While there has been several celebrities who have died and had certified autographs of theirs end up on eBay within hours, the exploitation of Nick Adenhart’s death that we are witnessing on eBay is nothing short of disgraceful.
The moment I found out about the Angels pitcher’s death, I went on eBay and found just two cards listed at more than $30 dollars. Less than 24 hours later, there is more than 1,500 listings with several low-numbered and “1 of 1″ cards popping up left and right.
What’s even worse is the “fans” who have unloaded all their in-person autographs trying to make a quick buck. So this is how collectors repay Nick’s generosity? By unloading everything you own to make some quick cash? Check out this collector who unloaded his prospect stash just in time to make $2,000 dollars.
If you are a true Angels and/or Adenhart fan, obviously right now is not the time to buy unless you have money to burn. Once the media coverage dies down in a couple of days you can expect some of his cards to come back down to Earth. While his cards, especially his autograph will never again come this cheap again, this sudden spike in prices will not last much longer.
You can view a mugshot of the man responsible for Nick’s death, HERE.
Some other blogs have been getting cruel anonymous comments urging to take advantage and sell sell sell while the going is good. I’ll see if I can find a link.
http://fanofreds.blogspot.com/2009/04/rip-nick-adenhart-and-why-our-prayers.html
It never fails and this type of opportunism makes me sick and contributes to The Hobby getting a bad wrap in main stream press
First of all, let me say that I don’t collect baseball so I’m not selling anything. I think there are some levels to the insanity whenever someone passes away. There are some people who list an item because they know people will be looking for that person and don’t mention the death at all in the title or description. There are the true vultures that put in RIP or dec in the title and/or make sure their description plays off the death. When those two NFL players went missing in that boating accident, you could buy memorial stickers for them. Imagine MAKING something to capitalize on the death (even though at the time, they were considered missing but presumed dead)–that’s even worse in my opinion. I think that the prices on him will drop in coming years. He did not have the chance to make himself well-known and after the hype goes away, so will the high prices. What’s hard to know is the intent of these sellers. I know they all want to sell stuff, but is one person selling because they are only thinking of money? Is someone selling because they have lost a job or need the money? Or, did some prospector spend hundreds of dollars on cards for someone and realize that their “stocks” are only going to be decreasing in “value”?
Disgusting.
I’m all against selling off TTM autos, but I fully understand prospectors trying to unload their cards. Some people have hundreds if not thousands invested in certain players. I’m not sure at this point who would be buying, however. It’s kinda one of those situations where the bottom has fallen out completely and like you mentioned, buyers are only purchasing based on media attention.
I’m not suprised. I never checked out on eBay, but one of my first thoughts was, people are going to be flocking to eBay after this.
Filthy pigs. Its unfortunate, and sad at the same time.
I think Giambi rapped it up the best http://themojohand.blogspot.com/
I’m simultaneously sad and pleased that mine went for $4: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160315290073
As for those people selling off their in-person autographs? That’s just plain awful.
Tell me again why anyone is surprised? This happens every single time. People just want to make money where they can, and for some reason, there are people to buy. Im not sure why you would want any of his stuff unless you are a fan or Angels fan, thats why it doesnt make sense. It is still not at all surprising, however.
I can understand why people are selling but who is buying? Just wait a month and his cards will be cheap again and you can still remember him and pay homage.
Remember Cory Lidle? His cards saw a spike after his death, so it’s no surprise that the same is happening here. Give it 6 months and you can probably find those same cards for half the price.
If you guys want to insult sellers for selling Adenhart yesterday and today, well, have at it. I’m one of them. I sold a Stadium Club auto BIN, have another three Stadium Club autos up now, and I sold an auto ball last night as well.
It’s a tragedy that he died, but I’d be an idiot to sit on his stuff while it peaks. What good would that do? Would it bring Adenhart back to life? Sure wouldn’t.
I think putting “RIP” or “dec” in the title or listing is not only tacky, but completely pointless. The people who want Adenhart stuff right now aren’t reading auction listings. They know he died, that’s why they are after his stuff. Writing an auction listing about how he died and all that is a waste of time and effort.
I don’t understand why anyone would buy now. Thankfully, however, there is an endless supply of fools out there who are more than willing to pump a whole bunch of money into the hobby whenever their foolish whims strike.
I guess I just don’t understand the outrage here.
i would like to have a card of nick, not for sale purposes though. what a shame, bunch of money crazed scum.
I’m a backdoor Angels fan and this is truly a tragedy. I have a few Adenharts, but nothing great. I could probably make a few bucks off them, but that goes against everything I have ever learned in life. Rest in piece Nick. It was truly too early.
Is it really necessary to refer to fellow collectors, especially ones POSTING IN THIS VERY THREAD as “scum”?
Grow up already.
Like you, I went on Ebay to see all the greedy/disgraceful people and I wasn’t shocked at what I saw. I agree with you completely. It’s a shame that people look to make money off of a situation like this.
no i am not calling you scum! i am calling the people who are selling his cards for thousands of dollars scum! people are making money off of this poor man’s death! the people who do that are scum! c’mon man….
save it for the PM guys …..
Just because you can make money doesn’t make it something good.