How do you convince someone to sell you something they've lost money on?

mattglet · 06-09-2021, 08:58 AM

If you don't want to read me vent, you can skip this thread.

Many of you have seen my Riley Pint thread, and many of you have looked at my Riley Pint website. Some of you know that he retired from baseball yesterday at the age of 23. In a world of clectors, I'm still a collector of Pint and am still trying to get as many cards of his that I don't yet have.

The problem is that I have been in contact with a guy who has a Leaf 1/1 and even this morning when I reached out to him, his asking price is relatively absurd. I've tried to get this card from him for literally 3 YEARS... which is probably why I'm still having a hard time today - he knows I want it.

I just don't understand the mindset of someone who will sit on a card that has slim-to-zero true market value, just to try to squeeze a drop of blood out of it because maybe they paid more for it back in the day. Isn't getting SOMETHING better than getting NOTHING?

Are there any tips or tricks I can try? I've already offered more than fair amounts that I will overpay, but I 100% will not go to the level he's asking.

ThoseBackPages · 06-09-2021, 09:01 AM

how much is it?

mc1 · 06-09-2021, 09:01 AM

Wait some more.

Hootiefish · 06-09-2021, 09:01 AM

Explain to him the sunk cost fallacy.

oldgoldy97 · 06-09-2021, 09:03 AM

Maybe he doesn’t need the money.

Randallk34 · 06-09-2021, 09:04 AM

Maybe he likes the card. Maybe he doesn't want you knowing his address cause he thinks you're bonkers

3rdpedal · 06-09-2021, 09:04 AM

I feel your pain, and I wish I had a good strategy. I've found that most people are very emotional decision makers, especially when it comes to anything financial.

As a fellow collector of a once touted prospect who is most likely not going to sniff their potential (Cole Tucker of the Pirates in my case), I have some similar troubles. There are plenty of his cards out there that I've made reasonable offers for, but their owners don't want to lose money or somehow still think their cards are worth much more than comps. I've had zero success with these sellers.

While I don't have any advice for dealing with these people and obtaining the cards you're looking for, I can say that these dealings have helped me become less "emotionally invested" in my non-PC collection and actually anything financial.

Good luck getting those cards you're looking for!

mattglet · 06-09-2021, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

how much is it?

He's asking $75 for it, and it's BGS 9.5.

mattglet · 06-09-2021, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Maybe he doesn’t need the money.

Then what's his angle?

Asian62150 · 06-09-2021, 09:05 AM

Your post makes sense from your perspective.

But if the seller wants to hold out to try to get more from you (or someone else), I'm not sure there is something you can do to convince him.

Maybe see what kind of stuff he's interested in and offer a trade?

Everyone has a different personality. Some ppl will hold out forever. Some ppl cut their losses and want to move on quickly. Some like to help out fellow collectors with their PC. Some like to find someone and try to squeeze them as much as possible.

Maybe in your mind, it'll help to just let it go. There have been plenty of cards I wish ppl would sell to me at fair or even above market value (anyone have an Epic Signatures MJ? Haha). If you happen to get it someday in someway, it'll be a thrill. Otherwise, not worth the stress, IMO. But hope you get it (even though it's a Leaf card).

ScottBreaks · 06-09-2021, 09:06 AM

Just be honest. Tell him the only market for this card exists with you and $xxx is what you're willing to pay. No one else is coming to him looking for that card, so he can either sell it to you at that price or he's just going to hold on to a card of a player who's no longer playing. I've had it happen to me where a buyer who knew his stuff laid out my options in front of me and I had no choice but to say "You know what, you're right."

hammertime · 06-09-2021, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattglet

I've tried to get this card from him for literally 3 YEARS... which is probably why I'm still having a hard time today - he knows I want it.

Hyup...

PDCCollectibles · 06-09-2021, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattglet

He's asking $75 for it, and it's BGS 9.5.

If you want it that bad, pay the $75, grab it and move on....

Randallk34 · 06-09-2021, 09:07 AM

How do you know they've lost money on it?

salas1991 · 06-09-2021, 09:08 AM

Some people are well aware of when it's time to move on from something and take what you can get, but a lot of people will just hang on to things til death, however irrational it might be. Dude probably thinks since Pint's just 23 that he might decide to come back - and I guess the Rox are open to that, so they don't necessarily think it's a done deal, either. I could see him maybe deciding to give it another shot in a few years, so that's probably what your guy is holding out hope for, however unlikely it is to happen.

hammertime · 06-09-2021, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattglet

He's asking $75 for it, and it's BGS 9.5.

Bro...if you want it enough to keep bugging him and to make a thread about it...just pay the $75...

ThoseBackPages · 06-09-2021, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattglet

He's asking $75 for it, and it's BGS 9.5.

"I've tried to get this card from him for literally 3 YEARS... "

buy it today. its $75. youve wanted it for three years. thats $25 a year, $2 a month.

buy it, as it will bring you joy. grading alone would cost you ~$25 AND 6+ months wait

buy it today.

Randallk34 · 06-09-2021, 09:09 AM

you should get this one lol

Triple B · 06-09-2021, 09:10 AM

Maybe he’s just enjoying the free real estate he owns in your head? It’s a LEAF 1/1…how great can it be? There are no other cards that money is better spent on?

corockies · 06-09-2021, 09:10 AM

Easiest way to collect is realize that you are an expert at the market of your player. If someone won't budge on a price even if you know it's too much, then move on. You'll never be able to own everything.

PDCCollectibles · 06-09-2021, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

"I've tried to get this card from him for literally 3 YEARS... "

buy it today. its $75. youve wanted it for three years. thats $25 a year, $2 a month.

buy it, as it will bring you joy. grading alone would cost you ~$25 AND 6+ months wait

buy it today.

Exactly...

mattglet · 06-09-2021, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

"I've tried to get this card from him for literally 3 YEARS... "

buy it today. its $75. youve wanted it for three years. thats $25 a year, $2 a month.

buy it, as it will bring you joy. grading alone would cost you ~$25 AND 6+ months wait

buy it today.

Eric, what about the PRINCIPLE of it all!?!?

(I also don't care about the grade - people who grade 1/1s are weird)

base set · 06-09-2021, 09:13 AM

A Puig Rookie I’ve always kinda wanted popped up the other day. Shipping is now at 60% of the asking price for the card.

Boo · 06-09-2021, 09:13 AM

Offer him $74.99, you “win” then

mattglet · 06-09-2021, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corockies

Easiest way to collect is realize that you are an expert at the market of your player. If someone won't budge on a price even if you know it's too much, then move on. You'll never be able to own everything.

With that attitude, you're right!

06-09-2021, 08:58 AM	#1
mattglet Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 4,206	How do you convince someone to sell you something they've lost money on? If you don't want to read me vent, you can skip this thread. Many of you have seen my Riley Pint thread, and many of you have looked at my Riley Pint website. Some of you know that he retired from baseball yesterday at the age of 23. In a world of clectors, I'm still a collector of Pint and am still trying to get as many cards of his that I don't yet have. The problem is that I have been in contact with a guy who has a Leaf 1/1 and even this morning when I reached out to him, his asking price is relatively absurd. I've tried to get this card from him for literally 3 YEARS... which is probably why I'm still having a hard time today - he knows I want it. I just don't understand the mindset of someone who will sit on a card that has slim-to-zero true market value, just to try to squeeze a drop of blood out of it because maybe they paid more for it back in the day. Isn't getting SOMETHING better than getting NOTHING? Are there any tips or tricks I can try? I've already offered more than fair amounts that I will overpay, but I 100% will not go to the level he's asking. __________________ Collecting Riley Pint - www.RileyPint.com Total owned: 77%, 1/1s: 71 Creator of ListingAlarm - a tool that is better than eBay's Saved Searches! https://www.listingalarm.com

06-09-2021, 09:01 AM	#2
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 83,700 ThoseBackPages	how much is it? __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

06-09-2021, 09:01 AM	#3
mc1 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 10,374	Wait some more. __________________ B.I.D.

06-09-2021, 09:03 AM	#5
oldgoldy97 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The parade zone Posts: 46,407 Myfakeebayid	Maybe he doesn’t need the money. __________________ This space available Come at me when I matter. The best part of visiting Wisconsin? Leaving.

06-09-2021, 09:04 AM	#6
Randallk34 Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,000	Maybe he likes the card. Maybe he doesn't want you knowing his address cause he thinks you're bonkers Last edited by Randallk34; 06-09-2021 at 09:06 AM.

06-09-2021, 09:01 AM	#4
Hootiefish Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 1,002	Explain to him the sunk cost fallacy.

06-09-2021, 09:04 AM	#7
3rdpedal Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 946 peaceSeekingVeteran 3rdpedal	I feel your pain, and I wish I had a good strategy. I've found that most people are very emotional decision makers, especially when it comes to anything financial. As a fellow collector of a once touted prospect who is most likely not going to sniff their potential (Cole Tucker of the Pirates in my case), I have some similar troubles. There are plenty of his cards out there that I've made reasonable offers for, but their owners don't want to lose money or somehow still think their cards are worth much more than comps. I've had zero success with these sellers. While I don't have any advice for dealing with these people and obtaining the cards you're looking for, I can say that these dealings have helped me become less "emotionally invested" in my non-PC collection and actually anything financial. Good luck getting those cards you're looking for! __________________ Ask me about my COMC Sales & Flipping Visualization Tool. PM me for the link. Looking for 2019 Topps S1 #48 PNC Park Platinum 1/1 & Printing plates & 2019 Update Cole Tucker Parallels

06-09-2021, 09:05 AM	#10
Asian62150 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 5,241 Asian62150	Your post makes sense from your perspective. But if the seller wants to hold out to try to get more from you (or someone else), I'm not sure there is something you can do to convince him. Maybe see what kind of stuff he's interested in and offer a trade? Everyone has a different personality. Some ppl will hold out forever. Some ppl cut their losses and want to move on quickly. Some like to help out fellow collectors with their PC. Some like to find someone and try to squeeze them as much as possible. Maybe in your mind, it'll help to just let it go. There have been plenty of cards I wish ppl would sell to me at fair or even above market value (anyone have an Epic Signatures MJ? Haha). If you happen to get it someday in someway, it'll be a thrill. Otherwise, not worth the stress, IMO. But hope you get it (even though it's a Leaf card). __________________ IG: Asian62150

06-09-2021, 09:06 AM	#11
ScottBreaks Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Chicago Posts: 770	Just be honest. Tell him the only market for this card exists with you and $xxx is what you're willing to pay. No one else is coming to him looking for that card, so he can either sell it to you at that price or he's just going to hold on to a card of a player who's no longer playing. I've had it happen to me where a buyer who knew his stuff laid out my options in front of me and I had no choice but to say "You know what, you're right." __________________ PC: Cubs Check out my favorite hits on IG: @ScttBreaks SportLots Store: http://www.sportlots.com/dealers/?dealer=McRofles -Send me a message if you buy anything!

06-09-2021, 09:07 AM	#14
Randallk34 Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,000	How do you know they've lost money on it?

06-09-2021, 09:08 AM	#15
salas1991 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 1,321	Some people are well aware of when it's time to move on from something and take what you can get, but a lot of people will just hang on to things til death, however irrational it might be. Dude probably thinks since Pint's just 23 that he might decide to come back - and I guess the Rox are open to that, so they don't necessarily think it's a done deal, either. I could see him maybe deciding to give it another shot in a few years, so that's probably what your guy is holding out hope for, however unlikely it is to happen.

06-09-2021, 09:09 AM	#18
Randallk34 Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 2,000	you should get this one lol

06-09-2021, 09:10 AM	#19
Triple B Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,629	Maybe he’s just enjoying the free real estate he owns in your head? It’s a LEAF 1/1…how great can it be? There are no other cards that money is better spent on? __________________ Wanted Dead or Alive! 1. 1997 Bowman's Best Jose Cruz, Jr Atomic Refractor Autograph 2. 1997 SPx Jose Cruz, Jr. Grand Finale /50

06-09-2021, 09:10 AM	#20
corockies Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,788 corockies corockies	Easiest way to collect is realize that you are an expert at the market of your player. If someone won't budge on a price even if you know it's too much, then move on. You'll never be able to own everything.

06-09-2021, 09:13 AM	#23
base set Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NW Michigan Posts: 8,756	A Puig Rookie I’ve always kinda wanted popped up the other day. Shipping is now at 60% of the asking price for the card.

06-09-2021, 09:13 AM	#24
Boo Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: PA Posts: 47,470 klay22	Offer him $74.99, you “win” then __________________ I have found that flicking through a few threads on my smartphone is a great way to pass some time while "stocking the pond."Hairy 6/7/12 “ I feel you, brother. Welcome to East Berlin, circa 1963.” Hairy 5/9/20