I use the "Make An Offer" feature on eBay frequently. I try not to low ball, as most of the cards I'm making offer are only a few bucks anyways. But if someone has a card for $4.99, why not see if I can get it for $3? At worst, I can usually get it for a few cents cheaper after seller counteroffer.
However, there are times when cards pop up that are rarely seen, and out of fear of missing out on the card, I immediately choose "Buy It Now" instead of hoping I can get it for $.75 less. The opportunity cost of missing out is too great.
That recently happened with two Tino Martinez cards that I rarely see pop up, so naturally they would within a week of each other. These are not high end. But they are cards I have been keenly aware of, yet rarely see.
The first is from a brand that keeps aging like a fine wine. Pacific! For years, Pacific had a "Latinos of the Major League" insert set. I was always a little confused by this set, as I felt it was unfair to peg these particular players because of their heritage. However, Pacific was geared toward a Spanish-speaking population for years, so perhaps it wasn't odd at all. I'd be curious as to what others think.
It's a beautiful card. A nice, textured foil with colors that really pop. Once again, Pacific designed a card that gets better in time.
The next is a rare card only in the sense that I never see it. I have plenty of the non-shiny base versions, but the Museum Collection never finds its way into my eBay feed. I finally snagged it for just over a buck, and again, no time to haggle over pennies.
Sometimes you gotta jump at the chance and not hold out for a sale or a better price. It's not worth the agony over missing rare cards to get a slightly better price.
Nice pickups! I don't blame you for jumping at these without haggling. I picked up some PC parallels on COMC that were probably overpriced because they hadn't surfaced in over 15 years.
ReplyDeleteI made an offer this week on a card. It was listed at $1.99. I offered $1.25--no response. So I offered $1.49--still no response. This time I took the hint. I can understand not taking the offer, but at least respond, maybe make a counter offer....
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on landing these two cards. I've been in the same situation where I'm afraid to submit a best offer... in case another collector hits the BIN button. But with my recent cutbacks... usually I just risk it and if it's meant to be, it's meant to be.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very happy story! Glad you landed these two. I wasn't really into baseball doing the "Goin' Jack" terminology and am glad I wasn't!
ReplyDeleteHaggling is overrated. Do you want the card or not? $4.99, $3, what's the diff? I can see if you're having difficulty making ends meet, but otherwise I think people get addicted to landing the best deals and they miss out on cards they want as a result.
ReplyDeleteI make offers a lot, I have too. I buy way too much, but I would have done the same thing on those Tino's. BIN can be a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI did this for a card on Sportlots recently, it's not as nice as these, but was still one that I hadn't seen come up before.
ReplyDeleteI definitely jump on cards that I never/rarely see. Hate to lose the chance.
ReplyDelete