Greed in this hobby

[cohibasmoker]

Re: Greed in this hobby

+1

I would purchase the Marlins and keep all the visiting team equipment when they drop by!

The way I see it, can't afford an item? There are two (2) options - work a little harder to make more cash or simply prioritize you spending. As for the Powerball thing, I'd buy an Aston Martin and a membership into Netjets. The NetJet thing would enable me to fly around the world with the Hollywood liberal elites. I would really like to hang out around the French Riviera with Streisand and Spielberg.

Jim

[timb69]

Re: Greed in this hobby

Here is my take. I am a collector. I love to collect. There are 2 sides to this hobby. A collector, and a seller. We collect, they SELL to make MONEY. If I was a seller, and had a hot item I got for cheap, and knew I could triple my money, by all means I'll list it for triple my cost to make money. People who want the item, will buy if they want it, or not buy it. Supply and demand. You're confusing the SELLING part to make money as part of the hobby.

[Scotchorama]

Re: Greed in this hobby

As I see it, buyers who want to make a profit can only go so high. If they really want to make a profit, they need to list the item at a "saleable" price. So such a buyer won't outbid a true collector ready to pay the price for a rare item. Simple rule of supply and demand.

[GoTigers]

Re: Greed in this hobby

Maybe you should go find some homeless and hungry children and tell them your terrible plight. I think you'd be surprised at who they call greedy.

If you're "big on morality", maybe you should do some more research as to what that means... Because this is just jealousy and whining.

[frikativ54]

Re: Greed in this hobby

Ugh... I had a bad feeling about this post just by reading the title. If someone has worked hard enough to have the resources to purchase the things he wants then why should anyone begrudge that person?

So everybody who has money works hard for it? Last time I checked, plenty of people end up wealthy through inheritance. A lot of our financial state is due to pure luck, plain and simple.

Also, I find it disgusting the way people have jumped all over the OP. It's his opinion, and he has a right to it. Without being accused of being an Occupier. He simply shared his thoughts.

[commando]

Re: Greed in this hobby

The people who used the phrase "supply and demand" are the ones who get it. If you're winning Grey Flannel auctions, in my opinion, you're probably not stealing the items -- in other words, plenty of collectors are seeing these items and having the chance to bid if interested. If someone thinks they can win several GF auctions, pay the hammer fees, then resell the items at a 3X markup, they will soon learn an expensive lesson.

Sure, you can get lucky and occasionally find a buyer with cash to burn who HAS to have your item... But as a seller myself, I know you can't build a steady, consistent business this way. You ESPECIALLY don't want to be left holding newer "hot" items for long, as the interest of potential buyers will fade over time.

I hear what you're saying, but if I were you I'd keep an eye on this guy and see what he actually sells. Down the road he'll probably be trying to break even on most of his items.

[packfan84]

Re: Greed in this hobby

I can see both points of views on this. I find myself frustrated when I lose out on something on MLB Auctions to the same guy and then see it up on eBay in a couple of weeks for twice the price and continue to see it listed over a year later.

The theory I have for this is the guy is a seller/collector and has the item in their own collection, and if someone wants to overpay for it that wants it more, then that is his price he will let it go for.

The other theory is they are just a seller and looking to build inventory. Like the poster above said, building your inventory through places like Grey Flannel and MLB Auctions is not the most economical way and will eventually be stuck with a hefty inventory. Maybe then, we will be able to pick them up for a better price when they need to dump it.

Also, some of these eBay guys may actually have physical store locations. I see it all the time with autographs, there is a place in the Bay Area that sell JT Snow baseball for $150. Anyone in the hobby knows that is a monster rip off, but if you are lolly gagging around one day and not a savvy collector, you might jump at that. If someone not familiar with the hobby walked in and saw that Amare on the wall, they might just be blown away that they could afford such a piece, especially since the only time they ever hear about game worn items are on the news when the historic pieces fetch monster prices. Then they buy it.

When I first got into Game Used stuff, I was shocked that you could buy a game worn jersey for less than an authentic store model, regardless of the player. Now I know that is not the case.

[frikativ54]

Re: Greed in this hobby

That Amare is just one example - but he won so many items from each of the auctions, now listed on ebay, it just seems like pure greed to me. And from memory I once tried to negotiate for a card that this guy had listed on ebay and he wouldn't go anywhere near a reasonable offer...

To be honest, with some of these people, it is pure greed. They have to have everything of a certain player or team, and it looks like their mommies never taught them how to share. In a word, they are not collectors but hoarders.

And those dealer types who just swoop up an item to flip drive me crazy. Especially when I wanted that item as a collector. Yeah, I have picked up an item or two for investment purposes, but the majority of my collection is for my enjoyment. And I guess that a lot of us collectors are in the same boat.

I'm very big on morals, and I just don't like this. I'm also relatively new to the hobby though so maybe there isn't any room for them with game used items...

As you should be. Sadly, connections, favoritism, and backdoor dealing dominate this hobby. People often benefit more from whom they know, rather than who they are and their character. It's the sorry state of this hobby and the reason why a lot of people are getting out.

The constant competition, the whose collection is bigger mentality drives me - and others like me - away from the hobby. It's as if some of these people believe that they are better, because of what they own. But you can't go into the grave with your collections; people are ultimately remembered, because of their character. If this is any consolation...

[Phil316]

Re: Greed in this hobby

Bottom line is that if you pick up something on the cheap via ebay, auction houses ect its yours do what you want.

That person shelled out 360 for an Amare that is not even legit and is trying to flip it who cares. You get what you pay for remember that.

[jppopma]

Re: Greed in this hobby

I agree that it rubs me the wrong way to see someone buy an item and put it up quickly for a huge profit. Does it sell for that or not is the question. Still bothers me since ya know these are the turds that will hoard and push you out of the way at team sales.

I have no problem with people being able to bid more than I can afford or want something more than me. That is all about supply and demand and in the end, we can hope that their higher bids will trickle down into higher prices on items in our collections.

If you want to talk about greed...I would look at some of the teams seller their own stuff. Higher prices, less wear has been the theme for years now...add in sloppy descriptions and errors and you can see that its only about the money for them. You can't really argue supply and demand when they have full control over the supply and nobody can ever come close to selling items for the same prices the teams demand.

My.02

[slats7]

Re: Greed in this hobby

It's sad that the true collectors are crowded out by the "for profit" guys, who then hold said items hostage for exorbitant prices. When I see the same football helmet showing up at five different auction houses, I think to myself, "Doesn't anyone want this thing just to enjoy and cherish? Why is it always passed around like a Christmas fruitcake?"

[woodward30]

Re: Greed in this hobby

If you're trying to "buy low, sell high", I wouldn't advise Grey Flannel being the place to look to "buy low." That seller quickly will learn his lesson. While I certainly understand and respect the OP's opinion, I find myself in the "it's his money and if he can make a profit, more power to him" camp.

[Mark17]

Re: Greed in this hobby

If you're trying to "buy low, sell high", I wouldn't advise Grey Flannel being the place to look to "buy low." That seller quickly will learn his lesson. While I certainly understand and respect the OP's opinion, I find myself in the "it's his money and if he can make a profit, more power to him" camp.

+1

Here's an experiment we can all try at home. Put one of your decent items up for sale, and when a dealer offers $2,000 and a guy who says he's a collector offers $700, see who you sell it to.

I think it's silly when people who want to pay less for stuff try to claim some sort of moral high ground simply because they are a "collector." You don't (and shouldn't) get things in life based simply on desire.

[tella27]

Re: Greed in this hobby

In its simplest form - when a person buys something that item now belongs to them. They should be able to do what ever they want with it - if trying to sell for a profit is what they want to do who is anyone to tell them they shouldn't do it. The people that complain about this are just flat out jealous of what someone else has. I could care less if someone buys one of my items and sells it for a profit - if anything it makes me feel that I underestimated the market on it. If someone makes money on something more power to them. Why hate on them enough to start a thread - it makes you sound childish. No one ever buys something just so they can sell it for less money... Demand creates value - its their money they are risking.

[woodward30]

Re: Greed in this hobby

In its simplest form - when a person buys something that item now belongs to them. They should be able to do what ever they want with it - if trying to sell for a profit is what they want to do who is anyone to tell them they shouldn't do it. The people that complain about this are just flat out jealous of what someone else has. I could care less if someone buys one of my items and sells it for a profit - if anything it makes me feel that I underestimated the market on it. If someone makes money on something more power to them. Why hate on them enough to start a thread - it makes you sound childish. No one ever buys something just so they can sell it for less money... Demand creates value - its their money they are risking.

Exactly. The dealer assumes risk when purchasing the jersey in hopes of selling it at a higher price. If the dealer is unable to sell it at a higher price, they'll eventually concede to selling it at a lower (or equal) price at which they bought it, since they have no have no interest in keeping the jersey for collection purposes.

It's just capitalism in its simplest form.