Bragging about a good deal

One thing my wife likes to do is brag to me about a good deal, often when I don't care. "Look, I got these boots at TJ Maxx for only $7." or "This gallon of ketchup was only $1.49 at ShopRite!!!" Even if the boots are ugly as sin or the ketchup bottle is way too big, she can't help bragging about the price.

The only time I relate is when I find a good deal on a card. I'm sure you don't care either, but let me show you what $.17 shipped got me:

That's a 2012 Topps Chrome Purple Refractor of Michael Pineda. A stamp costs what these days? $.49? So the seller certainly took a hit. After Payal, he probably only came away with $.11 or so. Hardly worth the time to scan and list the card. And to his credit, he put the card in a top loader. I'vr had sellers go cheap on protection when something costs so little.

I had a few things working for me. The auction started at $.01 with free shipping, so I barely got bid up. Plus, Pineda had a very poor second half of the season, so his cards aren't in demand right now. However, people still think he's better than he is, and expect his cards to sell for decent change. Most are over-priced to begin with and constantly go unsold on eBay. Sellers just think "Former All-Star + Yankees + 16 strikeout game = Big $ for me." Not the case.

In short, I'm sure you don't care about the good deal I got. My wife doesn't either. But that's not going to stop me from bragging about it. I'm now up to 122 different Pinedas, all of which will be a pain to unload if he gets traded this winter.