The main problem with an online guide that I see is access. Assuming that subscribers would be given a user name and password, what's to prevent subscriber John Doe from giving out his user name and password to his friends? And if more than one person does that, then there are even more people accessing the site for free versus those who legitimately pay for the guide. I'm not certain NSU has the resources to monitor subscribers' ISP addresses. Even if they did, what if a legitimate subscriber wants to look at the guide from a computer other than one at home?

Besides, a printed version of the price guide is really handy at card shows. Yes, you could print out the online guide, but if it's already printed, why bother? I like tucking the new, separate price guide inside my binder along with my want list.

Lastly, I don't think now is the time to be asking NSU to spend money; not in this economic environment and the loss of Inkworks' advertising income.

I visit sites that require payment and member login (for example, a couple of sites that offer pumpkin carving patterns). Precisely because I have to pay for the access, I won't give out my user info so someone else can get free patterns. I can also access the sites from any computer.

By the way, I'm not asking NSU to spend money. I just wanted to propose a possible solution, for some point in the future, to provide readers with access to info that for space reasons can no longer be included in the guide. If enough people are interested, it could make some money.

I can definately see both the pros and cons of an online price guide. It's definately an intriguing notion and I hope that at least on some level, NSU is considering it and pursuing it (maybe in conjuntion with a way for users to print out their wants/needs lists - user checks certain boxes in the guide that he needs, it prints out a list of those items with "current" value listed as an easy way to go to shows with a handy dandy list)

quote:

Originally posted by Kennywood:

Besides, a printed version of the price guide is really handy at card shows.

Could you explain why?

The dealer wants $5, you either pay it or you don't. It makes no diffrence to anyone what the price in the NSU guide says.

quote:

Originally posted by wolfie:

quote:

Originally posted by Kennywood:

Besides, a printed version of the price guide is really handy at card shows.

Could you explain why?

The dealer wants $5, you either pay it or you don't. It makes no diffrence to anyone what the price in the NSU guide says.

Suppose I see a card that I know I don't have, but whose value I don't know. The dealer wants $50 for it. I look in my price guide and see that the card is listed for $20. Now I at least have an idea that the dealer's card MAY be overpriced. Rather than automatically hand over $50, I now know that I might want to look around more before doing so.

Also, the printed version is a handy checklist for some sets. Before going to a show, I can check off the cards, so I don't mistakenly buy those cards (which I have occasionally done).

I am happy with NSU as it is!!! I think it now contains something for everyone (or almost everyone). As a promo collector, I would not like to see the promos eliminated nor would I like to see the toy cards eliminated; I can live with the cards that have the least activity being eliminated and if they start becoming active again well, nothing is carved in stone!!

Well, that's my 2 cents worth.....fran

Have you tried this, true story.

Years ago now at a show i saw a guy take out the NSU price guide and tell a dealer that he was trying to rip him off because the guide said the card was only worth £10.

Listening to the dealer telling the guy where to stick his price guide is a scene that has stayed with me forever.

How about taking the online idea to the next level: make it available for cell phones and for iPods via an application. Then you've got the entire thing AND it's portable.

HELLO!
I'd deff. get in on my ipod touch!

In all honesty though I do think that it would be better to have an online guide etc.
I think it is one or the other though, no point in having it online, than on trees.

Perhaps this is a way to make a green-move just a thought....

I like the new format of the guide.I have been a collector and really don't look at the price guide unless I am looking for a particular card to buy.I enjoy reading the magazine articles and tend to do that first.I would not be adverse to having some form of guide online but I don't think it would or could ever replace the real magazine. Beckett sports guides are $6.00 a month for the basic and $24.00 to track your collection.The various gaming card guides and comic guides are also not online.

The guide is just that a guide. Useful for trading but if I see a card I really want that is priced more than the guide I still buy it. It is nice when you purchase something cheaper than the guide price I peronally would not pay any additional premium either with the magazine or on-line for a more comprehensive guide