1972 BB Topps: Raw vs Graded

Horton

Hello fellow '72 Topps BB collectors!

First off I'd like to say that it's sad to see that the Corpis Collection (9th finest) may soon be no more on the set registry...he emailed the '72 registry to say that he's looking into splitting up his set...

Second, a recent thread talked about actually NOT selling graded cards at this time and how there was such a huge response to the Waverly sell off of raw cards...this happened while there is a seemingly anemic showing of people buying '72 PSA high quality graded material (even some occasional 9s - I shouldn't complain - I snuck in and upgraded my set at great prices!)...

I'm a little confused as to why if very reliably graded, protected, high quality cards were available at such reasonable prices would someone take the risk of spending nearly the same $$ (or more!) for raw cards which run a much higher risk of not meeting the grade stated in the auction...especially if they weren't looking for more rare cards to send into PSA...(and I love Waverly but even a few of his cards did not meet the stated grade - in fact, aside from Waverly, I've always had terrible luck with raw material on Ebay even with "reliable" sellers - it's just tough to grade cards and each seller has his or her own system)...

One thought was that some buyers somehow wanted a more "traditional" set of unencapsulated cards but that doesn't make much sense given that you can buy a PSA 8 for 3 to 10 dollars today...you can get the card for its reliable grade at a low price and then break the capsule open and store it any way you want if that's your pleasure...

So, I just would like some general thoughts on this...I mean, given the current environment it sounds as though I should pop open the extra '72 PSA 8s I have sitting around and sell them raw to get better prices?

Third, given the big PSA deal that flooded the market with so many high quality cards recently would it be wise to hold off selling graded material at this time and let the inevitable dip in demand pass?

Happy Collecting Everyone!

zsz70

Hi and welcome to the boards.

I'm no expert on 72's, and there are many on this board that are.

I've started putting a set together for a friend of mine, and
the prices on 8's are below 50% of SMR most of the time.

I feel much more comfortable buying the stars in PSA 8 then
buying the stars raw.

Even many of the 9's are going between 70-90% of SMR.

I would much rather stick with PSA on the stars.

However, I'd rather spend a dollar on a NM-MT common
than five dollars.

The good news out there is that you have so many options,
that you can pick the path you want.

marc

highend

Brad- the prices eric got for those 72's were outrageous. one bidder just went crazy. i put aggressive bids on alot of cards and lost. i was hoping to get some mint material. in the past i've had a couple of psa 10 's and ALOT of 9's graded from cards i bought from eric (waverly). i've also had my share of 8's and even a 7 or two. i think those prices were an abberation.
i saw you won the blue IA i was wondering if you had it graded yet, it looked like it might have made an 8.
i just finished a deal with rich corpis i left some good deals behind, he still has a barton ia available. i have one at PSA now that should turn an 8 so i passed.
welcome and good luck on a personal note i would like to thank you for the many positive transactions we've had in the past....jim

mcastaldi

Brad,
Glad to see you on the forums. You've made great progess with your set.

As I've gotten closer to completion, I've been more willing to take a chance on raw stuff that looks good. However, I tend to bid only when I think I can get a good deal - otherwise your point about picking up an already-graded example applies. My luck with eBay has been mixed. I tend to do much better at shows when I can choose my own purchases.

Mike

FB

Hi Brad,

Welcome to the Asylum (I mean Forum!)

I still can't get over the difference in prices of raw versus already PSA slabbed in some cases. I would take $8 PSA 8's all day long over $17 "MINT!" condition raw cards on eBay. I just saw some of those prices and couldn't believe it.

Occasionally, some of them do pop and get the 9 when you send them in - put when you figure that out of 10 cards like that - 8 will come back as PSA 8's, one will come back as a 9 and 1 will come back as "Evidence of Trimming".

All in all - those 10 PSA 8's cost you $80 while the 8 PSA 8's with one 9 cost you $170 plus $75 for grading MOST TIMES. Plus... if you REALLY want to get creative - buy cheap PSA 8's, keep the best and then when you feel lucky - break the best ones out of the holders and see which ones come back as PSA 9's. I'm batting about 40% on getting 9's from high grade 8's.