are basically trade zones like the old school barter system. Trades/sales are negotiated and no one is forced to use one value system over the other. Your best bet is to find traders that use the same value system that you to to value cards and stick to trading with them.

[Gmac555]

I get your point on beckett sometimes being behind on values and ebay having more up to date prices and I agree it's best to trade with people who use the same value system as you. I just get a little frustrated when you are in trade talks and both cards have the same book value but then suddenly the "sale values" are different so it becomes an uneven trade in one person's eyes. If a cal ripken auto books for 100 and i get it on ebay for 40. should it be worth 40? or does it only work when the sale value is higher than book. It almost feels like a convenient way to add or subtract value to a card at one person's expense.

[mikesilvia]

Yeah, I see you point also. The only time I give a premium when there are two cards with the same book value is for players that are hot. Like when AP broke the single game rushing record.

[haybierman]

Brother, people will ALWAYS try to find a way to make their cards more valuable. I think its just the nature of the hobby... get more bang for your buck. That being said, I think eBay is a far better way to grade the value of your cards. Beckett prices, I believe, are determined by sellers in actual shops writing in to the company and telling Beckett how much they've been selling x card for. As we all know, eBay prices are much lower than anything you could ever hope to find in a store. For years I have been perplexed as to why Beckett doesn't update their prices to reflect eBay prices.

[mintman2]

Who says I need to be limited to just one way of figuring what the value of something is ? Personally, I use both ebay and beckett for card values. When looking to purchase a car I use blue book value, dealer asking price for cars on their lot, and recent sales.

I don't know why this is such a big deal to so many people anyway. If you don't like a proposed trade you can simply say "no thank you" and either make a counter offer or walk away. I've made many trades where I felt I was getting the short end of the deal but I made it anyway because I wanted the cards. I've also made many trades where I actually tell the other person that I think the deal is lopsided in my favor and they say they don't care, because they just wanted what I had. Additionally, I've had many deals fall thru but then weeks/months/years later I make a trade with that same person involving other cards.

"Value" in the real world fluctuates day by day, person to person, and situation by situation. In my opinion I think it's silly to limit oneself to only one source of information and to hitch your wagon to such an inflexible, stagnant source, such as Beckett, is really _____ (fill in the blank).

[gladdyontherise]

I agree with post sides. however for a "low end" type of trader like myself and others. the beckett is easiest unless a guy like josh hamilton, where his cards book so low but sell incredibly high comes into effect. i use bv since my highest card typically books 20-30 tops.

what gets me is i see people on this site who flip flop constantly to there gain. its very hypocritical, because you can be in trade talks and as you ask about different cards, 1 of the cards they want bv and the other they want sv. its that there money hungry and like to rip you off for there gain as best as they can. if i have a card that sells over its bv, i just sell it. simple as that.

on the other hand....can someone explain why everyone who buys now wants "lower than ebay"? i swear, a month ago or so it was only "i want ebay prices" to the now and current "i want lower than ebay". its insulting for you to lowball someone like that when you know what it sells.

pretty soon it will be "i want 25-50% off ebay pricing"....or when someone says "i can get it cheaper on ebay" everyone should use this response "then go buy it on ebay". i rarely sell here anymore because all people want is to lowball you to the last cent that they dont have to pay

thats my .02 or .52lol

[daniel3417]

Well, you have to use something to value your cards. Every card you have, whether you do it "for the love of the hobby" or for profit, carries a value. Using sale value makes sense because it is the best way to gauge a card's true value.

Would you rather price your home based on a magazine or what the other people in your neighborhood got?

[mintman2]

what gets me is i see people on this site who flip flop constantly to there gain. its very hypocritical, because you can be in trade talks and as you ask about different cards, 1 of the cards they want bv and the other they want sv.

the beckett is easiest unless a guy like josh hamilton, where his cards book so low but sell incredibly high comes into effect

So what do you do if you're working a trade that includes a wide range of different cards ?

I've done many a trade where the source of "value" is different from card to card. Heck, many times value is even figured by what someone paid for a card, forget ebay and beckett. Perceived value is ALWAYS subjective and usually inconsistent when measured against any one yardstick.

If you don't like the value I assign to something, that's cool, maybe another time.


BTW, if there's anyone out there who truly trades ONLY by beckett bv please contact me. I have several hundred Ripken commons that I'd be more than happy to trade bv for bv if you let me peruse your bucket/trade lists and pick out a few $100 autos.


using bowler's valuation I think that's about my $1.56 worth.

[haybierman]

As I have repeatedly said.... a card is only worth what someone else will pay for it. Every other reference is rendered moot.