Question about raw card purchases

gregm13

All,

Something that has been bothering me recently. Up until 2 years ago, I was still able to find high quality "raw" vintage FB at the large shows around Chicago. Lately, all I find are the crap that no one wants to grade and graded cards are 1.5 to 2.0+ times SMR for PSA 7+. A while back, someone asked whether the majority of registry members bought their cards through E-Bay. I am starting to realize that there may be no other venue to buy quality vintage cards. It's very sad. To make matters worse, there are very few stores left and the few that are, offer little or no quality vintage FB.

Where do other registry members buy quality raw cards?

"A frustrated collector"

Greg M.

goodriddance189

i always wondered the same thing myself. i guess with the advent of grading, it becomes a scavenger hunt. there isn't a whole lot of high grade raw stuff left out there. and when you do find some, many dealers ask inflated (on par with already graded) prices. it amazes me that guys like DSL have an unlimited supply of vintage stuff, where on earth does it come from?

Fuzz

Dear frustrated collector.
Simply put, if we told you that: we would have to kill you.
Seriously, that is a very closely guarded secret for those who have a source or two. I suspect you will get little in the way of serious answers.
eBay is at best a dicey propostion. While there are a few guys that fairly grade there cards, most are over graded. Often WAY over graded. It would be hard to consider a reliable place to buy cards. Since you are looking for 7's, they can be had. Try some of the websites for the FB guys like www.nearmint.com, www.PSAgradedfootball.com, and like. Good guys and they have an eye for how a card will most likely grade. Try some of the other registry guys as well. SOme of them have stacks that will make 7's since many specialize in 8's. Major auction houses can be a reliable but expensive source and I have found the grades are generally pretty close if not right on.
Fuzz
PS. Duncan "packcollector" has a Karras 59 cello for sale at the moment. A very reliable guy. Plus he opens packs regularly. Since you will buy 7's, there may be many already graded cards available for a fair price.
Fuzz

gregm13

I'd like to know the same thing. There may very well be several large collectors/dealers out there who are sitting on a goldmine of old, vintage cards. There is one dealer on E-Bay (old-card-player) that puts up b/t 200-300 cards a month (every sport plus non sport such as the 62 Civil War Cards). Most of his stuff appears vending fresh. I bought about 2 dozen 1969 FB and a few 70's FB stars to test the quality of his cards. I just submitted an order this a.m. at the Sportsfest in Chicago. I should know if 2 weeks whether any have been trimmed (which I doubt - this guy has a good rep).

Just so you know, there were some collectors/dealers in the 70's who hoarded vending/wax vintage boxes (I met one who lives in Tinley Park, IL) but most have been bought out by Rosen, BB Card Kid, ect...

I think I've learned my lesson that the big shows are completely void of any quality raw cards. I feel like vulture picking on the bones....

Regards,

Greg M>

mariner

Finding quality raw cards these days is like a 'vulture picking on bones". They just are not there at shows or shops or ebay, for the most part. The 'Hunt" is still fun and one can find a nugget here and there but it takes a lot of work. I am hoping the National is somewhat decent for some raw cards. SetBuilders table will have some good stuff.

perkdog

I posted a thread recently (pleasantly suprised) about some vintage football that I bought raw and submitted to psa. I bought them from a random dealer at a Tri star collector's show. I posted my grades that I recieved and am very happy. I believe that if you look hard enough you can find some steals at card shows. I must have searched through a 1000 cards and plucked these out.
Happy Hunting and good luck.

MorrellMan

perk - I agree. The major symptom of my personal disease is a need to hunt out raw gems that can be graded. True, it's getting tougher to do, but that just makes the reward even greater. I get much more joy out of that than just scooping up cards to add to my collection - not that there's anything wrong with that!

coach30

Three years ago at the Cleveland National there were large quantities of high end ungraded cards (mainly commons) I have been to every National since and the supply of such cards seems to be drying up. The registry no doubt has caused this to occur. I'm going again to Cleveland for the National next month and will be looking to see if there are any diamonds in the rough. My guess is that ebay is going to be your main avenue in the future for picking up quality stuff. There is too money much to be made with cards that grade high so very few make there way to dealer tables anymore. Good luck in your search. It makes it really fun when you find something nice.

sixdart

Greg,

Don't feel bad. At the last Chicago National, I couldn't find any Walter Payton cards ... high-end raw or PSA. In Chicago yet!?

I was there trying to finish my '48 Bowman Football PSA Registy set ... nothing . The Mid West is traditionally a great location for football cards, but not in the last 3 years.

Marcus

perkdog

Greg,
I found the dealers bussiness card from the last show I was at and remembered this thread and thought I would give you the guys email. This guy has thousands of decent vintage football. I bought about ten cards and got a few 8's and a couple of 7's out of it. Nice selection and good quality.....Hope this helps.

sjolinbaseballcards@hotmail.com