Selling one of my DOAD's soon - Interested?, Either Unopened or Opened - Trying to decide! Options

[draynoe]

Hi Everyone,

First, sorry for the wall of text below - but please read on.

So, first an introduction and quick explanation of the purpose of this post. I know not a lot of you know me here at Fans of Live, but I have been around and a Live fan since the early 90's. I have talked with Dan through private messages for quite some time and a few other members also. Like many Live collectors/fans, one of my main goals as a Live fan was always to obtain the Death of a Dictionary cassette tape. Well, I suppose the ultimate goal would be Divided Mind, Divided Planet, but how many of those are there again? ... More to the quick explanation of this post in case you do not feel like reading everything below: I am trying to find out what the real Live community thinks an Unopened DOAD cassette is worth, as well as an opened DOAD cassette, as I will be selling one of them to help pay for my wedding this year.

I had originally written the entire back story here about how I received the tapes, but I felt that I didn't want to go into that much detail except with whomever purchases the tape. There is however, a large back story to how I received the tape(s).

Ultimately, the reason for this post is to see if anyone in the real Live community is interested in purchasing either an unopened or open DOAD cassette. I am also unaware of how to remain safe throughout this type of sale as I have never sold anything online outside of eBay.

As for condition - The opened copy is in great condition although I haven't played it (Not sure I would want to ... I really want to but! ahh ... those are my thoughts). The unopened copy is in great condition although there are a couple of small scuffs and/or tiny scratches on the plastic itself. Nothing major though.

I may still go through eBay as I am a power seller there and receive some discounts, but the prices they charge are quite astronomical still and I need all the money I can get right now for my wedding. - If I do decide to go with eBay, I will link to it in the eBay thread here at Fans of Live.

So, if anyone here is interested, please take the poll above and send me a PM if you would like. Or post in this topic. I just want to hear from the community on your thoughts/opinions/criticisms. (I am in America also - hence the reasoning for making the poll USD - I would like to sell the tape (one of them) soon).

Oh, both of the cassette's are signed by Ed (recently) but not CCP yet - I haven't had time to get that done but it shouldn't be too hard. The opened copy is signed by Ed on the sleeve while the unopened copy is signed on the original plastic.

I am really leaning toward selling the unopened copy as I need the extra money, but again ... it is just such a prized possession! Let's see what you guys think!

Thanks everyone!

Images (I have a lot more, I pretty much freaked when I got the package and took a million photos ... and that is a Public Affection bumper sticker. :

[mfitz804]

I am not personally interested but I am assuming this will be an easy sell for you.

I see the following advantages to doing it through eBay:

1) You get the benefit of the extra millions of people that frequent eBay as opposed to this site or other fan sites. That includes international fans, which it seems there are probably more of anyway.

2) If you tried to sell it here, you'd have to either a) set a fixed price, in which case you could be selling yourself short, or b) try to figure out some way to run it as an auction on your own. In my opinion, you simply cannot underestimate the value of running it as an auction, because two (or more) bidders may get excited and the ensuing bidding war may drive the price up beyond what you thought you could get.

True, eBay will take 10% of your sale price (Paypal another 3%, but you'd still have that fee assuming you sold directly and accepted Paypal, unless you asked the buyer to make the payment as a "gift"). But in the end, I imagine the additional exposure you'll get, plus the possibility of bids increasing the price, is well worth that fee.

In terms of which copy to sell, I guess that'd be up to you. I have no frame of reference for how much a sealed copy would sell for vs. how much an opened copy would sell for. I don't know that it would make too much of a difference, as copies of the tape in any condition don't come up too often, it would only be the super-collectors or people who have an opened copy already who would pursue the unopened copy at a premium. I feel like people without any copy would be happy just to get one.

Plus, you could always open your unopened copy (not that you would). But if you sell the sealed one, you have to assume that's something you will never find again.

[draynoe]

Thank you mfitz!

I know that placing an exact value on the tapes is quite difficult - especially given that it has been some time since one has been on eBay and especially having never seen a sealed copy myself.

I do believe that eBay is the way to go and the exposure would definitely be a great thing. It is something I had not taken into consideration. Also the safety aspect would be great.

You are also correct in that I could always open the unopened copy (I wouldn't, but I do see your point!)

One thing I do not like about eBay is that you can't require immediate payment on auction-type listings and it ends the auction. I actually run all of my auctions as fixed-price listings just because if someone doesn't pay, the auction is still up and running for someone else to purchase. I know that running that type of auction for this type of item is likely impossible, but how does everyone feel about possible setting a reserve price or something along those lines? Very difficult decisions! hah...

I think that I am going to go the route of selling the opened copy on eBay very soon. I will leave this poll open so if everyone would please vote if you do not mind on what you feel the tape would be worth to you.

Once I have the auction up I will be sure to link it here in the eBay thread too!

There is actually a great story that goes along with this and who the tapes came from... - Especially the unopened tape.

Thank you mfitz and everyone else please let me know your opinions also!

Thanks!

[drewgood]

We'd love to hear the story if you're up for sharing it. If there are certain private things you don't want to reveal, I get it... but maybe some details that won't be breaking any confidences.

This post has been edited by drewgood: Mar 10 2014, 3:09 pm

[draynoe]

Hey drewgood,

I will go over my original write-up once I get home this evening and give some information and background on the tapes. Just need to omit a bit of information about the transaction etc.

[draynoe]

So, this is the story - hopefully you guys enjoy!

After having been on the lookout for the cassette since the mid-late 90's, in 2011 I noticed a post on Facebook about someone that mentioned they had some of the cassette's that they would be willing to sell. Let's call him Mr. X . I instantly pm'd Mr. X and asked how he had the cassette(s) and how much he would take for one. He told me that he was a family member of one of the band members and that he would sell me one for $500. I thought that the price was fair (actually this being the ultimate goal and collectible I have always wanted to own, I felt any price was fair), but I did not have the money to purchase it at the time.

Fast-forward to 2013. I am finally in a position to go on the search again but really do not know where to look. At this point I didn't recall the messages with Mr. X (this comes later), so I contacted Dan here at Fans of Live to see if he knew anyone. He didn't then but mentioned he would let me know if he found anything and also gave me a couple of names. One of the members here had a tape available but I didn't find this out until right around the time that I was talking to Mr. X and ultimately making the purchase.

I figured it was worth a shot and I found the original message thread on Facebook where I had originally talked to him. I brought up the old conversation and told him that I would be willing to go higher now on the price as I really wanted the tape. He mentioned that he had NEW UNOPENED DOAD cassette's as well as some opened. He also said he had to think about it as he was saving the unopened cassette's for family. At this point I went into total fan boy mode and probably scared him with how big of a Live fan I had always been.

I ended up giving him a price for both an opened and an unopened DOAD cassette - a pretty high price as I do not believe an unopened copy has ever been sold online. He gave me his number and address and I sent him the money orders. (This all happened over several days) I sent him the money and he mentioned there would be a few "extras" in the box too.

What I ended up receiving was a band tour book from TDTH tour; a couple of VIP passes (SS, TDTH); a Public Affection car bumper sticker! (!!); an opened DOAD cassette in great condition; and an unopened DOAD cassette. I can't really say how excited I was, but I think I took a picture of every step involved with opening the box and carefully examining the cassette's. It was a bit ridiculous.

As for Mr. X - I have all of our chats as well as the original package he sent me. ... As for his identity - let's just say that he is in the credits of TDOAD... I really would rather keep that out of the public domain though if you know what I mean for his sanity and mine!

One more thing - the unopened cassette actually came from one of the original band member's father because Mr. X didn't actually have any more unopened DOAD cassettes.

That's mainly about it - I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. Mr. X is a super nice guy and I was really fortunate to have met him. It is an awesome feeling to hold the tape!

Now if I can just find a DMDP ...

[Hoodstock]

As a Live fan I'd really love to own one just to know for myself that I have it, but unfortunately Live is not really a collectible band so I don't really see cash value in the cassette, more like nostalgia.

The only value it would really hold would be sentimental as a Live fan (which no other person I know would really get). There's not much you can do to display it or share it, and I don't feel any people who saw it if I did would even understand or care what it was.

If your're looking for a big price I'm sure it can be found on Ebay, but I feel like there are only a half dozen or so people that would put up big cash for it and they may already own it.

I'm not sure what others think but I believe that an authenticated copy of Divided Mind, Divided Planet sent out by the band would really be the collectible to go for if you really wanted a piece of Live history.

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Mar 10 2014, 7:52 pm

[draynoe]

Thanks Hoodstock -

I agree that Live isn't a very collectible band or even a great investment except for nostalgia. That was the main driving force for me to purchase the cassette's and even though others do not quite understand the significance of the tapes it makes me feel great to explain to them how I used to listen to the recordings and read about the rarity of the tape.

I think this lends itself even more to what mfitz was saying about keeping the sealed cassette for myself and selling the opened cassette. I can always have an opened copy if I wanted then, but knowing I have a sealed copy means that much more to me. That also makes the story a little more fun I suppose.

When I had Ed sign the tapes there was a guy there during the show that walked up to me and said "Were those Public Affection cassette's you have?!" all excited - I had been showing one to a lady next to me and I guess he saw them. (Probably not the safest idea lol) ... but it was fun.

Thanks for your post! ... Oh and having DMDP - I think I would carry a picture of that around with me in my wallet.

[zmanpga]

I was super stoked to get a DOAD cassette from a good buddy last year with a DOAD t shirt
Now I just acquired a DOAD CD

This post has been edited by zmanpga: Mar 11 2014, 4:46 am

[draynoe]

Hi zman -

I have seen the t-shirts and they are really cool. I was pretty shocked at the bumper sticker as I never knew they existed lol.

[Hoodstock]

Thanks Hoodstock -

I agree that Live isn't a very collectible band or even a great investment except for nostalgia. That was the main driving force for me to purchase the cassette's and even though others do not quite understand the significance of the tapes it makes me feel great to explain to them how I used to listen to the recordings and read about the rarity of the tape.

I think this lends itself even more to what mfitz was saying about keeping the sealed cassette for myself and selling the opened cassette. I can always have an opened copy if I wanted then, but knowing I have a sealed copy means that much more to me. That also makes the story a little more fun I suppose.

When I had Ed sign the tapes there was a guy there during the show that walked up to me and said "Were those Public Affection cassette's you have?!" all excited - I had been showing one to a lady next to me and I guess he saw them. (Probably not the safest idea lol) ... but it was fun.

Thanks for your post! ... Oh and having DMDP - I think I would carry a picture of that around with me in my wallet.

Good luck on your sale. Hope you strike it rich!

[mfitz804]

You are also correct in that I could always open the unopened copy (I wouldn't, but I do see your point!)

No point in opening it anyway, who has a cassette deck anymore?

My point was more that letting go of the unopened copy would most likely mean you'd never find one again. Opened copies, while still rare, pop up from time to time.

I am VERY curious to see what an unopened one would sell for, though.

[draynoe]

Public Affection cassette auction ends in 10 hours! Just a reminder! (Posted in eBay thread too a while back)

Public Affection Cassette Auction

Getting closer to reserve!

[mfitz804]

Looks like you sold it...hope you got what you wanted out of it.

[draynoe]

It certainly helps!

Thanks everyone