Investing In Sports Cards: Card Quest 13

It’s Week 13 of the CardQuest, where I’m on a quest to show how viable sports card investing can be as a form of investment, and with basketball season underway, NBA cards are beginning to sell.

On top of that, more players are emerging as breakout stars, and we have an opportunity to buy before their prices skyrocket. So that’s what we did!

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

But first, as always, here are the rules of our game. Every week, I’ll be spending about $100 on cards and telling you what I purchased, why I bought them, what strategies I used, and how you can apply them to your collecting.

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 13 Of Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse Purchases

I went a bit overboard this week, spending $134 — but that comes after a week of only spending around $50.

Half of my purchases were a basketball, while the other was a VERY risky football investment. Care to guess who?

As usual, most of these listings were misspelled. But, don’t forget, my misspelled listing tips and tricks can be found right here. This method is the EASIEST way to buy cards for as much as 25% less than they’d usually sell.

Here’s a look at the cards I bought.

Purchase One: OG Anunoby Certified Camo Rookie /25

Anonoby has been cooking for a surprisingly scrappy Raptors team. He’s averaging nearly 18 and 7 through his first four games and looking like a breakout candidate.

This listing was “Og Anundby rookie numbered out of 25” and listed BIN $35. I sent an offer of $20, which was accepted, and it cost exactly $25 after taxes and shipping. Unfortunately, there aren’t any comps, but I’m comping it at an estimated $35 for now.

OG Anonoby is performing at a higher than expected level (look for OGs rookie card on eBay)

Purchase Two: OG Anunoby Optic Rated Rookie Red Yellow Holo

Another OG card only cost me $6 (despite hefty shipping fees. Everybody should use the $1 shipping option for sub-$20 cards).

The mistake here was “OG Anunboy.” While that might sound cooler than the actual name (sorry, OG), that’s incorrect.

Bought it for $6.39 and comped it for $8.

Will Jesse’s investment in OG aAnunoby pay off? (get red yellow holos on eBay)

Purchase Three: DeShaun Watson Prestige RC /150

A controversial card for a controversial player. If you are not aware, Watson is facing multiple sexual assault charges. But here’s the reality: if DeShaun Watson gets traded and plays well for a team, his cards will rocket up in value.

Did I buy this as a long-term hold? No. Not at all. There’s a good chance he goes to prison. But I think it could go up 50 percent if Watson finds a new home — at least for this year. It’s a considerable risk, but I’m profitable enough on the Card Quest that I’m willing to take a shot here.

Bought it for $18 and comping at $25.

Purchase Four: DeShaun Watson Rookies and Stars RC Auto /75

Same logic as before: Watson is a considerable risk, but I bought this card for $89.08 total.  The Mahomes version sold for over $1,500.  So yeah, I’ll take that risk.

There are no active comps on this card, but I’m calling it $100, and we’ll see what happens.

How much will a DeShaun Watson be worth if he does time? (look for his autos on eBay)

Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse: NBA Cards Begin To Sell

After cornering a third of the market of Nickeil Alexander-Walker cards (joking, joking), I began listing a few this week. The /35 Donruss rookie auto that I bought for $55 just a couple of weeks ago sold for $125 within hours.

On top of that, the Desmond Bane auto /49 I bought last week sold two hours after I listed it. I purchased it for $23 and sold it for $50 — perhaps I should have gone more!

After those nice flips, here’s where we stand:

Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse: Cards Held

SGA Rookie Lot: Bought $75, Comp $130

SGA Prizm Rookie: Bought $121, Comp: $185

Tannehill Triple Threads Auto /25: Bought $83; Comp $90

Tannehill Rookie Card Lot: Bought $17; Comp $50

Alexander-Walker lot of 96 Hoops Rookies: Bought $40, Comp for $144

NAW lot of 5 Optic Silver Wave: Bought $25, Comp for $55

NAW lot of 11 Rookies: Bought $10.81, Comp for $74

Minshew Prizm Lot: Bought $50, comp $75

20 Card Football Lot: Bought $31.77, Comp: $100

Ryan Tannehill Rookie Lot: Bought $60, Comp $90

Trey Sermon Certified RPA: Bought $41, Comp $41

Trey Sermon Certified RPA: Bought, $39, Comp $39

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Mosaic Auto Fusion Red: Bought, $47, Comp $70

NAW Optic Red Choice /88: Bought $29, Comp $55

Jaren Jackson Jr. Prizm Lot of 3: Bought $30, Comp $42

Tyler Herro Prizm and Purple Scope Rookie: Bought, $15.55, Comp $22

OG Anunoby Optic RC: Bought, $6, Comp $8

OG Anunoby Certified RC /25: Bought, $25, Comp $35

DeShaun Watson Prestige /150: Bought, $15, Comp $25

DeShaun Waston Rookies and Stars Auto /75: Bought, $85, Comp $100

Will Jesse’s heavy investment in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pay off? (look for SGA rookies on eBay)

Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse: Cards Sold

McCaffrey Rookie /100: Bought $36, Sold $80

Heinicke Contenders Auto: Bought $37, Sold $125

Heinicke Rookies and Stars Auto /50: Bought $19, Sold $100

John Wall Rated Rookie /25: Bought $14.58, Sold $100

Tylan Wallace 3 Card Lot: Bought $50.80, Comp $100

Matthew Stafford Contenders Rookie /99: Bought $43.06, Sold for $100

Jesse made a good profit off this Matthew Stafford Contenders Rookie (get one of your own on eBay)

Aaron Rodgers Bowman Rookie /200 SGC 8: Bought  $80.46, Sold $335

Nickeil Alexander-Walker  Donruss Auto /35: Bought, $51, Comp $125

Desmond Bane Absolute Auto: Bought, $23.02, Comp $50

And that means…

Investing In Sports Cards With Jesse: The Totals

Spent: $1,350

Held (Comps): $1,928

Sold: $1118

Value: $2,746

Profit: $1,395.28

Net: 203% increase

Now that NBA cards are moving, the profit could start jumping. I’m getting excited!

What will I be buying next week? Come back next week for the next update.