Fair Sale Prices

[Samuwry7]

I think the reason ebay works is because the buying will always reflect real demand and trends, which is too volatile for a magazine to capture well (Varlamov cards during the playoffs comes to mind). There are so many factors to consider when selling a card, but the collective effect is nicely summarized by ebay closing prices. People also want to deal with realistic sellers, not people bound hard by seemlingly arbitrary numbers of Beckett.

[zebuckeye81]

Price comparing to ebay can be good, but I'm seem some unimpressive cards go for ridiculous amounts, and some stellar cards bought up for a buck (I bought one like that not too long ago- if I'd been a member back then, I'd have won steal of the week!)

Just my humble opinion, and I do agree with what the general opinion is regarding not using Beckett as a sole source for sale value. For trading purposes this may be ok, but I still check market (ebay) value as far as prior sales to really gauge a cash value scenario on any card.

[xirxious]

I used to use %50 but wasn't getting the same prices shot back to me when I'm the one offerring to buy. Forget the under #/20 cards that people want an arm and leg for. I used ebay when I can find several (5 or more) completed sales. I kind of give up on selling. No matter what I reply to someone with when they want to buy its always 'Way too much' Multipliers get out of hand too. If everyone used the same standards, I'm fine with it. I just can't sell at %50 then have to buy at BV because it's 'such a sick swatch'

[blindros88]

The theory of using ebay sales is all fine and good but what do you when there are no completed sales? What if the card is one of those ultra rare /100 cards from the 90's, more like something /15 today? Also, how do you deal with the variables of only ships to USA vs. Worldwide? I really could go on all day. Ebay is not the be all end all of supply and demand. And lets be realistic for a second, if someone wanted to get ebay money for their cards, they would sell them there.

[zebuckeye81]

Both of you have good points. There is no real solid gold basis to go by. I purely agree with the why go by 50% when everytime you look to buy someone stubbornly only will accept an offer that is like 80% plus because it is "super rare" etc, even if there are others listed on ebay even cheaper. I'd prefer to get a fair price, but also prefer to make sure the money is going to a fellow collector vs. just anybody on ebay.