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View Full Version : What's the best deal you've ever gotten?



BurlesonBlue
09-02-2011, 01:17 AM
Hey guys, new poster and long-time lurker here. I've always been captivated by the idea of collecting game used memorabilia, but, being a high school (now starting college) student, lord knows I couldn't really afford the hobby. But now, with getting some work, I've been able to put away a bit of money for an occasional purchase. Even then, I can't bring myself to go over $30. It limits my options, but hasn't stopped me from finding some really good items. But, I want more hope that the good deals are out there for those who are patient! Let this be a thread where you can share your best deal or cheap find.


I'll kick things off. In the Centurylink Field Team Store a few weeks ago, there was a bucket full of old locker room name plates, marked down to $5 each. Now, most of them were just camp fodder players of no note. But, I did find buried in there tags of Samie Parker and Steve McKinney. Turns out the longtime NFL vets never got in games with the Hawks after signing, but I think that just makes them more unique pieces.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6105489670_76245e052c_z.jpg

spartakid
09-02-2011, 01:38 AM
A's Fanfest has been very good to me over the past few years. I've been able to pick up Suzuki and Bailey jerseys for far below market value, but I think most noteworthy would be the helmets they sold a few years back for $5 apiece and last year for $20. Needless to say I picked up a good number of those! Deals are certainly out there, just have to know where to look and as you said, be patient.

kylehess10
09-02-2011, 01:54 AM
I've gotten tons of deals over the years, but I think my cheapest and best deal was a Brian McCann game worn hat that I bought directly from the Braves for $5. It's the only McCann hat I've ever seen.

ifirocked
09-02-2011, 02:31 AM
I just picked up the Lineup card from the Mets last win at Shea for $85. It came form the Marlins dugout.

millerbr
09-02-2011, 08:40 AM
I just bought a KU football jersey for $13 while they were selling the same year style on their website that went for $180. All because the seller mislabeled the title on ebay.

Shipp_96
09-02-2011, 09:09 AM
While living in Annapolis, I would go to the Naval Academies annual (then) Sale of the Century, and got the older style game worn screened jerseys for $5 a piece!

But besides that I got actual functional items for cheap, like a Patroit League Champions book bag for $3, NAVY worn football player jacket for $15.

There were no bad prices there, game worn cleats were $20 a pair (kick myself still for not getting those) and most game worn football jerseys for $75 a piece.

Skizzick
09-02-2011, 09:33 AM
Best deal I got was just a month ago at the 76ers Beach Bash. They sell off all their surplus game-issue and practice gear. Some of it used by the players. I picked up a Thaddeus Young used practice jersey for $10, and a pair of practice shorts that were worn by Allen Iverson for $15! Not to mention a bunch of game-issue jersey blanks for $10 a piece, which I sold for about ten times that.

Preston
09-02-2011, 09:39 AM
Best deal I've found was getting an Albert Haynesworth 2008 Titans game worn jersey w/ the 10th anniversary patch for $4.49 at a local Goodwill. (Was $4.99 but do I still have my college ID? Why yes!)

Dolphins23
09-02-2011, 01:26 PM
Best deal I've found was getting an Albert Haynesworth 2008 Titans game worn jersey w/ the 10th anniversary patch for $4.49 at a local Goodwill. (Was $4.99 but do I still have my college ID? Why yes!)

Pictures now please! :cool:

masp3392
09-02-2011, 01:42 PM
Best deal I've found was getting an Albert Haynesworth 2008 Titans game worn jersey w/ the 10th anniversary patch for $4.49 at a local Goodwill. (Was $4.99 but do I still have my college ID? Why yes!)

no F'n way! are you serious?

i'll 2nd dolphins request for pics

cjw
09-02-2011, 02:00 PM
Max McGee 1960's Packers home green, durene jjersey at a vintage clothing store last month - for $24!

http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u349/stealhome/5d2ee57e.jpg

Preston
09-02-2011, 11:21 PM
Pictures now please! :cool:

Here ya go!

Preston
09-02-2011, 11:25 PM
Here ya go!

Ironically they had it (you can barely see the yellow price tag on the jersey - yes it's still attached) listed as a small because they thought the "S" on the neck tag meant small. Since the thing is about 5 feet tall and is for a 6 foot 6, 330 lb guy, I would think small would be a little incorrect

Dolphins23
09-02-2011, 11:44 PM
haha thats a cool story piece preston. Never sell that bad boy! Love that patch too. Was always a fan of the titans anny patch. And a superstar player like that too! What a find my friend

Preston
09-02-2011, 11:50 PM
haha thats a cool story piece preston. Never sell that bad boy! Love that patch too. Was always a fan of the titans anny patch. And a superstar player like that too! What a find my friend

Definitely never selling it or removing the tag...as one who collects Titans gamers, this is one of the cool ones - I've picked up a few with the 10th anny patches but it's always cool to pick up stars!

Dolphins23
09-03-2011, 12:10 AM
haha or atleast an EX star :p

masp3392
09-03-2011, 12:24 AM
Here ya go!

lol wow that is too funny

what a steal

sox83cubs84
09-03-2011, 08:49 AM
The Cubs used to sell player-worn BP jerseys in one of Wrigley Fields team shops inside the ballpark on a "catch us if you can" basis. The sales boss, however, didn't apparently realize that these were player-used. In one summer, I got "Cuba" front Cubs GU BPs of Sammy Sosa and Ernie Banks (probably from an OTG) for $25 each.

BurlesonBlue...email me when you get a chance. I have a couple of M's items in your range.

Dave Miedema
sox83cubs84@hotmail.com

xpress34
09-03-2011, 10:01 AM
Currently my best was a FREEBIE!

The Colorado Rockies held their last Fantasy Camp @ Hi Corbett this year before opening camp at Salt River.

Two former Rockies superstars were on hand - Dante Bichette and Larry Walker - to help coach the campers.

After Fantasy Camp, a buddy of mine from Tucson went to Hi Corbett when they were cleaning out and obtained for me Larry Walkers camp used Nike Pro-Fit Work Out Tee and Shorts and his camp used Rockies hat along with his laundry 'loop' - all marked '33' (the laundry loop says Walker 33).

It's on the mannequin to the Right of the TV:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Basement/DSC07255.jpg

All the best -

Smitty

solarlottry
09-03-2011, 12:57 PM
For me this was a great deal although it was still over 1K. I found a Steve Young 1993 playoff shirt with team letter and nice use on craigslist for 1200$. Another time I found a 1990 Roger Craig away gamer with tons of repairs on eBay for 300$! Not the 25$ Preston paid for his Albert Haynesworth but still a couple great deals for me!

I also purchased a game used 1994 football with team letter which was signed by Jerry Rice for 200$ on eBay! That was a steal as just a signed football is usually more than that!

Always buying 49ers gamers and paying a juicy finders fee!
Paul
garciajones@yahoo.com

MikeSharon
09-03-2011, 01:15 PM
walking through the line at the national in chicgo in 1999? i found a guy with a 1963 Musial cracked bat it had been repaired so i ask him what he wanted for it and he said 600 as i was pulling out my wallet my heart finaly started beating again and i paid him and went back to our table

LEGEND33
09-03-2011, 01:25 PM
Chet "The Jet" Walker for 50 usd

LEGEND33
09-03-2011, 01:26 PM
Shaq practice for usd 41

yanks12025
09-03-2011, 01:29 PM
Mickey Mantle game used/game ready for $100

yanks12025
09-03-2011, 01:29 PM
That should read game used/game ready BAT.

godwulf
09-03-2011, 07:10 PM
A 2001 Danny Bautista World Series gamer for $46. The eBay seller listed it in the wrong category - "Autographs", because she'd included a signed photo in the deal.

A blue nylon manager's field jacket worn by Aurelio Rodriguez while coaching for Chihuahua in the Mexican League for $35. Purchased from a team employee he'd given it to, a couple of weeks before A.R. was killed.

71buc
09-03-2011, 07:36 PM
In May I lucked out and purchased 6.5 boxes of unopened 1976-77 topps baseketball cards for 140.00 (20.00 per box). I sold them for quite a bit more than that. The only game used items I picked up with those funds were the 2002 Pudge Rodriguez home jersey I posted earlier and a game used 1985 Reggie Jackson bat. The remainder went to cards and memorabilia to include PSA 5 rookie cards of Aaron and Clemente. Both of those items have been on my want list for longer than I can remember.

Dolphins23
09-03-2011, 09:12 PM
71buk they made baseketball cards?

71buc
09-03-2011, 09:48 PM
71buk they made baseketball cards?
Whoops my edjumacation is showing:o

Dolphins23
09-03-2011, 10:05 PM
lol when I read it at first I really thought you were talking about movie cards from base-ket-ball! Classic movie!

Dolphins23
09-03-2011, 10:06 PM
Koop would be proud, Squeeks would be aroused? :D

Preston
09-04-2011, 12:38 AM
Not the 25$ Preston paid for his Albert Haynesworth but still a couple great deals for me!


That's $4.49 buddy! lol...I wish they had had 4 more at that price to get me to $25.00!

G1X
09-04-2011, 03:12 AM
I have probably posted this story in the past, but I will share again since this is an appropriate topic.

In 1976, the WHA Toronto Toros moved to my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and were renamed the Bulls. The team's most well-known player was Frank Mahovlich who was winding down his Hall-of-Fame career as a member of the Bulls. Even though most of us had never seen an ice hockey game in person (most of us had never seen much ice except in a glass of tea), we all knew who the "Big M" was.

For those of you who collect hockey, you probably know that the Bulls kept the Toros logo, but soon switched from the traditional durene jerseys to mesh jerseys that were quite similar to mesh football jerseys of that era. The logo and stripes were screend-on much like football jerseys, and only the lettering on the nameplates was sewn-on.

Not long after the jersey switch, the team put the durene jerseys up for sale at the concession booths at the games. Luckily for me, I happened to be at the game when they first went on sale. By then, Mark Napier had become my favorite player, so I was hoping to find his jersey. There were 3 or 4 concession booths at the Civic Center, so I methodically went to each one to see if I could find a Napier.

I got to the final booth and there was still no Napier. However, to my surprise, there was a beautiful blue durene jersey of Mahovlich hanging on the wall. I asked the vendor the price of the jersey and he said, "Well, we're selling these things for $25, but this one is Frank Mahovlich, so it's going to cost more." I asked how much, and he replied, "Thirty-five dollars." A twenty, a ten, and a five were in the vendor's hands in record time!

The jersey was in my collection for about a year, but being a World Football League jersey collector, I traded the Mahovlich and a couple of Bulls jerseys with plates removed for a pile of WFL jerseys and cash. The trade was a great deal for me at the time, but in hindsight, not so good. As for the guy who made the trade for the Mahovlich, he might well say that this was the best deal he ever made!

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League and Atlanta Falcons jerseys, and any Willie McGee and Darren Lewis game-used items.

34swtns
09-04-2011, 01:25 PM
I won't divulge the price I paid so as not to keep reminding the fellow forum member who alerted me to this item, but.........

I got a 2005 Brian Urlacher game worn orange alternate jersey from an ebay seller who turned out to be a former Bears intern for WELL below market value. The seller also put me in touch with another intern who had some very nice items as well.

wsohlcano
09-07-2011, 08:31 PM
Brand spankin new to the board.

The best game used deal I ever got was a Nick Swisher Game Used wrist band for .99 cents.

Also got a couple pairs of Cano game used batting gloves for 59 bucks a pair. both gloved signed with 2009 wsc season inscriptions also. Not bad compared to what a single one goes for these day's


Look forward to being a member here.

You guys have some really great items.

RaiderNationPDX
01-23-2013, 11:59 PM
Figured this was worth reviving the thread. Picked this up for $6.99 at Goodwill after work today; it's no five buck Haynesworth, but fits perfect in my collection.

Signed, game-used (infield dirt stains on numeral - flash washes those out) 2008-tagged Portland Beavers home alternate jersey. Matched up the signature and the number to Shawn Wooten, who played a few short stints in the major leagues before ending his career with the Beavers. Probably the best seven bucks I've spent in a while.

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020654.jpg

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020655.jpg

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020657.jpg

BurlesonBlue
01-24-2013, 04:20 AM
Figured this was worth reviving the thread. Picked this up for $6.99 at Goodwill after work today; it's no five buck Haynesworth, but fits perfect in my collection.

Signed, game-used (infield dirt stains on numeral - flash washes those out) 2008-tagged Portland Beavers home alternate jersey. Matched up the signature and the number to Shawn Wooten, who played a few short stints in the major leagues before ending his career with the Beavers. Probably the best seven bucks I've spent in a while.

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020654.jpg

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020655.jpg

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020657.jpg

Now that's a heck of a catch. Almost makes you wonder who has an autographed, game-used jersey, and just throws it in the bag to give to Goodwill.

madlab7
01-24-2013, 10:59 AM
Best deal I ever got was at a flea market and was a 1973 Twins gamer or Frank Quilici. Was a whopping 3 dollars!

mook03005
01-24-2013, 11:25 AM
I bought a 1994 Mike Timlin Road grey Blue Jays jersey autographed off ebay for 19.99. Horribly dark pictures and a bad description was the reason why I think it went so low. The jersey was simply beautiful when i got it in the mail, I think it was a set 2 and showed lots of use. I ended up selling the jersey for 250.00 to a fellow in japan.

Joel_Brock
01-24-2013, 06:37 PM
Years ago, I bought a Nolan Ryan rookie at a show for $12. Dealer tried suing me saying he wanted $1200 and it was marked wrong. Ended up selling it and giving the proceeds to charity.

godwulf
01-25-2013, 11:24 AM
Picked up a Brant Brown bat in a Phoenix thrift shop for $3.99. I didn't even know who BB was at the time, but it offended me that anybody's gamer was sitting on a thrift shop shelf with a bunch of crap. Later sold it to another board member for what I paid + postage, who ended up mailing it back to me to get it signed during the Fall League.

Speaking of Fall League, I paid $34.95 for the jersey Chris Speier wore while managing the Scottsdale Scorpions in 1998. The lady who was selling it on eBay had no clue it was a gamer - thought it was just a souvenier, and had it listed under Used Clothing.

marino13
01-25-2013, 11:44 AM
$20 and did not even check on the hologram until I got home.

Not bad at all.

59996

Mattapan03
01-25-2013, 12:07 PM
I picked up an alternate red game worn 2008 Jon Rauch Nationals jersey, with the new stadium patch for a mere $24.

To this day, probabaly my biggest heist.

moo5100@yahoo.com
01-25-2013, 03:32 PM
I got a Chris Carter GU jersey from A's fanfest for $40. It has the holo and was photomatched to his first career homer

RaiderNationPDX
01-27-2013, 01:05 AM
Apparently lightning does strike twice. Different Goodwill, different city, three days later, and I pick up another game worn Portland Beavers jersey; this one's a 2006-tagged Strike Out Breast Cancer jersey. Don't know who wore #3 for the Beavers in '06 - if you know, I'd appreciate the heads-up - but do know these were worn August 13, 2006 against the Tacoma Rainiers, and were auctioned off after the game. Pretty ecstatic about grabbing both of these in the same week, though I did have to pay $9.99 for this one instead of the $6.99 for the last one. Still 80-90% off what I'd have paid on eBay.

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020658.jpg

http://alex-d-burson.com/P1020659.jpg

OaklandAsFan
01-27-2013, 03:16 PM
got a Micah Owings 2011 NLDS used bat at the 2012 fanfest garage sale for 30 bucks
also got the bat Justin Upton used to hit his first career post season HR for $155 (a steal IMO) at a gameday auction during game 4 of the 2011 NLDS after he broke it in game 3

sicollector1954
01-27-2013, 04:57 PM
Got a single signed Mel Ott baseball signed in the 40's on a Ford Frick official ball for $1000.00. Sold it and paid for a semester of college for my daughter for $10,000.00.

gkdannecker@yahoo.com
02-02-2013, 11:53 PM
Ruben Brown rookie jersey that is hammered and custom for 35 dollars. Holiday times are great on eBay.

gadsden86
02-03-2013, 03:27 PM
I was lucky enough to get a pair of Game worn cleats from one of my favorite past dolphins in an auction.
The auction stated they were signed nothing about use. I won them for under 30 dlvd.
They still had grass on the bottom and were noted on the side what team he used them agesnt.
Here are the pics.
Adawale Ogunleye
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/Gadsden86/PC%20Dont%20ask%20Unless%20i%20offer/Dolphins%20%20NFT/Autoed%20Memorabilia/ogunleyeshoes.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/Gadsden86/PC%20Dont%20ask%20Unless%20i%20offer/Dolphins%20%20NFT/Autoed%20Memorabilia/leftshoewrighting.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/Gadsden86/PC%20Dont%20ask%20Unless%20i%20offer/Dolphins%20%20NFT/Autoed%20Memorabilia/undershoe1.jpg
Pic of him wearing them.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/Gadsden86/PC%20Dont%20ask%20Unless%20i%20offer/Dolphins%20%20NFT/Autoed%20Memorabilia/2535216_zps4e55081b.jpg

sox83cubs84
02-03-2013, 05:11 PM
One of many, from a Cubs tent sale in the mid-1990s: a 1992 Cubs BP jersey of Mark Grace for $25. A friend had the shirt and looked it over, but put it back, and I instantly pounced on it.

Dave Miedema

stepback_antiques
02-24-2013, 04:35 AM
My top deals were a 1959 Richie Asburn game used bat bought at an antique store for $18.00, a 1960's Don Kessinger game used bat purchased at another antique store for $17.00, a Johnny Bench game used Bicentennial bat, bought for $15.00. The original owner bought it at a Goodwill store and told me he paid $5.00. He was happy to sell it for $15.00, and made a ten dollar profit.My last good deal was a 1963 Chicago Cubs scorecard signed by Roberto Clemente, Ernie Banks, and several other players. The price, $25.00. It was scored, and Clemente hit a grand slam.

godwulf
02-24-2013, 10:45 AM
got a Micah Owings 2011 NLDS used bat at the 2012 fanfest garage sale for 30 bucks

That's the same sale where I picked up the bat Josh Collmenter got his first (and so far only) postseason hit with, for $40. I've been thinking that I'd take it out to the ballpark sometime this season and ask Josh if he wants it...and if he does, I'll offer to trade it to him for a different gamer. It's nice to have an historic bat, and all, but I think a player should have that stuff if they want it, and it will likely mean a whole lot more to him than to me.

Mark17
02-24-2013, 11:26 AM
In 1988 I set up at a small card show in San Francisco. I was selling 100-count lots of Topps cards, and I also had some 1986 Traded sets, which were selling pretty well at $15 each.

A guy across the room had a Twins banner from 1961, when the team first moved to Minnesota. It looked pretty cool, but I didn't think it was particularly valuable. He said he lived in the Twin Cities in '61 and had been at the Leamington hotel when the Twins were introduced, and that he'd personally gotten the banner following the event.

He was asking $50 I believe. Anyway, at the beginning of the 2 day show I asked him, if it was still there at the end, would he sell it to me for $20 and he said he would. So, I spent that entire show looking back over my shoulder to see if it was still there...

When the show ended I got a flurry of business, with dealers buying cards from me to sell at their next shows. The fellow with the banner came up and offered to trade the banner for two of the '86 Traded sets, but I said I'd rather just give him the $20. So, that's what we did.

Much later, around 2003 I think, I needed some money to buy a used car. I sold the banner for $1,200. So, that would rank as my best deal of all-time, and one of my favorite memories.

sox83cubs84
02-25-2013, 01:05 PM
I got a Cubs spring training minor league BP-style jersey from the early 1990s in a trade with a NOB of SEHORN. The seller had no clue who it was, and I had an idea, but wasn't sure. I acquired it, researched it, and discovered my guess was accurate...it was worn by Jason Sehorn (later a star DB with the NFL New York Giants) worn in his brief career as a Cubs minor leaguer.

Dave Miedema

toddhead
05-09-2013, 06:43 AM
I found a University of Hawaii game used football helmet with massive use for $5 at a yard sale.

I also once purchased a lot of 4 Kraft Quarterbacks of the Century Plaques for $25. The pictures in the auction were horrible, but it looked they could be signed, so I bought it and it turned out they were. Each plaque had one signature... one each for Montana, Unitas, Marino, and Elway. Not too shabby for $25...

Nnunnari
05-09-2013, 04:13 PM
My top deals were a 1959 Richie Asburn game used bat bought at an antique store for $18.00, a 1960's Don Kessinger game used bat purchased at another antique store for $17.00, a Johnny Bench game used Bicentennial bat, bought for $15.00. The original owner bought it at a Goodwill store and told me he paid $5.00. He was happy to sell it for $15.00, and made a ten dollar profit.My last good deal was a 1963 Chicago Cubs scorecard signed by Roberto Clemente, Ernie Banks, and several other players. The price, $25.00. It was scored, and Clemente hit a grand slam.

Bench Bicentennial for $15? That would definitely fall in the good deal category. Don't let Ben hear that.

timb69
05-09-2013, 08:37 PM
$45 delivered off ebay. Authentic (not premier) and autographed:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/Gh0sTeR/Sports%20Cards/HOCKEY/IMG_2977.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/Gh0sTeR/media/Sports%20Cards/HOCKEY/IMG_2977.jpg.html)


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/Gh0sTeR/Sports%20Cards/HOCKEY/IMG_2980.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/Gh0sTeR/media/Sports%20Cards/HOCKEY/IMG_2980.jpg.html)

timb69
05-09-2013, 08:43 PM
Also, got this at a local Goodwill a few months back. $5.99 - Authentic Kenyon Martin, fully stitched.


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/Gh0sTeR/Wearable%20Jerseys/IMG_3175.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/Gh0sTeR/media/Wearable%20Jerseys/IMG_3175.jpg.html)


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/Gh0sTeR/Wearable%20Jerseys/IMG_3177.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/Gh0sTeR/media/Wearable%20Jerseys/IMG_3177.jpg.html)



http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g267/Gh0sTeR/Wearable%20Jerseys/IMG_3176.jpg (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/Gh0sTeR/media/Wearable%20Jerseys/IMG_3176.jpg.html)

joe27
05-09-2013, 09:10 PM
I got 4 AHL game worn Lowell Lock Monsters jerseys off craigslist for 200 total. Couple months later sold 2 of them for 400 so I'd say I got a pretty good deal on them.

Wrigley2010
05-10-2013, 01:48 AM
Great stuff in this thread!! The best deal I've ever got would be a B.J. Upton Louisville Slugger gamer and pair of his game issued cleats for $50. I also landed a dozen Johnny Damon MLB authenticated signed baseballs for $5.85 each the same day.