What's the best way

bbne1

to sell mid-grade 60's HOF cards (Mantle, Maris, Aaron, Yaz etc)? Would you get them graded (probably would come in from 3 to 6) or sell them raw?

If you would sell them raw, what would you say in the description? I'm thinking stay away from guessing a grade, and state exactly what they are (rounded corners, light crease etc).

It looks to me like low "graded" stuff doesn't move, but raw does (certainly not big dollars, but often $20-$60 range).

I have quite a few and would just as soon sell them and buy select PSA 7 and 8 graded cards.

Any thoughts?

bri2327

As long as you know they arent trimmed or altered in any way, I would say get them graded. Seems to me at least that HOF'ers, particularly Mantle cards, do better when graded. There are exceptions of course, but most of those are probably from raw cards that were listed as much higher graded than they actually would receive.

Whichever way you choose, I would be interested in the Mantles.

Good luck whatever you decide.

earlycalguy

if your mid 60's mantle's are a 5 or 6 then I'd grade them. if 4 and under I'd see what they are selling for and sell them raw at a buy it now for slightly less than graded cards. if a 66' Mick psa 4 is going for $75 and your's is in 4 condition then i'd start the buy it now at the $75 and then in a few days lower it to $70 if it hasn't sold. i think you can get the same or maybe slightly less money for raw and come out ahead without the grading fees, postage etc to/from psa. this is my experience with Mick cards but probably is true for the other players mentioned as well.

Joel

Bosox1976

Agree about grading the Mantle cards.

Sell the rest raw with good scans and let people grade for themselves. Point out anything that the scan doesn't pick up though. I'd call them nice mid-grade cards in the description and focus on the positive attributes - take a look at Great Lakes Auction House on ebay - seems to be a master of positive spin, but does not mislead at all.

lostdart58

I say sell them all raw.......assuming you have a reputible EBAY account feedback wise.....................give good scans and explain all details of the cards.........just my two cents

baseballfanatic

I agree with all raw. People pay more for a raw card that could have a shot at a 7, then the actual card in a PSA 4 holder..........

incugator

If you get some graded and not others, potential buyers are going to assume that they cards that you didn't get graded have more significant flaws that the graded cards. I also think that Great Lakes can be quite deceiving. They put "no creases" on the description and then you have to read about a WET SHEEN and minor surface weear and near PERFECT CENTERING and NO CREASES but a spider wrinkle on the back. Much less than average wear for a 50 year old card. Just be honest up front and provide a good scan. It doesn't matter if you get the cards graded or not, But you may want to keep them all raw or get the all graded.

storm888

Selling raw cards on EBAY is usually an invitation to grief.
The smallest mistake in your description can open you up
to a SNAD claim by an AH buyer.

I would grade all cards b4 listing them. Even clean 4s and 5s
look nicer in PSA holders.

zef204

I usually agree with Storm, but not on this. I say sell them raw.

I would tell you to grade them conservatively when you list them and show a big scan. List anything the scanner might not pick up. You will waste your money grading most anything other than a Mantle if it has a chance to come back as a 4-5 in the 60's.

Good luck.

bbne1

Thanks for the advice. I think raw is the way I'll go, as you suggest with big scans and clear descriptions including the flaws. I'm not looking for big $, just fair prices for what the cards are.

Thanks again!

NewJerseyMeatHook

Yeah, I have a stack of mid- to low-grade stars from an inherited brown grocery bag full of sixties' cards.

I'm selling 'em raw.

NewJerseyMeatHook