Hey all. Wanted to call on the expertise of the forum. I tried searching but couldn’t find anything addressing something like this.
I have a 1st edition base complete set. My current plan is to get the holos graded (currently looking at BGS). I’d say the non-Charizard holos are probably in the 5-7 rating range. I have a stack of extra assorted cards with a handful of starters (and evolutions) and Pikas (yellow/red cheeks) that are perhaps 8’s (maybe a couple of 9s thrown in there) that I was thinking of also getting rated.
I can’t find a lot of complete set listings on eBay. Is there much demand for something like this sold as a set or would it be better to sell the holos individually? Given that the set is in just ok condition and rare/uncommon/common not rated, would breaking up the set be your strategy? I’ve been out of the game for so long. I don’t know if there are many people that would think it is neat to have the completed first set even if they aren’t all PSA 8/9/10.
Priorities:
I’d love to not have to worry about chargebacks or scammers.
I am ok sacrificing a littlebit of value to sell in bulk instead of managing hundreds of separate sales
So I guess my question is to all of you awesome people that are much more experienced and wiser than me, what would be your approach after getting holos rated? Break up the set to increase value or keep it together to make it easier to move things? Sell everything as one giant lot?
These days there is a good chance you could get a premium selling as a complete set if everything is PSA 8-10 and is consistent (all 9s or all 10s for example).
However, If you have an assortment of grades, I’m fairly confident you would not get a premium vs. selling every card individually.
Personally I would sell everything individually. This is my preference because, a) I believe I would get the most revenue doing it this way and b) I enjoy the process of listing, selling, shipping, working with different buyers etc, strangely enough. I just like the hustle. I also don’t have a lot going on in my life other than my job, so if I’m not collecting and selling cards, I’m a pretty lazy person otherwise lol.
If you prefer the ease of selling all at once, you’d obviously be saving an immense amount in regards to time-cost. Selling cards individually would take magnitudes greater time and effort vs. selling all at once in a single transaction. Even if you don’t earn as much with a single whole set sale, if you have more lucrative uses for your time, it may not be worth breaking the set up to sell.
Congratulations on the collection! If it was my cards and i wanted to sell I’d grade every last card including Commons. I’d have to save from multiple checks to afford the grading fees. Selling as is to one person would be easiest but you would make less money. There is also things like giving it to Z and G Emporium on consignment. He will sell it all and keep X percent etc. I’d love to have them myself but I’m in the middle of another goal. Also I can’t imagine how much cash I’d need to buy the collection. I’d imagine it would cost quite the pretty penny even if sold ungraded in one deal. Anyways good luck and i hope you make some good money. I know it’s probably hard selling off a collection but if you value the money over the cards it’s the right thing to do.
@marchander I actually have been having the same thoughts about my collection, and am in precisely the same situation. Don’t worry, I won’t be selling any time soon, we won’t compete
I think the guys are right. At this point breaking it up is the best way, even though it is more time and labor intensive. It would be SO hard to find the right buyer to cough up all that cash for the whole set, ESPECIALLY considering the grades/condition will not be uniform. So there won’t be as much demand. Also, I don’t know your situation, but on ebay there is a selling price limit. I have been on for 8 years and I sell a lot and even then my limit might be lower than my ideal asking price for my set (around 50k). They aren’t all the same grade, though most are 7’s.
Break up the set and sell individually. My biggest reason is finding the right buyer might be ridiculously hard. I might just list it as a shot before breaking up though, just to test the water. But again, you may not be able to with your potential selling price limit on ebay. Everyone wants the safest route, but it isn’t that easy with such high end stuff. That’s why ebay and PWCC are there.
I think you will get a solid offer from some of the bigger youtubers, but expect to be undercut a little for the value. It’ll be their job to take the bulk of the work selling cards, or if the market downturns to take that risk.
Thanks to all for the advice! It definitely is an interesting situation. I have fond memories of visiting the local trade shoes and the local WotC store with my brother (I think I convinced him to go unlimited/1st fossil/1st jungle instead of us trying to collect the same set :X). 20 years later and now it’s back to waiting for the weekend for Pokemon time.
Good point on that varying ratings aren’t as collectable as a set. At a different point in my life, the hustle of trying to maximize every card value in selling would probably be enjoyable. This short burst of reliving the past with my brother will have to hold me for the next 20 years.
You can probably try selling a non holo set for a decent premium. I have one set and that’s what I would do. I wouldn’t start nickel and diming all 86 cards.
The holos and nice condition starters and sought after cards definitely get graded and sell individually.
I’ve been pondering the same question as it sounds like you are in a similar situation as I am. I think I will go BGS and then PWCC. Waiting a while though until I can hopefully pay off my mortgage with it.
Dude doesn’t the sound of that just make you grin wildly? Awesome. I’ve been making the joke with my friend all year. Paying mortgages. With Pokemon cards. Cardboard. Awesome.
And @poken00b88 I agree. Non-holos as a set, holos sold individual. That’s the true way to go if there aren’t buyers for a mixed-graded set.
I was bugged by my significant other for a couple of years about how my hobby is a waste of money as she bought countless pairs of new running shoes or pants or knickknacks and tchotchkes etc… flash forward 5 years and my 4 to 5k investment is worth a nice 50 to 60k+ down payment that we need and then some and her hobby purchases are worth whatever goodwill will give her lol.
I would grade all the holos, and then the starter 3 plus Pikachu and then look at the rest of the cards and grade any that are 8-10. You could sell the whole set as is but personally grading is the way to go. I am a psa purist sooo PSA is the company I would go with, If you are wanting faster turnaround times to flip…go with bgs or cgc. There is the option of express psa, which isnt so much of an express service but it is far quicker than bulk rate.
