How to Comp Vintage

[vintg]

Originally Posted by ForeverToThee

This is one of the satchels I was considering, realize it has a wrinkle but seems pretty nice otherwise. Wouldn’t want to pay full ask, eye appeal seems good but wasn’t sure if creases/wrinkles even if not detracting (at least in my opinion) would really knock the pricing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20484455153....c102022.m5276

got my first paige, came last week. paid a small smidge above the one you were referencing.

also, was yours a "gma" "authentic" ??

as others have shown, WITH EXPERIENCE, hard work, and a little luck,
there are 'deals" out there.

[forceplay sport]

I use Vintage card prices website ( and Ebay ) so far VCP has been pretty good to use for comps .

[vintg]

i actually "study" vcp. every grade, (half-grades), most every sale, all broken out by psa, sgc, or beckett


shows the value of CENTERING on price


auctions vs. bins.


honestly, next to the actual bible, its pretty damn close, haha.

[Sluggerrr]

Out of curiosity, how much is VCP? I cannot seem to find it on their website.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by Sluggerrr

Out of curiosity, how much is VCP? I cannot seem to find it on their website.

$18 per month or $180 for the year. That feels like it went up a little bit from last year.

[vintg]

honestly, i think/thought i paid $19 per month for the last 2-3 years

maybe they've come DOWN ?? b/c of 130 pt., etc

absolutely worth every penny.

the ORGANIZATION by company, by (half) grade and front and back
pictures gives you all the info you need seconds to minutes, depending
on how expensive the card and how deep you want to research.

[frenchquarter]

Originally Posted by vintg

honestly, i think/thought i paid $19 per month for the last 2-3 years

maybe they've come DOWN ?? b/c of 130 pt., etc

absolutely worth every penny.

the ORGANIZATION by company, by (half) grade and front and back
pictures gives you all the info you need seconds to minutes, depending
on how expensive the card and how deep you want to research.

It is $18.99 per month or $179.90 per year. You can also get a 24 hour membership for $3.99.

[raddoc25]

Originally Posted by ForeverToThee

Looking at starting to buy some more vintage, but my price range currently sits where I’d be looking at lower grade examples. Since I’m newer to vintage, would want to buy graded to ensure authenticity, but it appears to be much harder to find “comps” on vintage as they seem to vary wildly for cards in the same grade based on eye appeal. Any tips to avoid getting smoked on some first purchases? Thanks!

From my experience, there is greater and greater value separation between centered/high eye appeal copies and off centered cards within the same grade. As you can see from my Flckr, I only collect centered Mays. I'm seeing (and paying) 25% or sometimes even 50% more within the same grade for a dead centered copy. This makes sense to me since there are so many graded vintage cards now but well less than 5% at any single grade would be considered dead centered or near dead centered. You have to decide whether you simply want the number on the holder or whether you are willing to pay the heavy premium for eye appeal. I like looking at my cards so I'm willing to pay for eye appeal.

[vintg]

Originally Posted by raddoc25

From my experience, there is greater and greater value separation between centered/high eye appeal copies and off centered cards within the same grade. As you can see from my Flckr, I only collect centered Mays. I'm seeing (and paying) 25% or sometimes even 50% more within the same grade for a dead centered copy. This makes sense to me since there are so many graded vintage cards now but well less than 5% at any single grade would be considered dead centered or near dead centered. You have to decide whether you simply want the number on the holder or whether you are willing to pay the heavy premium for eye appeal. I like looking at my cards so I'm willing to pay for eye appeal.

you absolutely nailed it with your post !!!

what's funny, is, when i set up to sell, some guys ALWAYS bring up the "average" price, and backhand insult me that my price is to high. lol

[Above the Rim]

Yes, am noticing high eye appeal vintage big name HOFers for the grade, primarily centered, getting much higher prices. Very low supply of these types of cards, could dry up fast.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Yes, am noticing high eye appeal vintage big name HOFers for the grade, primarily centered, getting much higher prices. Very low supply of these types of cards, could dry up fast.

Centering with great registration is what people should and will overpay for. The problem I see is people overpaying for centering on cards with poor registration. It takes time for people to learn vintage and mistakes will happen along the way.

I bought a perfectly centered 1955 Topps Hank Aaron with great registration a few years ago for $325. I could sell it for $600 plus now.

[ForeverToThee]

To bring this full circle, ended up picking up this one, has a small wrinkle, but felt like it was still a nice copy. Think I got it at a great price as well. Really appreciate all the feedback and information in this thread.

[vintg]

well done !! nice card.

[VanLingoMungo46]

Without seeing the back, that Satch looks like a nice overall '1' and probably got good value for it with it being in an old slab.

[Neal]

As soon as you embrace that not all grades are the same, you'll be fine. Today's 3's may have been yesterday's 5s and vice versa