1/2 of Becketts - Deal or No Deal?

[jonefriedman]

Hi All,

So a LCS close to me purchased a huge cache of 90s and 00s cards from baseball, basketball and football. We are talking about probably close to a million cards. They aren't very knowledgable about cards so they are using Becketts to determine pricing. The owner has separated some of the collection and given me the opportunity to go through the cards first. He told me that he would charge me 1/2 of Becketts for any cards I pull. I have only gone through about a 1/4 of the pulled cards and found several of interest. I wanted to know if 1/2 of Becketts is a fair price? Any advice would be very helpful. Also, if anyone is looking for something specific, let me know and I will keep my eyes out for it.

Thanks,
Jon

[bdrr]

Hi All,

So a LCS close to me purchased a huge cache of 90s and 00s cards from baseball, basketball and football. We are talking about probably close to a million cards. They aren't very knowledgable about cards so they are using Becketts to determine pricing. The owner has separated some of the collection and given me the opportunity to go through the cards first. He told me that he would charge me 1/2 of Becketts for any cards I pull. I have only gone through about a 1/4 of the pulled cards and found several of interest. I wanted to know if 1/2 of Becketts is a fair price? Any advice would be very helpful. Also, if anyone is looking for something specific, let me know and I will keep my eyes out for it.

Thanks,
Jon

Depends on the card. Look at eBay to familiarize yourself with the 90s sets and players which are selling high. There is no general rule.

[lennox.p]

plmk if you see any rare keyshawn johnson nfl cards. thanks

[UK_Collector]

Unless I'm reading this wrong...I'm confused. How can you run a LCS and not be knowledgable about card prices?! This would be like a used car lot not knowing about car prices...

As to your question - Ebay is the best source to determine current value. If Ebay going rate is more than 50% book....Good Deal.

[MavsRChamps]

Unless a single card has a Book Value of over $50 ... 1/2 of the Beckett Price is way too much to pay

For example: A $15 Card valued in Beckett usually won't sell for more than like $3 on Ebay (and at most for any card probably 1/2 of Beckett value) and $5-10 card in Beckett most of the time won't get a bid at $0.99

[MavsRChamps]

Unless I'm reading this wrong...I'm confused. How can you run a LCS and not be knowledgable about card prices?! This would be like a used car lot not knowing about car prices...

As to your question - Ebay is the best source to determine current value. If Ebay going rate is more than 50% book....Good Deal.

I just read that again and you're kind of right - The story does entail an LCS owner not knowing about card prices ( :confused::confused::confused:) , but it's not him ...

[EricInCT]

jesus christ the people here.

the answer is no.

[thepinoymamba]

Buying bulk means like paying 10-20% bv...

[cruiserdaddy7]

All the above are right/wrong. Alot of variables to keep in mind. Player, set etc... Some cards bring full book on eBay based on set and player. Its impossible to pay any percentage across the board on a collection like that. Some are worth paying a strong percentage of book while some arent worth 10% of book. Do your research and know what your getting into.

[1eyed_jack]

Yeah, I mean how much does a Jordan PMG technically book for?

[bdrr]

jesus christ the people here.

the answer is no.

Really? All the time?

[jonefriedman]

To clarify a bit, I am not involved with the store as anything but a patron. From the conversations that I have had with the owners and managers it sounds like they purchased all of the inventory from the only other LCS when that store owner passed. The shop is geared more to magic and the other gaming cards with a small percentage of the store in sports cards hence their lack of knowledge regarding pricing.

From the replies, it sounds like 1/2 book is way over on most cards. I will say that there were some interesting sets represented including flair showcase, e-x and finest as well as some vintage and a whole lot of jersey cards. I will spend some time on ebay reviewing anything I pull. I plan on heading back early next week to do a better pass and will follow up if anyone is interested.

[sreg0r]

It generally works on a sliding scale, for most 90s cards with a value of bv$80+ they sell for 80-120% of book. When your down below bv$10 you're happy with 15-25% of book.

If these are cards you really want then 50% isn't bad from a store, you save on postage too!

[CP3toOKC]

NVM, misread OP's question...

[jonefriedman]

If anyone is interested, I did make an initial purchase from the LCS of the following cards:


1986-87 Fleer Premium George Gervin
1977-78 Topps Robert Parish RC
1977-78 Topps John Havlicek
1975-76 Topps George Gervin
1974-75 Topps Artis Gilmore ABA All-Stars
1995-96 Fleer Tower of Power Hakeem
1999-00 SPx Prolifics Barkley
1998-99 Flair Showcase David Robinson /3000
2003-04 UD Rookie Exclusive David West auto
2006-07 SPx Dee Brown auto jersey /1199
2003-04 Topps Jersey Edition Steve Nash jersey
2000-01 Fleer E-X Horace Grant Essiental Credentials /201
1997-98 Flair Showcase Jordan
2006-07 Fleer E-X Vince Carter base
2006-07 Fleer E-X D Wade base
1997-98 Fleer E-X T-Mac RC
1998-99 Bowmans Best Dirk RC
2003-04 Topps Matrix LeBron/Kaman/Milicic RC

I got the lot for $80 all in. I priced it out vs. both COMC and ebay and it turned out to be about the same price minus shipping. Got the best deals on the vintage as they are in pretty good condition and the worst on the modern rookie cards. No steal but certainly felt as though I got my moneys worth. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Jon

[xavieronly1]

If anyone is interested, I did make an initial purchase from the LCS of the following cards:


1986-87 Fleer Premium George Gervin
1977-78 Topps Robert Parish RC
1977-78 Topps John Havlicek
1975-76 Topps George Gervin
1974-75 Topps Artis Gilmore ABA All-Stars
1995-96 Fleer Tower of Power Hakeem
1999-00 SPx Prolifics Barkley
1998-99 Flair Showcase David Robinson /3000
2003-04 UD Rookie Exclusive David West auto
2006-07 SPx Dee Brown auto jersey /1199
2003-04 Topps Jersey Edition Steve Nash jersey
2000-01 Fleer E-X Horace Grant Essiental Credentials /201
1997-98 Flair Showcase Jordan
2006-07 Fleer E-X Vince Carter base
2006-07 Fleer E-X D Wade base
1997-98 Fleer E-X T-Mac RC
1998-99 Bowmans Best Dirk RC
2003-04 Topps Matrix LeBron/Kaman/Milicic RC

I got the lot for $80 all in. I priced it out vs. both COMC and ebay and it turned out to be about the same price minus shipping. Got the best deals on the vintage as they are in pretty good condition and the worst on the modern rookie cards. No steal but certainly felt as though I got my moneys worth. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Jon

I wouldn't pay $80 for those unless those pre-1980 cards are in mint condition. The auto is like $3, the jsy is like $1.50. MJ base is like $1. Lebron RC is like $5. Dirk and T-mac rc are total $3.

[jonefriedman]

I certainly overpaid for several of the modern cards as most are going into my pc. I actually did pay $5 for the lebron, $2 for the nash, and I believe $10 for Dee Brown and West together. The vintage are probably are 8 or better so though they aren't gem mint, they are better than expected. I know I should have just taken my money out of my pocket and lit it on fire as I won't be making any money on the deal, but for having first access to the mountain of cards they have and a showing of good will, I felt pretty good about the initial purchases.