I was first introduced to eBay back in 1998, when I moved back to Denver. A buddy of mine in Detroit got me back into collecting sportscards (we would hit shows around Detroit all the time), and I started building a few basketball sets. The internet was still in its infancy then, but he had found a great way to to make a few extra bucks.
We'd be at a show, and he would look for high-value cards that were "out of place". By that, I mean that he didn't pay much attention to the valuable local big stars, but would instead focus on big name stars from other cities. While I was trying to fill holes in my Grant Hill rookie cards collection (in Detroit, no less!), he would look for Atlanta Braves pitchers, or Terrell Davis cards. He'd then get a smoking deal on a card(s) with high "book value", but little chance for the current owner to get anything close to that value.
Then he would go home, and get on his computer. He found this "eBay" thing, would list the cards he got at rock-bottom prices, and have 15 guys in Atlanta battling at auction to get his cheaply acquired Greg Maddux card.
Sheer brilliance.
When I moved back to the Mile High City, I got my first internet-connected computer, got on eBay, and was amazed. Not only could I find the cards I needed to fill in holes in my collections, I got them at deep discounts from the "retail" prices I was seeing at shows. A true win-win. I also found it cool that I was buying/selling items from all over the World. I've bought cards and sold cards to people in Japan, China, Austria, Australia, and Germany. I never would have been able to buy cards in person from those guys!
I got out of collecting, as life has a way of moving you in different directions over the years. Right before the little Duper's 6th birthday, I had an idea for a little gift for her. Her love affair with Rockies Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is well-documented, so I thought I would find a special card or two of his for her. I was able to score some unique cards (one has a thin slice of a game-used bat, one has a piece of a game-worn jersey, and one has a certified signature), put them in a protective holder, and she was overjoyed. Now she can touch a shirt he once wore, a bat he once swung in a game, and hold a card she knows he actually held. Pretty cool for her.
That search for her made me pull down some dusty binders, and rediscover the cards I was chasing back in the late 90's. A quick search of eBay showed me that not only are the cards still "out there", but obtainable at reasonable prices. I've been watching and bidding, picking up missing cards here and there, and enjoying the hobby again.
It's also made me appreciate eBay again. The fetching Mrs. P and I were looking for some things for the little Duper for Christmas, but had no clue where to find them. A desk globe? Found a vintage one on Ebay that was twice as cool as the new ones in the store, for half the price. A wall map of the United States? A multitude of options, better selection, lower cost. And I didn't have to get in my car. Lego Star Wars stuff? Lots of choices, low, low prices.
So thanks, eBay.
I had forgotten about you, old friend. I'm glad we reconnected.
