Sports Card Investment Tips With Larry “The Investor” Elswick: 10/4/10
Last week, I covered long-term investment in football cards, which featured a 1999 Peyton Manning/Johnny Unitas Passing the Torch auto, a 2001 Topps Joe Namath Rookie Reprint Auto, and certified pack pulled Walter Payton autographs.
This week I turn the focus to what makes me tick, short term get ‘em before they blow-up RC's with signicant upside. Short-term investment cards usually feature players whose situation (coaching, team, roster, playing time, or media coverage) has changed for the better with cards that can be had for a fraction of their future or current values. Below is a list of "Get em' Before They Explode" cards from all-4 major sports.
GET EM BEFORE THEY EXPLODE CARDS!
- 2003 Bowman's Best Ryan Howard Auto RC- Ryan has done nothing but post huge numbers since the card sold for $800, you can own one now for $150 on eBay, Playoffs are coming! BV=$250
- 2008 Sweet Spot Evan Longoria Auto RC/299 - This is his team, this is a sweet card, should see a spike soon, BV=$120.
- 1999 Topps Traded Autographs Josh Hamilton - The Natural, Think Roy Hobbs Jr, huge player, great story, as long as he keeps his head straight, BV=$250.
- 2005-06 Exquisite Collection Raymond Felton Patch Auto RC/99- Knicks new point guard, big city, big media, It's Amar'e! Card can be had for at least 1/2 book, BV=$160.
- 2007-08 Ultimate Collection Kevin Durant Auto RC/150 - SUPERSTAR, SP authentic sells for $750! These are at $200 on eBay right now!
- 2003-04 Bowman Chrome Dwyane Wade Auto RC/250 - Unlike other hoops mega stars, D -Wade stayed! Championships will come and he is loved in Miami and Chicago, BV=$300.
- 2003-04 SP Authentic LeBron James Auto RC/500 - He sure looks like the league poster boy! You could even sell this one in Cleveland, BV=$925. It still has big upside.
- 2005-06 UD The Cup Jimmy Howard Patch Auto RC /199 - Goalie in Detroit, Red Wings almost always carry big time hobby upside, good BV=$150.
- 2007-08 UD The Cup Tuuka Rask Patch Auto RC /249 - The best kept secret in the beantown, BV=$200.
- 2008-09 UD The Cup Steven Stamkos Patch Auto RC /99 - 51 goals, 95 points, similar future hobby standing to Ovechkin, BV=1200! They are selling for $430 at the moment.
- 2008 Exquisite Collection Darren McFadden Jersey Auto RC /99 - Finally we see what all the hype was about, with the continuation of solid season, this card should continue to tick upwards, BV=$250.
- 2004 SP Authentic Matt Schaub Patch Auyto RC /799 - If they go to the playoffs this card will boost in value in a big time way, BV=$100.
The second these cards explode, don't wait for the dust to settle, move when you have achieved an acceptable profit margin. This list can also become the “get rid of ‘em because they blow" list fairly quickly, so it is important to remember that when the market begins to shift, you shift from hold to sell mode.
My mentor Norm Wilson, a great old school card dealer called me “easy money". When I used to ask him,“Do you think I did O.K.?", he would answer “Did you make money?", then add “Don't be greedy, take what sports gives you". The market giveth and the market taketh away, so my advice is to stay ahead of the market and when it reacts to the media, you react to the market. The only wrong action is inaction. So pull the trigger in the positive and go make money!
Thank you for reading and remember the equation when making a positive, secure long term investment for a profit is:
- (minimum profitability - maximum liability= a positive investment)
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Ben Barron | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
just want to say that I really enjoy your articles Larry. These always contain good info. Keep up the good work.
Ryan | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
Really enjoy your articles. Please keep them coming. Do you have a blog or anything else that you update as well?
Investor Jr | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
Larry,
Do you use any software to help you watch the markets? or do you just check closed auctions on your cards weekly, monthly etc. Any advice much appreciated.
Larry Elswick | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
@ JR. I watch games and if a player is getting touches I target his items. Or if a baseball player is tearing up single or double a and does he have a low average because he is a power hitter in a pitchers league ala Ryan Braun, I bought my first Braun at $12. Castellanos is a player Detroit draft pick! Software would be helpful for buying in bulk, it would be nice if you could hit a win all @ button on eBay and bid oh say $7.00 on every Castellanos USA Auto. Good Idea!
Larry Elswick | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for the support guys!!! What do you want to know about maybe I can squeeze in a request or two…..????????????
Larry Elswick | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
McFaddens are about to dip buy while he is out. It’s a Hammy.
Ryan | Oct 4, 2010 | Reply
I would like to know more about your strategies in general (without giving away the keys to the candy store), also maybe some underpriced vintage ideas. I really enjoy this subject and would love to learn all i can. Do you mentor? : )