Really wasn’t sure where this went, if it went in Insider Bureau, but I figured this can still be a simple question lol… Anyways, if anyone feels like sharing, I would love to know how you subconsciously, in fact, robotically scan an ad on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, whatever (in my case in Canada, Kijiji as well) when a binder catches your attention. In other words, before you start zooming into the pictures beyond belief, asking the seller for high res RAW format DSLR pics, how do you quickly purge the ads? I’ll post an example below.
[I’m sure it is extremely likely that the seller is possibly a member of this forum, and I’m not trying to promote/discredit anyone’s prices or whatever]
Here’s an example of a “Complete Skyridge & Aquapolis Crystal Holo Set” offered at $10,000.00 CAD → let’s say roughly $7,500.00 USD
www.kijiji.ca/v-art-collectibles/quesnel/complete-skyridge-aquapolis-crystal-holo-set/1510896063
(1) this type of ad catches your attention because these are extremely sought after cards, that fetch big bucks when graded. This set is actually raw and ungraded, and the “ideal” type of pick up to be made, assuming you can pay a fair price that accounts for the risk you’re taking of hoping once graded, and after expenses, your cards have appreciated beyond what you paid. The cards as follows:
SKYRIDGE:
145/144 Celebi
146/144 Charizard
147/144 Crobat
148/144 Golem
149/144 Ho-Oh
150/144 Kabutops
AQUAPOLIS:
148/147 Kingdra
149/147 Lugia
150/147 Nidoking
(2) you can tell they aren’t in a binder (especially no binder ring complications potentially), sleeved and in top loaders. Does it not come off as, I know what these *can* be worth, like I’m selling them as WOTC Crystal Holo full sets… so does this come off as fishy to you as a prospective buyer? Like there must be something wrong, or something he’s hiding, etc etc. Or you remain unbiased and accept the assumption that it’s possible the individual was collecting years back, never got into the grading stuff, can use some cash, or doesn’t have the cash/patience to go through a grading process, etc. Or even, someone with such rare cards, definitely he must be a member of a TCG forum? He must be in all the FB b&s groups, etc. so what is he doing here on Kijiji trying to offload this product, is he just trying to catch a sucker maybe?
(3) you start soft grading, before seeing if your prices aren’t too far apart and asking for more pictures, to better assess? (This is the part where I wish there was some master book of all the chase PSA cards and what’s specific to each one in terms of how they grade in general… I understand that’s 20 years for some of collecting and experience, but I’m also not implying it should be free and readily available…
Is this pretty much the steps that go down in like microseconds in your head? And then as for your offer, how do you price it? I understand, everyone pays what something is worth to them, but there has to be some type of fundamentals to it… PROS → scarcity of seeing them sold as a lot, cards are raw and seem well maintained aka potential to reap benefits of grading. CONS → you need to assume your lowest expectations on grade and then you add up those numbers to begin a negotiation?
Thank you!!