Lee Asher Jerry's Nuggets Sale 2013

[blastercast]

Hello guys!
I visit Lee Asher's site most days and yesterday noticed he's announced a date for the first sale of 72 decks!
The date is....
The 30Th of May at 9PM EST!
Or for us UK people it;s 3AM on the 31st of May
I hope you're all as excited as me for this and he is announcing prices before April ends
http://www.leeasher.com/playing_cards/jerrys_nugget/index.html
-Benny

[Michael]

Hello guys!
I visit Lee Asher's site most days and yesterday noticed he's announced a date for the first sale of 72 decks!
The date is....
The 30Th of May at 9PM EST!
Or for us UK people it;s 3AM on the 31st of May
I hope you're all as excited as me for this and he is announcing prices before April ends
http://www.leeasher.com/playing_cards/jerrys_nugget/index.html
-Benny

I'm definitely excited! If the structure is like last year's sale, I'm hoping I can manage to get them cheapest (doubtful though)

[Don Boyer]

Hello guys!
I visit Lee Asher's site most days and yesterday noticed he's announced a date for the first sale of 72 decks!
The date is....
The 30Th of May at 9PM EST!
Or for us UK people it;s 3AM on the 31st of May
I hope you're all as excited as me for this and he is announcing prices before April ends
http://www.leeasher.com/playing_cards/jerrys_nugget/index.html
-Benny

If it is indeed at 9:00pm Eastern (that would be EDT, as in Eastern Daylight Time, since EST, or Eastern Standard Time, doesn't occur again until the first Sunday in November), then it would be at 01:00 Greenwich Mean Time, or 2:00am London Summer Time.  Try buying at 3:00am and you'll miss it! 

I'm definitely excited! If the structure is like last year's sale, I'm hoping I can manage to get them cheapest (doubtful though)

Didn't he sell off more of them last year?  He did mention on the site there'd be TWO purchasing windows this year.  Perhaps half now, half later?

Either way, the odds of getting in at the cheapest tier are really slim.  I'm not even going to attempt it.  Even if I did get one of the cheap decks, it's more than I'd be willing to pay.

[Michael]

I'm definitely excited! If the structure is like last year's sale, I'm hoping I can manage to get them cheapest (doubtful though)

Didn't he sell off more of them last year?  He did mention on the site there'd be TWO purchasing windows this year.  Perhaps half now, half later?

Either way, the odds of getting in at the cheapest tier are really slim.  I'm not even going to attempt it.  Even if I did get one of the cheap decks, it's more than I'd be willing to pay.

If memory serves me right, he did sell more off last year. And if by chance I did get the cheapest tier, it won't even be close to cheap but I would highly consider buying them. Never had the pleasure of even touching a pair of these. To own them would be amazing! Plus, I figure, if people can pay $100 for an uncut that just gets hung on a wall, why not a deck you'd actually use (WARNING: by no means am I implying I'd ever pay $100 for just any deck. I'd just heavily consider this due to the history and it being our "holy grail.").

[Don Boyer]

If memory serves me right, he did sell more off last year. And if by chance I did get the cheapest tier, it won't even be close to cheap but I would highly consider buying them. Never had the pleasure of even touching a pair of these. To own them would be amazing! Plus, I figure, if people can pay $100 for an uncut that just gets hung on a wall, why not a deck you'd actually use (WARNING: by no means am I implying I'd ever pay $100 for just any deck. I'd just heavily consider this due to the history and it being our "holy grail.").

I handled a pack of those once, only briefly.  I thought they were nice, but I'm not so sure they're "three-hundred-bucks-a-pack" nice, if you catch my drift.  I was actually more interested in another pack I handled that day - that was nearly two-and-a-half times OLDER yet in incredible condition.

There's plenty of great decks to be had that don't cost anywhere near as much; the market is overinflated for that deck because of the deck's celebrity magician connection and speculators buying it up in the hopes it will go up in value even further.  To them I say, good luck, but it's not my "Holy Grail".  Even if I had money to burn, I'd be very unlikely to buy a pack, and certainly not a new, sealed one.

[blastercast]

Thank you for the correction! I used a Yahoo post because I had very little time to post!
I have a maximum of $200 for the deck and another £25 for customs! I'm hoping to get one!
I will be having a friend over and seeing who can get the best price.
Guys if you'll notice he's selling 72 now and probably another 72 later in the year because he always sells a gross.
Don I see your point but in the UK to get an opened one is £140 at last eBay sale, that is enough to get a sealed off Lee
Sorry for the rushed posting I had to get a bus, I just noticed no-one had posted yet!
-Benny

[John B.]

I should have saved some money for this. Well I will start now.

[blastercast]

I can see the majority of the 72 decks being around $200 with a few at $99 and $150

[Paul Carpenter]

I was able to get a deck from the 2nd or 3rd tier last time, MUCH less than what they go for on eBay and it was indeed a perfect sample. If you can swing it I can recommend the sale, just act FAST (I waited about 2 sec too long and that cost me $50 if I recall).

[blastercast]

Encarded, How much did you get your's for then?
I'm aiming to spend $160 on one if possible but I can stretch $60 more

[agera94]

As soon as the $99 tier pops up it will pretty much instantly rise through to around $250. Don't be disheartened by this. Wait a few minutes and the prices will rise and float back down to around ~$200 as people decide to not make their purchase.

[Paul Carpenter]

Encarded, How much did you get your's for then?
I'm aiming to spend $160 on one if possible but I can stretch $60 more

I think I managed at $150 if memory serves. So that was probably Tier 2, and I think there were only 3 at the $99 level. As I said, act fast.

[BiggerDee]

I realize that this is probably a silly question, and is subject to personal opinion, but what is the maximum that the hardcore card folks (that would be you, the one reading this) have as your maximum price that you would pay for the deck? Not a "at any price" maximum, but what you would be comfortable paying as your max. I'm just curious as to the average maximum of those of you that respond. It my mind, that's a more true-to-life valuation of the deck than an eBay sale, for example. Whether or not you guard them in a safe deposit box, in original condition, or rip the cello off and start fanning, your valuation input would be appreciated. Just curious! Thanks in advance! This should be interesting! :-)

[blastercast]

I would say $250 as my maximum and that's a complete stretch
-Benny

[agera94]

I realize that this is probably a silly question, and is subject to personal opinion, but what is the maximum that the hardcore card folks (that would be you, the one reading this) have as your maximum price that you would pay for the deck? Not a "at any price" maximum, but what you would be comfortable paying as your max. I'm just curious as to the average maximum of those of you that respond. It my mind, that's a more true-to-life valuation of the deck than an eBay sale, for example. Whether or not you guard them in a safe deposit box, in original condition, or rip the cello off and start fanning, your valuation input would be appreciated. Just curious! Thanks in advance! This should be interesting! :-)

For the sale last year, I set myself a limit of $200. I was mainly content on getting it into my collection, however it wasn't a do or die.

[Joshua Robinson]

AGAIN!!! I got to try get in this time! and also get some 605's

[Don Boyer]

I can see the majority of the 72 decks being around $200 with a few at $99 and $150

I don't see that.  The low tiers will likely be smaller because of this being a smaller release of decks, only half what he normally puts out.  I think the majority will be higher than $200 - his higher tiers get close to market value FAST.  But like all of this, it's conjecture until Lee posts the tier list! 

[KPopFever605]

I really like what Asher does with his deck sales. I was there last year, and I had so much adrenaline to see the live prices fluctuate before your very eyes. What's tricky is that you can see the prices drop, but you don't know it that price will be the lowest. By the time you decide to click the button, it's already to late, and the price already rose. I'm telling you, it messes with your mind a lot.

However, if you act extremely fast, you can score an amazing deal on the "holy grail" of decks.

With that being said, it begs me to ask: How many decks does he have. This is at least his third year into this game, and he has sold a gross on average, each time. How many is he stockpiling? He must have at least three grosses and maybe more if he decide to continue it.

On the bright side, his stockpile of cards have proved beneficial for some people regardless if they buy some. I have a coveted signed card from him on a J-Nugg.

[Don Boyer]

I really like what Asher does with his deck sales. I was there last year, and I had so much adrenaline to see the live prices fluctuate before your very eyes. What's tricky is that you can see the prices drop, but you don't know it that price will be the lowest. By the time you decide to click the button, it's already to late, and the price already rose. I'm telling you, it messes with your mind a lot.

However, if you act extremely fast, you can score an amazing deal on the "holy grail" of decks.

With that being said, it begs me to ask: How many decks does he have. This is at least his third year into this game, and he has sold a gross on average, each time. How many is he stockpiling? He must have at least three grosses and maybe more if he decide to continue it.

On the bright side, his stockpile of cards have proved beneficial for some people regardless if they buy some. I have a coveted signed card from him on a J-Nugg.

He has a fair amount for personal use, to be sure, but I believe he has a secret supplier for these sales, someone who stocked up years ago when they were cheap - probably when they were still selling in the gift shop at the casino.  I'm sure he's paying the "wholesale" version of the market value, then reselling for a profit.  If he wasn't making money off of it, he'd have little incentive to continue.

According to everything I've heard about these decks, there were a handful of tractor trailers loaded with these cards, shipped straight from Cincinnati.  Casinos buy in BULK, big-time, 'cause they go through cards like crazy, hundreds or even thousands of decks in a day, depending on the size of the place.  While it's not clear whether these were ever intended for use on the floor, they were certainly made in that kind of bulk volume.  Picture a squared-off stack of twelve brick boxes - one gross.  I'll call it a "case", since that was probably how many were in a single shipping box.  Imagine how many of those cases would fit in a semi-truck's trailer.  Multiply that by a few trucks.  That's a LOT of decks, a HUGE number.  Even today it's not unusual for casinos to buy in similar volumes, though you would have to account for all those poker tables that no longer use paper cards, just plastic - though I'd bet even those get swapped out regularly as well, no different than paper.

But I'm rambling.  The point is, there was a lot of these decks made.  They weren't hot sellers in the gift shop, like people thought of them as rare and precious objects - they were cards, disposable and cheap, and you only need so many decks when you play.  (Normal people don't generally buy decks by the brick, like us weirdos!)  A few people, mostly magicians, had the foresight to see these were well-made using extinct processes and wouldn't last forever, and they bought them up in bulk back in the late '80s and early '90s until they were finally sold out.  If anything, the casino probably gave them a bulk discount.  It would make sense, especially if it was a deck meant for the floor that was set aside after the order was placed, leaving them with a huge amount of "souvenir decks" in their inventory that sat around for over 20 years, maybe close to 30 (I can't recall when they sold out).

[agera94]

These guys must be kicking themselves with how much they can sell the decks for. 

[Don Boyer]

These guys must be kicking themselves with how much they can sell the decks for. 

If by "these guys" you mean the Jerry's Nugget Casino, they've been sold out of those decks for close to two decades - they made their money on them, and to them, the value of these decks today is probably more like a drop in the bucket for what a casino pulls in.  Bear in mind there was a reason they've gone up in price, and it's not just because they're such great cards.  They're scarce - they weren't so when the casino was selling them.  They didn't become scarce until the casino sold out!

[agera94]

My bad Don, the wording with my post wasn't the greatest. I was referring to the people who bought heaps at the time when they were being sold in the gift shop, and now they're laughing all the way to the bank. 

[Michael]

I have this fantasy that I'll walk into a card collecting shop or some hobby/collecting shop and find these for $5 because the shop owners don't know how much the going market value (if you can even find them being sold) is. Or even a thrift shop of some sorts and find the same thing. Unfortunately, I doubt I'm lucky enough

If he does tier them like in the past, I'm hoping I can pick one up from Asher for $100. Don't know my upper limit but that actually might be it.

[Paul Carpenter]

I really like what Asher does with his deck sales. I was there last year, and I had so much adrenaline to see the live prices fluctuate before your very eyes. What's tricky is that you can see the prices drop, but you don't know it that price will be the lowest. By the time you decide to click the button, it's already to late, and the price already rose. I'm telling you, it messes with your mind a lot.

However, if you act extremely fast, you can score an amazing deal on the "holy grail" of decks.

With that being said, it begs me to ask: How many decks does he have. This is at least his third year into this game, and he has sold a gross on average, each time. How many is he stockpiling? He must have at least three grosses and maybe more if he decide to continue it.

On the bright side, his stockpile of cards have proved beneficial for some people regardless if they buy some. I have a coveted signed card from him on a J-Nugg.

I talked with him a bit last year about the Nuggets, and I believe he actually has very few of his own and uses those mainly for the signed cards he gives away. I think that every deck he sells is from an overseas supplier and he is just the middleman.

[KPopFever605]

They didn't become scarce until the casino sold out!

If that's the case, how come these specific decks are such a staple in our hobby? I'm sure many other casinos sold out, but done of their decks have reached the height of this deck. I know handling may play an issue, but can it play this big of an issue?

[Ben K]

Haven't been on here in way too long. Awesome thread.

Just want to add through what I have researched online (nothing verified) they sold out in 99' when a French dude bought out the very last of the stock from casino. Something about they way I read it made me think it was at least two of those trucks. Can't find anything on who that is, but my guess would be a wise and educated french magician. Conspiracy theory brewing?

[BiggerDee]

I've been thinking (and that's always a dangerous thing)...along the lines of what KPop said, what I am wondering about is the stock/finish/manufacturing methods used for these cards. I know that you folks say that they are popular with cardists and flourishers due to handling greatness from the paper stock and finish used, and that these could never be duplicated because those manufacturing processes are extinct at the USPCC. Ok, here's the question...Were those processes standard for the day, or was this run a one-off magical combination that had never been tried before? If they were standard casino cards of the day, the thinking would tend to lean towards the fact that they were standard for the day, and pretty much what USPCC pumped out all day long. If that's the case, then why aren't there other decks from the same time period that handle/perform the same way? You'd think that everything would be nearly identical then, as most decks are now (other than a couple of current card stock choices), other than design elements, of course.

It's almost like these used a magical paper found in an Egyptian tomb, inks found in a shack in Antarctica, and the combination of these and dry desert hear combined to create a mythical Nirvana of playing card perfection! These were a few truckloads of probably the exact same cards that were pumped out for other casinos of the day. Are they *really* magical, or have they just gained that aura over time? Just something to think about.

Remember, I'm not a flourisher, just a collector, so I'd never open a pack, I just think for a pure collector's standpoint.

[Don Boyer]

To answer KPop and BiggerDee:

The processes were probably on the higher end of the quality available at the time.  But remember something: ANY DECK that's FORTY-THREE years old is going to be a little more scarce than something made last month in the same numbers.  Few people at the time had any concept of the collection and preserving of playing cards.  At fifty cents a pack, most of them probably were given to the kids when the parents got back from vacation or "consumed" over the course of a night of poker or a week of magic performances.  Bicycle Rider Backs from 1970, made in much larger numbers, are far from common today.

There were other decks made with similar properties - some say the Friar's Club decks from Japan are very similar.  But there, too, it's not like you can swing a dead cat and hit one anywhere you stand.  Jerry's Nuggets aren't a "staple", as you put it - Bicycle Rider Backs in the Standard Box and Bee Diamond Backs, THOSE are staples.  It's like saying caviar and champagne are staples of most people's diets!  That's not even true in Russia or France!

The thing that makes these decks uncommon when compared to most casino decks is that while the quality is probably the equal of that of many casino decks of the era, those other decks were used on the tables while this one got moved into the souvenir shop.  Canceled decks in the gift shop weren't too common then, as far as I know - they were simply used and destroyed, making even canceled decks harder to come by, never mind the uncanceled ones.  Most of them were consumed and are now gone, while these collected dust in the gift shop display case and the stock room for a few decades.  They got used, sure, but in nowhere near the same numbers as the LV casinos' table-used decks.  Friar's Club decks are around to this day in rare-but-not-platinum-rare numbers because of the same reason - not casino-table used.

As far as the price - that's all due to the speculators.  Who remembers back in the late '80s and early '90s, when collectibles like baseball cards and comic books were being bought up in bizarrely-high numbers and trading at equally-high prices?  People were actually buying brand-new comic books, like "The Death of Superman", as INVESTMENTS, hoping to fund their retirements with the proceeds when they sold them.    When the bottom fell out of the market and prices tumbled, suddenly those investments started looking pretty stupid.  Same thing happened with baseball cards/memorabilia but to a lesser extent following that players' strike (I can't remember the year), which soured a lot of people on the game in particular and things associated with the game in general.  The same thing is happening in the playing cards market, with Jerry's Nugget being one of the prime examples of hyperinflation.  While the prices will never plummet to the 50-cents-a-pack gift-shop level they once commanded, people will eventually stop paying such prices.  Comic books, baseball cards, tech stocks, real estate, junk bonds, you name it - where there's a bubble, sooner or later there's a needle that's going to pop it.

[Ben K]

While the prices will never plummet to the 50-cents-a-pack gift-shop level they once commanded, people will eventually stop paying such prices.  Comic books, baseball cards, tech stocks, real estate, junk bonds, you name it - where there's a bubble, sooner or later there's a needle that's going to pop it.

Don how could you leave out beanie babies?! Haha
I totally agree but I would like to add that we have some good news. First, playing cards have been around for awhile and won't disappear even if the collecting trend does. Second, this time it's international

[Don Boyer]

I totally agree but I would like to add that we have some good news. First, playing cards have been around for awhile and won't disappear even if the collecting trend does. Second, this time it's international

Oh, you mean just like real estate, right? 

[Ben K]

I totally agree but I would like to add that we have some good news. First, playing cards have been around for awhile and won't disappear even if the collecting trend does. Second, this time it's international

Oh, you mean just like real estate, right? 

Don I'm afraid you're right! But gotta be optimistic and hope for alittle magic.

[BiggerDee]

Don- interesting insight, thank you. Scarcity and desirability, whether real or perceived, in an interesting thing.

Ben - Good Lord, Beanie Babies...I had forgotten about those! I remember the lines. I never quite understood that trend. "Limited edition of 3.5 million!!! GET IN LINE!!!"

[Don Boyer]

Don- interesting insight, thank you. Scarcity and desirability, whether real or perceived, in an interesting thing.

Indeed.  Consider this - the approximate current market value of a handful of decks.

Gold Arcane: $50-$60 in North America
Red Artifice: I wanna say $60...but it's really more like $40-$50
Black Crown: $20, +/- $10
Bicycle Black Ghost, 1st Ed.: floats between $60-$100 (or at least it used to, because now it's between $35-$50)
Bicycle Gold Seal New Fan Back in black: about $10

Every single one of those decks has a common factor: they were ALL made in a single 5,000-deck print run.  They're all equally as scarce, not accounting for destroyed decks over the months since their release dates.  So why are the price ranges so varied?

Desire.  The ones that cost most are the most costly because people want them more and are willing to pay that much for them.  Period.  Age isn't even a factor - the oldest deck there is the Black Ghost 1st Ed., and it's hovering right around the middle range of all those decks.

Two more decks and a rough street value:

Bicycle White Centurions: hard to find, $150 on eBay or $250 from a retailer, less only if you're lucky.
Bicycle Gold Seal New Fan Backs in white: $40 on eBay in a "Buy It Now" with the black deck - so call it $30.

There was about 1,100 White Centurions made.
There's only 1,000 GS New Fan Backs.

I love the GS NFBs in white - awesome deck.  I don't even own a White Cent - hard to find and too expensive when I do.  The White Cent had T11's hype machine behind it (or at least I presume so, since I wasn't in the hobby when they were released).  GS NFBs had Zenneth Kok and sheer rarity on its side.  White Cents have been treated like buried treasure from the day T11 stopped selling them, only giving them away as a premium or a contest prize, and today they claim that they ran out of them completely during the '11 Holiday Shopping Season.  GS NFBs normally sell for a hefty sum at Zen's website or other retailers, but he does offer a special deal once or twice a year where you can buy both decks on his site with a t-shirt or a magic trick for less than what he sells the white deck for (or for that matter, is he even still selling it separately?  I didn't see it as a standalone last time I checked).  T11 built the demand, Zen preferred creating availability, despite his deck being the more rare of the two.

[kdklown]

Prices are up on Asher's website for the May 2013 Sale.  $$$

[xela]

Dang, he is selling less decks than usual for higher prices!

200-300 seems fair, but do Jnugs even go for $400 on ebay anymore?

[Don Boyer]

Dang, he is selling less decks than usual for higher prices!

200-300 seems fair, but do Jnugs even go for $400 on ebay anymore?

Well, the eBay market for these things isn't a good indicator.  More sellers keep prices lower, but some sellers, knowingly or otherwise, are selling knockoffs - it's tough to know if you're getting the genuine article.  I'm guessing some are even forging the Lee Asher letters of authenticity, or trying to!  Seriously, if you never knew what one looked like, someone could hand you a matchbook cover and say that's the certificate...

[blastercast]

Is anyone here actually going to try and get one?
I'm out, the customs on a $200 deck would be extortionate and then the shipping!
-Benny

[agera94]

Is anyone here actually going to try and get one?
I'm out, the customs on a $200 deck would be extortionate and then the shipping!
-Benny

International shipping was about $6 last time from the US to Aus, but it shouldn't be too much different for where you're located. No customs fees either, but that all depends on where you're from I guess.

[blastercast]

International shipping was about $6 last time from the US to Aus, but it shouldn't be too much different for where you're located. No customs fees either, but that all depends on where you're from I guess

Yeah we get a 20% customs fee plus another £8 so a $200 deck would cost me £175 approximately which £43 are just so I'm allowed to keep it

[agera94]

International shipping was about $6 last time from the US to Aus, but it shouldn't be too much different for where you're located. No customs fees either, but that all depends on where you're from I guess

Yeah we get a 20% customs fee plus another £8 so a $200 deck would cost me £175 approximately which £43 are just so I'm allowed to keep it

That's daylight robbery indeed. Very shocked to hear that there are customs fees for a $200 item for you 

[blastercast]

That's daylight robbery indeed. Very shocked to hear that there are customs fees for a $200 item for you 

It's crazy! They charge us £8 for charging us the rest, anything worth over £18 gets customs, Ellusionists new iParcel thing is the best deal I've seen in a while because I know what I have to pay up front :')
It's highly unlikely I'd get a $200 deck so then it gets nearer $300 and I'm getting charged £50-£60 customs shipping and handling

[BiggerDee]

Well, I'll try, but there's not way in the world that I'd pay over $275 at the absolute max for a deck. I saw the pricing structure and was definitely shocked. So much for a $99 tier!!

Is there a good guide anywhere that gives tips on how to tell counterfeits from genuines on places like eBay, or if you find some in person? I'm sure that they are getting harder to separate as printing methods get better, but is there a one "gotcha" to look for that will give a bogus deck away?

For those interested in the math (if I calculated correctly, and provided that all of these tiers sell out), these 72 decks will sell in total for $24,516, not including shipping!! That's an average of $340.50/deck. Wow, just wow.

[Don Boyer]

Well, I'll try, but there's not way in the world that I'd pay over $275 at the absolute max for a deck. I saw the pricing structure and was definitely shocked. So much for a $99 tier!!

Is there a good guide anywhere that gives tips on how to tell counterfeits from genuines on places like eBay, or if you find some in person? I'm sure that they are getting harder to separate as printing methods get better, but is there a one "gotcha" to look for that will give a bogus deck away?

For those interested in the math (if I calculated correctly, and provided that all of these tiers sell out), these 72 decks will sell in total for $24,516, not including shipping!! That's an average of $340.50/deck. Wow, just wow.

Ah, but if you recall, most of the time the $99 tier was a "scratch-and-dent" model - the cards were fine but the box or cellophane were somehow compromised, making them less desirable for straight-up collectors who'll never open the pack.  This time around, there's all in "straight-out-of-the-gift-shop" perfect condition.

As far as the pricing, hey - it's a capitalist marketplace and this is a rare vintage item in perfect condition.  If someone's willing to pay that kind of cash, more power to him or her.  The people who balk at the high-end prices are probably the people who shouldn't be buying such an expensive deck in the first place.  I like Lee and think he's a great guy, but I won't be in on this action, 'cause I'm one of those guys.  Maybe I'll get some of those Ascal Pacifics, though...

[BiggerDee]

I'd take minor scratch and dent Nuggs for $99 right now. Perfection is fine if you are investing in them but for folks just wanting one to have it, $99 is fine with me. I'd even take used ones for a certain price. They would be cool to have, but I'll survive without them. I have a few other decks to keep me happy! :-)

[agera94]

Is there a good guide anywhere that gives tips on how to tell counterfeits from genuines on places like eBay, or if you find some in person? I'm sure that they are getting harder to separate as printing methods get better, but is there a one "gotcha" to look for that will give a bogus deck away?

At this point in time you can ask for close up photos of the box. All authentic JN decks will obviously have an aged colour associated with them and less of a straight white colour. The seal is a stamp vs sticker and the red tear for the cellophane is also an indicator. I believe it is to do with the fact that the cello seal is pointed out ready to be torn. I own a sealed blue and red jn and various opened blue and red decks; this is based on my observations and also there are some useful guides that Lee Asher provides on his website.

[mirciusx]

That's daylight robbery indeed. Very shocked to hear that there are customs fees for a $200 item for you 

It's crazy! They charge us £8 for charging us the rest, anything worth over £18 gets customs, Ellusionists new iParcel thing is the best deal I've seen in a while because I know what I have to pay up front :')
It's highly unlikely I'd get a $200 deck so then it gets nearer $300 and I'm getting charged £50-£60 customs shipping and handling

E's iParcel it suc*s. They promise lower shipping costs and they give us a iParcel with fees included?! Why? Because not all the time they charge you for this fees...Anyway, E have the hugest shipping costs ever to Europe and I bought from them only to send them to a good friend in NY. Otherwise, no. They even don't send to Romania. Seasons are the best. DD 2nd, T11 3th. DB...4th. E...no comment.

Btw, I bought from them 4 decks, one white t-shirt. They send me a black t-shirt as a gift with 10% off for the next order 6.xx$ to NY, 18.xx$ to Europe. For me Seasons win a big heart. And they write me a personal note with a pencil. I love that

And I have some bad comments for E, but I will keep them for my self, even I spend almost 2-3k$ on E in the last 4-6 months...

Sorry for off topic.

As a little collector, JN will be nice for for me, but 200$ is a little to much, even they worth it....
Don has right...:
- Gold Arcane was 125-100$, the cheapest about 6 months ago, now is 60-75$
- Black Ghost 1st ed was 150-120$, 6 months ago, but not 35-50$ I would like to buy 2 or more decks for 35$ (new)
- Black Artifice also 100-125$ now is 60-70$

I don't know why, but a lot of decks get lower value on the market (ebay also) in the last 6 months.

Another thing is Blue LTD, 50 limited edition signed by PM, now for BC, at 175$...first deck was sold on ebay for 400-500$. It that worth it?

[Don Boyer]

As a little collector, JN will be nice for for me, but 200$ is a little to much, even they worth it....
Don has right...:
- Gold Arcane was 125-100$, the cheapest about 6 months ago, now is 60-75$
- Black Ghost 1st ed was 150-120$, 6 months ago, but not 35-50$ I would like to buy 2 or more decks for 35$ (new)
- Black Artifice also 100-125$ now is 60-70$

I don't know why, but a lot of decks get lower value on the market (ebay also) in the last 6 months.

Another thing is Blue LTD, 50 limited edition signed by PM, now for BC, at 175$...first deck was sold on ebay for 400-500$. It that worth it?

Pricing is all about what the market will bear.  People expect bargains from eBay a lot, so over time prices tend to go down, especially as demand wanes faster than supply.  The same decks from retailers are often more expensive, but that's got a lot to do with the prices the dealer had to pay to get them in the first place.

That first deck you mentioned that sold on eBay for $500 can't be compared to the current offer from E for blue LTDs from Peter McKinnon's personal stash, autographed and in the new Lucite case.  For one, it was sold at a CHARITY auction, raising money for Wayne Houchin's medical expenses - items will always go for a premium at a charity auction because people are not simply buying them, they're raising money for the cause.  Second, it's not exactly the same as these - that deck was a prototype, and to the best of my knowledge has an entirely different deck back from the one that they ended up using for the finished product.  We'll likely never know what that back looks like, since it's very unlikely that the owner of that deck will be opening it any time soon.

[Curt]

At least with this pricing, it's made an easier decision for me to pass on trying to get a deck. Still going to be annoying that it eludes my collection but $200 plus customs....I need a better job.

[BiggerDee]

It's too quiet here.

Well, how did everyone do? I was tied up with a business matter and missed the sale.

[Paul Carpenter]

I didn't check it out, as I got lucky last time and got one for the low tier price. I've got all I need now.

[blastercast]

I managed to reserve a $200 one but didn't have quite enough (was £20 off) so let it go
Well there's always a later sale?
Anyway, I want a used one, I would pay £60 for a used in decent condition, I don't keep decks sealed so don't mind
-Benny

[agera94]

I managed to reserve a $200 one but didn't have quite enough (was £20 off) so let it go
Well there's always a later sale?
Anyway, I want a used one, I would pay £60 for a used in decent condition, I don't keep decks sealed so don't mind
-Benny

A decent condition one has an eBay market price between $125 and $200. They're very sturdy and lasting cards 

[Don Boyer]

I think I was still sleeping when the sale went on...  Not that I was planning to buy one.

I managed to reserve a $200 one but didn't have quite enough (was £20 off) so let it go
Well there's always a later sale?
Anyway, I want a used one, I would pay £60 for a used in decent condition, I don't keep decks sealed so don't mind
-Benny

GB£60 = US$91.09  That's a good deal short of the going rate, even for a used deck.

I'm very wary when it comes to Jerry's Nugget decks and eBay.  There's just too much fraudulent crap floating around in the marketplace.  And as Lee said, the forgers have stepped up their game and are actually making cards that are practically passable instead of cheap-ass cardboard crap.

Lee is pretty much among the best chance you have, but it looks like the "scratch-and-dent" merchandise is sold out.  Get them as soon as you can from him.  Yes, there's another sale coming later in the year, but the sales can't possibly last forever and the prices inch higher with each progressive sale.

[Michael]

I was looking forward to the sale until I saw that he was selling only "mint" condition decks. Nothing wrong with those decks but definitely way out of my price range. I still have this fantasy of walking into a hobby or card shop and finding them on a dusty shelf being sold for a few dollars. What's a little more practical and on my "hope it happens" list is that the second half of Asher's sale does include some of the not-so-perfect ones that are within my price range. I can cross my fingers as much as I want but I understand if most of those are gone or almost gone. (

[kdklown]

I had a friend help me out and was able to get two.  I have no idea if they are the same or different colors.  If I got two of the same I will soon be in the market for a color swap if anybody on here has multiples!  :-)

Addendum: Both decks delivered... Both decks Blue.  Dammit!

[BiggerDee]

I am seeing them start to show up on eBay. $450 a deck seems to be the going rate. There a D&D signed deck out there for half that. $250 ones don't sell quickly on eBay, it will be interesting to see what the $450 decks do. That's one deck that will never make it into my mailbox at that price.

[Don Boyer]

I am seeing them start to show up on eBay. $450 a deck seems to be the going rate. There a D&D signed deck out there for half that. $250 ones don't sell quickly on eBay, it will be interesting to see what the $450 decks do. That's one deck that will never make it into my mailbox at that price.

Yeah, those would be the idiots - er, I mean, "speculators" - who bought decks thinking they'd make a big, fat profit by flipping their purchase, perhaps even using the profit to pay for their own lower-priced purchases.  These are likely the same speculators who bought Black Ghost 1st Edition or Gold Arcane for $75 worth of E merchandise, thinking they could flip it for $200.  A year ago, maybe - today, not so much...

[Nurul]

Another Lee Asher sale for Jerry's nugget

http://leeasher.net/jnugg.html

Sale goes on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at 9pm EDT

UK (BST) - 2am Thursday 3rd Oct
Australia (EST) - 11am Thursday 3rd Oct
Singapore (SGT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Canada (PDT) - 6pm Wednesday 2nd Oct
China (CST) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
New Zealand (NZDT) - 2pm Thursday 3rd Oct
Philippines (PHT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Japan (JST) - 10am Thursday 3rd Oct

[Don Boyer]

Another Lee Asher sale for Jerry's nugget

http://leeasher.net/jnugg.html

Sale goes on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at 9pm EDT

UK (BST) - 2am Thursday 3rd Oct
Australia (EST) - 11am Thursday 3rd Oct
Singapore (SGT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Canada (PDT) - 6pm Wednesday 2nd Oct
China (CST) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
New Zealand (NZDT) - 2pm Thursday 3rd Oct
Philippines (PHT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Japan (JST) - 10am Thursday 3rd Oct

I usually just list in UTC (a.k.a. Greenwich Mean Time) and let the rest of the gang figure it out.  Some places have odd time zones or don't observe Daylight Saving Time/Summer Time.  BTW: "Canada" has many time zones, including some that don't observe DST - it's not all "PDT"!  I think Australia is also in more than one zone.

Wed. 2 Oct. at 9pm EDT is Thu. 3 Oct. 01:00 UTC

[Nurul]

Another Lee Asher sale for Jerry's nugget

http://leeasher.net/jnugg.html

Sale goes on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at 9pm EDT

UK (BST) - 2am Thursday 3rd Oct
Australia (EST) - 11am Thursday 3rd Oct
Singapore (SGT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Canada (PDT) - 6pm Wednesday 2nd Oct
China (CST) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
New Zealand (NZDT) - 2pm Thursday 3rd Oct
Philippines (PHT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Japan (JST) - 10am Thursday 3rd Oct

I usually just list in UTC (a.k.a. Greenwich Mean Time) and let the rest of the gang figure it out.  Some places have odd time zones or don't observe Daylight Saving Time/Summer Time.  BTW: "Canada" has many time zones, including some that don't observe DST - it's not all "PDT"!  I think Australia is also in more than one zone.

Wed. 2 Oct. at 9pm EDT is Thu. 3 Oct. 01:00 UTC

I just based it on the more common timezones according to the main cities in those countries, except for canada (the PDT was based on Vancouver time because, from what I saw, the timings were the same as EDT for Toronto and others) but I get what you mean tho. I used worldtimebuddy.com to get the times. Just thought I'd help out a little.

[agera94]

Another Lee Asher sale for Jerry's nugget

http://leeasher.net/jnugg.html

Sale goes on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at 9pm EDT

UK (BST) - 2am Thursday 3rd Oct
Australia (EST) - 11am Thursday 3rd Oct
Singapore (SGT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Canada (PDT) - 6pm Wednesday 2nd Oct
China (CST) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
New Zealand (NZDT) - 2pm Thursday 3rd Oct
Philippines (PHT) - 9am Thursday 3rd Oct
Japan (JST) - 10am Thursday 3rd Oct

I usually just list in UTC (a.k.a. Greenwich Mean Time) and let the rest of the gang figure it out.  Some places have odd time zones or don't observe Daylight Saving Time/Summer Time.  BTW: "Canada" has many time zones, including some that don't observe DST - it's not all "PDT"!  I think Australia is also in more than one zone.

Wed. 2 Oct. at 9pm EDT is Thu. 3 Oct. 01:00 UTC

The Australian East Coast time is correct. For added reference: the central/middle Australian time for the release is 10:30am, and the west coast release is 9am.

[Don Boyer]

I use UTC for one simple reason - most people know or can figure out their deviation from UTC, and UTC is never affected by seasonal changes on and off summer time, which can take place at different times in different parts of the world, or not at all  for most equatorial nations and a few parcels of land here and there.

So, any word on amount of decks to be released for sale?

[Nurul]

Cheers don, I'll remember that for next time

Nope, no news on the amount of decks. However, I have dropped him an email regarding it, will let you know if or when I hear back.

[Michael]

How many has he released in the past years? I thought he's been pretty consistent with that. Didn't he release half that amount earlier this year?

[Don Boyer]

How many has he released in the past years? I thought he's been pretty consistent with that. Didn't he release half that amount earlier this year?

Half what amount?  We don't know how many he's releasing yet.  His last sale was for a gross, right?

The sale for 2012 - I think that one sale that year was canceled because of the strain it was putting on the servers; too many buyers couldn't get through and only a small number of the total decks were sold.  It's why he changed the system this year.

[Michael]

How many has he released in the past years? I thought he's been pretty consistent with that. Didn't he release half that amount earlier this year?

Half what amount?  We don't know how many he's releasing yet.  His last sale was for a gross, right?

The sale for 2012 - I think that one sale that year was canceled because of the strain it was putting on the servers; too many buyers couldn't get through and only a small number of the total decks were sold.  It's why he changed the system this year.

If I recall properly he normally sells a gross a year. Earlier this year he sold 72 decks if memory serves me right. I was referring to the fact that 72 was half a gross so I was trying to make the point that he is possibly putting up another 72 for sale to make his total this year a gross.

[Don Boyer]

How many has he released in the past years? I thought he's been pretty consistent with that. Didn't he release half that amount earlier this year?

Half what amount?  We don't know how many he's releasing yet.  His last sale was for a gross, right?

The sale for 2012 - I think that one sale that year was canceled because of the strain it was putting on the servers; too many buyers couldn't get through and only a small number of the total decks were sold.  It's why he changed the system this year.

If I recall properly he normally sells a gross a year. Earlier this year he sold 72 decks if memory serves me right. I was referring to the fact that 72 was half a gross so I was trying to make the point that he is possibly putting up another 72 for sale to make his total this year a gross.

That makes sense.  It's probably the case.

[crazyfandecks]

details abt Oct 2 2013 have been released: http://www.leeasher.com/jerrys_nugget_details_oct_2013.html

[Don Boyer]

Another half-gross, just like last time.  All decks in perfect condition, no "scratch and dent" models.  Tiers run from $200-$450. Wed 2 Oct 9pm EDT.

[Joker and the Thief]

Jesus, the price and value is slowly crawling up. 2 years ago they were being sold for around $300-350. I think we can expect the prices on eBay to creep up to $400+

[Fred]

Is anyone legitimately interested? Personally i dont see the point of buying one just to resell straight after.. I think it would be wise to only purchase for your own collection and sit on it for a good solid 10 years+. However, JNs might be useful to conduct trades with!

[xela]

Is anyone legitimately interested? Personally i dont see the point of buying one just to resell straight after.. I think it would be wise to only purchase for your own collection and sit on it for a good solid 10 years+. However, JNs might be useful to conduct trades with!

Or open it! The way they snap is just so... awesome.

[kdklown]

I'll try for one of the first two.  If I don't hit that lottery I'm gone.  At $200 it's essentially a bargain.  Ridiculous for a deck of cards but still a bargain on the open market. 

[Fred]

I'll try for one of the first two.  If I don't hit that lottery I'm gone.  At $200 it's essentially a bargain.  Ridiculous for a deck of cards but still a bargain on the open market.

Next thing you know you'll be staring at the 320$ lottery tier and be like "ah well tis' gon go up neway, mite asw'l". I'd be careful of the 'consequences' if i allowed myself to get into the position of intending to purchase =p

[Fanofyankees13]

I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the show. The prices this time around are more than I'm willing to spend.

[agera94]

Is anyone legitimately interested? Personally i dont see the point of buying one just to resell straight after.. I think it would be wise to only purchase for your own collection and sit on it for a good solid 10 years+. However, JNs might be useful to conduct trades with!

I'm interested in completing a sealed set. I got a blue one last year for $200 and I'm after a red one; if it's a blue one I get sent I won't mind either way, could always trade it 

[Fred]

Is anyone legitimately interested? Personally i dont see the point of buying one just to resell straight after.. I think it would be wise to only purchase for your own collection and sit on it for a good solid 10 years+. However, JNs might be useful to conduct trades with!

I'm interested in completing a sealed set. I got a blue one last year for $200 and I'm after a red one; if it's a blue one I get sent I won't mind either way, could always trade it 

You reside in Australia don't you? (: I would be happy to conduct some trades/sales with you dude! "dis legit binnis!"

[kdklown]

I'll try for one of the first two.  If I don't hit that lottery I'm gone.  At $200 it's essentially a bargain.  Ridiculous for a deck of cards but still a bargain on the open market.

Next thing you know you'll be staring at the 320$ lottery tier and be like "ah well tis' gon go up neway, mite asw'l". I'd be careful of the 'consequences' if i allowed myself to get into the position of intending to purchase =p

Nah, I'm in for the $200 teir only.  I've got silly good restraint (and I've got one of each color already so it's easier to say nay).   

[Fred]

Nah, I'm in for the $200 teir only.  I've got silly good restraint (and I've got one of each color already so it's easier to say nay).   

Dude stop growing your collection! My jealous-o-meter is going to explode Sell me some of your goodies! Sharing is caring

[kdklown]

Nah, I'm in for the $200 teir only.  I've got silly good restraint (and I've got one of each color already so it's easier to say nay).   

Dude stop growing your collection! My jealous-o-meter is going to explode Sell me some of your goodies! Sharing is caring

I've picked up som great stuff recently (JN's are not recent). We don't have a look what I added to my collection thread on this site do we?  We be nice to see what people score/show off our own hauls. 

[Fred]

I've picked up som great stuff recently (JN's are not recent). We don't have a look what I added to my collection thread on this site do we?  We be nice to see what people score/show off our own hauls.

I'm pretty sure we do.. just don't know the title of it! There's definitely a thread dedicated to showing ENTIRE collections. Regardless, you should make one right now so we can show off recent additions! (And so that we don't stray off too far from the topic at hand here =p)

[BiggerDee]

Getting less and less interested in JNs. More and more decks are released, but the price keeps going up, while the collector market (and amount of hardcore collectors) shrinks? Sounds like a bubble about to burst to me. I buy almost, almost, every deck that comes out now, and have an extensive collection of older decks, but JNs, at this price at least, just don't appeal to me. I'm willing to pair a fair price, but to me, this isn't it. I see cards as an investment, but one of a different type. I want items at a decent price so when I am ready to sell them (if I ever decide to), I will at least get my initial investment back. My "profit" is the enjoyment that I get from owning the decks. If I make money, cool, but I buy decks that I know will sell for at least what I paid. While this is a bit different from most folk's idea of "investing", that's my mentality, and helps me obtain, and fully enjoy, a collection without the pressure of buying high and selling low, or wasting my money. Could I buy stocks instead of cards and make better use of that money? Well, yes, but that's not the point. I have retirement funds for that. I could have invested the money that I paid for my boat, but instead, I "invested" that money into the enjoyment of myself and my family. As I have said here before, but what makes you happy, regardless if you can sell it for a huge profit later on.

Buying JNs from Lee Asher at $450 is a strange proposition though when many genuine decks on eBay don't sell for half of that. I hope that the folks that buy at that price truly enjoy those cards, because they surely won't make a lot of their money back if they sell.

[agera94]

I don't believe many people would be compelled to want to sell at that price point, but if they're into collecting them strictly for a collection and not a monetary gain, then it might be a more secure way for them to do it.

[Don Boyer]

Buying JNs from Lee Asher at $450 is a strange proposition though when many genuine decks on eBay don't sell for half of that. I hope that the folks that buy at that price truly enjoy those cards, because they surely won't make a lot of their money back if they sell.

Yeah, but when you buy from Asher, you know you're getting the real deal.  With eBay, it's hit or miss.  The forgeries have actually started becoming quite good I hear, pretty decent cards in themselves.

[Fanofyankees13]

Good luck to all trying tonight

[Nurul]

5 seconds in and it shot up to tier 10 for the $360 mark

[Curt]

I got a tier 4. @ 260... really strongly debating the purchase

[agera94]

Got a rung 3. Am quite the happy apricot right now.

[Fanofyankees13]

Just for fun, I entered and got Tier 4 at $260. That was at 9:00:02.

[Nurul]

I got a tier 4. @ 260... really strongly debating the purchase

Did u end up purchasing? Only a 3 minute time frame to purchase. I stayed up for this, I need to sleep lol

[Curt]

Just for fun, I entered and got Tier 4 at $260. That was at 9:00:02.

Same time as me. You and I are tier 4 buddies.

I got a tier 4. @ 260... really strongly debating the purchase

Did u end up purchasing? Only a 3 minute time frame to purchase. I stayed up for this, I need to sleep lol

Nah, was a really tough decision.. but decided against it. I have car insurance coming up in a few days... and 260 bucks helps cover a decent portion of that.

[Don Boyer]

Nah, was a really tough decision.. but decided against it. I have car insurance coming up in a few days... and 260 bucks helps cover a decent portion of that.

Where I live, that barely covers a monthly payment!  And that's for basic coverage on an old car.

So, who bought a deck and for how much?

[John B.]

Nah, was a really tough decision.. but decided against it. I have car insurance coming up in a few days... and 260 bucks helps cover a decent portion of that.

Where I live, that barely covers a monthly payment!  And that's for basic coverage on an old car.

So, who bought a deck and for how much?

I pay like $70 a month for ins.

[BiggerDee]

Sam my JN sale reminder pop up on my phone (Event was entered when it was first announced), said meh, deleted it, and didn't even go look. JNs are looking less and less pretty to me. I have thousands of decks and at athis point, I'm so bored with the excessive hype surrounding them that I doubt that I would buy at even half of the lowest price. They are becoming less and less rare with every release, and the pricing is WAY out of line.

[Don Boyer]

Nah, was a really tough decision.. but decided against it. I have car insurance coming up in a few days... and 260 bucks helps cover a decent portion of that.

Where I live, that barely covers a monthly payment!  And that's for basic coverage on an old car.

So, who bought a deck and for how much?

I pay like $70 a month for ins.

And the moral of the story: don't own a car when you live within the New York City limits if you live on a low budget...

Sam my JN sale reminder pop up on my phone (Event was entered when it was first announced), said meh, deleted it, and didn't even go look. JNs are looking less and less pretty to me. I have thousands of decks and at athis point, I'm so bored with the excessive hype surrounding them that I doubt that I would buy at even half of the lowest price. They are becoming less and less rare with every release, and the pricing is WAY out of line.

I never thought they were all that pretty in the first place.  Neither did the magicians who used them - they used them because they were good and (at the time) cheap, maybe 50¢ a pack.  The price appears to be way out of proportion for the rarity - it's only the age and quality that make these cards worth anything, and can they really be that much better than Magic Finish?  I mean hundreds-of-dollars-price-difference better?  I don't think any card deck fits that description for me.  Whether that holds true for you or not is a decision only you can make.

The current price has nothing to do with any real rarity of this deck - I'd bet there were much, much shorter print runs of nearly any deck made on Kickstarter or any rare deck from the major custom card companies than on these.  I'm thinking there were tens of thousands of these created.  It all to do with how they're vintage, heavily hyped, and how it's not just collectors, cardists and magicians in the market - it's speculators.  They are the ones who drive up the price.