Beckett Is Only A Guide!

 I remember a  time around 10 years ago when Beckett prices were written in stone. This no longer the case.

When you look at the prices for sports cards that are sold on e-bay they will very rarely come close to a beckett price. Beckett has inflated the prices of sports cards for years. Beckett magazine say's they take into account auction prices, card shows, store prices and use them to calculate a cards price. In my experience which is 16 years plus, prices have been way off. Card show prices usually say 50% of beckett or 25% off of beckett on great cards and Im sure long time collectors will back me up. Beckett is merely a guide. If you're card is worth  $10.00 in Beckett excpect at auction to get $4

In the early Nineties you would usually get 50% of beckett when selling at a card store and the store owner would sell it at book price (beckett) During the late 90's the trend changed. The reason being Beckett inflates prices to attract new collector's and to justify raising prices of products.

Dont get me wrong Beckett is a valuable guide to learn about new products or finding out about print runs or who is hot. When you see your card listed in beckett remember this price is beckett's attempt at attracting new collectors. An auction price I believe is the best meter of a cards true value. I hope this helps and good luck collecting