Why Auctions and Comps in the Card Market Are Misleading

Jun 13, 2025

Why Auctions and Comps in the Card Market Are Misleading

Auctions are often seen as a fair way to determine an item’s "true value," but I strongly disagree—they’re far from reliable. Many people still trust auctions to reflect an accurate market price, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is, auctions are ripe for manipulation and heavily influenced by factors beyond an item’s actual worth.

What “True Value” Really Means

The concept of "true value" is subjective and can be viewed from three perspectives: what the seller hopes to receive, what the buyer is willing to pay, and what the market appears to dictate. Ultimately, though, value lies with the owner.

The buyer has a budget and a desired price, but if no deal is reached, the seller keeps the item, and the buyer keeps their money. In most cases, the seller has the financial stability to hold onto the item without worry. So, does an auction truly reveal an item’s value? Not at all.

Why Auctions Don’t Produce Reliable Pricing

Auctions are chaotic, driven by variables like timing, audience size, and item placement, none of which are tightly controlled. A valuable trading card might sell for a low price—not because it’s worthless, but because it’s buried under a flood of high-profile listings.

On the flip side, a low-value card can be hyped up through shill bidding or bought at an inflated price by a diehard fan, a wealthy buyer who doesn’t care about cost, or someone trying to artificially pump the market before a big season. It’s just a snapshot of a manipulated moment.

How “Comps” Get Abused

Comps (comparable sales) are often leaned on only when it benefits someone’s agenda. They lack clear boundaries or criteria to distinguish valid from invalid sales, making them vulnerable to manipulation.

• Inflating comps by colluding to buy and sell the same card at escalating prices
• Depressing comps by flooding lowball sales to tank perceived value
• Repurchasing inventory cheaply after manipulating price direction

This isn’t speculation—it’s a known tactic at card shows and online platforms. Some bidders appear to compete but are actually working together to influence price perception.

Comparison to Other Markets

In real estate or the stock market, "pump and dump" schemes are illegal and subject to strict oversight. In the card market, there is little formal regulation, which makes manipulation easier.

Who Gets Hurt

• New collectors overpay when comps are inflated
• Seasoned collectors struggle when comps are artificially depressed
• The hobby becomes less trustworthy for honest buyers and sellers

Final Thoughts

While not every auction or comp is manipulated, many are unreliable at best. They reflect who understands how to work the system—not necessarily an item’s true worth. Collectors should be cautious about treating auction results as definitive market value.

Tarek "Otis" Maalouf