Presenting a big name card to the market.
Paceface11
Posts: 32 ✭
Hi.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to present a new original O-Pee Chee Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card to the investor market. The card is currently Raw and is a minimum 7.5, maximum 9.0 depending on what you compare it to. Any advice?
Thanks.
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Comments
First step would be to get it graded. When you say new original does that mean it pack fresh, you just opened?
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
New to the market, not new from a pack. Put in an acid-free hard case within a minute of taking it out of the pack 41 years ago. I'm not convinced that grading is the best way to go due to wide-ranging variations.
IMHO for a card of that magnitude you have it graded and if doesn't produce the grade you think it should have warranted then you can crack it out and sell it raw but I agree you need to get it graded.
Besides Jordan rookie, this card is the most reprinted card on the market today. At any given time on eBay there are more fake raw Gretzky OPC rookies than real ones. This is the main reason to get that card graded. Most buyers including myself will not touch a Gretzky rookie unless it has been authenticated/graded.
There are no graders near me and I will not let that card out of my sight. I am aware of fakes and can assure you that this is not one of them. Any good card collector would know the difference just by using a loupe or a dissecting microscope at 10x magnification minimum to look for the evidence. I've held on to this card for many years, and raw or graded, it is still what it is. If there was a way to have it authenticated and/or graded in person, without it leaving my sight, I would consider doing that.
People send 6-figure cards to PSA all the time. If you won't let it leave your person, it's not getting officially graded. If it's not officially graded/slabbed, good luck selling it. You might, but you'll likely get significantly less than if it was graded.
Send it in for grading.
Are there any opportunities to have a card graded in person for collectors like me who are skittish? Can you make appointments and have them graded while you are there?
Post a scan of the card. Most people over grade their own cards.
Robb
No.
I agree, post a scan. The last guy who thought his Gretzky rookie was at least a 8 and maybe a 10, turned out to be somewhere between 5 and 7, probably a six.
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This seems like a strange question. You came to a graded card message board asking the best way to present the card to the market and you already have your mind made up that grading is not the way to go.
Did you expect everyone to say sell it on EBAY raw?
The price variance that can occur on this card in particular with grading is massive and so naturally the best course of action is to get it graded first.
I provided a generous grading range based on much research. My mind isn't made up at all. I have been offered generous amounts for it in the past but I knew waiting would increase its value. I'm glad I waited.
So how you going to sell the card? In person sale only as you do not want it to leave your sight.
That's why I am here, asking questions, to find out what my options are. The previous offers I had were in person by people who know I have owned the card since I was a teen.
Here's another way to spell it out. If you send it to PSA and it comes back a 7, you will get PSA 7 prices when you sell because PSA is a trusted graded. If it grades an 8, then you will get PSA 8 prices. If it grades a 9, then you will get PSA 9 prices. PSA has already verified that it is real and of high quality
If you try to sell it raw on ebay and say that it will probably grade 7.5 - 9, you won't get as much, because it hasn't been through a highly respected 3rd party grader. If you won't get it graded, then this is your only option to have cash in hand before it leaves your sight.
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Successful transactions on the BST boards with rtimmer, coincoins, gerard, tincup, tjm965, MMR, mission16, dirtygoldman, AUandAG, deadmunny, thedutymon, leadoff4, Kid4HOF03, BRI2327, colebear, mcholke, rpcolettrane, rockdjrw, publius, quik, kalinefan, Allen, JackWESQ, CON40, Griffeyfan2430, blue227, Tiggs2012, ndleo, CDsNuts, ve3rules, doh, MurphDawg, tennessebanker, and gene1978.
Post a scan. Based on the image next to your username, you have already taken pictures. Let's see them.
You’re getting great advice. The only way to maximize your return is to have it graded by PSA. You can sell it raw and you can tell buyers what you estimate the grade to be, but you’ll get less for it, and that’s just the reality.
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
<-- Here it is.
Yes...I knew I came to the right place. I appreciate everyone who chimed in.
It’s hard to see in that tiny “avatar” photo, but it looks like the left to right centering is not good. Definitely not anything that would get a 9.
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
I'm trying to attach photos but they won't load. Any tricks to this?
Yeah...that was definitely upper range...wishful thinking...LOL.
Yikes. Sorry brother, that's a 4 or 5 if it's real. Centering is way way off left to right, and the oil bubble is off center. All four corners have wear.
Figured it out..preview button did the trick.
Agree. All 4 corners are touched, the top edge is obviously rough, and the centering is way off. Looks like a ding in the upper left edge, too. 4 or 5 maybe.
I appreciate the opinions.
The first thing you need to do is get the card out of that screw down holder.
That's what I had available to me 41years ago. Is it causing damage to the card? What do you suggest I keep it in?
From the pic, my opinion is highest possible grade is 7. Pic though is not optimal. The question is under closer examination of front and back will it maintain/retain the 7.
PSA the card it will more than be worth the $
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Those cases put pressure on the corners and flatten them where they are thinner that the rest of the card. That will have an effect on the grade. Also, over time the card will stick to the slab. It you are going to use a screw down holder get one that has a recess for the card to fit into.
My understanding is that PSA (and others) don't knock OPC cards down for having rough cuts. I know there are some who won't buy one that isn't rough cut as it implies it was sheet cut or trimmed.
Thanks for the FYI...appreciate it.
I am of the same understanding. In fact, without rough cuts, that makes it likely a fake.
I'm not averse to paying for the grading, I'm leary of trusting anyone with my card with all of the fakes out there.
The rough cut is desirable. When I used to open packs of 79 OPC hockey, I would occasionally get a card with 4 smooth edges but it was pretty rare. Basically, any high grade OPC Gretzky without rough edges is trimmed or sheet cut.
I think you are looking at a PSA 6 or 7 unless the card has additional damage from the screw down holder. Definitely a nice card but nothing you should be overly concerned about sending to PSA as long as you package it properly and send it FedEx or USPS next day air.
Robb
Thanks Robb. I agree about the rough cuts. It really is a nice card. I'll be sorry to see it go but it's time for it to find a new home where it will be appreciated more.
Yeah, the corners look better in the full photo than the thumbnail, and it does look legit. That centering will kill you though. Despite the published centering guidelines, that will likely get a 6 or 7OC. I'd recommend specifying No Qualifiers if you submit it.
Weird..I've seen 8.5 grades despite the offset oil drop in off centred cards.
i would expect a 5 or a 6 depending on the surface if it has no hidden wrinkles. great looking card and nice strong color.
psa 6 at best. no need to be that attached to it or require armored truck service to leave your sight, send it in to psa at "express" level. you'll have it back in 2 months time.
Looking at the logo it looks as if it is double stamped “METS”, oops wrong thread. 😬
I do agree with the general consensus and will add that the registration is off as well.
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Yeah, that's what I've never understood. Why would PSA ignore their own universal grading standards to make an exception for a rough cut edge?
It's not like they ignore off-center cards from 86 Fleer basketball, or Topps baseball gum stains (from any number of years) because lots of cards have those.
If the edge is bad, the edge is bad.
Nice card.
Here's the most recent comp for a 6. Might get lucky with a 7.
Current pop report:
Thanks for the info. smile:
I personally think that getting a 6 or even a 7 is not out of reach. If it came back anything under a PSA 5, I would be shocked. OPC cards have those rough edges and I've seen plenty of 9's and even 10's to know that rough edges on OPC cards are normal and don't grade the same versus a regular non OPC card.. The care overall is pretty nice. Certainly is still desirable. The main thing that stands out to me is that little ding on the top left (next to the white logo beside the E). That doesn't appear to be part of the OPC factory cut since the rest of that left side is smooth. But honestly, I can see this in a 7. Go for it, get it graded and let us know.
Careful unwedging it from the slab.
We all did the same thing many moons ago