Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Luke2411's Outrageous eBay Auction Thread

[Luke2411]

There used to be a seller on eBay that had some of the most unbelievably outrageous eBay prices on cards that you could possible imagine. I ran a thread for a while where we documented those, but eventually the seller disappeared from eBay.

I thought I would revive the idea though and showcase some of the more unbelievable auctions/Buy it Nows that I could find. These will include cards that actually sell for prices that will blow your mind, and cards that are listed with Buy it Now prices that are incredibly unrealistic.

So, here's my first installation.

eBay Auction (Item number: 350425775987)

This is an absolutely gorgeous card, but notice that it is ON SALE for 50% off. The original listing price was $1501.00. HA HA! Even now at $750.50 no one will ever buy this card. EVER. Also, if you're the lucky purchaser of this overpriced card, you get to pay $12.00 shipping!!!

So, what do A-Rod 1/1 Auto/GU really go for???

Well, no one really knows because no one lists an A-Rod 1/1 auto as a live auction anymore. Instead they are all listed with super high Buy it Now prices that no one will pay. A completed auction search on eBay yields only one closed listing where the card actually sold. That was a 2006 Bowman Originals Buy Back A-Rod auto hand-numbered 1/1. It sold for $142.50. There are Topps Triple Threads Triple Jersey White Whale 1/1 Autos that are listed with BIN for $425.00 that did not sell. I'm guessing market value for an A-Rod 1/1 Auto, even one as nice as the 2004 Diamond Kings listed above is less than $200.

[MaddenRq53]

Didn't catch the last thread. This seems fun, I'll be watching.

I think that price is alright, if it was the original asking price. 1500+ is overboard.

[aceecards]

that is about 3 times too much in my opinion unless of course i was super collecting that set sans rgbii and a&G.

good luck to the seller on that one

[sschind]

Not all cards listed with outrageous BINs are put up by stupid people. To some people its a marketing ploy. Cards with high BINs draw attention to auctions. They cause people to make threads like this on boards not even related to ebay which draws even more attention. People want to see what is worth so much money so they look at the auction. Then they want to see what else the guy has listed so they check out his other auctions. These auctions may or may not be so outrageously priced and it may end up making him several deals. Also, guys like this probably sell tons more cards off ebay through offers which saves them fees. With the specials ebay offers now most of the time it doesn't cost them a thing to list the card so they are out nothing. I suppose its possible that someone will see the high price and assume he wants high prices for all his cards and just ignores his other auctions but I'd be willing to bet he gets more lookers with the high priced cards than people who are turned off.

Of course there is also the rare chance that some idiot will see the card and bite, or make an offer that they think is lowballing when it might be more than what the guy is willing to take in the first place. This is especially true with 1/1s and very low print runs. You never know how much a supercollector is willing to spend. I'll bet Peter has paid a lot more than most people would have thought a particular Brunell card is worth but if he needs it he needs it. Obviously there is a limit to how much even a guy like Peter will spend but I'm pretty sure if he saw a Brunell card he needed with a very high BIN he would not ignore the guy. he would at least contact him with an offer.

So remember, not all outrageously priced cards are that way out of stupidity or ignorance. There are many methods to the innumerable madnesses out there.

[Luke2411]

Not all cards listed with outrageous BINs are put up by stupid people.  To some people its a marketing ploy.  Cards with high BINs draw attention to auctions.  They cause people to make threads like this on boards not even related to ebay which draws even more attention.  People want to see what is worth so much money so they look at the auction.  Then they want to see what else the guy has listed so they check out his other auctions.  These auctions may or may not be so outrageously priced and it may end up making him several deals.  Also, guys like this probably sell tons more cards off ebay through offers which saves them fees.  With the specials ebay offers now most of the time it doesn't cost them a thing to list the card so they are out nothing.  I suppose its possible that someone will see the high price and assume he wants high prices for all his cards and just ignores his other auctions but I'd be willing to bet he gets more lookers with the high priced cards than people who are turned off.

Of course there is also the rare chance that some idiot will see the card and bite, or make an offer that they think is lowballing when it might be more than what the guy is willing to take in the first place.  This is especially true with 1/1s and very low print runs.  You never know how much a supercollector is willing to spend.  I'll bet Peter has paid a lot more than most people would have thought a particular Brunell card is worth but if he needs it he needs it.  Obviously there is a limit to how much even a guy like Peter will spend but I'm pretty sure if he saw a Brunell card he needed with a very high BIN he would not ignore the guy.  he would at least contact him with an offer.

So remember, not all outrageously priced cards are that way out of stupidity or ignorance.  There are many methods to the innumerable madnesses out there.

I am completely aware of all these things. In fact, every time someone posts a thread on any sports card message board about an auction they think is outrageously priced, like clockwork, someone has to always make a post just like yours to set everyone straight. I could care less why someone would price their cards too high, and I don't care whether it drives traffic to their pages or not. And, I'm sure that if there was a super collector out there willing to pay this much money for that card then they would have already done it, since most super collectors have saved searches on eBay that alert them to any special cards they are looking for. I know because I was a super collector at one time and I did pay more money than what some cards were worth at the time. I only posted this for entertainment purposes. Just for a few laughs. That's all.

[Luke2411]

For those interested, here is the original thread. Most of the links are dead, but you can still get an idea of just how funny some of Physochick's listings were.

Physochick's Crazy Auctions

[Luke2411]

Here's one that made me a do a double take.

eBay Auction (Item number: 290541513981)

I had no idea that Bradford prices had come down so low. Especially on a brand new product.

I think this is considered his true rookie from National Treasures as well.
























And yes, I know that he took a much higher offer and just listed it as $25 with eBay so he wouldn't have to pay the massive eBay fees on a higher sell.

[edgerrin32]

I see crazy prices on Edgerrin cards I want all the time. Burbank is one of the worst IMO. If it book $50 you can bet they have it for $100!! One RC they had /5 I need they had for get this, $547!! They are now down to like $200 and something on it, but only a couple years later. I really want it, but not at $200. Maybe $100 tops. And that would still be really high to me. But not always are prices crazy, they might look it. I sold a Albert P 1/1 auto/prime jersey/bat for $1005! I don't know why the $5 but I wasn't asking questions. But that was also a auction. I will have to see if I can find the pic on my computer. That was a long time back, like 05-06 or so. But if you dig on there enough you will find like Jordan 1/1 autos for $1,000,00 or more. I have seen way higher then that for cards. Most times its people that find something and have no idea of the value. But then there are the people that hold cards hostage unless you are willing to pay some crazy price for them. But most times if you watch the card long enough and they keep listing it and paying the fees you will see it drop. Its just how long will you hold out. And hope no one else really wants that card and when it drops they snag it before you do!!

[sschind]

I am completely aware of all these things.  In fact, every time someone posts a thread on any sports card message board about an auction they think is outrageously priced, like clockwork, someone has to always make a post just like yours to set everyone straight.  I could care less why someone would price their cards too high, and I don't care whether it drives traffic to their pages or not.  And, I'm sure that if there was a super collector out there willing to pay this much money for that card then they would have already done it, since most super collectors have saved searches on eBay that alert them to any special cards they are looking for.  I know because I was a super collector at one time and I did pay more money than what some cards were worth at the time.  I only posted this for entertainment purposes.  Just for a few laughs.  That's all.

Don't get your undies in a bunch Luke. Obviously, if you know all this stuff then my post is of no interest to you, on the other hand maybe not everyone is as informed as you are. I made my post to perhaps educate some of those less intellectually endowed than you. Thats all.

[ffman]

Jeremy,

phsyochick

That is all.

Edit: Got me already a few posts above. Nice.

[Luke2411]

Jeremy,

phsyochick

That is all.

Edit:  Got me already a few posts above.  Nice.

Yep, she/he was awesome.

[Luke2411]

Here's a new entry:

eBay Auction (Item number: 260743302387)


I'm not posting this because I think the price is outrageous. What caught my eye was how badly the 1989 Upper Deck card was trimmed on all four sides. If you enlarge the picture you can see it's been cut terribly off-center.

I wonder if the card was originally like this or if Vintage Sports cards did this in their repackaging?

BTW: That McGwire card used to be my most favorite card in the whole wide world. This was back when UD actually cared about putting out a quality product.

[chopinalex]

I see crazy prices on Edgerrin cards I want all the time. Burbank is one of the worst IMO. If it book $50 you can bet they have it for $100!!   One RC they had /5 I need they had for get this, $547!! They are now down to like $200 and something on it, but only a couple years later. I really want it, but not at $200. Maybe $100 tops. And that would still be really high to me. But not always are

Burbank I believe uses 85% of the high book value. I know they seem high but you are paying for access to a huge inventory. I have brought from them a few times. I always try to look elsewhere but if im close to finish a set and they have it I dont mind the price.

[RGBII]

Yes, they did indeed massacre this card post-production.

What a shame. First for the ill cutting and secondly for
placing a collectible card into a new format.

Where is the creative talent at Vintage Sports Cards?

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

[aceecards]

Yes,  they did indeed massacre this card post-production.

What a shame. First for the ill cutting and secondly for
placing a collectible card into a new format.

Where is  the creative talent at Vintage Sports Cards?

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

what he said x2!

[road_runner_1964]

psychochick was classic...

[Avaholicforever]

Uhm.... wow?

eBay Auction (Item number: 270706401146)

Not sure what else to say

[Gadsden86]

Crazy.

[cardcrazed]

................. thats insane!

Justin

[Beavers98]

Funny thread..I like it..