eBay flipping: I'll show you how to lose money

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oxrageous

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This ends in a week. I bought it and consigned it, hoping to make some kind of a profit. I'm having my doubts it will happen. At the very least, you can follow it along and watch my failure with me. We'll watch it end live together next week.

The break even price for me is a $425 ending bid.

1979 Topps Basketball Julius Erving #20 BVG 9.5 GEM MINT (PWCC) | eBay

Cards have been a hobby of mine since I was 13. Can never seem to shake the bug. I focus on stuff from the 70's, 80's, and 90's - nothing newer than 1999.

This card is one of 4 I have purchased recently for the sole purpose of flipping.....so there will be more failures after this one. I'll keep you posted for your amusement.

Discuss.
 

divits

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This ends in a week. I bought it and consigned it, hoping to make some kind of a profit. I'm having my doubts it will happen. At the very least, you can follow it along and watch my failure with me. We'll watch it end live together next week.

The break even price for me is a $425 ending bid.

1979 Topps Basketball Julius Erving #20 BVG 9.5 GEM MINT (PWCC) | eBay

Cards have been a hobby of mine since I was 13. Can never seem to shake the bug. I focus on stuff from the 70's, 80's, and 90's - nothing newer than 1999.

This card is one of 4 I have purchased recently for the sole purpose of flipping.....so there will be more failures after this one. I'll keep you posted for your amusement.

Discuss.

:lol:

So indulge me. What made you think this was a quick flip candidate? I have zero knowledge of sports memorabilia's worth but it appears that the other Julius Erving cards for sale aren't going for anywhere close to $425.
 

no1g8r

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I really hate to see you take a beating on this, but the only GEM MINT condition card that I saw when searching the "sold" listings was $350 for this:

1971-72 Topps Basketball #209 BVG 9.5 (PSA 10/BGS) Gem Mint Pop 1 !!!! | eBay

And there were dozens of "Near Mint" sales of that same card for anywhere from 99 cents to $18.

Yours is the only MINT condition version of that card currently listed, so maybe you'll get lucky and it will get bid up. Most people used to bidding on ebay will wait until late in the cycle to raise their bids, because doing so helps keep the price from rising too high. Many use a sniping service that will wait until there are only seconds left in the auction before placing their bid. So there is hope.
 

oxrageous

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You clowns. I’m not a rookie at this. I could explain all of it but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort.

There are two primary grading companies, PSA and Beckett (this is a Beckett example). Two equivalent PSA versions of this card recently sold for $700 and $1000. While PSA cards go higher for a number of reasons, I thought I could beat what I paid for it. We will find out when it ends.

There have been 94 of these cards sent to Beckett, and this is the only 9.5 with none higher. It’s an extremely condition sensitive card.
 

bradgator2

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There were a few comments in the gold/silver thread regarding numismatics. That's where my bug is ever since following my dad into those dusty and smokey coin shops as a child. US coins only. There are a few items I watch for several times a day on ebay. I will only buy a coin that has been through a professional grading service. But I have never bought anything in an attempt to turn around and sell it. It would be very difficult with ebay's 10% rake, paypal's transaction rake (3% I think), and shipping.

But I have upgraded a current coin that I own, and sold the old one.
 

no1g8r

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You clowns. I’m not a rookie at this. I could explain all of it but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort.

There are two primary grading companies, PSA and Beckett (this is a Beckett example). Two equivalent PSA versions of this card recently sold for $700 and $1000. While PSA cards go higher for a number of reasons, I thought I could beat what I paid for it. We will find out when it ends.

There have been 94 of these cards sent to Beckett, and this is the only 9.5 with none higher. It’s an extremely condition sensitive card.

If the rookies are doing the bidding, and the "pros" are looking for cards to flip, it could be a problem.
 

oxrageous

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$735 in January:

951_1219A13_2.jpg


$1,026.19, also in January:

951_1219A7_3.jpg
 

bradgator2

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Interesting side story: I basically grew up on a baseball field. All us boys collected thousands of baseball cards. One day, half of my stash is gone. I knew one of my friends took them, but had no way to prove it.

Anyway, collected more but eventually grew out of it and everything went into storage.

In college, baseball cards come up in conversation. I told everyone I have a ton and will bring back the hoard the next time I visit the parental units.

When I bring them back, all us dorks start going through the boxes. There were some really really nice cards in there. All except for the fact that my mom but my initials on every single one with nail polish because of what happened when I was kid.

:facepalm:
 

oxrageous

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Interesting side story: I basically grew up on a baseball field. All us boys collected thousands of baseball cards. One day, half of my stash is gone. I knew one of my friends took them, but had no way to prove it.

Anyway, collected more but eventually grew out of it and everything went into storage.

In college, baseball cards come up in conversation. I told everyone I have a ton and will bring back the hoard the next time I visit the parental units.

When I bring them back, all us dorks start going through the boxes. There were some really really nice cards in there. All except for the fact that my mom but my initials on every single one with nail polish because of what happened when I was kid.

:facepalm:
To be fair, the cards when you collected in the 80’s are completely worthless anyway.
 

bradgator2

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To be fair, the cards when you collected in the 80’s are completely worthless anyway.

Probably. There were a few they said had potential, but it’s been so long ago I cant remember. Ricky Henderson rookie and Jose Conseco rookie were in there. But I probably pinned those to my bike tire to make a motorcycle sound.
 

oxrageous

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Probably. There were a few they said had potential, but it’s been so long ago I cant remember. Ricky Henderson rookie and Jose Conseco rookie were in there. But I probably pinned those to my bike tire to make a motorcycle sound.
The Henderson was a 1980 card, when you were practically in diapers. Are you sure that card was there?

Canseco was 1986, so that would make sense.
 

bradgator2

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The Henderson was a 1980 card, when you were practically in diapers. Are you sure that card was there?

Canseco was 1986, so that would make sense.

Yeah, absolutely on those 2. I started playing tball in 1980 and my sister was already playing softball. Both parents were coaches so we practically lived at the ball field. After thinking about it, those guys were drooling over a Cal Ripkin Jr rookie card. Oh, and I had Ryan Sandberg rookie too. I remember trading a bunch to get his as he was my favorite player, probably the only trade I did as a kid. I had his Cubs rookie, and a card before he was Cubs. Must have been AAA or something.

Doesnt matter... mom ruined them all. I never did have the heart to tell her.
 

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$735 in January:

951_1219A13_2.jpg


$1,026.19, also in January:

951_1219A7_3.jpg
I had to laugh a little when I saw the picture. I grew up in DC and watched Wes Unseld many, many times. Given that Wes had a vertical leap of about two inches, I cannot imagine why Dr. J would be leaping in the air in front of him. Pretty sure they were about the same height.
 

oxrageous

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Oh, and I had Ryan Sandberg rookie too. I remember trading a bunch to get his as he was my favorite player, probably the only trade I did as a kid. I had his Cubs rookie, and a card before he was Cubs. Must have been AAA or something.
Was the Sandberg rookie the Topps version? This is mine:

scan0042-5.jpg


And here's my Canseco:

scan0026-4.jpg
 

oxrageous

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I had to laugh a little when I saw the picture. I grew up in DC and watched Wes Unseld many, many times. Given that Wes had a vertical leap of about two inches, I cannot imagine why Dr. J would be leaping in the air in front of him. Pretty sure they were about the same height.
Pretty amazing Unseld got into the Hall of Fame, only averaging 10.8 PPG for his career.....and 14 rebounds.
 

bradgator2

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Was the Sandberg rookie the Topps version? This is mine:

scan0042-5.jpg


And here's my Canseco:

scan0026-4.jpg

I honestly have no memory of their appearance. I last saw then over 20 years ago. For some reason, I want to say the other Sandberg was from Oklahoma St or something.
 
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