From: haught@tigger.jvnc.net (Darrell Haught)
Subject: Please Read
Originator: haught@tigger.jvnc.net
Organization: JvNCnet, Princeton University, NJ
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 13:49:34 GMT


	Welcome to rec.collecting.cards!  This group has been formed
 to give card collectors of all orientations a place to buy, sell, trade,
 and auction their cards.

	Some simple tips and suggestions, to help all the readers of
 this group:

	In the subject header, use "BUYING" or "WANTED" if you are looking
 for a card, "SALE" or "SELL" for selling cards, "TRADE" for trading,
 and "AUCTION" for an auction.  

	If you can further define the types of cards you have, please
 include that in the header as well.  If specifically baseball,football,
 basketball, hockey, other sports, or non-sports cards, please
 specify that in the header.  If there are autographs, or promo cards,
 that would be nice to include in the header as well.

	Remember that there are no guarantees when buying or selling via
 the net.  Although most transactions are completed,there are a small
 percentage which are not.  Keep this in mind.

	Enjoy!  

===================================================================
This is from Robert Lopez.  I have left it entact.  Please, whether
 a buyer or a seller, read these notes.  Everyone can learn a thing
 or two from these. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: rlopez@loanstar.tamu.edu (Robert Lopez)

o Remember that during the holiday season, mail slows down, way down.
  Factor in that most of us trading/selling have to wait in line at 
  the post office for looong amounts of time to mail your package.
  Please have a heart.  I hate getting "You Are A DEADBEAT!"
  mail only two or three days after receiving a payment.  This doesn't
  happen alot, but it does happen once every few months and it sucks.

o If you are buying from or trading with someone you've never dealt with
  before, buy or trade IN SMALL AMOUNTS.

o If you are buying, keep lists of the people you've dealt with that
  did you right.  Keep lists of people that did you wrong.  Most people
  think of keeping the black list, but few of us actually consider 
  keeping lists of the quality folks.  Share the wealth with other interested
  netters.

o Never ever respond to an auction post on impulse.  If you don't really
  have the money, don't offer to buy the goods!  Admittedly, I have been
  this person before, which leads to the following:

o If you are holding an auction, just expect and live with the fact that
  some people will make a pledge that they cannot or will not keep.  It's
  just a fact of life and happens all the time.  Re-auction the stuff.  It
  ain't that tough.

o If you are selling or holding an auction and someone makes an offer on
  an item already sold, keep that person's name/address!  There is always
  the possibility (unfortunately high on the net) that the original deal
  will fall through.

o If you are selling/trading, state postage terms UP FRONT.  If you are
  buying/trading, and they aren't stated, ASK!  Get the terms of the deal
  down!

o Always keep tabs on transactions.  When buying or trading, email the
  seller when you've sent the check or your part of the trade.  As the
  seller or other trader, email the buyer when you've sent the stuff out.
  Admittedly-again, I'm not very good at this, which leads to:

o If you are the buyer, ask the seller *politely* if he has received
  your payment or goods 4 or 5 days after you sent it.  Don't ever come 
  down on someone as a deadbeat unless there's a real reason to do so.

o If you can afford to, insure big or expensive items through the post 
  office.  Not only will this help you recover money if the post office
  damages something, but it will help them track something better if it 
  gets lost.  Anyone sending/receiving over a hundred dollars worth of
  stuff blind is asking for it.

o If you are sending cards (this post actually possibly *might* get read
  by someone other than the card collecting public), always always always
  mark the envelope/package "PHOTOS - DO NOT BEND" or "FRAGILE."   The
  cards still might get bent, but what the hell...this is two seconds of
  work for free insurance from a nice postal service employee (if they
  still exist).

o And last but not least, for the card collectors...repeat the following
  after me:
  <Dr. James Beckett (not Samuel) voice ON>
   Cards do not have any intrinsic value and as such are only worth what
   someone will pay you for them.  Period.
  <Dr. JB voice OFF>

  For all you newbie investors, go read a little about supply and demand
  before you plunk hundreds of dollars down on rookies from the past few
  years.  There ain't no way on Earth someone can tell me that a '90 Leaf
  Frank Thomas is worth 60-some-odd dollars, especially when you can get
  them, multiples mind you, from ANY dealer.  Yeah, yeah, I've heard that
  '90 Leaf is rare.  It ain't THAT rare, folks, or you wouldn't find it
  everywhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
And, I'll add in a little piece here, which should almost
 be common sense.  If you don't have the money for the cards you want
 to acquire, do not "purchase" them.  I had someone who wished to
 purchase a group of autographs from me.  I held the cards, and
 then a week later, received a note saying that he "didn't have the
 money".  Then, a month later, this same person wanted to purchase
 a different group of cards, which came to $110, and asked if I would
 take $100.  I agreed..but 4 days later, he dropped me a note saying
 that "I don't have that much money - will you take $80?".  Needless
 to say, I told him no, and refuse to have any dealings with him.

- bob gaj

Newsgroups: rec.collecting.cards