What the Pirates do have are a lot of guys where the prices fluctuate all over the place. The two best examples of this are Neil Walker and Starling Marte. One day you will see a nice card that sold for $5 and the next it will be $15 for no reason. It makes it hard to pull the trigger on a higher end release because part of you is thinking it may not show up again, but if it does it could go for a lot less. You really have to gauge how much you want the card in your collection.
2014 Triple Threads Neil Walker Patch /9
This is one of my most recent eBay purchases of Walker. The seller started the auction at 9.99 which I assumed would get some bidding action at some point. High end set, low numbered and a decent patch usually drives the price high. Long story short I was the only one who made an attempt and won the auction. I really think the only reason I won this card is that he started the bidding high. I've seen similar cards go for closer to the $20 mark. Sellers having weird starting bids is a nice way to obtain cards as it scares away a lot bidders.
In my experiences if you just stick to your guns and have a price in mind at some point you will win the card. Sure, their will be circumstances where thriftiness will cause you to lose out on a desired card, but in the long run you will win more than your fair share by sticking to your budget. Ebay has a way to cycle even the lowest numbered of cards several times. Bid with patience my friends!
Thanks for reading.
Nice patch! I love it when I'm unexpectedly the only bidder too. Your advice to be patient is sage!
ReplyDeleteI always wonder what the sellers thought process is when they start bids at 9.99 on a card that is worth about the same amount.
DeleteeBay with patience. This is the plot for the next Mission Impossible movie.
ReplyDeleteIf you use the BIN function it will detonate the bomb!
DeleteI'm all about waiting for cards to come down to my price point. And if they never do... then it wasn't meant to be. Probably why my wantlist is overflowing ;)
ReplyDeleteMy price point is always much lower than what I see cards going for. If it is a card I really want that is when I do the comparison shopping. I really need to add a wantlist.
DeleteNice colors! I too have won many auctions with higher first bid numbers. I do believe these deals scare off folks looking for cheap prices on higher end cards. You're a savvy shopper. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about saavy. I've just learned my lesson the hard way many times.
DeleteThat's a great patch!!
ReplyDeleteTriple Threads patches are always nice, but the prices usually reflect that. Thankfully this one was a good deal.
DeleteI have an issue with the .99 cent starting bids with inflated shipping price.I tend to pass right on by ,without taking a second look.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing that a lot more lately. Several auctions I've been following had $4-5 shipping rates. No reason shipping should cost more than $3.
ReplyDeleteGreat pick up. I always go into a bidding with a top price that I refuse to exceed. At times, depending on the card, I will go past that price point, but I have learned to walk away as usually, the card will pop up again at some point.
ReplyDeleteUnless you are chasing a rainbow and worried the lower numbered cards might disappear their is no real reason to break the bank.
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