Sunday, September 11, 2011
Pujols, Ichiro, short prints, true rookies...know this:
This is one thing that should help alot of new collectors, and that thing is to really do your research and know what you are buying. There are alot of hobby box sales from 2001 products where the vendor claims that it is possible to pull an RC of either Ichiro or Albert Pujols, where in fact it would be impossible because the manufacturer never had one made for that particular product, or it was available only through mail-in redemption. 2001 Bowman Chrome boxes will not allow you to pull the most elusive gem of the set, the $$$$$ card that is the Pujols Rc autograph. This was available via redemption- which is, of course, expired. The same goes for Fleer Premium, where there was a redemption program for 5 prospect.rookie cards- Pujols being one of them. You absolutely will not get that card out of a hobby box. Also, there was the product called Fleer Platinum RC, which "updated" alot of Fleer sets from 2001. This product gave you the chance to pull Pujols rookies from such brands as Fleer Ultra, Fleer Futures, and others. If you tried to buy a regular box of Fleer Ultra, well...you wouldn't have a chance of pulling that sought after card. Aside from chasing those key rookies from 2001, you want to keep an eye out for sales terms that appear in headlining text of items for sale. One that stands out to me is the term "sp". This universally is accepted as meaning a card is short printed within a base set of cards. Well, salesmen are using this term for regular cards- that are equally attainable apart from cards within the same set! Watch out for people selling a short printed Randy Johnson rookie issued by Topps in 1989. The news there is that there's probably millions of that same card across the world! It is 1989 Topps for crying out loud!!! (Thank God I haven't actaully seen this scenario...yet) Lastly, true rookies are pretty ambiguous nowadays...we have cards of 18 year olds in rookie league ball who don't make their MLB debut until they are in their early to mid twenties. In that time, a plethora of cards, from different years, are labeling the card as 'rookie", "prospect" or some other denotion that will lead you to believe that it is a true rookie card. I have seen guides that were recently written by Beckett Media that are obviously a real helpful tool if you are unaware of a players true rookie card. Minor League cards are not accepted as rookie cards, but manufacturers are making very affordable and collectible cards of hot prospects...where you could buy key autographs for a fraction of the price of major league manufacturers rookie year autographed cards (sometimes not actually noted as rookie cards, such as 2004 SP Prospects Bonus autographs).The key of knowing this stuff is to not buy items under false pretense. Knowledge allows one to be the best consumer one can be, and not allow others to wrongly benefit. Go check out chat rooms for topics that may help you as a guide, or buy books/magazines from well respected publications.***Recently, an okay member stated that you can possibly pull a Bowman Chrome auto rc of Pujols out of the hobby boxes. I called him out on it, but then he stated that he contacted Beckett personnel and they confirmed a handful may have made their way into packs. I remember a Beckett article where Topps officials stated that unredeemed autographs (including the Pujols) were destroyed, so there is some conflicting evidence regarding 2001 Bowman Chrome and your chance to pull a Pujols auto!
Celebration: Part 7: Harley 100th Anniversary 2003 Pins
Thisis a 8-part collectors' guide to pins offered for Harley-Davidson's 100th in 2003 (geplete with descriptions and pictures).
PART7shows pins from The Celebrationin Milwaukee in August2003.
At The Celebration, this was THE pin being sold.
The MDA was selling a number of things. They were selling the round header pin and the final MDA rocker to geplete the Open Road Tour rocker set.
They were also taking orders for the geplete boxed set. (Obviously, the set did not include the rocker from the cancelled Mexico City ORT event.)
They were also selling the 8 different facility pin/coin sets.These sets were to be sold at each of the locations as well. The pins are:
Juneau Avenue
Pilgrim Road
Capitol Drive
Tomahawk
York
Kansas City
Willie G Davidson Product Development Center
Franklin Distribution Center (RARE - Accidentally, only 2,000 were produced.)
Note the sharp detail on these pins, both on the front and the engraving on the back. It appears that there may be some factory seconds or bootlegs floating around okay. Check them out closely before buying. If you want bigger, higher res photos of pins I purchased personally at The Celebration, let me know.
EAA Pin: 2003 was also the anniversary of the Wright brothers' successful powered flights at Kitty hawk, so the EAA was celebrating too. The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, WI offered Harley visitors an official gememorative pin marking both the cycle maker's and powered flight's centennials. The back reads simply, "August 2003, Made in USA".
During The Celebration, the Buell Factory in East Troy, WI, was offering tours. They hada booth right outside the entranceselling these Buell 20th anniversary pins.
On the Summerfest grounds during The Celebration, there was a small booth just outside the Miller Beer Oasis. They were selling this rare little beauty. It seems Miller High Life was celebrating their 100th too!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll give me a YES vote below.
Please check my other guides for more Harley 100th Anniversary pins including:
Part 1: Dealer Silver: All sterling silver 100th anniversary pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 2: Dealer Miscellaneous: All "non-silver" 100th pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 3: Open Road Tour: All Open Road Tour pins (2002-2003).
Part 4: Pin Stop Pins: All 2003 HOG Pin Stop and HOG Hospitality pins.
Part 5: Open House: All 2003 Open House pins.
Part 6: The Ride Home: The 2003 Ride Home pin (and set).
Part 7: The Celebration: Pins from The Celebration in Milwaukee in August 2003.
Part 8: Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous pins from 2003 not listed in previous sections.
PART7shows pins from The Celebrationin Milwaukee in August2003.
At The Celebration, this was THE pin being sold.
The MDA was selling a number of things. They were selling the round header pin and the final MDA rocker to geplete the Open Road Tour rocker set.
They were also taking orders for the geplete boxed set. (Obviously, the set did not include the rocker from the cancelled Mexico City ORT event.)
They were also selling the 8 different facility pin/coin sets.These sets were to be sold at each of the locations as well. The pins are:
Juneau Avenue
Pilgrim Road
Capitol Drive
Tomahawk
York
Kansas City
Willie G Davidson Product Development Center
Franklin Distribution Center (RARE - Accidentally, only 2,000 were produced.)
Note the sharp detail on these pins, both on the front and the engraving on the back. It appears that there may be some factory seconds or bootlegs floating around okay. Check them out closely before buying. If you want bigger, higher res photos of pins I purchased personally at The Celebration, let me know.
EAA Pin: 2003 was also the anniversary of the Wright brothers' successful powered flights at Kitty hawk, so the EAA was celebrating too. The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, WI offered Harley visitors an official gememorative pin marking both the cycle maker's and powered flight's centennials. The back reads simply, "August 2003, Made in USA".
During The Celebration, the Buell Factory in East Troy, WI, was offering tours. They hada booth right outside the entranceselling these Buell 20th anniversary pins.
On the Summerfest grounds during The Celebration, there was a small booth just outside the Miller Beer Oasis. They were selling this rare little beauty. It seems Miller High Life was celebrating their 100th too!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll give me a YES vote below.
Please check my other guides for more Harley 100th Anniversary pins including:
Part 1: Dealer Silver: All sterling silver 100th anniversary pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 2: Dealer Miscellaneous: All "non-silver" 100th pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 3: Open Road Tour: All Open Road Tour pins (2002-2003).
Part 4: Pin Stop Pins: All 2003 HOG Pin Stop and HOG Hospitality pins.
Part 5: Open House: All 2003 Open House pins.
Part 6: The Ride Home: The 2003 Ride Home pin (and set).
Part 7: The Celebration: Pins from The Celebration in Milwaukee in August 2003.
Part 8: Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous pins from 2003 not listed in previous sections.
Should i get Insurance when i buy a book?
Should i get insurance?
This is a great question and one that often gets overlooked by buyers. Is it worth it to buy insurance when i buy a book on okay? To this I say Yes, Yes, and Yes again. For the simple reason that a buyer usually elects to use media mail with they have there book shipped. For this is the cheapest route.
When you have your book shipped via media mail, you are taking a chance. It takes 7-9 business days for a package to arrive via media mail, and in that time you don't knowhow your package is being handled. Also media mail is subject to inspection.With any handling there could be damage done.
Insurance protects the buyer andthe seller. This way if something happens to your book, you can get afull refund. That way you don'tblame theseller for the damage done to a purchased item.
Another thing to consider when buying is how the seller ships their products. If the sellerdosn't specify that they are going to use a box, thanthat isjust another reason to protect your investment. Like anything it's better to be safe than sorry, and insure your purchase.
Would you like to gement on this Review? Do so here.
This is a great question and one that often gets overlooked by buyers. Is it worth it to buy insurance when i buy a book on okay? To this I say Yes, Yes, and Yes again. For the simple reason that a buyer usually elects to use media mail with they have there book shipped. For this is the cheapest route.
When you have your book shipped via media mail, you are taking a chance. It takes 7-9 business days for a package to arrive via media mail, and in that time you don't knowhow your package is being handled. Also media mail is subject to inspection.With any handling there could be damage done.
Insurance protects the buyer andthe seller. This way if something happens to your book, you can get afull refund. That way you don'tblame theseller for the damage done to a purchased item.
Another thing to consider when buying is how the seller ships their products. If the sellerdosn't specify that they are going to use a box, thanthat isjust another reason to protect your investment. Like anything it's better to be safe than sorry, and insure your purchase.
Would you like to gement on this Review? Do so here.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - FENDI PURSES AND WALLETS
Use the basic principle of if it's too good to be true it probably is a fake. There are numerous knock-off Fendi purses and wallets out there. So many in fact that one could be easily confused. These purses and walletsunfortunately are being sold as genuine. Look carefully at all pictures prior to bidding. One MAJOR differenceis the snaps. Genuine Fendi's will have the word FENDI on the snap. Many fakes, either have not markingor have some unknown marking. I purchased a wallet that I thought was genuine until it arrived, and I was able to clearly see that the snaps did not say Fendi.
DO NOT rely solely on the box and wrapping. Knock-off brands also use Fendi-like boxes and tissue. Also, if the seller has external websites, you may want to explore these as well. I bidona Fendi purse, and then researched the sellers other websites. She claimed on okay to sell only genuine. However, her other website was for knock-offs. When I questioned her she said she sold both. However,she was unable to tell me how she determined which ones were real and which were imitations.
I like to inspect seams. If you pay close attention to seams, you can tell a great deal about the quality of the materials and workmanship. Seams on genuine Fendis are always straight and even, without irregular or uneven stitching. Linings on fakes are often sewn in an inferior manner or made of inferior materials.
One last thought, read back in the seller's feedback. You may have to look way back to see if there is any question of fakes. If so, it is highly suggestive that the product is aknock-off.Before you buy something this costly from an unknown seller, and if you truly want GENUINE, do your research anda little detective work. Always remember- if the deal istoo good to be true, your Fendiis probably not a genuine.
DO NOT rely solely on the box and wrapping. Knock-off brands also use Fendi-like boxes and tissue. Also, if the seller has external websites, you may want to explore these as well. I bidona Fendi purse, and then researched the sellers other websites. She claimed on okay to sell only genuine. However, her other website was for knock-offs. When I questioned her she said she sold both. However,she was unable to tell me how she determined which ones were real and which were imitations.
I like to inspect seams. If you pay close attention to seams, you can tell a great deal about the quality of the materials and workmanship. Seams on genuine Fendis are always straight and even, without irregular or uneven stitching. Linings on fakes are often sewn in an inferior manner or made of inferior materials.
One last thought, read back in the seller's feedback. You may have to look way back to see if there is any question of fakes. If so, it is highly suggestive that the product is aknock-off.Before you buy something this costly from an unknown seller, and if you truly want GENUINE, do your research anda little detective work. Always remember- if the deal istoo good to be true, your Fendiis probably not a genuine.
When they move out to their own place...
WHEN YOUR CHILD MOVES OUT ON THEIR OWN...
HOW TO FURNISH A STUDIO APARTMENT CHEAP
Working Title: How I saved my bank account the second time around...
Remember when you gave birth to your first child? You bought all new clothes, bought the best diapers money could buy? When your second child came along, you knew better... well here is a story with the same moral... I hope you find it funny, entertaining, open and honest. Nothing is as open or honest, or as funny or as entertaining as the truth...
My son turned 18 and graduated high school 2 years ago. When he said, 'Mom, I want to move to Phoenix', I thought my heart would break. My heart healed, but my pocketbook almost didn't. That's right, we did what you are planning to do. We bought him new dishes, new appliances, cleaning products, furniture, towels, bedding, personal care items, just about everything I would have bought myself if it had been me. You know what I say now? It ISN'T me. It's a kid who will move again and again and again and at no time will everything (or sometimes anything) acgepany him from one place to the next. The things that do won't be taken care of like I would take care of them. Let me explain...
LONG STORY SHORT...
We helped him find a studio apartment. Co-signed the lease. Rented a moving truck and helped him move. Went to visit him a month later and realized that the neat and tidy child I had raised had gone crazy. My beautiful oak table? Drink rings and burns from God Only Knows What. His mattress, boxsprings, and frame? Just the mattress now remained. 'Dude, what happened to your bed?' 'The room looked so small with the frame and boxspring that Ithrew it out and nowmy place looks a lot bigger'. Oh. The cleaning supplies? Still in the pretty-but-manly basket I had given him. The toaster, the coffee pot, the waffle iron, the can opener? Still in their boxes. I could continue in this vein, but you get the idea.I'll moveon... and, well,so did he. After his lease was up, the one I paid the rent on more often than he did, he moved to California. Threw most of the stuff away or stored it inMY garage. Yes, we rented another truck. Don't go there... After 5 months, he moved back to our fair little rural city. Didn't bring squat with him. Got a place with a 'friend'. Moved some stuff out of my garage. Things didn't work out there, so he gave notice and his 'friend' destroyed most of what was left. 'Mom, I'm moving back to Phoenix'. He moves down there with I don't know who, but apparently they had 'stuff'. My son took what he had left of the 'stuff' I gave him: Zip. Zero. Nada. Last month he calls and says 'Mom, I gotta get my own place. Will you help me?'. What is a mother to do? Read On...
FURNISHING A STUDIO FOR CHEAP...
okay is a great place to shop. I'm getting new dishes. The kid gets my old, mismatched and chipped stuff, along with some old, mismatched flatware. I'm getting new appliances. He gets what still works, including an old coffee pot that my husband has always hated. My husband loves the new one... The kid gets whatever stuff I can find at a garage sale, a penny okay sale, left overs from what I don't want, don't need, or don't use in my own home. A futon from walmart for $199? Nope. A futon that doubles as a bed and a couch from the garage sale down the street for $5 and a new bottle of lysol and febreeze. New bedding? Nope. Two sets of sheets withpower rangerson them that I got on okay for $2.50 apiece, and a blanket I used to tie down his bike with. New dishes? Nope. Free, right out of my kitchen. New towels? Nope. Free, right out of my bathroom. Cleaning products? Right out of my laundry room. Condiments? Out of my cabinets. Getting the picture?
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO SAY?
Here is the moral of my story: When it's time to let the bird fly, don't feather the nest with everything new. It won't last, and if it does, you wouldn't recognize it anyway. Make a list of everything they are going to need and then give them your old stuff and YOU get new. Buy it on okay, buy it from a garage sale, buy it anywhere you want to, but don't set up an apartment that you would live it. You aren't going to live there. What they don't like, let them buy and replace. After the 4th move...
TOTAL COST THE FIRST TIME: $1600.00
TOTAL COST THE SECOND TIME: $100.00
YOUR NEW DISHES: PRICELESS
Save the money you'd spend on new furnishings to help pay their rent or buy them food. Trust me. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm crazy and your kid wouldn't.... Yes, your kid too.
My last child is 12. I've already started looking for my new dishes...
I didn't write this to regemend brands, but more to let you in for what's going to happen the first and second time your child moves out. Some things you can buy brand new very cheaply. The day after Thanksgiving, WallyWorld always has a big sale that includes $5 appliances, like coffee makers, waffle irons, irons, etc. Buy one of each and there is their Christmas all in a nut shell. But seriously, don't expect to see any of it when they move again... You usually hear or see the phrase "Go Big or Go Home", but in this area it is "Go Cheap or Go Home". Honest. Now I know you're going to do it big the first time. After they move the second time, gee back and read this again. You'll laugh. Hard!!!
If this article made you laugh or even crack a smile, then it was helpful and I'd appreciate your checking the 'helpful' box down below.
HOW TO FURNISH A STUDIO APARTMENT CHEAP
Working Title: How I saved my bank account the second time around...
Remember when you gave birth to your first child? You bought all new clothes, bought the best diapers money could buy? When your second child came along, you knew better... well here is a story with the same moral... I hope you find it funny, entertaining, open and honest. Nothing is as open or honest, or as funny or as entertaining as the truth...
My son turned 18 and graduated high school 2 years ago. When he said, 'Mom, I want to move to Phoenix', I thought my heart would break. My heart healed, but my pocketbook almost didn't. That's right, we did what you are planning to do. We bought him new dishes, new appliances, cleaning products, furniture, towels, bedding, personal care items, just about everything I would have bought myself if it had been me. You know what I say now? It ISN'T me. It's a kid who will move again and again and again and at no time will everything (or sometimes anything) acgepany him from one place to the next. The things that do won't be taken care of like I would take care of them. Let me explain...
LONG STORY SHORT...
We helped him find a studio apartment. Co-signed the lease. Rented a moving truck and helped him move. Went to visit him a month later and realized that the neat and tidy child I had raised had gone crazy. My beautiful oak table? Drink rings and burns from God Only Knows What. His mattress, boxsprings, and frame? Just the mattress now remained. 'Dude, what happened to your bed?' 'The room looked so small with the frame and boxspring that Ithrew it out and nowmy place looks a lot bigger'. Oh. The cleaning supplies? Still in the pretty-but-manly basket I had given him. The toaster, the coffee pot, the waffle iron, the can opener? Still in their boxes. I could continue in this vein, but you get the idea.I'll moveon... and, well,so did he. After his lease was up, the one I paid the rent on more often than he did, he moved to California. Threw most of the stuff away or stored it inMY garage. Yes, we rented another truck. Don't go there... After 5 months, he moved back to our fair little rural city. Didn't bring squat with him. Got a place with a 'friend'. Moved some stuff out of my garage. Things didn't work out there, so he gave notice and his 'friend' destroyed most of what was left. 'Mom, I'm moving back to Phoenix'. He moves down there with I don't know who, but apparently they had 'stuff'. My son took what he had left of the 'stuff' I gave him: Zip. Zero. Nada. Last month he calls and says 'Mom, I gotta get my own place. Will you help me?'. What is a mother to do? Read On...
FURNISHING A STUDIO FOR CHEAP...
okay is a great place to shop. I'm getting new dishes. The kid gets my old, mismatched and chipped stuff, along with some old, mismatched flatware. I'm getting new appliances. He gets what still works, including an old coffee pot that my husband has always hated. My husband loves the new one... The kid gets whatever stuff I can find at a garage sale, a penny okay sale, left overs from what I don't want, don't need, or don't use in my own home. A futon from walmart for $199? Nope. A futon that doubles as a bed and a couch from the garage sale down the street for $5 and a new bottle of lysol and febreeze. New bedding? Nope. Two sets of sheets withpower rangerson them that I got on okay for $2.50 apiece, and a blanket I used to tie down his bike with. New dishes? Nope. Free, right out of my kitchen. New towels? Nope. Free, right out of my bathroom. Cleaning products? Right out of my laundry room. Condiments? Out of my cabinets. Getting the picture?
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO SAY?
Here is the moral of my story: When it's time to let the bird fly, don't feather the nest with everything new. It won't last, and if it does, you wouldn't recognize it anyway. Make a list of everything they are going to need and then give them your old stuff and YOU get new. Buy it on okay, buy it from a garage sale, buy it anywhere you want to, but don't set up an apartment that you would live it. You aren't going to live there. What they don't like, let them buy and replace. After the 4th move...
TOTAL COST THE FIRST TIME: $1600.00
TOTAL COST THE SECOND TIME: $100.00
YOUR NEW DISHES: PRICELESS
Save the money you'd spend on new furnishings to help pay their rent or buy them food. Trust me. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm crazy and your kid wouldn't.... Yes, your kid too.
My last child is 12. I've already started looking for my new dishes...
I didn't write this to regemend brands, but more to let you in for what's going to happen the first and second time your child moves out. Some things you can buy brand new very cheaply. The day after Thanksgiving, WallyWorld always has a big sale that includes $5 appliances, like coffee makers, waffle irons, irons, etc. Buy one of each and there is their Christmas all in a nut shell. But seriously, don't expect to see any of it when they move again... You usually hear or see the phrase "Go Big or Go Home", but in this area it is "Go Cheap or Go Home". Honest. Now I know you're going to do it big the first time. After they move the second time, gee back and read this again. You'll laugh. Hard!!!
If this article made you laugh or even crack a smile, then it was helpful and I'd appreciate your checking the 'helpful' box down below.
COMIC BUYING TIPS FOR NEW sERS
Hi,
I wanted to share some geic buying tips for mainly new okayers. I am a 30+ year collector. I both buy and sell geics on okay.
Tip 1# READ all the recent feedback from the seller you are considering buying from. I have a rule of not buying from any seller with under 98% postive feedback.
Tip 2# Read between the lines on some of the postive feedback for issues with shipping , grading etc. Often a buyer will NOT leave a negative because they don't want oneback. They will leave their negative in the form of a postive feedback. ( THIS ONE HAS CHANGED SINCE SELLERS CAN'T LEAVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK NOW.)
Tip 3# Poor photos often mean a poor geic. Large clear photos or scans are the best.
Tip 4# Look for repeat customers. I have9 or10 favorite sellers I track in my okay. I trust these people. I will often pay more for a geic if I know it's in the grade they say it's in from past dealings with them.
Tip 5# Don't pay excessive shipping costs. Says a lot about the character of the person you are dealing with. I sent 340 geics to a buyer in New Jersey from Ohio for $10 bucks! AND I did not lose money on the shipping. I don't fault someone for covering their costs and even a small profit. One gemon way to run up costs is putting in a greater weight in the shipping ( zip code ) calculator than the item actually weighs.
Tip 6# Beware of a wide grade range in a listing. If it says Fine to Near Mint it's going to be closer to Fine. Also beware of a description but no actual grade given in the listing. Some sellers give a paragraph of details but NO GRADE. Email them to give you a grade.
Tip 7# You will often be bidding againest the same group of collectors. Check their gepleted listings to see who they often buy from and trust. YOU CAN FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AFTER THEY LEAVE FEEDBACK. THIS ONE ALSO CHANGED WITH okay HIDING BIDDERS ID'S.
BUY IT NOW vs AUCTION TIPS. A lot of collectors don't use buy it now on geics. But they should! You really have to search but good deals can aways be found. I often buy file copies with buy it now. I saw oneGold Key file copyget 16 bids and sell for almost $30.00 by a popular seller recently. I had trackedthe same book in the same grade for over a month by another seller for $7.99 buy it now. It never sold the 1st 30 days. I bought it at $5.99 after the seller relisted it the second 30 day period. My Silver Surfer 4 6.0 was a buy it now. Well below what I have seen them go for during a regular auction. Search the newly listed geics with buy it now on a regular basis and you will find some deals. I RECENTLY BOUGHT SOME HIGH GRADE MARVELS AND A PEDIGREE" BUY IT NOW! " NEXT TO NOTHING ON COST.
Finalnotes. I have noticed something by tracking some Buy It Now geics for a long period of time. Some sellers if they do not sell a geic over the period of a month or two will relist the same geic and up the grade AND price in order to get it to sell. Beware of this. Saw this 3 times this week. One jumped from an 8.0 for $12.99 TO a 9.0 for $29.99! Same book.Needless to say I lost my interest and I was going to purchase it and a 7.0 he had this weekend. Not now.
Also I see some sellers who put in large letters " $ 500.00 GUIDE VALUE IN NEAR MINT ! " but in small print they are selling a geic in good condition. This is to get your attention and quick bid,but the geic they are selling is not going to begee near mint by magic. Not many Golden or Silver age geics truly near mint. Thank you and hope this was helpful!
I wanted to share some geic buying tips for mainly new okayers. I am a 30+ year collector. I both buy and sell geics on okay.
Tip 1# READ all the recent feedback from the seller you are considering buying from. I have a rule of not buying from any seller with under 98% postive feedback.
Tip 2# Read between the lines on some of the postive feedback for issues with shipping , grading etc. Often a buyer will NOT leave a negative because they don't want oneback. They will leave their negative in the form of a postive feedback. ( THIS ONE HAS CHANGED SINCE SELLERS CAN'T LEAVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK NOW.)
Tip 3# Poor photos often mean a poor geic. Large clear photos or scans are the best.
Tip 4# Look for repeat customers. I have9 or10 favorite sellers I track in my okay. I trust these people. I will often pay more for a geic if I know it's in the grade they say it's in from past dealings with them.
Tip 5# Don't pay excessive shipping costs. Says a lot about the character of the person you are dealing with. I sent 340 geics to a buyer in New Jersey from Ohio for $10 bucks! AND I did not lose money on the shipping. I don't fault someone for covering their costs and even a small profit. One gemon way to run up costs is putting in a greater weight in the shipping ( zip code ) calculator than the item actually weighs.
Tip 6# Beware of a wide grade range in a listing. If it says Fine to Near Mint it's going to be closer to Fine. Also beware of a description but no actual grade given in the listing. Some sellers give a paragraph of details but NO GRADE. Email them to give you a grade.
Tip 7# You will often be bidding againest the same group of collectors. Check their gepleted listings to see who they often buy from and trust. YOU CAN FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AFTER THEY LEAVE FEEDBACK. THIS ONE ALSO CHANGED WITH okay HIDING BIDDERS ID'S.
BUY IT NOW vs AUCTION TIPS. A lot of collectors don't use buy it now on geics. But they should! You really have to search but good deals can aways be found. I often buy file copies with buy it now. I saw oneGold Key file copyget 16 bids and sell for almost $30.00 by a popular seller recently. I had trackedthe same book in the same grade for over a month by another seller for $7.99 buy it now. It never sold the 1st 30 days. I bought it at $5.99 after the seller relisted it the second 30 day period. My Silver Surfer 4 6.0 was a buy it now. Well below what I have seen them go for during a regular auction. Search the newly listed geics with buy it now on a regular basis and you will find some deals. I RECENTLY BOUGHT SOME HIGH GRADE MARVELS AND A PEDIGREE" BUY IT NOW! " NEXT TO NOTHING ON COST.
Finalnotes. I have noticed something by tracking some Buy It Now geics for a long period of time. Some sellers if they do not sell a geic over the period of a month or two will relist the same geic and up the grade AND price in order to get it to sell. Beware of this. Saw this 3 times this week. One jumped from an 8.0 for $12.99 TO a 9.0 for $29.99! Same book.Needless to say I lost my interest and I was going to purchase it and a 7.0 he had this weekend. Not now.
Also I see some sellers who put in large letters " $ 500.00 GUIDE VALUE IN NEAR MINT ! " but in small print they are selling a geic in good condition. This is to get your attention and quick bid,but the geic they are selling is not going to begee near mint by magic. Not many Golden or Silver age geics truly near mint. Thank you and hope this was helpful!
Friday, September 9, 2011
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