What's the max you would pay for a raw card online?
Copyboy1
Posts: 479 ✭✭✭✭
We've all been there - you buy a raw card online and it's got flaws that didn't show up in photos. Or it looks fine, so you send it to be graded, only to find out it was altered.
So what's the most you'd pay for a raw card you couldn't personally inspect?
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eBay’s return policy is very buyer friendly and reduces the buyer’s risk significantly. That said, I’ve never bid more than $800 for a raw card.
Why would anyone set a arbitrary max? If I find that I felt was authentic, and was at a price point that made sense for the condition, I'd by it. If in hand something wasn't right, back it goes.
If you only buy graded you are really missing out on deals. PSA isn't swamped with cards because there is a lack of quality raw in the market. Pop reports are growing all the time and those buying raw and submitting are doing well.
If the listing is accompanied by language like “PSA 10?????”, then $5.
Or when you see the raw card listing sandwiched between a bunch of graded card listings. Like probstein and PWCC auctions. Dead giveaway that the raw card is altered, miscut, or minsizereq.
I know I've paid $500 and would have paid 2-3x for that card without blinking regardless of condition.
I paid $1,650 recently for a raw card. Just completed a buy of a raw set for $2,500.
I let the cards do the talking. I am comfortable enough in my ability to assess condition and willing to take chances.
Exactly, the people grading these cards are just humans. Been collecting for 30 years, not that hard to evaluate condition of a card.
That's exactly why I would never buy a raw card. Too many times I've paid for what I thought was, say, a PSA 6 or 7 only to have it come back a 3. Or cards I didn't see were trimmed, that I send to get graded, and 7 months later when they finally come back, it's too late to return them through eBay.
I'd much rather just pay for the grade I want.
If you are buying on ebay, there really is no risk. you have 30 days to inspect and if the card is short or otherwise damaged in a way that was not disclosed, you can return
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
just to add. I do not mean to say that if a buyer sends in for grading and do not receive the grade they were hoping for a card could be returned. only if you inspect personally and are happy with the raw card.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Unless I’m working on a low to mid raw set to put in an album I wouldn’t buy a high priced raw card on eBay. Nothing wrong if you feel good about it but they have grading companies for a reason. JMO.
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
I agree with the others who have commented. Really depends on the situation. Lots of old school collectors have decided to cash out over the years and sold very nice raw cards. It can be a way to get a card you covet at a much more reasonable price. Of course if things look fishy they probably are. Obvious examples are things like a raw 52 topps mantle that comes up for sale where the guy says "no returns" "Im pretty sure it's real" "etc. etc."
Jeff
Collecting:
post world war II HOF rookie
76 topps gem mint 10 commons 9 stars
Arenado purple refractors(Rockies) Red (Cardinals)
successful deals with Keevan, Grote15, 1954, mbogoman
If you're not confident in your ability to notice that sort of thing, like the poster you're responding to, then this isn't going to help. If you're sending in cards that you expect to be 6 or 7 that are coming back 3, then your inspection is't likely to help much.
Not to turn this into a card grading thread, but here's a good example: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1046962/i-got-a-really-nice-pair-of-4s-show-me-yours#latest
I look at those two cards - good corners, nice color, I don't see any major defects other than the centerting - and I'd say the left one's a 5 and the right one's a 6. But they both got 4s.
Maybe I just don't understand the grades enough. But if I make that error when buying raw cards, it's a lot of money wasted.
Depends on the card
Join the Rookie stars on top PSA registry today:
1980-1989 Cello Packs - Rookies
Why not? Where's the risk as a buyer? Ebay forces sellers to return if the buyer claims the card was not as described.
I completed a near mint raw 61 Topps set years ago. I purchased many of the cards in lots but some of the harder ones I purchased individually. Several of these raw purchases I had to send back due to unseen flaws (trimmed, creasing, etc.). It was a bit of a hassle and waste of time on my part. I found it was easier to buy a PSA 7 and crack it out.
For me, it really depends on who the seller is.
If the seller is a recognizable one who has been in the hobby for a long time, and is known to be reputable, then I'll pay more for a raw card.
If, on the other hand, I don't know the seller, and/or they have a questionable history, then I won't pay very much, if anything at all.
Steve
Less risk as a buyer, but why bother to take a chance. Some crooks might have figured out a way to keep your money.
What if there's no money in the sellers PayPal account and bank account it's linked to?
Great idea!!! I'll do that next time I sell a big raw card
To be fair, I should get a cut!
$200