Investing In Sports Cards: Card Quest 3

It’s week three of investing in sports cards with Jesse, and I’m glad you’re back for another step on this investment journey where we will, hopefully, show that sports cards can be as viable of an investment opportunity as stocks.

As a reminder, here are the rules. Every week, I’ll be spending about $100 on cards. Then, I’ll tell you what I purchased, why I bought it, what strategies I used, and how you can apply them to your collecting.

Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse: The Rules Of The Game

We’re tracking progress, too. Every week I’ll share:

• My total amount spent
• My total amount sold (once I start selling some)
• Total value (the comp price of my cards + total amount sold).

From there, we’ll be able to calculate my gains.

I challenge you to take on this initiative, too. Invest more or less than me–totally up to you–but track your progress. Together, let’s show the world the power of card investing.

Week 3 Of Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse Purchases

Technically, this should probably be “Week 3 Purchase” because I only bought one item. I assumed most of my weeks would be smaller purchases to add up to the target amount, but I really went for it this week.

So what did I buy?

Purchase 1: 2018-19 Panini Prizm Shai Gilgeous Alexander RC auto autograph RS-SGA

Most of my purchases to this point have been those with bad listings–listings that were either vague or misspelled, which sell for significantly less.

This one was a good listing. However, if I were super picky, I’d argue that it should include the word “rookie” if he truly wanted to get the most out of it.

Since the listing is okay, that means it’s not as much of a flippable listing as it is a long-term hold. I bought it expecting SGA to have another great season and see a rise in value.

In case you missed it, SGA averaged 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists last year in the 35 games he played, and when he was on the floor, the Thunder won nearly half of its games. Half. And did you see the talent around SGA? Yikes.

If the organization lets him play this year instead of overemphasizing an injury for the sake of tanking (and then not using any of its hoarded picks despite being in an excellent place to do so), then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could turn some heads as an all-star this season.

As far as this specific purchase, the seller was asking $170 for it. I offered $115, and he said yes, to my surprise. Combined with shipping, the total came out to $121, but for a Prizm Rookie autograph of SGA–and not the “sensational signatures” autograph, mind you–it was a great price. In fact, a raw version sold as an auction this week for $158, with shipping.

Is SGA set to be an All-Star next year? (get Prizm 2018 Auto cards on eBay).

Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse: Progress

Three weeks in, I’m averaging slightly over my $100/week goal. Therefore, I may scale back a bit in week four. Assuming I don’t keep finding bargains. So first, let’s look at my total and then my current value by taking updated comps of all my purchases thus far.

Working off recent comps, here’s how all my purchases break down:

Tannehill Triple Threads Auto /25

Bought $83; Comp $90

Tannehill Rookie Card Lot

Bought $17; Comp $50

McCaffrey Rookie /100

Bought $36; Comp $45.

 SGA Rookie Lot

Bought $75, Comp $119

SGA Prizm Rookie

Bought $121, Comp: $158

Most of the comps haven’t changed in the last week.

Are Tannehill cards set to shoot up in value in the upcoming season? (look for Tannehill rookie cards on eBay).

Total Spent: $333

Total Value: $462

Net: 38% Increase

While my net increase dropped a bit this week because I only bought one card, and it was a long-term hold. Still, being up 38% after three weeks is exciting, and I’m ready to see what comes next!

What will I be buying next week? Come back for the next update on the best ways to approach investing in sports cards.

Are you taking on this project yourself? Tweet me @realjessehaynes or email Cardlines to tell us about it!