Where to buy great bulk cards for resale

[moosille]

Hello, I posted last night for the first time and have spent hours tonight reading old discussion threads. You all seem like a very friendly bunch of people, willing to help newcomers. So here is my dilemma. I do not have a large inventory and need a reliable place to buy bulk cards. I live in Montana and there are no postcard groups here or shows that come through. I don't think I can expect to make a living at this if I have to buy my cards individually...(which I have done) I have also been burned by a few ebay sellers dumping their reject cards and reselling them. (none of you of course) I have been selling on ebay for a few months now and have so much to learn. I'd love to hear from anyone who can help. Are there good internet sites where I can buy wholesale? What do you think of Playles? (I hope I spelled it right) I find it hard to navigate myself. Maybe some of you sell them? I have specifics in mind. Thanks in advance. Annie

[riverboatqueen51]

Annie, Finding cards is like a treasure hunt. Postcards can be found most anywhere, perhaps you know a friend who has a box of them in the attic, auctions sometimes will have them (although the ones I go to are way overpriced), Advertise your want - Diane has on her ME page and her web site a notation that she is always in the market to buy postcards. Do you subscribe to the magazine Postcard Collector? They often have large lots for sale in their classifieds. Check out your local Antique stores, sometimes estate sales will have a collection. Just keep looking, you will find them, after all millions upon millions were made, collected and kept! Soon you will be asking us how to open a store LOL! Joyce

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

All great advice Joyce - although I have really good neighbours, who seem to have an endless supply of suitcases full of postcards - another reason I am really happy I moved, my stock arrives on my doorstep, and I am geting to meet all my neighbours! maybe you could do a little flyer and post it around your neighbourhood, you never know what folks have tucked away. Sara

[moosille]

Thanks Joyce and Sara, I am so afraid of buying junk! Since I am just starting out, I don't have a lot of money and I want it to be well spent. I have spent a lot of time looking, on the computer mostly. I never thought of asking people I know. Also didn't want to offend anyone asking for their secret sources!! Annie

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

It's amazing how many people have collections tucked away that they had forgotten about - just try and offer a fair price, you could work out a price per card calculation, but if you think there are some real beauties, it could be fairer while you are starting and learning to do some research before making an offer. The art of being a good delaer in my opinion, is based on being a fair one and doing your research (being the only one in the village is also a big help!). I have folk knock on my door because they know I am fair, I have had stuff that I wouldn't give a price on as they were outside my expertise, but with a bit of research I was able to make a fair offer and every one is happy. It is not worth my reputation to try and get stuff for a knock down price, I save that for the auctions. Sara

[moosille]

Does anyone buy from internet sources..other ebayers or internet auction sites? How about bulk cards advertised in magazines? I know it's best but not always possible to examine them in person. If someone offers a lot from a postcard collector magazine for example, would you trust that, provided you can see a good represenation of the cards?? Thanks, Annie

[pixiamom]

I buy small lots on eBay where there isn't much competition except for our Richard whom I run into occasionally ( and try not to bid against - we must use the same search criteria!) I only use that to supplement my other sources, flea markets, antique malls, etc. When you meet someone with nice cards and you are in a position to buy lots of them if the price is right - negotiate before you pick out the cards. I ask if I buy xxx number of cards, what type of discount could you give me? (Doesn't work if the owner of the cards isn't there) I'd stay away from paying too much for any card until you'vr sold a while on eBay. I still don't have a good feel for the high end market and the times I got a great price were due to mostly dumb luck. Jane

[markomundo]

You can find some deals on eBay though you need to read the descriptions thoroughly and check the sellers feedback. Of course, the old adage is true: one person's junk is another person's treasure - sometimes folks that sell in quantity do not have the time or inclination to sell cards individually - you can sell individually - do not neglect chrome cards or foreign cards - there is a lot of interest - by the way, I did find this on the Internet: HUFF'S ANTIQUE SHOW, MetraPark, Billlings. Friday Jun.13, 5-9pm, Saturday Jun.14 10am-5pm, Sunday Jun.15 10am-4pm. This show includes The Montana Postcard Show. Admission $4 good all weekend. The time has obviously passed but it does indicate that you might find a show somewhere, even in the great state of Montana. Good luck!

[pixiamom]

When I go to shows, I look for dealers with the 25 cent bins. These are usually unsorted - who cares unless you specialize in a specific type or locale. Many times, dealers will put their damaged cards there - which is OK too unless you only deal in pristine cards. Depending on how many folks have looked through the cards before you, you can find some really great cards and mistakes cost only a quarter! Jane

[ambercolumbia]

Hi all...Sara, you are so right about collections that have been tucked away. I made alot of money on a collection I purchased for $50. It was a large shoe box of mostly pre 1920 cards. FABULOuS. I have thought about asking alot of the older folks I know if they have old cards they might sell. I don't want to seem as if I'm taking advantage of anyone. My aunt was an antiques seller and she would buy out an old person for pennies and sell for huge amounts. I know that's the idea but something in me has difficulty with it. Now I knew the shoebox was worth more than $50 but I didn't know it was worth the hundreds that I ended up making. How do we balance our personal ethics with buying from individuals, face to face, rather than eBayers...shops, etc. Any ideas. I'll be away until around the 7th...am leaving tomorrow morning. Happy Holidays. Adrienne

[pixiamom]

Adrienne, I sure wish I ran into boxes like that every day. $50 is probably what I would have offered, if they had no idea how much they wanted for the box. I probably would let them know I was getting a deal - maybe prefacing the offer with "I know individually they're probably worth a great deal more than this, but would you consider $50 for the box?" Jane

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

Hi Adrienne There is a huge difference between taking a gamble and offering $50 on cards that may turn out to be worth hundreds and KNOWING them to be worth hundreds and only offering the $50 especially if the person trusts you to give a fair price. It is always tempting to get something really cheap especially if the person has NO IDEA what the value is, but I have to live with my concience! I go with the adage "what goes round comes round" I treat folk as I would have them treat me. Sara