Finally, a ceiling has been established for Batum RC's

It occurs to me now how running this site and collecting cards in general has really shored up my OCD into a a neat sports-crazed package.  Every day I wake up I have the same routine.  Here it is:

1)  Boot up computer
2)  Check site for any comments that need a response
3)  Check 3 different email accounts
4)  Check my fantasy baseball team
5)  Check ebay for Batum RC's
6)  Make breakfast
7)  Watch exactly 20 minutes of SportsCenter or MLB Network
8)  Finally get out the door to work

Most of this would seem quite obvious.  Of course you make breakfast in the morning.  And of course you can't leave the house without watching some SportsCenter.  But really, a day doesn't pass that I don't check ebay for Batum RC's.  It's kind of troubling when you think about it.  I was really freaking out when my monitor went out.  I kept having these thoughts that a great RC came up and I wasn't able to see it.

If there is anybody who knows the value and the tendencies of a Batum card, it's me.  There is a seller out there who has a Batum Bowman refractor listed at $11.  And it's still sitting there after a couple of months.  If he lowered that price five dollars, he'd have sold it...two months ago.  If only he knew what I know, he could've saved himself some time.

And as it is for any player collector, there is still the unknown element - when it comes to rarer cards especially - that make the whole thing exciting and terrifying all at once.  For example, there hasn't yet been a Bowman Red of Batum listed, so who knows what that will sell for.  I've seen three printing plates of Batum come and go.  And I've seen just about every other common and uncommon listed that you could imagine.

But as it is for most collectors, the true mark of a player's worth is the Exquisite Autograph.  And Batum's Exquisite stuff has been...high.  Higher than I can hope to afford.  One awesome seller even sold a group of 4 Exquisite Autos in one bundle.  Pretty much ensuring that nobody on a budget will ever get that lot.  Thanks a lot, man.

But for the last couple of days, a seller has finally listed an Exquisite auto with a Buy It Now listing.  This is the first I've seen without auction.  And he's selling it for $150.  It's been up for a few days with no takers.  And so, we've come to the point to where this seller has officially built the ceiling on Batum's most desired card.  And it's not bad.  At this point in his career, $150 is still doable.  It's not in my price range at the moment, but it's good to know that I'm not looking at a Tyreke Evans or a Kobe Bryant price point.

Now, if that price point could just last until taxes roll around again.....I might be in business.