Today, we’re back with YET ANOTHER 6 WAYS NOT TO LOSE ALL YOUR MONEY IN SPORTS CARDS so you don’t end up… living in a van down by the river.

Shall we discuss which hobby landmines to avoid?

Yes we shall.

#1. Don’t join razzes.

For those just getting back into the hobby, a razz is a sports card raffle or lottery… which means the odds are, you ARE NOT going to win.

Let’s say someone is razzing a $100 card.  Let’s say the organizer, or razzer, sells 10 spots at $15/ a piece. They get $150 for a $100 card. Good deal. You get a 10% chance at acquiring a $100/card for $15… and a 90% chance of getting nothing for your $15.

Let me repeat.

There is a 90% chance that someone is going to take your money and give you nothing in return.

Bad deal. Play the probabilities.

#2. Don’t join breaks.

This is another form of a sports card lottery… which means…. you guessed it, odds are you ARE NOT going to win anything of substance to resell and at least break even.

Let’s say you join a 2018-19 basketball break hoping to snag a Luka Doncic rookie at a fraction of the cost. First you have to get lucky and get the Mavericks in the break… which is a 10% chance in a normal, 10 person, 3 team per person break. If fortune favors your boldness, then you have to get lucky again and hope there is a Luka in the particular box you’ve bought into… So you’re likely spending hundreds of dollars for a less than 5% chance of pulling a Luka.

Fortune favors the bold… that play the probabilities.

#3. Don’t buy raw modern cards for investment purposes.

Most eBay sellers are savvy enough to spot potential raw gem copies vs a near mint copy. Why are they going to sell a pristine raw copy to you when they can grade it themselves and score triple the profits?

Yes there are gem tweeners, but if you spin that PSA, BGS, SGC, or CSG wheel and get a mint or less, you’re out the grading fees and time it takes to grade.  Can you beat the system? Yes. Is it more probable? No. Play the probabilities. Buy graded for investment cards.

#4. Don’t cheap out when shipping your cards.

Pay the $2.70 for delivery signature and insure your package for the full amount. That way a scammy eBay buyer can’t claim they didn’t receive the package and if the package is legit lost by USPS, they’ll have to cover your loss. If the cards are worth over $1500, ship USPS registered mail since they’ll cover up to $25,000. Over that, just fly the card to its new owner.

#5. If using Paypal, always pay using goods and services…

… unless you’re buying and selling from actual friends and family… and even then… you have to ask yourself… how good a friend or family member are they? It may be worth that 3% for peace of mind.

#6. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

That raw fresh out of the pack 86-87 Fleer Jordan with great centering and crisp corners listed for 5k was most definitely just pulled… from a Taiwanese press. 

There you have it. YET ANOTHER 6 WAYS NOT TO LOSE ALL YOUR MONEY IN SPORTS CARDS so you don’t end up…living in a van down by the river.

As always, I’m Freddy… and you’re welcome.