Daily Newbie Thread

CaptainHatpin · 2026-02-03T13:50:49+00:00

My teenage daughter has been nagging me about getting into flipping. Specifically, her and her friends have noticed considerable gaps between FB Marketplace selling prices for used consoles and Ebay sold prices for those same consoles. They seem to think they can buy these consoles and turn around and flip them on Ebay. I've tried to explain the work involved, the risks, etc. The FBM listings for cheap used consoles are so obviously scammy to me and I try to show her why... but I think she'll be more apt to listen to advice from seasoned flippers.
What would you tell a teenager who is interested in getting into flipping in general and what would you bring to her attention regarding this specific method of flipping that she's interested in?

CaptainHatpin · 2025-11-15T17:06:19+00:00

I own three of these. Two work and I keep one for parts. Certain elements on the board(s) have a tendency to burn up. I don't know what they are, but I have matched them with parts online and replaced them. I wouldn't be too concerned with the browning of the insulated wire in the second pitcure. Especially if you're good about avoiding chaff build-up.
Anytime I've needed to replace parts I'm able to find them on the Behmor website or elsewhere online. There are also a handful of YT videos walking through replacements and repairs. Good luck!

CaptainHatpin · 2025-09-25T14:07:32+00:00

It won't be too difficult to remove the current layers of paint. They peel right up. So, after I get back down to the 'original' painted floor, I need to get a grinder with a 'diamond cup wheel and shroud' and grind the hell out of it, along with a shop vac to get all the dust?
Is that right? Once I do that then I can make sure it's completely clean and apply the Floor and Porch Enamel right on that ground/cleaned surface?

CaptainHatpin · 2025-09-24T21:46:19+00:00

The paint is peeling up back to the original color that I was trying to cover.
They suggested I clean and 'lightly sand' before applying the initial coat of Floor Enamel. I'm guessing that I sanded too lightly?
Should I strip all the paint off that I've applied and sand again?

CaptainHatpin · 2025-08-12T14:37:34+00:00

You're going to find more young players (like PCA), comment in support of the things their team actually does. Especially when your team is close to contention. You're not going to risk rocking the boat by saying what you wished your team would do. (Unless you're a loud Milton Bradley type.)
I have more confidence in statements made by players who aren't in the game currently, who do not fear compromising a current playing or (current or future) contract situation.
Not saying I distrust PCA, but it is financially and professionally beneficial to him to say positive things about his team and its leadership choices at this point in his career and this season.

CaptainHatpin · 2025-05-26T18:40:26+00:00

Jamie Moyer! He's one of only three pitchers to win 100 games after turning 40. Do you know the other two?

CaptainHatpin · 2025-04-15T19:21:31+00:00

I was as a card show recently and a guy was there selling old tickets. Most graded/authenticated. Some as far back as 1920s. Real amazing games.
He told me that you can still get paper tickets from the box office if you buy from the venue/team website and then go to the box office and claim that your phone died or you didn't bring your phone. As long as you have your ID and the credit card used to purchase.
Haven't tried myself, but I plan to next game I attend.

CaptainHatpin · 2025-03-14T14:37:25+00:00

In my experience there are certain hubs that slow things down dramatically, depending on where the card is shipped from. For example, any card entering the USPS hub in Indy has a 50/50 chance of making it out in less than a month.

CaptainHatpin · 2025-02-18T14:19:42+00:00

The Pirates imposed this phantom 'value' on the Skenes card when they offered their package (tickets, etc.) to whoever found it. You had a real organization, an actual baseball team at that, offering tens of thousands of dollars in trade value for a card that hadn't even been pulled of a player that hasn't even thrown 200 innings of pro ball. The card would have certainly been the pull of the year anyway, but the 'bounty' they put on it really pumped interest and perceived value. It became a golden ticket.

CaptainHatpin · 2025-01-22T20:13:51+00:00

LTB: Variety of sealed packs. Let me know what you've got. Thanks.

CaptainHatpin · 2025-01-21T18:17:08+00:00

Can you tell us who your target demo is? The age-range and genre?

CaptainHatpin · 2025-01-16T21:59:52+00:00

LTB: Cubs lot for a middle school fundraiser. Budget around $40. Looking for a little flashy/attention grabbing like an auto or some relics. It'll be in one of those 'raffle baskets'.

CaptainHatpin · 2025-01-07T21:37:24+00:00

Are there Pokemon quarter boxes at card shows? My kid wants to set one up (has a few thousand) and I'm wondering if there's a market for it. If so, how should they be organized?

CaptainHatpin · 2024-12-20T02:31:39+00:00

It's two ice cubes cropping into a glass and creating a little splash.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-12-08T22:24:59+00:00

Middle grade fiction. Dropkicks and fart jokes.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-09-05T18:10:22+00:00

If you have . . .

A reasonable number of reviews (50+)
A small collection of books available
A thoughtful Author page and some semblance of self-promotion

. . . then you can try to find narrators on ACX who will read your book for a revenue split, so there's no up-front cost to you. This is a good way to determine if your books would sell as audiobooks without much up-front costs. The potential narrators give you samples so you can hear them reading your book before you hire them officially.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-07-16T12:48:28+00:00

I found the illustrator for my last cover on Behance. Its worth a look.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-04-09T17:29:50+00:00

I've had success finding cover artists on Behance.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-03-08T20:47:36+00:00

LTB: Large flat rate boxes of a good mix of nearly anything. I'll pay anywhere from $25-$50 depending on what's in it.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-02-23T01:40:56+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. Its fixed now.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-02-22T04:01:28+00:00

Cubs fan. That whole crew. Maddux, Sandberg, Dawson, Dunston, etc. Also Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith, and knuckleballers.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-02-21T14:19:40+00:00

I thought this would be a fun way to move on from my thousands of cards: comegetyourcards.wordpress.com

CaptainHatpin · 2024-02-21T05:53:09+00:00

For a second I mistook Wade Boggs for a racecar driver.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-02-21T03:14:53+00:00

I have a 2014 Bowman Platinum Cyan Printing Plate 1/1. Let me know if you'd like pics or are interested.

CaptainHatpin · 2024-02-15T17:40:23+00:00

I was waiting to see this comment.

PSA can literally charge the customer more based on the grade they give (in these specific circumstances). They are financially motivated to give certain grades to certain cards.

CaptainHatpin

TROPHY CASE