Grading common modern cards

jetpro · March 16, 2007 5:33AM

Can anyone explain why common modern cards are even submitted to be graded when they typically sell for $9.99 if you're lucky. The cost and aggravation of the auction just don't seem to be worth the effort.

Mefer · March 16, 2007 5:36AM

Some people may collect a set and as such, submit those modern cards for grading. It of course too all depends on the card and the definition of modern. Some modern cards are worth grading (i.e., a short printed Pujols rookie).

drewsef · March 16, 2007 5:36AM

cause it takes all types to make the world go round, pretty simple actually

lawnmowerman · March 16, 2007 5:39AM

This kinda sounds like another "I spit on your modern cards" thread.

Its hard to tell. Please let me know.

Russ · March 16, 2007 5:50AM

You guys talk about the same stuff we do on the coin forum.

Russ, NCNE

cravetopps · March 16, 2007 5:59AM

I can tell you a few reasons....

1. it's a good learning experience to go through your cards and send them in to see how good you are at evaluating card quality; you get a lot of satisfaction from this and it is hard to quantify what this means to a certain individual.
2. some folks don't care about the cost and even though you can buy the card graded on ebay for less than the grading fee in many cases, you don't have the enjoyment and satisfaction of doing it yourself.
3. This hobby is not always, and in fact is rarely about the money. If money was the only motivation, it would be a business and not a hobby.
4. It is fun to send cards in and get your grades. In fact, it is a lot of fun and well worth losing a few bucks in the process.
5. you can't always get the card you want on ebay and some people are trying to build sets rapidly.
6. collectors enjoy losing money because we love PSA, EBAY and having too much money in the bank is a great social burden.

colebear · March 16, 2007 6:08AM

<< Can anyone explain why common modern cards are even submitted to be graded when they typically sell for $9.99 if you're lucky. The cost and aggravation of the auction just don't seem to be worth the effort. >>

A lot of times people collect a certain player even if that player's cards is not worth anything of monetary value, maybe they collect a team set of a certain year (i.e. 1987 Minnesota Twins, 2003 Red Sox, or 2004 White Sox)

and all the reasons that cravetopps stated

NathanSr · March 16, 2007 6:12AM

Some folks even submit other players they do not collect, just to help board members who do collect that player.

NathanSr

storm888 · March 16, 2007 6:43AM

All cards look their best in a PSA holder.

CDsNuts · March 16, 2007 6:49AM

I'm pretty sure jetpro is asking why people who intend to sell the cards after grading submit cards that they will list on ebay for 9.99, which is what some big dealers do.

If this is the question, I've been exploring this topic and have found out that the bulk submitters (1000+ subs) get a fairly significant discount. They usually pay around $3-$4 per card, and most of the modern cards aren't scutinized as much as vintage. I just bought a 1991 Pro Set Platinum card for $9.99 that has bad flaking on the back on 2 edges- I'd be surprised if the grader even looked at the back.

So say you have 1000 modern cards and get 70% 10's. At $4 per card, that's $4000 in grading, but selling the 10s alone at $9.99 will net you $7000 for cards that are otherwise worthless. Then add in the non-10's and it's a pretty decent profit center. I think all these guys look at is centering, edges and corners, and if those are good on a modern card, it's most likely a 10.

Lee

colebear · March 16, 2007 11:20AM

How do you get that discount? The one of $3-4 a piece for 1000+ submissions

CDsNuts · March 16, 2007 11:37AM

Not sure, but I assume if you contact PSA you'll find out. I never plan on becoming that entrenched in the hobby where I'll be submitting 1000 cards. At least I hope not.

Lee

theczar · March 16, 2007 1:33PM

Russ,
You have nearly 55000 posts in 5 years? 11000/year or 900/month or 30 a day. And I Thought we here on this board needed to get a life.

Amazing. How many of your posts are from work?

williplett · March 16, 2007 2:27PM

I thought the same thing. 55,000 posts??? Unreal. I thought Stone and Perry had a ton (and they do). Is 55,000 the leader on the CU boards?

envoy98 · March 16, 2007 2:40PM

<< Not sure, but I assume if you contact PSA you'll find out. I never plan on becoming that entrenched in the hobby where I'll be submitting 1000 cards. At least I hope not.

Lee >>

Near as I can gather, the discounts aren't even discussed until you can cough up 500+ cards. Guys like 4SC I'm sure are paying $3/card, if not less based on the frequency of their volume. Not only do they submit 500-1000 cards every time, they do it about every 5 days from what I can tell. Their cards never start below $3 so I've always assumed they were paying about $3/card.

I just sent in 189 cards and I've got another 230 or so to send off. Once I've sold off the dupes from the 189 card order, I should be able to pay off that grading venture and get this other stack graded...wash, rinse and repeat the process. If you can find a nice source of raw singles, especially in bulk (1970-Present) and get a small break on the grading fees, you could make a couple bucks. 4SC usually buys up raw sets at various shows. I've met quite a few people that have sold to them.

Plus as others said, there are plenty of people that collect oddball cards, entire sets or team/player issues. My last sub is pretty much strictly registry cards I needed and duplicates of those cards that I'll sell off to other board/registry members. My next sub has assorted HOF'ers that I've pulled from rack and vending breaks etc just to sell off to help offset the fees for all the other stuff I need.

It's a nice compromise.

Russ · March 17, 2007 1:54AM

<< How many of your posts are from work? >>

All of them.

Russ, NCNE

colebear · March 17, 2007 1:51PM

<< 

<< Not sure, but I assume if you contact PSA you'll find out. I never plan on becoming that entrenched in the hobby where I'll be submitting 1000 cards. At least I hope not.

Lee >>

Near as I can gather, the discounts aren't even discussed until you can cough up 500+ cards. Guys like 4SC I'm sure are paying $3/card, if not less based on the frequency of their volume. Not only do they submit 500-1000 cards every time, they do it about every 5 days from what I can tell. Their cards never start below $3 so I've always assumed they were paying about $3/card.

>>

You know I sent in almost 500 with the december special and thought that was their best price. I guess I have to give them a call and find out if I can strike a deal.

Grading common modern cards

Comments