$1500+ for a locker name tag

[allstarsplus]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Andrew,
Just to let you know, that bidder HARASAN is to Japanese MLB Auction items
what bidder EXQUISITE is to NBA Auctions. The items he buys on MLB auctions have never resurfaced in the Japanese market so I am sure everything he wins becomes part of his extensive collection. When he wins an item its usually for something ridiculous and above and beyond any rational market value but I'm not mad. Its good for the hobby to keep the pushing the ceiling on rare 1/1 items no matter the rationale. You can make an argument
for any 1/1 item going for any amount.

Goh Nishiyama

Goh - Thanks for the insight, but my bigger question than is was that a 1 of 1 or did they have new Locker Room Nameplates for each game in the Tournament?

I can't wait to see what Ichiro's sells for.

I also want to see Harasan's collection!!!!!!!!!!

[suave1477]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Andrew,
Just to let you know, that bidder HARASAN is to Japanese MLB Auction items
what bidder EXQUISITE is to NBA Auctions. The items he buys on MLB auctions have never resurfaced in the Japanese market so I am sure everything he wins becomes part of his extensive collection. When he wins an item its usually for something ridiculous and above and beyond any rational market value but I'm not mad. Its good for the hobby to keep the pushing the ceiling on rare 1/1 items no matter the rationale. You can make an argument
for any 1/1 item going for any amount.

Goh Nishiyama

I agree.

What I find funny is how in a down economy has the asian enthusiast fans have so much more money to spend on more (common) non super star players. I understand they support there own and I commend them for that.
I am just surprised it seems more like there financial funds are unlimited compared to the average american collector.

A John Doe collector might buy an AROD Bat for a couple of thousand

Meanwhile
An Asian collector will spend 4k on a Common Asian players game used sock.

Of course I am exagerrating just making a point.

But it is interesting in the differences.

[gnishiyama]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Andrew,
I don't believe those are 1/1's since it was up on MLB auctions before the semifinals even began. But I'm sure if only 1 is made available to the public
a lot of these collectors see it as a 1/1, meaning 1 of 1 available, since there's only 1 opportunity to obtain one.
I'm pretty sure if MLB was to list 3 more Johjimas we would see fair market
value since it would eliminate the usual same 2-3 bidders.

Goh Nishiyama

[gnishiyama]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Suave,
Believe it or not Japan's economy is in a lot worse shape than ours at the
moment.
Here is how I explain things in regards to my Japanese customers since that
is where 95% of my business goes:

In Japan there are generally two types of mid/mid upper class. I won't speak of the upper class since they can afford most things.
I will preface by saying that the pay scale is higher (so is cost of living)
in most parts of Japan. Minimum wage is about the same as here but per capita I believe the average salary is (was) higher over there.

There are the married middle class with a family. Most of those people are like any other hard-working family here in the US. They pay their bills and do their best to provide for their family and can't barely afford anything else, muchless sports memorabilia. Majority of these families live off of
one income since most wives stay at home. I have very few of these customers; oftentimes I am asked to ship items to their workplace or lie (which I never do for obvious reasons) on the customs declaration forms so
his wife won't find out. Most of these guys would ask me to reserve the item for a few weeks or so while they save up enough money. That sounds like the usual collector over here. (not the lying or sending to workplace part)

The majority of my customers in Japan are single men with a good income that would normally have enough money to raise a family. These guys tend to not feel the need to buy a home or invest so them spend their disposable income on themselves for hobbies such as collecting cars, sports memorabilia, Zippos, etc.

I'm in my late 20's, born and raised here in the US, and I do not see the same type of spending habits here in the US when it comes to single men.
I'm engaged, own my property and hope to one day have a family, but even if I were single, even during good economical times, I would be saving or investing and I'm sure I speak for most. Aside from a car every 4 years or so and an occasional watch (guilty pleasure) would I spend THOUSANDS on on a hobby.

I just think there's a difference in spending habits among people in the same demographics here and in Japan.

And lastly, Japanese customers, pay a PREMIUM for great service and a peace of mind from a native dealer who is fluent in the language, hence the reason why I am able to make a living in such a small niche market. But I would like to add for everyone reading this that providing great service to
Japanese customers is NOT EASY. Different language and a different culture= nightmare. Expect to take 5 pictures of a single signed ball and pick up a magnifying glass to look for any flaws

I just wanted to clear it up because I think there is a misconception that
if you are a Japanese collector you have endless supply of cash.

Sorry for the long post

Goh Nishiyama

[mbrieve]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Just curious. Do game used items from the Nippon Professional baseball league ever come to market and with the same frequency as MLB items? What commands the premium: MLB or NPB?

I don't know much about collecting Japanese baseball items, but have always been fascinated ever since Cecil Fielder joined the Detroit Tigers from the Hanshin Tigers.

[gnishiyama]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

mbrieve,
Game Used items from NPB (Nippon Baseball) does come into the market but not in the volume it does here. The prices are much lower however, when a team auctions off items for charity even the lower end players go for ridiculous amounts of money. Oftentimes these items are "shirt off the back" type of auctions where they show the player signing and holding up
the jersey. I think it goes back to what I was saying that a peace of mind
commands a premium. Also Japanese people are big on celebrity charity
auctions.

Game-used items of top players like Nomo, Ichiro, Matsuzaka, H Matsui tend to be comparable for NPB and MLB items but when it comes to autographed
items there's no comparison between the 2 when these players first cross seas. When Matsuzaka first came here to the US his balls commanded $400+ (now its more in the $150-$200 range) but in Japan his signed balls were always around $100-$125. After 2-3 years though the NPB and MLB prices tend to even off. Strangely enough Sadaharu Oh balls go for a lot more here in the US than Japan maybe because he's a good signer and theres tons of his stuff over in Japan.

Thanks
Goh Nishiyama
gnishiyama@gmail.com

[suave1477]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

mbrieve,
Game Used items from NPB (Nippon Baseball) does come into the market but not in the volume it does here. The prices are much lower however, when a team auctions off items for charity even the lower end players go for ridiculous amounts of money. Oftentimes these items are "shirt off the back" type of auctions where they show the player signing and holding up
the jersey. I think it goes back to what I was saying that a peace of mind
commands a premium. Also Japanese people are big on celebrity charity
auctions.

Game-used items of top players like Nomo, Ichiro, Matsuzaka, H Matsui tend to be comparable for NPB and MLB items but when it comes to autographed
items there's no comparison between the 2 when these players first cross seas. When Matsuzaka first came here to the US his balls commanded $400+ (now its more in the $150-$200 range) but in Japan his signed balls were always around $100-$125. After 2-3 years though the NPB and MLB prices tend to even off. Strangely enough Sadaharu Oh balls go for a lot more here in the US than Japan maybe because he's a good signer and theres tons of his stuff over in Japan.

Thanks
Goh Nishiyama
gnishiyama@gmail.com

Goh as far as the differences in prices with autographs I think it more boils down to supply and demand. Since the asian players came from the Asian countries there autographs were more accesible, then when they came to the U.S. americans and asian collectors jump all over them but after a while the novelty dies down and the true value is realized.

Sadaharu Oh I think there is more to it then him just being a good signer while I am sure he has a bigger suppply in Japan. Here in the U.S. I hardly see anything autographed by him. But then againi I am not a 100% looking but still you don't see much in your local card shop or too mauch anywhere else.

But I think the biggest reason for him having a higher selling value here is the home run record and that he is underlying home run king behind Babe Ruth

[allstarsplus]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

http://wbc.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=103618640&prmenbr=60768104&aunbr=103965350

Harasan is High Bid on this McCann USA jersey. He is branching out!!!

[godwulf]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Several years ago, I bought an R.J. Reynolds Pirates batting helmet from a memorabilia dealer, who mentioned that he had sold a number of Reynolds items in the recent past, obtained from the player, and that one of the items was a Japanese League Gold Glove award. I would have liked to have had an opportunity to bid on that, or at least seen it.

I think that Japanese uniform items, worn by American players whose names we know, would sell very well over here, if we had access to them.

[godwulf]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

I haven't seen any WBC items yet that I really covet. If anyone sees that they've listed jerseys of Trent Oeltjen (Australia) or Augie Ojeda (Mexico), please send up a flair, 'cause those are the ones I want.

[suave1477]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

http://wbc.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/n...unbr=103965350

Harasan is High Bid on this McCann USA jersey. He is branching out!!!

NOW THAT REALLY BITES!!!

Damn I wanted to bid on that Jersey. I got a picture of McCann when I met him wearing that Jersey!!!

[suave1477]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

Several years ago, I bought an R.J. Reynolds Pirates batting helmet from a memorabilia dealer, who mentioned that he had sold a number of Reynolds items in the recent past, obtained from the player, and that one of the items was a Japanese League Gold Glove award. I would have liked to have had an opportunity to bid on that, or at least seen it.

I think that Japanese uniform items, worn by American players whose names we know, would sell very well over here, if we had access to them.

I agree I would love to get a Game Used Jersey of Robinson Cano's dad Jose Cano. He has been pitching in Japan for many years. I think he just recently retired within the passed couple of years.

[suave1477]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

I meant Jose Cano played for Taiwan

[godwulf]

Re: $1500+ for a locker name tag

One of my favorite players, Andy Green, played for the Nippon Ham Fighters in '07, and I'd love to get ahold of one of his jerseys from that team.