No flaming intended or requred: Why do a lot of you grade 80s commons?
Jmnesq
Posts: 250 ✭✭
Everyone has their own collecting niche - - I collect Phillies chrome prospects and other chrome, modern cards, as well as Mike Schmidt.
I opened cases and cases of stuff as a kid in the early 80s to mid 90s. I don't understand the desire to crack a box of 1986 Topps, which is the worst product I ever opened, other than 1990 Fleer, and then spend $5-8 a card to grade common cards. I understand the registry is a nice way to list that you've got a complete set of graded cards, but why desire to have a PSA 10 of a common?
For instance, I was a follower of Jake Blalock, a Phillies minor leaguer, who recently was traded to Texas. He is turning into a non-prospect, and I wanted to get rid of a lot of my stuff, so I listed 2 PSA 9 Bowman Chrome Draft 2002 xfractors /150 and 1 PSA 10 Refractor /300. The Xfractors went for $7 or so each, where the #1 person in the registry set of the 2002 Bowman Chrome Refractors bought the refractor for over $40, as he only has a PSA 9, and needed a 10 (pop 2).
Now, with these cards, there is still a good chance that the population can go up, but it is not incredibly likely, I can open a box of 80s wax and pull out 5-10 possible PSA 10 cards, and there is a plethora of this stuff available.
I just don't understand why one would grade common 80s cards. Don't see the point.
No flaming required -- some people would question why I would collect cards of guys who have never played AA ball. I just want to understand your world.
I opened cases and cases of stuff as a kid in the early 80s to mid 90s. I don't understand the desire to crack a box of 1986 Topps, which is the worst product I ever opened, other than 1990 Fleer, and then spend $5-8 a card to grade common cards. I understand the registry is a nice way to list that you've got a complete set of graded cards, but why desire to have a PSA 10 of a common?
For instance, I was a follower of Jake Blalock, a Phillies minor leaguer, who recently was traded to Texas. He is turning into a non-prospect, and I wanted to get rid of a lot of my stuff, so I listed 2 PSA 9 Bowman Chrome Draft 2002 xfractors /150 and 1 PSA 10 Refractor /300. The Xfractors went for $7 or so each, where the #1 person in the registry set of the 2002 Bowman Chrome Refractors bought the refractor for over $40, as he only has a PSA 9, and needed a 10 (pop 2).
Now, with these cards, there is still a good chance that the population can go up, but it is not incredibly likely, I can open a box of 80s wax and pull out 5-10 possible PSA 10 cards, and there is a plethora of this stuff available.
I just don't understand why one would grade common 80s cards. Don't see the point.
No flaming required -- some people would question why I would collect cards of guys who have never played AA ball. I just want to understand your world.
Jeff
Collecting Bowman Chrome Phillies Rookie Cards and Mike Schmidt certified auto cards.
Collecting Bowman Chrome Phillies Rookie Cards and Mike Schmidt certified auto cards.
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Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
Joe
-- Yogi Berra
I'm really trying to get a handle on this . . . I grade rookie cards for resale, and there is obviously demand for the cards themselves raw or graded. You can hand me a 1986 Topps Don Carman, with 4 razor sharp corners and perfect centering, and I look at it and realize how lousy the Phillies were and I use it as a coaster.
Collecting Bowman Chrome Phillies Rookie Cards and Mike Schmidt certified auto cards.
Quality/Quantity Or should it be the quantity of quality creates demand. I have paid way over book for FF versions just cuz I wanted it.
Happy Hunting
There are some who like the challenge of pulling a 10 from this set.
Some people have an emotional attachment with 1986.
Some people believe that PSA 10's will skyrocket in 10-20 years....as thy're so hard to find.
Probably hard to find an answer to that question on a message board ----- look deep within yourself for the answer, grasshopper
Happy collecting!
Many of the collectors here couldn't care less if their PSA 10 common would not even bring back their grading fee on EBAY.
It's more about nostalgia and the thrill of the hunt.
I'm a Phillies Phan, much as yourself, and I have a humongous Mike Schmidt collection. But I really could never be bothered anymore to collect the 500+ Mike Schmidt issues that are now being released each year, with various serial numbers, autographs, game-used jerseys, printing plates, and combinations thereof.
To each their own - what else is there to say?
Investors acquire what they think will appreciate.
Dealers/ebayers acquire what they can sell.
Rich dudes acquire everything cause they can.
mike
Take the 86 Don Carmen as an example- if it pulls a 10 and is a low pop, and you know there are at least a couple Phillies collectors driving prices up, as well as the guys going for the 86 set registry, that card could cenceivably go for $50 or more. Why would you not submit it knowing this?
Lee
<< <i>Why do a lot of you grade 80s commons? >>
to make people create threads about it..
Not true Stone. Rich dudes acquire everything so us poor folk can't have it. LOL
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
I don't know why but its just cheap fun
Hopefully I can find a few gems to send in.
Just a little rush I guess
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
BTW, I'm buying a 3200 ct box filled with nothing but 1986 Topps 'The Rose Years' cards on Sunday. The guy says they're in very nice shape, and they're mine for 50$. Wish me luck!!
Edit to add: By way of a response to the OP's question, you can usually get between $15-$25 for PSA 10 commons from 1982-1986 if you're willing to sit on them for a while and keep them in your Ebay store. So there is some incentive for grading them. However, if you can't hit 40% 10's then you're better off keeping them raw; or, if not that, then at least not kidding yourself into pretending that you're getting them graded to help support your hobby income.
<< <i>Count me amongst that band of perverts who have an unnatural love for 1986 Topps. I think it's one of those sets where you really have to be a 'condition nerd' to fully appreciate it. It's just such a tough, tough set in mint condition, but the mint cards (when you find them) just look gorgeous. But if you're not the kind of person who gets real giddy about truly mint cards then the fact is that this set doesn't have much going for it.
BTW, I'm buying a 3200 ct box filled with nothing but 1986 Topps 'The Rose Years' cards on Sunday. The guy says they're in very nice shape, and they're mine for 50$. Wish me luck!! >>
"G'luck!"
Once again, to each his own, and this is what makes this hobby great as something that may float my boat may not float yours.....and vise versa.
Rich
When collecting - we will sometimes gravitate towards things we enjoy, can afford and will give us immense entertainment.
What better than a case of 86 Topps?
Plus, there's nothing wrong with finding a few golden - 10 - nuggets that one can sell to pay for the entertainment if that strikes one's fancy?
Also, I would guess someone would think...
why grade out an 87T set? Why? Because you can.
The quest for superb examples of the cards to have graded and purchases of hard to find examples on ebay is what a hobby is about.
Not everyone can afford to do a vintage set in 9 - so if someone does an 80s set in 9 - isn't that actually the same?
Qualitatively, they BOTH had a dream, they BOTH went on a quest, the BOTH completed the quest and they BOTH accomplished the dream and they BOTH enjoyed the journey.
Quantatively? That is, investment - return on investment - resale? That would have to be for another Ricky Lake Show.
mike
Rich
<< <i> The b[]smart people figure a way to have fun and make money at the same time >>
Rich
What part of "can't afford" don't you understand.
Most all collectibles that will hold value or go up, by their very nature, are going to cost more in the first place.
Just because someone collects an 80s set for the pure enjoyment and that's all they can afford doesn't mean they are not smart.
And, if you want to think outside the box - my closest friend collects rocks - worthless ones - not gem quality or anything - when I show him my latest acquisition - he says:
"how much did it cost Mike?"
"And if it goes down it value - will that make you happy" (he likes to needle me)
"I don't like collecting things of value since I, then, have to be concerned with all of the politics of that hobby - like counterfeiting, dealers etc."
"My rocks cost me nothing - but when I find a beauty and put it up on my display - I can stare at it for hours!"
He's happy just like you or me. And he sold his coin collection for more than I could dream since he just got plan tired of all the background noise.
I know you meant nothing by your statment but you don't always have to have your cake and eat it too.
mike
My 1986 Topps Mattingly is a PSA 9. I would love to get a 10 one day, but whenever they do show up on ebay the bidding goes sky high. I am lucky enough to own a 1986 OPC PSA 10.
Thanx for sharing
mike
<< <i> I know many people would never feel that a 1986 Topps cards is special, but they are the cards I grew up with. I could never get attached to a set like 1952 Topps as much as I could get attached to the lake 1980’s sets. 1952 Topps may be a classic set, but I didn’t grow up collecting it.
>>
This is the VERY SAME logic I used to argue with detractors when I started my 1978 Topps graded set. They were the first cards I can remember busting packs of many moons ago. And like you, I could never hold the same passion for any other cards whether it is 30's Goudey's or 2006 Topps Heritage. Value be damned
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Thanks! I got the card for a lot cheaper then what the Topps card goes for, and I think the OPC is harder to find.
Softparade,
I love the beauty of sets like T206, 33 Goudey and 52 Topps, but don't think I will ever want to collect them. Plus, they are wayyyyyyyyyy too expensive for me. I'm glad that most of the cards that I collect others think are worthless. 1978 is my birth year so I have thought about collecting it, but I think I will always have more passion for for my Mattingly cards, and some of the other sets that I had growing up.