dumb question- where do you find cards to submit?

goodriddance189

for the submitters of vintage material, especially high grade. where do y'all get your high grade raw cards to submit? from packs or vending? scouring card shows for raw material to submit? cards collected when you were younger?

i'm sure this is a retarded question, but i've always wondered where people find nice stuff. the only vintage cards i own are from trades, lots, or sometimes shows. all of the stuff i have is mid grade, and not worth submitting. i've been to a few large shows, and they never seem to have a decent selection of high grade vintage (and if they do, they ask prices consistent with SMR for raw)

mcastaldi

I think if you are serious and do it right, it's a combination of those things. For my 72 and 73 set, what I've submitted myself was mainly bought from shows. The raw 74s I have were primarily purchased on eBay a year or two ago in "NM/MT+" bulk lots. My 76, 77, & 78 stuff has primarily been obtained from friends who are building those sets - combined with occasionally finding searched vending boxes to look through.

However. . .for newer stuff, it's been a bit different. I've been buying 81D sets from time to time and picking out the minties. 81F, 83F & 84F from a vending box or two of each. . .84T are from a 6-box rack case I bought. . .and I have a near set of 84D to look through - I'm hoping 10-20% of those will be keepers.

There are tons of ways to get there. . .

Mike

murcerfan

upstairs.......first door on the left.

zsz70

Will,

Most people who sell and buy nice vintage have been in the hobby for many years.
They know where to go to get nice stuff.

I've been in the hobby since 1985. I know many people who have nice raw stuff.

Actually, some dealers still only sell raw stuff.

Bill Mastro was buying lots of mint vending back in the 70's.
I wouldn't be suprised if some of the stuff you see in his auctions
are still some of the stuff he's had for quite some time. I don't
know this for fact, but I know he was one of the big buyers back
in the 70's.

marc

Scumbi

Sometimes the easiest way is to put word out through your friends. Your brother's dentist's grandfather might have an old box sitting somewhere. Never be shy about admitting you collect cards. Of course, I wouldn't mention it on any dates with supermodels, but you'd be surprised what people will just hand over. Most will be cruddy, however I've seen people end up with some nice cards just because they showed some persistence and mentioned the hobby to others.

Also, go to Alan Rosen's house on Halloween. He gives out unopened packs of 1952 Topps to all the little trick or treaters. Just make sure he doesn't take out your candy when he reaches into your bag.

Best,

Scumbi

Davino

<< <i>Also, go to Alan Rosen's house on Halloween. He gives out unopened packs of 1952 Topps to all the little trick or treaters. Just make sure he doesn't take out your candy when he reaches into your bag.

Best,

Scumbi >>



Scumbi,
I have no experience dealing with Alan Rosen but I believe I can surmise from your post that you don't think all that much about him? Correct me if my assumption is innaccurate.

scottsusor

As most of you know, I deal exclusively with commons and I can tell you that it is an extremely time-intensive and oftentimes frustrating line of work to search out high grade commons. Besides a lot of time, it takes a lot of money. But its definitely a variety of sources that come into play -- card shops, card dealers, eBay (but that's always a crap shoot), and card shows. Its rare that I'll go out and buy a "lot" anymore, unless I know who it is I'm buying it from ahead of time.

Scott

mariner

The raw cards that I am submitting are part of my collection that I have accumulated over the years. I have attended card shows for a very long time. In the last several years, it has gotten very difficult to find a lot of nice raw cards at shows. My experience is with late 50's and early 60's. They can be found, sometimes a few at a time, but it is like looking for a 'needle in a haystack'. Some dealers want SMR prices for raw gems. Still, the hunt is fun!