No matter if that special someone on your list is you or if you're buying something to give to someone else, holiday gifts for the sports fan offer plenty of options. This time of year, the sports memorabilia and team apparel retailers are willing to go a little further to earn your business. Several are offering specials and there is still time to get your … [Read more...]
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eBay Expanding Completed Search Function
It's probably the best way to track the value of sports cards and sports memorabilia--or anything else for that matter. Guide books may be out of date and just an average or estimate of selling prices. eBay's "search by completed items" function enables users to look at what items actually sold for. Unfortunately, those searches will only take you back 15 days worth of … [Read more...]
Autograph Grading: Does the Number Matter?
In the world of sports cards, a couple of grades can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars of difference in the price of an item. A PSA 9 Mickey Mantle has sold for over $200,000. A PSA 7 brings less than half that amount. To the average person, there may not be a huge difference in how the two cards compare. Collectors and investors do pay for what’s printed on the … [Read more...]
Handling Negative eBay Feedback the Smart Way
by John Hansen You can't make everyone happy. That's true in life and it's certainly true on eBay. No matter how hard you try to do everything just right, you will occasionally encounter negative feedback from eBay buyers. It's disheartening, but it's inevitable. Even the best powersellers in the business occasionally encounter someone who feels it's necessary to … [Read more...]
Ohio Card Shop Destroyed By Fire
Born the same year as Upper Deck, it had withstood the business challenges of an ever-changing industry and economic downturns. Fire was a different matter. Medina Sports Cards in Medina, Ohio was destroyed Thursday night when fire ripped through the shop long after the business day had ended. Over three dozen firefighters, who happened to be training at that hour, … [Read more...]
Retired Stars Cash in on Memorabilia Market
While some athletes' memorabilia hits the auction block because of the "Three D's", death, divorce or drugs...for others it's simply a matter of choice. The decisions made by former players to sell their items is what helps keep auction houses busy--and often earns them the publicity that leads to even more business. Whether it's Kirk Gibson cleaning out a storage unit … [Read more...]
Match Attax: Brand Started Huge Niche for Topps
by Geoff Robinson We may think of Topps as an exclusively North American company, but if you ask European soccer fans, they know the brand well thanks to Match Attax, the brand that started a gaming concept that’s proven to be a big hit both at home and abroad. Launched in 2007, Match Attax features pro soccer players and have proven to be a big hit. In addition to being … [Read more...]
Big Crowd for Rodriguez Auction
No matter your profession, being fired is never easy. Coaches live with the possibility every year, especially those employed in places where winning big is expected. Rich Rodriguez was fired at Michigan on January 5 but he turned the disappointment into a good thing for needy people in the state. Rodriguez boxed up some of his memorabilia and apparel from his three years … [Read more...]
2011 Hall of Fame Election: Who’s In?
We'll find out in a matter of hours which players--if any--will add the term "Baseball Hall of Famer" as a surname. 539 votes were cast in this year's 2010 Hall of Fame election. Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America will decide who joins the Cooperstown Club with results set to be announced on Wednesday afternoon. While election doesn't necessarily mean a … [Read more...]
Brandon Steiner Talks About His Start, His Company
No matter your opinion, it's hard to argue that Steiner Sports has become a big player in the sports memorabilia industry. Forging deals with teams and players for exclusive autographs and memorabilia, Steiner grew rapidly while driving prices upward for long-time collectors. Its partnership with the Yankees is now in its second decade, one which led to the company being … [Read more...]
