The Most Outrageous Autograph Dealer Pricing

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on August 13, 2011 at 6:34pm

Why was I expecting HistoryDirect as I clicked the link? I don't judge dealers by what they're pricing things at, because customers can check pricing out themselves. I judge them by the authenticity of their autographs, and they're pretty good. Not perfect, but better than the average bear. 

HistoryDirect often offers things for 5-times or more what similar pieces would bring at most dealers or auctions, unframed. If the item is genuine and they pay the price...no harm, not fowl. If the item is questionable, that's a different story.

Permalink Reply by Mike Miller on August 13, 2011 at 8:13pm

 

Steve,

That is your Subjective opinion.  But I disagree.   It indeed says something about character and  integrity .  Being an ethical dealer goes beyond just the “authenticity” factor.   To think otherwise is quite naïve.   You have to ask WHAT and WHO are they “baiting” with absurd pricing.  The inexperienced tourist, the grandmother looking for a gift, the drunk who walks into their showroom in Las Vegas?  The term “con-man” may come to mind for some.  They obviously are “bypassing” REAL collectors.   And hence living off the “idiot factor”.   But, to dismiss their usury as “Ok, as long as it is real” is equally absurd.

Permalink Reply by mike aring on August 13, 2011 at 10:46pm

dude, you really have to look at the overall picture. i didn't look at the item itself... but i would say that whatever price you ask is fair. these guys have to determine an item's worth based on their overhead.. what did they pay? is it worth it to hang on their wall at what price? how much is rental space? how much was framing, matting, mounting of the item. This is all a determining factor in prce of an item. while YOU may feel it's highway robbery, and maybe someone can find the item far cheaper somewhere else, overhead is a BITCH (to say it lightly). someone who is just running a friendly business out of their home, there isn't much overhead. but if said item is appearing in a store in Caesar's Palace in Vegas, their costs are rather high just to be in the space. again, just like determining authenticity, if you don't like the price, don't buy it.

 

it's not absurd in THIS market to ask the absolute highest price you can get. although it's not a one of a kind item (and in some cases, it is), there is still a small quantity of autographs out there that are real (in the overall scheme of things.) and if someone wants something badly enough, they'll pay it. why set something out for $300 when someone will pay $400. Some stores also set prices high so there's some wiggle (haggling) room in there in case someone wants a deal.

 

if the thing has been sitting there and the autograph is fading, then yes, they should lower the price. But don't be so nitpicky about the price. just don't pay it. someone else will. AT LEAST IT'S REAL, that is the absolute and being high dollar does not say something about character or integrity, it's the cost of doing business. and doing business is expensive. You can go to Old Navy and see a shirt for $6, but then go into the mall and see the same shirt at all the stores (most likely hot topic for $12.. which place are you going to buy it from? and then, do you look at Hot Topic and say they have no integrity? because their mark up is TWICE what old navy's is. well, old navy's overall overhead for one single item is far lower and thus the REAL price difference.

Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on August 14, 2011 at 6:57am

I'll just point out that they have Harry Chapin items for $1,500-$25,000. That's more like seeing a shirt at Old Navy for $6 and then seeing it elsewhere for $180, or seeing a similar shirt in a nicer package for $2000. Not that I'm passing judgement, I personally think the prices are a joke but I don't think it hurts the autograph business as a whole. People invest too much in too little all the time and get screwed. The onus is on them to be responsible and use the information available to make informed purchases.

Permalink Reply by Mike Miller on August 14, 2011 at 11:36am

Man (mike aring),  that is such nonsense I feel a bit ridiculous even responding.  First your analogy , “why set something out for $300 when someone will pay $400” is quite irrelevant, not to mention a sign of utter clue-less-ness.  If you read the original post I would think you might understand we are not talking about $100 markups.  So you lost credibility right there, and then you unfortunately don’t stop there. Instead you dig an even h*** of “cluelessness” with your Old Navy analogy.  Another drivel of nonsense and poor example. 

 

But you go ahead and buy a $50 autograph for $3500.  We need more fools in this industry…;}

Permalink Reply by mike aring on August 14, 2011 at 1:09pm

uhh. i don't buy ANY autographs... EVER!! apparently, YOU'VE NEVER RUN A BUSINESS. but that's fine, i'm not going to start an argument. who cares what you think, really. you apparently have no idea what business is about. people don't have to buy it if they feel the price is unfair. i was just using the analogies to show that the BUYER DOES NOT SET THE PRICE! and since it's your whole intention to just rip what's basically an honest business because their prices are not what you agree with... that's really the "Clueless" part. I don't see anyone else agreeing with you!

Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on August 13, 2011 at 7:57pm

I think a quick look at their completed listings tells the whole story.

Permalink Reply by DB on August 14, 2011 at 2:15am

gallery of history sure has some "interesting" prices...  $400.00 for a neumar and $1300 for 2 of the 4 cast members of the honeymooners.  Then again the JFK letter for $35k makes me think an authentic baseball ought to be just as much and even rarer with the F!

 

prices are way above this persons pay grade  lol

Permalink Reply by Louie reeves on August 14, 2011 at 11:30am

I agree with Steve on this, I think its mostly cheap advertising for him he doesnt sell anything on ebay but shows some nice stuff which probably gets him alot of phone calls and offline dealing for the items.

Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on August 14, 2011 at 12:17pm

God Bless America! Any dealer has the right to sell an item for a price that they want to list it for. Likewise, any customer has the right to refuse that price and find a better deal. In today's markets, prices are set by what someone is willing to pay. It's also set item by item in cases like this where the item is rarer than others.

"Don't hate the player..hate the game", that's the lesson of the current pricing trend.

Permalink Reply by CEE GEE on August 14, 2011 at 2:08pm

Amen Brandon...as a business a seller can put whatever price they desire...that's the american way...weather its worth it or not...it all depends on how deep the buyers pockets are and also if the buyer is smart enough to chew down the price or if the buyer has money to burn and they just want that piece...if the price isn't right and you feel the sellers price is outrageous which happens from time to time then just don't buy it...its price gauging it its finest...its like getting gas for your car were there is gas stations directly across the street from each other...your going to go to the gas station across the street that's three cents cheaper...its only three cents but which one would you fill up at

Permalink Reply by mike aring on August 14, 2011 at 4:53pm

well, i won't fill up at any BP location.. no matter how much cheaper they are charging.

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