86-87 Fleer: worth it to submit for grading? -- GRADES POSTED

Barndog

I'm a coin guy and know little about the current state of affairs with cards. I have an 86-87 Fleer Basketball set (complete, with stickers). The set is raw, but I was attentive to quality when putting it together in the 1980s. The Jordan was pulled from a pack (pack cost me $125 back in the day...). Would it be worth the time, effort, and money to submit this set or parts of it for grading? Would I be able to get more than $1000 for the set (after fees) if I submitted? If so, to whom should I submit? I understand there is BGS and PSA, which is the one to go with? I have complete 87-88 and 88-89 sets, but I think they don't have as high a value, so they would likely be OK raw, right? I appreciate any insight.

jerrywest45

I'll buy it for $1000 if its in good shape...

It would be worth it grading the set. You would make money!!!

Barndog

<< <i>I'll buy it for $1000 if its in good shape...

It would be worth it grading the set. You would make money!!! >>



Thanks. But tell me more about how that works. I just picked up my first copy of Beckett in about fifteen years. How do I get more than Beckett ask with grading? Got any real-life examples?

GOODLIEU

Forget about values of these cards raw until you get the Jordan and some of the other major stars graded. Any of the top three grading services (PSA/SGC/Beckett) will do a good job on this set. I would defintely hold off on the commons right now because most of them can be obtained graded in NM/MT-Mint condition for about what it cost to have them graded. As far as an idea of what the cards are currently costing or worth go to EBAY and look back at some of the old auctions of the Star cards in different grades. It will give you an idea of their "Market Value".

Barndog

<< <i>Forget about values of these cards raw until you get the Jordan and some of the other major stars graded. Any of the top three grading services (PSA/SGC/Beckett) will do a good job on this set. I would defintely hold off on the commons right now because most of them can be obtained graded in NM/MT-Mint condition for about what it cost to have them graded. As far as an idea of what the cards are currently costing or worth go to EBAY and look back at some of the old auctions of the Star cards in different grades. It will give you an idea of their "Market Value". >>



OK, quick look at ebay closed auctions tells me that max value is with PSA, not BGS. Tracking so far?

artimus

my advice is to scan a few of the stars and post them here......the guys here can give you some idea of the grades..........even an unopened box can have crappy centering or dinged corners which can really affect the grades.....i would leave the commons alone until you have the stars graded......

theczar

that set has hit the skids. you can pick up psa 10's for less than $60. there is a ton of unopened still out there and with a 132 card set it doesn't take long to increase those pops.

Barndog

<< <i>my advice is to scan a few of the stars and post them here......the guys here can give you some idea of the grades..........even an unopened box can have crappy centering or dinged corners which can really affect the grades.....i would leave the commons alone until you have the stars graded...... >>



seems the Jordan would fit into the category of crappy centering! Here's a quick scan I just did:

stitzen

The light chipping along the right side would lend me to believe it's an 8, possibly a 9...great looking card overall though. I know this set does draw out some very tough grading.

Barndog

<< <i>The light chipping along the right side would lend me to believe it's an 8, possibly a 9...great looking card overall though. I know this set does draw out some very tough grading. >>



so let's say it's an 8...worth sending in for grading? (would I be able to get more than $1K for the set if this is what my average card looks like, only centered better?)

I guess if it's a 9, I should send it in, right?

ldferg

send in the jordan. this will assure anyone buying the set that it is legit. this will get you a feel for what your others may grade if comparable.

stown

<< <i>so let's say it's an 8...worth sending in for grading? (would I be able to get more than $1K for the set if this is what my average card looks like, only centered better?)

I guess if it's a 9, I should send it in, right? >>



If it comes back a 8 and the other key cards are better, you will probably be able to sell the set for $1K:

Recent sale

However, if it comes back a 9, you will EASILY clear $1K with the Jordan going for $850+ Previous sales link

If the Malone, Ewing, Olajuwon, Barkley, etc look better, you will get a bigger bang for your buck, IMO.

Ask goose or someone you trust to send them into PSA for you.

Good luck

ctsoxfan

That is a sharp looking Jordan, even if its a bit OC. I agree - you have to grade it, and probably a few other key cards from the set (like the Barkley, Karl Malone, Wilkins, and the checklist) for max value. Double check the Wilkins, last I remember that card is extremely tough in PSA 10, and brings crazy money in that grade. It's been a while since I sold most of my set, but I even did well with common PSA 10's. I do notice lately that the common 10's have fallen quite a bit, and the 9's are almost down to grading fees. One other thing to look for on this set is border chipping - especially on the corners. The color of the borders makes it sometimes tough to spot the defects without a loupe. Get one, if you don't already have one for coins, and see how nice your set actually is.



<< <i>there is a ton of unopened still out there >>



I actually don't agree with this. There might be some, but you rarely ever see it changing hands anymore. The 87 and 88 sets are much more common.

Barndog

thanks to all for the help so far. Looks like grading the keys with PSA is in order. Never would have thought about the checklist as a key, but if y'all say so. I still have to consult the Beckett that I bought

ldferg

you keep referring to beckett. look at past sales on ebay. that will be more in line than beckett.

Barndog

<< <i>you keep referring to beckett. look at past sales on ebay. that will be more in line than beckett. >>



my experience with cardboard was in the late 80s, Beckett was all I knew

sort of like a sports card time capsule I am trying to emerge from!

Allen

That Jordan will not pull a PSA 9. I think it will be a solid 8. Just grade the Jordan unless any of the key rookies, (Barkely, Malone, Ewing, Thomas, Mullin, Wilkins, Drexler, Olajuwon) Look like solid PSA 9 or 10s. If it was mine I would sell to the member who offered $1000 and not grade any of the cards or deal with ebay fees etc.

pandrews

i dont trust coin guys

stitzen

<< <i>thanks to all for the help so far. Looks like grading the keys with PSA is in order. Never would have thought about the checklist as a key, but if y'all say so. I still have to consult the Beckett that I bought >>



Yeah, the checklist is a very, very tough card to find in high grade. Last card of the set - typical collector puts them in number order, as well as paying less attention to the checklist.

GOODLIEU

My Jordan which I had graded by SGC years ago had similiar chipping on one side (Factory Cuts) and it came back a SGC 92 8.5 NM/M+. So as others have stated it will probably fall into a PSA 8 or PSA 9 depending on the graders subjective "eye appeal" criteria as the 1/2 points are not used by PSA.

mealeworm

Can you re-scan the card showing the left side and bottom? It seems that the crop cut the edge off.

jmbkb4

<< <i>

<< <i>Forget about values of these cards raw until you get the Jordan and some of the other major stars graded. Any of the top three grading services (PSA/SGC/Beckett) will do a good job on this set. I would defintely hold off on the commons right now because most of them can be obtained graded in NM/MT-Mint condition for about what it cost to have them graded. As far as an idea of what the cards are currently costing or worth go to EBAY and look back at some of the old auctions of the Star cards in different grades. It will give you an idea of their "Market Value". >>



OK, quick look at ebay closed auctions tells me that max value is with PSA, not BGS. Tracking so far? >>




Regardless of what the demagogues will tell you, if you are looking to maximize PROFIT with this set, the only reasonable choice is PSA.

If you are submitting for any other reason, any grading service will suffice.

jmbkb4

<< <i>That Jordan will not pull a PSA 9. I think it will be a solid 8. Just grade the Jordan unless any of the key rookies, (Barkely, Malone, Ewing, Thomas, Mullin, Wilkins, Drexler, Olajuwon) Look like solid PSA 9 or 10s. If it was mine I would sell to the member who offered $1000 and not grade any of the cards or deal with ebay fees etc. >>



Allen, heard from PSA on that NNOF yet??????

Barndog

after much input here and elsewhere, I have joined PSA and will start submitting some of the cards next month. I'll post results as they become available. Someone remind me if I forget!

Barndog

question: you think it will be OK to submit that Jordan as one of the 12 "free" submissions that come with membership? Or will PSA cry foul and say it is valued at more than $500

ldferg

personally, i'd grade the jordan separately from the 12 freebies.

i like allen's suggestion to sell for $1k to the board member and not deal with ebay fees.

good luck at whatever you decide.

Allen

<< <i>Allen, heard from PSA on that NNOF yet?????? >>



I sent it to BGS. . . .

Barndog

just sent in my first submission. 12 cards, including the Jordan RC and the Jordan sticker. Added Wilkins, the checklist, Barkley, and a few others that looked like they were pretty nice. I'll report back when my results come in.

Allen

Sounds like a good move. Good luck and if the Jordan comes back 7 or lower, let me know as I collect lower grade ones I can afford.

goldnuggets

I would grade it a 8 on centering and maybe a 8 on the edges,since some white chipping is showing..Need a scan of the back...I use Beckett, they are tufff Graders.


Look also at the front for any signs of creases or small dents. The color looks good from the scan.

What does the trade mark look like on the back, concerning the dot pattern.

Barndog

<< <i>I would grade it a 8 on centering and maybe a 8 on the edges,since some white chipping is showing..Need a scan of the back...I use Beckett, they are tufff Graders.


Look also at the front for any signs of creases or small dents. The color looks good from the scan.

What does the trade mark look like on the back, concerning the dot pattern. >>



couldn't tell you now, paid the USPS around 17 bucks for registered mail this morning. I should know in what, a few weeks?

Ahmanfan

Allen, stop hogging the mid grade Jordan Rc's, I think you have enough for your sets already. Some of us dont have any for our sets at all!

Barndog

<< <i>Your shipment was entered on 07/16/2007. Further processing is pending. >>



sweet...the waiting game is on!

rube26105

good luck with em!!!!!! i just sent in a jordan auto on 89 hoops to get graded,hope it come back 9,86-87 fleer was atough year for centering,i had several sets years ago when they werent worth anything,now look at em!!!

SlangNRox

I hope yougot al the wax off of the back of the Jordan sticker before submitting.

dizzle

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Forget about values of these cards raw until you get the Jordan and some of the other major stars graded. Any of the top three grading services (PSA/SGC/Beckett) will do a good job on this set. I would defintely hold off on the commons right now because most of them can be obtained graded in NM/MT-Mint condition for about what it cost to have them graded. As far as an idea of what the cards are currently costing or worth go to EBAY and look back at some of the old auctions of the Star cards in different grades. It will give you an idea of their "Market Value". >>



OK, quick look at ebay closed auctions tells me that max value is with PSA, not BGS. Tracking so far? >>




Regardless of what the demagogues will tell you, if you are looking to maximize PROFIT with this set, the only reasonable choice is PSA.

If you are submitting for any other reason, any grading service will suffice. >>



i think to maximize profit for this particular card being the jordan rc i would have chose bgs..a quick completed auctions search on ebay would show bgs gem mints finsish 500.00 dollars more than psa..mint 9 finished around 400.00 higher. when dealing with lower grades though they start to even out. i think for 1980's fleer basketball bgs usually does a bit better. since this is what i mainly collect i keep track of alot of auctions but anyhow good luck!!

Barndog

just got grades:

1 40665183 1986 FLEER 57 MICHAEL JORDAN N/A 8
2 40665184 1986 FLEER 9 LARRY BIRD N/A 9
3 40665185 1986 FLEER 109 ISIAH THOMAS N/A 8
4 40665186 1986 FLEER 1 KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR N/A 8
5 40665187 1986 FLEER 68 KARL MALONE N/A 10
6 40665188 1986 FLEER 132 CHECKLIST 1-132 N/A 9
7 40665189 1986 FLEER 7 CHARLES BARKLEY N/A 8
8 40665190 1986 FLEER 32 PATRICK EWING N/A 9
9 40665191 1986 FLEER 121 DOMINIQUE WILKINS N/A 8
10 40665192 1986 FLEER STICKER 8 MICHAEL JORDAN N/A 8
11 40665193 1987 FLEER 59 MICHAEL JORDAN N/A 8
12 40665194 1988 FLEER 17 MICHAEL JORDAN N/A 8

Date Received: 07/16/2007
Date of Grades Posted: 07/24/2007
Date Shipped: 07/24/2007

jmbkb4

nice work on those! is the checklist tough? What does a mailman in 10 go for?

Bosox1976

Barndog

<< <i>nice work on those! is the checklist tough? What does a mailman in 10 go for? >>



I heard the checklist was tough and have no clue what it or the Malone in 10 would go for.

I'm kind of pleased with the results because I put this set together raw (along with 87-88, 88-89, 90-91) about 15-18 years ago and was pretty attentive when it came to the details. I wish I paid more attention to top to bottom centering than I did. I was mostly attentive about left to right centering. Anyway, it's nice to have the grades in as a testament to my efforts long ago.

pandrews

nice results

Allen

Nice on the Malone. Now I say buy a PSA 8 Malone and a PSA 8 Checklist, put those in your set and sell the set and sell the Malone and Checklist individually.

julen23

word on the street is that right now is a prime-time to buy basketball cards..

is this true?

julen

rube26105

sweet grades!!!!!!!!love to have my 86-87 fleer sets back-you sending anymore of em in?
randy

ldferg

nice job. are you planning to sell? nice malone.

Nascar360

I would wait till basketball season to start. Buy the cards you need now and sell the high end Basketball stuff in a few months. Just my 2 cents.

baseballfan

nice, interested in selling any???

JNguyen

PSA 10 Karl Malone: $500-$700
PSA 9 Checklist: $300-$500

Based on recent EBay sales.

Barndog

<< <i>PSA 10 Karl Malone: $500-$700
PSA 9 Checklist: $300-$500

Based on recent EBay sales. >>



wow! I had no idea. Eventually, these will be sold. However, I have to learn more about reasonable prices and may submit more before committing to selling any of the cards.

stown

Very nice

If you get semi-stars graded, you are venturing into dimishing returns IMO.

I would wait until the season started, due to some small scandal going on