Question (possibly a rant) about grading.

mrbecker712

So I've been on this board for about a month or longer now, and I'd say close to 2/3rds of the threads are about grading, be it complaints or someone sharing their submission results. My question is do any of you use grading services on cards you're NOT planning to sell or trade? It seems somewhat pointless to me to shell out that much money to get a card graded only to keep it. I can sort of undertand if you're looking to "flip" a card and invest the money in order to make more money off of it, but if you're keeping it, why waste the dough?

I for one doubt I'll ever personally use a grading service. I don't care really if my Dale Murphy's are 10s or 9s or 7.5s. Now, certainly I want the most aesthetically pleasing card I can find, and will shell out more money for it, but to me if I'm keeping the card, I'm not sure I care what it's grade is. The PSA and other services to me seem ungodly expensive, and as someone else stated, a dollar spent on grading is one NOT spent on cards. So what do you think? Not trying to whine or overly rant here, just curious as to the adoration of grading services on these boards.

cwazzy

I very rarely sell anything but plan on having several cards graded. It adds a level of protection, gives me peace of mind that the cards I own are genuine and unaltered, and it gives them resale value for my family should something happen to me and they need the $5 they can get by selling my collection.

Chris

vintagetoppsguy

The main reason that I grade my cards is to know for sure that they haven't been trimmed, re-colored or altered in any way - especially on the vintage. Another reason is that if something were to ever happen to me, my family could sell the cards a lot easier and give the buyer more confidence.

plifter

I'm with the authenticity/lack of alteration crowd. Plus it's good if you are buying on e-bay. If you're buying a PSA 5 you have a good idea of what to expect. Not everything shows up on a scan.

WinPitcher

Mr. Becker have you heard about the Registry? Many participate on it and send in cards for that express purpose.

Steve

perkdog

I have been burnt on raw cards being trimmed, or "overgraded" enough times that I dont buy raw anymore- whether or not its my fault for not taking the time to educate myself on grading I still dont feel comfortable shelling out a few hundred dollars on a vintage item I want unless its in a holder.

stown

Ditto with everything that was said above.

bigdcards

<< <i>Ditto with everything that was said above. >>



I'm going to ditto stown on that one.


I'll also add that l really feel safe handling graded cards and walk on eggshells with my raw stuff. Plus I love the frame the SGC give cards and think cards presented their best that way.

bigfische

i make raw sets, the only cards i get/buy graded are the stars and rookies for the year i am working on.

clydecoolidge

I don't really sell cards unless I need the money (which I have as of late), but either way, grading offers a great means of protection, authentication, and gives a pretty close idea of what condition it's in (there's always exceptions to that as we know). If I'm gonna hang onto a bunch of high value cards for many years, I'd rather have them graded and in a slab, than just in a card saver. Just my opinion though.

clydecoolidge

Oh yeah, and believe it or not, many people collect as an investment (although fun and passion is usually a factory) and grading makes it much easier to estimate the value of a card or collection.

clydecoolidge

<< <i>Mr. Becker have you heard about the Registry? Many participate on it and send in cards for that express purpose.

Steve >>



Oh yeah, and that. Man the reasons for grading are just stacking up here. Get on the bus man!!!!