When A Card You Need Gets Held "Hostage" By The Seller

After hearing that the Upper Deck Series 1/2 would include 30th Anniversary 1/1 BuyBacks, I was really excited. A chance to add 'new' Jhonas Enroth cards from an Upper Deck product would be fantastic additions to my collection. After scrolling through the checklist for Series 2, it confirmed my initial hunch that I'd have 4 of these BuyBacks to search for. 

One of the four was found the other night...... but it looks like I will never own it, as it's now being held "hostage" on COMC for a ridiculous asking price.

As disappointed as I am, I know I am not alone. If you've been a player collector in this hobby for a number of years, chances are you've had this situation unfold once or twice: A seller gets hold of a card you need and immediately puts it up for sale with a super-duper-sky-high price that nobody, and I mean nobody, would ever pay. It's a sneaky tactic that shouts "I know you want it, but I have it, haha" or "I'm going to make you pay big for it" because they KNOW there is a market for this card.

The second option, within reason, I have no problems with, especially on higher-end cards that may invoke a premium price point, but for a simple buyback card of Enroth (no offence, Jhonas), it just isn't worth what the seller is putting down. Like, at all. It's worth $10-$20 at the most, probably, especially when comaring previous 30th Anniversary BuyBack sales since the initial release date.

While the seller who owns this card isn't He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named on COMC (we all know that guy I am talking about), it was eventually moved to another COMC port, which now holds this card up for sale with a 'bargain' price of $745 + Shipping. 

It's safe to say I've blocked the idea of ever owning this card. I will happily walk away from such a silly attempt at price gouging at this level for a hockey card. It's in your every right to sell cards for whatever amount you choose, don't get me wrong, but at least be realistic with it.

​Besides, from where I'm sitting (in a comfy black office chair in my office), there are still 3 more of these Jhonas Enroth Upper Deck 30th Anniversary BuyBacks for me to hunt for. If I ever land 1 of the remaining 3, I'll be sure to look back on the screenshot of this listing and.... smile. 

If you ever find yourself in this scenario with a card you need - Don't fall for these kinds of traps. 

Happy Collecting, 

- Aaron / creasecollector