I am curious how others approach lopsided trades. I dont mind someone making a lopsided proposal (in thier favor) but do mind when you make a reasonable (or at least more even) counter, and they respond all indignant like you're the unreasonable one. (like they were hoping I didnt have a clue on value???) Most recently had someone offer $25 worth of cards for a Cabrera rookie. ($25 was high for thiers and $80 was low for Cabrera rookie) I dont get wrapped up in the $ amount, but want to make fair/reasonable trades. To me the natural response is to simply move on, but have had enough lopsided offers to ask what others do/think.(and yes I looked at several diff sources and the lopsided results were the same...Ebay BIN, Beckett,Sold history on Ebay...so I think Im justified on how lopsided the offer was)
Lopsided trading
- Thread starter David657
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
One thing to keep in mind is the use of Book Value vs Sales Value to trade. There is a lot of low end trading where Book value is helpful to keep values in line. However, for more sought after cards like RCs it is sometimes wise to state upfront, that you are looking for similar sales value in return as unless you are receiving a similar RC in return there may be a disconnect in value.
I may be totaling missing what your saying. Are you saying that you respond by telling them you expect a fair trade? The specific trade offer Im thinking about was a dozen cards ($25) for a single card @ $80...I could care less about RC for RC (Im aware some people only trade RC-RC, auto-auto etc) I look at values based on what you would pay to buy it today (both sides) which isnt 100% accurate but fair?
This is exactly what I am referring to, this statement you made here. This is trading on sales value, however, there are numerous trades made here based on Book value.
However, book value can be all over the place compared to sales value so what may seem like a fair offer based on book value is way out of touch based on the sales value "today's buying price"
Here is an example of Book values on some of my cards i recently looked up:
2021 Topps Update Photo Variations #US302B Jarred Kelenic SSP/shirt $250.00 $600.00
2018 Topps Update Photo Variations #US300A Juan Soto/In dugout $60.00 $150.00
Book value says that the Kelenic is x4 higher value than the Soto. However, sales price has the soto selling around $500 while the Kelenic is selling around $400. So, if someone had the kelenic and was asking for the soto and more, they may not be trying to insult or anything, its just the book values are all over the place.
That gives a better idea of what you mean. In my very limited trading exp, a lot will refer to book value only when it supports thier position. I dont get bothered when someone proposes a lopsided trade, just when they are indignant because of "reasons" and not anything else to support thier valuation (which I know can be subjective and the other person just may be looking at it differently) lol even had a guy reply....but I NEED it !(offering a common for a $50 card) or another that said he only used book (for his and not mine as his booked for $30 and mine for $80, in the end we traded $15 (10) of his for $15 of mine (30) but he was willing to have a discussion as well.
if you don’t like the offer, just pass and move on. 95% of the time another copy of the card is out there. It will save many headaches.
Like the old saying goes, "something is only worth what someone is willing to pay (or trade) for it". If you feel it isn't worth what the other person is asking, simply move on with a "Respectfully pass. Thank you." More times than not the conversation ends there but, should the rare insulting follow up communication get sent to you, send them a smile emoji and hit the "ignore" button on their future communications.
The best you can do is say no. If you do so, you will cut down on such offers in the future. You have to accept that you are not going to make a deal with those making bad offers.
Last edited:
In retrospect since I'm still new at online trading, Im missing the in-person aspect. Some people will try to take advantage if they can, sometimes you're just not on the same page, and sometimes you can work something out. Im just not used to people not sending a message or not replying to questions, in the end theres not much point in trying to figure out why some people try to make trades that way and look for people that I can trade for. I supoose its cheap entertainment??? lol ie your Tom Brady rookie is just a common and you should trade a common for it or ALL auto cards are worth more than non-auto cards...soo a ryan leaf auto rookie is worth more than a non-auto Tom Brady rookie???? Just a couple of "funny" msgs
Maybe in the future try listing your card with the value you are expecting and how you got the value. And then specify that you want them to use the same reference for their cards. If they still want a "lopsided trade" simply thank them for the offer and move on.
That would make sense to me, if I was selling or looking for $ for $ trades.(Like a business?) I'm just seeing a lot of lopsided proposals, with no communication at all or a demand that I should just trade it because they want it. Had a guy I traded amicably with in the past...ask to trade a common for a card selling for $50. I explained the "why"....his response was "but I need it!" Insisting that I trade it to him for a common (.20 card)
I have struggled with this too lately. I keep getting offers That I am (for example) to trade 1 $60 card for 20 $3 cards.
I use book value for trades, I had a person say, that the value I was using was 2x what the sales price was. Problem was he only applied it to his card (that he was to recieve from me), not the cards I was getting from him.
I have set up policies that keep things in check:
1) Only trade if you want to...do not get guilted into trading;
2) I will only trade cards of mine that are $10 or higher for cards that are $10 or higher (and similar value for value, like a $30 for a $25 and a $5, etc)
I think if you go into trades with this philosophy (or something that you like) then you will be much better off.
Set boundaries and you will be much happier. (You can always make exceptions, they are your rules, but you'll keep your collection in check)
Bill
I use book value for trades, I had a person say, that the value I was using was 2x what the sales price was. Problem was he only applied it to his card (that he was to recieve from me), not the cards I was getting from him.
I have set up policies that keep things in check:
1) Only trade if you want to...do not get guilted into trading;
2) I will only trade cards of mine that are $10 or higher for cards that are $10 or higher (and similar value for value, like a $30 for a $25 and a $5, etc)
I think if you go into trades with this philosophy (or something that you like) then you will be much better off.
Set boundaries and you will be much happier. (You can always make exceptions, they are your rules, but you'll keep your collection in check)
Bill
I was trying to be open to anything, but it seems to have come back to bite me in the form of frustration. One guy proposed he wanted $40 worth of rookies (2 cards) above what he was sending since he was "helping me out", but he was the one that proposed the trade to begin with..lol the other was $20 worth of commons for a $80
Trader 1: "I'm interested in some of your 1988 Score commons."
Trader 2: "Sounds good. How many Wander Franco super Refractors do you have, or I'll let them go for a '52 Mantle PSA 6 or higher. "
This sums up trading expectations on Facebook.
Trader 2: "Sounds good. How many Wander Franco super Refractors do you have, or I'll let them go for a '52 Mantle PSA 6 or higher. "
This sums up trading expectations on Facebook.
Actual interaction from a proposal....Your 1980s junk wax are worthless so, you need to send me 5 to 1 to make it worthwhile....from the exact same "worthless" set (every card in that set was "worth" less than .10)
sometimes a trader can be misunderstood also. for instance when asked what i need for a card i dont know bvs of your cards so ill list several of yours i like and wait to see if you will offer 1 or more of them in trade. but the trader thinks im asking for them all and responds in a huff or not at all. hope that helps.
Basically, I trade at Beckett high, except for hot or breakout rookies, then eBay high.
Bob
Bob
Absolutely! Ive had some back and forth to clarify and was able to work out a trade.(had a recent one asking me to look and see if there was anything on his trade list that I wanted for a card he wanted since his proposal was lopsided. Im thinking more along the lines of no communication or the ones that respond to questions in a huff "demanding" that you should just accept whatever they offer because thats what they want....I try not to assume what the other person is thinking and if it doesnt make sense to me Ill ask...I just seem to have had a bunch of proposals with no communication or a "huffy" response when asking is all.
Are all of the tranactions you mention on this site? I have made over 3,000 transactionson here and I do not think I have had near as many problems as you have described.
Similar threads
