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Do the big submitters get better grades! Check this out!

Howdy!
There was a thread recently posted on big submitters like DSL, 4 sharp corners, etc. that discussed the grades they received compared to small time submitters like myself... I decided to keep my eyes on some of the sets I collect to see if anything unusual popped up and presto here it is:

4 Sharp Corners just listed 30 psa 10 1971 kelloggs baseball cards. Up this point there were only around 90 psa 10's out of 4,300 submissions in that set.... Hum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 Sharp Corners also listed 11 psa 10 1971 topps coins. Up to this point only 15 psa 10's out of 1600 submissions were in the population reports!!! Hum!!!!!!!!!!!

Just sharing some things I've noticed!
Paul

Comments

  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭
    Are you sure they didn't run into a really nice find of them? These things do happen. For example, the PSA9 & 10 populations for several early 70s issues changed pretty significantly as a result of the Wingard/Pekovich vending find. So while there is some evidence to support the theory that the largest submitters get better grades, you have to keep in mind that the larger dealers are generally in a position to find more better stuff too.

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • As much as I grimace about big time submitters and how they can kill pop reports...

    I know where 4SC is getting this stuff....and it's a goldmine!! I tried to buy the same collection 2 years ago, but failed to capture the prize.
    I believe it's the same person selling to him..if it is..LOOK OUT...that's just the tip of the iceberg!!

    And yah, we all know they don't dribble cards into the market..
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
    I have bought loads of cards from 4-sharp and DSL in the past. I have received a few and only a very few cards that left me bewildered about the grade they received. More often than not I get some pretty good cards from both sellers. I think if I had bought the same amount of cards from anyone else I probably would have received about the same quality cards based on the volume. Heck, I think I may have even been the one that started the thread you are talking about.
    image

  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>Are you sure they didn't run into a really nice find of them? These things do happen. For example, the PSA9 & 10 populations for several early 70s issues changed pretty significantly as a result of the Wingard/Pekovich vending find. So while there is some evidence to support the theory that the largest submitters get better grades, you have to keep in mind that the larger dealers are generally in a position to find more better stuff too.

    Mike >>




    I wouldn't say there's any agreement between 4SC or anyone else and PSA, whereby increased business is exhanged for better grades. But I also think it's unlikely that some idiot like Roger would somehow have access to unlimited hordes of gorgeous, unaltered vintage cards while the rest of us may have never seen an unslabbed mint 1971 common in our entire lives.

  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>As much as I grimace about big time submitters and how they can kill pop reports...

    I know where 4SC is getting this stuff....and it's a goldmine!! I tried to buy the same collection 2 years ago, but failed to capture the prize.
    I believe it's the same person selling to him..if it is..LOOK OUT...that's just the tip of the iceberg!!

    And yah, we all know they don't dribble cards into the market.. >>



    Ah hah! If there is indeed a horde of this sort then I stand corrected, and apologize to 4SC for the insinuation.

  • lostdart58lostdart58 Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭
    I have needed this card for my 72 set...............It is a Tough card to find...................between the tilt and the centering it is a VERY questionable PSA 8...............

    Do the big submitters get favorable grades?................I end up buying a ton of cards from DSL and 4SC.........I still say NO.
    Collector of:Baseball
    1955 Bowman Raw complete with 90% Ex-NR or better

    Now seeking 1949 Eureka Sportstamps...NM condition
    Working on '78 Autographed set now 99.9% complete -
    Working on '89 Topps autoed set now complete


  • gaspipe26gaspipe26 Posts: 1,614 ✭✭✭
    Thats a tough one? Damn I better send some in.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    some idiot like Roger


    image

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • It's possible that 4 sharp corners has found a stash of nice vintage stuff.. But that many psa 10''s at one time seems a little ridiculous to me! Other collectors find stashes of vintage material now and then that is CHERRY and they don't end up with that many 10's if even 1 or 2.. Plus, when a collector looks at the population reports and see's only 1-2 % of a certain card/coin receiving a "10" and then all of a sudden you see 15-30 psa 10's of it show up "RED FLAGS" star a flyin' in my book!!
    Paul
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>some idiot like Roger


    image

    Steve >>



    What? I think he's a turd, and I don't care who knows it.
  • I've bought MANY cards from DSL and 4SC and haven't had a problem with the grades they receive. I think that when a card is borderline, they get the benefit of the doubt. Whereas the average submitter just gets the lower grade.
    Baseball is my Pastime, Football is my Passion
  • It's possible that 4 sharp corners has found a stash of nice vintage stuff.. But that many psa 10''s at one time seems a little ridiculous to me! Other collectors find stashes of vintage material now and then that is CHERRY and they don't end up with that many 10's if even 1 or 2.. Plus, when a collector looks at the population reports and see's only 1-2 % of a certain card/coin receiving a "10" and then all of a sudden you see 15-30 psa 10's of it show up "RED FLAGS" star a flyin' in my book!!

    Paul,

    I know what you mean about the red flags....but there are collections like that out there....
    Not every dealer that finds a stash runs to SCD and brags and flaunts pictures of the next greatest find. There are too many delaers that are full of themselves and just want the glory..(insert pic of Al Rosen here)..

    There are some nice hoards of stuff out there...

    The collection that was talked about in this thread was amazing. IF indeed it's the same one...I had offered the seller $300,000 for it and didn't land it!!
    Problem is...I would have gracefully sifted the cards into the market....and taken a few years to filter them in..
    The bulk dealers don't know what that's about..and infuse everything at once...they will ruin the market for certain sets eventually and ruin the Registry...it's just a matter of time...

    Yet...I purchased several cards this week from one of these dealers to fill my registered set...why not..when I can get them from them cheaper than I can submit cards myself....

    As for the red flags and the percentages out there....the nice stuff does exist...I had a 250 card submission last year of 74 through 76 Topps Baseball, in which I received 83- 10's....those percentages are out of the norm...BUT the stuff was that nice!!! Heck 1/2 the 9's I got back could have just as easily gotten 10's as well...
  • zef204zef204 Posts: 4,742 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>some idiot like Roger


    image

    Steve >>



    What? I think he's a turd, and I don't care who knows it. >>

    image
    EAMUS CATULI!

    My Auctions
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,096 ✭✭✭✭✭
    $300,000? Holy Snikeys! I though my $7,000 collection purchases were a lot of money! I would still love to run into a collection like that sometime.


    By the way, that 72 Topps PSA 8 is very, very questionable. I would never have even sent that one in.

    Shane

  • mikeschmidtmikeschmidt Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭


    << <i>
    The collection that was talked about in this thread was amazing. IF indeed it's the same one...I had offered the seller $300,000 for it and didn't land it!!
    Problem is...I would have gracefully sifted the cards into the market....and taken a few years to filter them in..
    The bulk dealers don't know what that's about..and infuse everything at once...they will ruin the market for certain sets eventually and ruin the Registry...it's just a matter of time...
    >>



    So your 'solution' is to keep populations artificially low and not grade cards? So bulk dealers are bad for putting stuff into the market? I just don't get it. Perhaps there will be a temporary blip if the markets are flooded with high grades. But, on the back end - then the dealer has nothing else to sell. I just don't get your point at how slowly eroding a market over time is necessarily better than dumping at once, especially if that is the dealer's perogative. If the Registry is ever 'ruined' as you say - it's simply because there is too much supply given the demand. And that may be a key reason why a lot of the 1970s sets have not appreciated over the past few years.

    M
    I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
  • easily put.....the people that have the stuff...have the stuff!!
    So if you're one of these guys and say have 250 mint issues of one card....why not grade 5-10 at a time..if you get back all 9's with a 10 here or there thrown in...it keeps the pop in check. you'll get more on the resale side of it. Then when you sell them off...grade 5-10 more....and so on and so on...every time you grade and raise the pop reports...the resale price tends to come down. so do it steadily over time....not over night...

    These guys will take cards and send 50-100 of the same card at a time....if they get back alot of 10's....then wham...the 9's become worthless...the 10's are then the old 9 prices....and everything gets discounted overnight..

    I made the mistake myself with 1974 Topps #541 Indians team....6 months this card had a PSA 10 pop of 1!! I submitted 10 cards and got back 4- 9's and 6- 10's.....that made the pop 7. Heck I was praying for only one or 2 10's.....I killed the resale of that card right there...
    Today there are 59 Psa 9's and 14 10's....if you notice the big submitters have all had this card latley...

    It is about supply and demand....you put out too much supply and demand goes down...so do prices...but there will always be hard cards to find..
    Not grading cards to artificially" keep pops low....not really...but it doesn't mean you have to grade every card at once either!! Car manufacturers do this every year....release the hottest new car slowly in the beginning of the year and create a demand....over time, they release more.....if they made 10,000 cars and put them all on the market at once...there would be no hype...no " I HAVE TO HAVE IT" mentality..and although they would sell.....not as fast as they would without marketing.

    It's an age old theme....I'd rather make slow nickels than fast dimes.....sooner or later the dime strategy wears out and then it's on to a new scheme....keep with the age old business strategy and it will not fail itself over time. You'll make more in the long run.

  • grilloj39grilloj39 Posts: 370 ✭✭
    I don't think the analogy of automobile manufacturers slowly releasing vehicles to the public and the likes of DSL and 4SC slowly releasing graded cards into the market holds weight. One important factor is missing in this equation. The cards already exist. Sure they may not be graded yet, but they are there and the likes of DSL, et all, wouldn't release so many graded cards into the market if the demand weren't there.

    Gold Coins
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    e-bay ID: grilloj39
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  • mikeschmidtmikeschmidt Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭


    << <i>It's an age old theme....I'd rather make slow nickels than fast dimes.....sooner or later the dime strategy wears out and then it's on to a new scheme....keep with the age old business strategy and it will not fail itself over time. You'll make more in the long run. >>



    Well I'm glad that that particular business strategy works well for you. I don't disagree that it *can* be a better business strategy, and it sometimes is. But at the end of the day, remember that Roger basically outbid you on this lot/collection of cards - and, if nothing else, it would be hard to argue that his business strategy has been anything but very successful - even if it is diametrically opposed to your m.o.
    I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
  • oh..don't get me wrong..I have NOTHING against Roger or his philisophy...to each his own..
    I bought several cards from him this week to fill my sets..

    As for the collection...he didn't outbid me...he's getting it in dribs and drabs..as far as I can figure. IF again, it's the same lot...
    But I also see the owner of the collection selling on Ebay also....so I think he's piecing it out...maybe a combination of the 2....


  • theczartheczar Posts: 1,590 ✭✭
    patience is such a virtue when buying. much like money management in gambling. if you can get over i got to have it any price mentality you have knocked out a huge demon. i continually struggle with it.

    of course if every nice raw vintage card had been graded and no more were coming into the market the bidding world would be easy.

    i truly admire larry mayer. he bids on a boatload of stuff, doesn't snipe and if he gets a good buy he gets it, if he loses 20 out of 20 bids, then tomorrow is another day.

    5stat--if you are assumptions are correct can you give us a heads up on what years, sports and cards will get flooded?

    thanks
  • I'm not going out on a limb....just to become someone's scapegoat.

    Everyone just needs to do their own math with their own best interests in mind..

    The signs and trends are there....you just have to look...

  • SOMSOM Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭
    For those of us not in the know:

    who is the purveyor of this collection to 4SC anyway?

    Sometimes it is hard to follow these threads when so many different pronouns are used as opposed to the occasional proper name.

    Thanks!
  • I would like to know also.
  • A guy by the name of Mr Mint
  • 4 sharp corners is a trading assistant and sells other peoples cards.
    Yours truly,

    NINESnTENS





    NINESnTENS: Specializing in Panini mint-gem mint quality sportscards/stickers. The largest Panini inventory anywhere. If we can't get it, it doesn't exist.


  • << <i>

    Sometimes it is hard to follow these threads when so many different pronouns are used as opposed to the occasional proper name.

    Thanks! >>



    image
    Whoever said we wash away with the rain ?
  • Not every dealer sitting on hoards and hoards of material is going to be in the lime light.....some just want to fly under the radar.

    Not being 100% sure it the same collection, I not going to out the seller..in hopes that someday "I" might still bag the big one!!
    IF it is the same collection....I know that the seller wants to keep on the down low. Believe it or not..not every person with a warehouse full of material wants to have his pic taken and be in the lime light like Al Rosen. And NO...the collection isn't Rosen's....but it's in his league!!

  • 5stat,
    I was joking around
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>
    The collection that was talked about in this thread was amazing. IF indeed it's the same one...I had offered the seller $300,000 for it and didn't land it!!
    Problem is...I would have gracefully sifted the cards into the market....and taken a few years to filter them in..
    The bulk dealers don't know what that's about..and infuse everything at once...they will ruin the market for certain sets eventually and ruin the Registry...it's just a matter of time...
    >>



    So your 'solution' is to keep populations artificially low and not grade cards? So bulk dealers are bad for putting stuff into the market? I just don't get it. Perhaps there will be a temporary blip if the markets are flooded with high grades. But, on the back end - then the dealer has nothing else to sell. I just don't get your point at how slowly eroding a market over time is necessarily better than dumping at once, especially if that is the dealer's perogative. If the Registry is ever 'ruined' as you say - it's simply because there is too much supply given the demand. And that may be a key reason why a lot of the 1970s sets have not appreciated over the past few years.

    M >>




    I think you're looking at this long term, and that may not be the way others see it. Let's say, for instance, that there are 'x' number of PSA 9 quality 1971 baseball commons floating around out in the ether. If the entire quantity is graded and put on the market now, the dollar value of these cards plunges and then slowly rebounds over the next 10 years. If they're trickled into the market then the market just slowly declines over the next 10 years (assuming a constant demand). If you're going to own a set until 2016 then it doesn't matter either way. If, however, you have a set that you're thinking of selling in the next 3-5 years then how these cards are introduced into the market has real implications for you.

    The one compelling counterargument to this is that the market won't, in fact, rebound slowly over the next 10 years, but instead stay low. In which case the price for these cards in 2016 will be the same whether they're introduced slowly into the market or in one big batch. But I don't think this is the way it would work. The card would plunge, I think, because people would overestimate the number of new introductions and adjust their bids/ buy prices accordingly. Most people don't decide what they're willing to pay for a card based on the actual scarcity, but rather on the perceived scarcity. Look no further than the stupid prices being paid for 1975 PSA 8's three years ago, for example. The sportscard market is characterized by one large inefficiency, and that is that prices aren't set based on the actual supply but rather on the perceived supply.

    Or, look at it this way. Let's say I came into a box full of PSA 8 quality T-3 (we're all allowed to dream, right?). Further, let's say I got them all graded right now, and the pop reports rose accordingly. Do you think I would do better to sell one of them every three months for the next 'x' number of months, or to dump them all in the next Maestro auction? My feeling is that I would do better to let them go in increments, since even if everyone who was looking to buy these cards had access to the pop reports, and knew how many were out there, they would 'feel' scarcer if I didn't unload them all at one time. It stands, then, that if dumping them would be worse for me, then it would also be worse for the people who currently own similar cards in like condition.

  • WabittwaxWabittwax Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭
    Without "outing" the person who has a hoard of stuff, it would be nice to know which issues are still out there in a quantity that would affect prices. 1968's are a good example. People like to know if they're purchases today are going to devalue in the near future. It would be a great service to fellow collector's if somebody knew of a stash like this and specified on the years of the cards.
  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭
    To sort of go along with another thread, I think Fritsch could be a big wildcard in a lot of this. Presuming the current Mastro items are a sample and not the whole load, as that stuff comes to market we could potentially see some radical movement in the population of those sets. The catch is that whoever wins the unopened product would have to take an enormous risk in cracking it. There is potential upside, but the risk of just flushing whatever money paid for the box/case is very real indeed.

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • gaspipe26gaspipe26 Posts: 1,614 ✭✭✭
    The Mastro consignment is just a taste of the stuff Fritsch has I believe. The cases are not his though.
  • Gaspipe,
    Any idea where the cases might have come from and did you see how beat up the 74 case seemed to be?
    Any thoughts?
  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭
    Brian,
    I noticed how beat up the 74 case looked, but it looks that much more beat up compared to the 75 case. In terms of handling over the years, the 75 case looks to be in really great shape.

    I didn't realize the cases weren't Fritch's.

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • mikeschmidtmikeschmidt Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭
    Anyone know anything about the 1976 OPC vending case? I wasn't aware that there was OPC vending from the 1970s. Was very surprised to see that one.
    I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
  • gaspipe26gaspipe26 Posts: 1,614 ✭✭✭
    All I know is they were not Fritsch's. They came from another consignor.
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