What is Everyone Deciding to do With Harper

[Rarthur]

Just curious as to what everyone else is doing with their Bryce Harper cards. Personally, I don't think the value of his cards will increase anymore than where they are at this week. I have a 2011 Bowman Platinum Prospects Refractor Autograph on eBay at a BIN/BO of $300 (hoping for a HR to send the market into a frenzy).

The only Harper cards I plan on keeping are one of each 2011 Bowman and Bowman Chrome Prospects base cards. I've sold in the past his 2011 Bowman Prospects, 2011 Bowman Prospects Purple, and 2010 Bowman Chrome 18U USA (sold too early on this one).

 

[Scobes]

Sell now seems like a good plan!

Scobes

 

[greyminis]

Prospecting is a funny thing. Prices are nutty before a player even hits the bigs, priced as if the player will have a HOF career. I have a few Harper cards, my favorite being his Heritage autograph, that I'll hang onto because I'm a collector and I like to have a fair representation of players I like or players who make an impact, contributing to the history of the game.

Bringing up Harper makes the Nats stronger, no question. That rope he hit over Kemp's head was a WOW! So as a fan of the game I'm excited for Harper's arrival. And will be excited for Morse and Zimmerman's return. Man if Zimmerman could only stay healthy. Would love to see what he could do for a full year.

 

[David K.]

Image all of those Pujols and Ichiro collectors....selling their rc cards! If you feel hes the second coming of the above players, I would hold on to them......if not, sell, sell. Best regards, David

 

[mrmopar]

From a purist standpoint, this is what is wrong with the "hobby". Buying cards isn't supposed to be a lottery experience. However, it has turned into that for many people and most of those people who pulled a card out of a pack for just a few cents or more likely a few dollars (pack prices have certainly jumped) either want to cash in on the big prospect or feel cheated if they didn't sell and he busts.

I don't fault anyone for playing the prospecting game, but I have no interest in it myself. It will keep me from getting autographs of certain superstar players (Ichiro or Pujols for example), because they need to do something first for me to want their cards. Unless I pull one from a pack (which would be like hitting the lottery for me, as I buy maybe a dozen packs a year, if that), I won't be owning one. I am not going to stock up on a pile of unknown players who all have some sort of can't miss potential to hit the 1-2 that actually will have an impact.

My only hope is to see a severe depression of value after they have a semi-decent year. For example, there was a time in Derek Jeter's career where you could pick up certified autos for $20. If Harper does become a superstar, and quickly, then he'll be on that ever growing list of over inflated stars that never had a chance to be "normal" guys. From super prospect to superstar.

 

[Rarthur]

From a purist standpoint, this is what is wrong with the "hobby". Buying cards isn't supposed to be a lottery experience. However, it has turned into that for many people and most of those people who pulled a card out of a pack for just a few cents or more likely a few dollars (pack prices have certainly jumped) either want to cash in on the big prospect or feel cheated if they didn't sell and he busts.

I don't fault anyone for playing the prospecting game, but I have no interest in it myself. It will keep me from getting autographs of certain superstar players (Ichiro or Pujols for example), because they need to do something first for me to want their cards. Unless I pull one from a pack (which would be like hitting the lottery for me, as I buy maybe a dozen packs a year, if that), I won't be owning one. I am not going to stock up on a pile of unknown players who all have some sort of can't miss potential to hit the 1-2 that actually will have an impact.

My only hope is to see a severe depression of value after they have a semi-decent year. For example, there was a time in Derek Jeter's career where you could pick up certified autos for $20. If Harper does become a superstar, and quickly, then he'll be on that ever growing list of over inflated stars that never had a chance to be "normal" guys. From super prospect to superstar.

I have never purchased a Harper card, have only been lucky enough to pull these from a few loose packs at Meijer and Target. Can't wait to turn it into cards that I actually want

 

[BoomerSooner]

If there wasn't people "investing" in rookies, there wouldn't be the hobby as we know it these days, period. As to Harper, IMO, I'd sell right now anything "common", and hold on to only the rarest of the rare, toughest of the toughest. Those hold value longer for the most part, and might experience a gain if he reaches his mythical potential. But as it goes, everybody will be jumping in on selling his stuff in the coming week, and the sheer quantity of items may hurt prices reached.

 

[mrmopar]

That isn't a bad thing in my opinion. My hobby doesn't rely heavily on new product (other than new Garvey cards that come out periodically) and the manufacturers are obviously selling enough of their product still. It is the secondary market that has changed the game so much. There is no ramp up time on anything for secondary value. Every prospect with a little talent sells like a 6X All Star right out of the gate. The only relief anyone gets on those types of players, if they want them, is if they get injured or have a slump and the impatient start to dump. I collect Dodgers for example and have tried to get autographs of every roster player. I don't care if the guy played 1 game or 1000 games, I still want it. Getting the newest players is tough though, because everyone wants a mint for them because they have potential. I can't be dropping $10+ on guys who are in AA in hopes that they make the club and play at least 1 game for the Dodgers. It makes it a lot harder to get a player like Kershaw or Kemp at a value and forces you to overpay for the Koyie Hills and the Joel Guzmans. It just doesn't make sense to me, but then again I collect for fun, not value.

I am still in disbelieve at what Strasburg cards go for still! Looks like he is having a good start to 2012, but he is 8-4 for his career. He is still young and does have potential, but you can get a Nolan Ryan signature for less than a Strasburg! He could end up as the modern day Mark Fidrych for all we know.

If there wasn't people "investing" in rookies, there wouldn't be the hobby as we know it these days, period.

 

[greyminis]

Strasburg

That isn't a bad thing in my opinion. My hobby doesn't rely heavily on new product (other than new Garvey cards that come out periodically) and the manufacturers are obviously selling enough of their product still. It is the secondary market that has changed the game so much. There is no ramp up time on anything for secondary value. Every prospect with a little talent sells like a 6X All Star right out of the gate. The only relief anyone gets on those types of players, if they want them, is if they get injured or have a slump and the impatient start to dump. I collect Dodgers for example and have tried to get autographs of every roster player. I don't care if the guy played 1 game or 1000 games, I still want it. Getting the newest players is tough though, because everyone wants a mint for them because they have potential. I can't be dropping $10+ on guys who are in AA in hopes that they make the club and play at least 1 game for the Dodgers. It makes it a lot harder to get a player like Kershaw or Kemp at a value and forces you to overpay for the Koyie Hills and the Joel Guzmans. It just doesn't make sense to me, but then again I collect for fun, not value.

I am still in disbelieve at what Strasburg cards go for still! Looks like he is having a good start to 2012, but he is 8-4 for his career. He is still young and does have potential, but you can get a Nolan Ryan signature for less than a Strasburg! He could end up as the modern day Mark Fidrych for all we know.

Would love to see Strasburg have a long career. He seems like the real deal. And if Harper is the same, they'll be fun to watch for a long time.

 

[BoomerSooner]

Quote:"and the manufacturers are obviously selling enough of their product still."

Pretty sure every manufacturer would disagree with that statement. Especially the execs at those companies who used to work at Donruss, Fleer, Pacific & UD...lol.

 

[mrmopar]

That happens in all aspects of life. Companies go out of business, merge or get purchased. That doesn't mean those who are around aren't making money. In 2005, there were too many people grabbing for a piece of the hobby money. That problem has corrected itself.

The Donruss and Pacific names are essentially part of Panini now. UD is still in business and owned the rights to the Fleer name as well. They are gone as stand alone companies, but are still part of the hobby in one way or another.

 

[quambomb]

I like what greyminis says about collecting the player/teams/etc. that you like rather than just chasing the money. I consider myself a collector & enjoy having a good mix of players myself...I would've been out of the hobby a while ago if it was just about chasing a big hit to cash in on. I like to hang onto prospect cards & RC autos in case one of them make it big.

Good thread. and to answer the question, I think people should hang onto his cards so long as they didn't spend alot of money to pull or acquire the cards in the first place

 

[BoomerSooner]

That happens in all aspects of life. Companies go out of business, merge or get purchased. That doesn't mean those who are around aren't making money. In 2005, there were too many people grabbing for a piece of the hobby money. That problem has corrected itself.

The Donruss and Pacific names are essentially part of Panini now. UD is still in business and owned the rights to the Fleer name as well. They are gone as stand alone companies, but are still part of the hobby in one way or another.

PLMK when the new Fleer products come out.

 

[bongo870]

Im going to sit on mine. I dont have naything special (gu or auto) but i will hold off selling for now. Seems like he is going to be a stud! I got lucky and pulled all of these
What I have:
BRYCE HARPER 2009 UPPER DECK SIGNITURE #USA-8 (TEAM USA)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN CHROME BOWMAN BEST #BBP51 (NATIONALS)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN CHROME DIE CUT #1 SUPERFRACTOR (NATIONALS)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN CHROME DIE CUT #1 (NATIONALS)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN CHROME INSERT #BCE1 (RED BACKROUND) (2)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN CHROME INSERT #BCE1 (SILVER BACKROUND)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN CHROME PURPLE #BCP-111 (674/799) (NATIONALS)
BRYCE HARPER 2011 BOWMAN #BP1 (NATIONALS)

 

[u2me57]

Brad- Nice Harper cards! Phillies pitchers have decided to pitch very carefully to Harper. Go Phillies!

Gary

 

[valediction]

I've been selling and trading them as I get them. All low ticket stuff, Bowman base, chromes, etc but I figure take the sure profit now and if I need to add him to my superstar collection later, I'll see what the market bears then