How important should upgrades be for those of us who don't build sets?

Hallco

I see a lot of people spending big bucks to get a card in just one grade higher and it got me to thinking about how important that is for most collectors. I had a situation not too long ago where I had a card that someone wanted. I was offered a trade for the same card one grade lower + cash. When it was all said and done, I got just about the same amount I had originally paid for the higher graded card! So really, the 1 grade lower card was essentially free, right?!?! Of course this is not a strategy for registry sets but at the end of the day the lower graded card is still a card I want in my collection and definitely worth having in my opinion...even if it's an 8 instead of a 9! Is this way of thinking wrong? Would love to hear some feedback!

70ToppsFanatic

I think it simply depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

A good example is my 1971 Topps set. My goal for the set at the present time is all major stars in PSA 9 and the rest PSA 8 or better.
If a good opportunity comes about I might try for higher on the "everything else" part, but I have my work cut out for me on a bunch
of the major stars still. SPOILER ALERT: Major 8.5 to 9 upgrade in progress!!!! Details to follow.

On the other hand, I am closing in on finishing my 1957 Topps set in PSA 8. While I do have a couple of these that grade higher (including
a major star), I don't think I'd part with the higher ones because of the stories of how much I enjoyed tracking each one of them down.

I guess if someone were willing to make an insane offer for the cards graded better than 8 I'd listen and I might even be tempted and pull
the trigger, but it would have to be a hell of an offer.

Bottom line is that I don't think that any of us is right or wrong in our way of thinking about what we want to collect. That's part of the fun
of it. Just enjoy it.

Hallco

Thanks for the reply David! Good luck with your collection!

PowderedH2O

I think it all depends on your goals. For example, I am working on a 1954 Bowman football set in PSA 8 or better. I recently got an 8.5 and a 9. If someone were to offer me those same cards in 8's and give me something that I could use I'd certainly make the trade, as my goals are 8's. So, trading down for me in that case is good. But, if someone offered a 7 or 7.5 for one of my 8's, I wouldn't even think about it.

itzagoner

i enjoy the concept of trying to improve individual holdings by upgrading them when possible, and using the lower graded example to help fund it.

seems easy enough, right?

however, there have been several occasions where i refuse to part with the lower graded example because it possesses qualities which i appreciate and just don't want to let it go.

overall, it has been beneficial to make comparisons, particularly when i have taken interest in yet another example of a card i already own.

wrestlingcardking

I recently was trying to get all the wrestlers from the 1887 Allen and Ginter set in PSA 7 or above. I currently have three of the seven. I had one wrestler in a PSA 5 and found a SGC graded card that was the equivalent of a 6. When I got it in hand, it looked really good and I cracked it out in hopes of getting a 7. To my surprise, it came back a PSA 8 although I thought it was really nice. I considered thinking of getting rid of the 8 if I were to get a couple 7s that I need, but in all honesty there are only a few collectors could have what I need. In the mean time, I am going to be able to sell my old 5 and basically make up almost all the cost of the "8". That is huge. I'm not against getting rid of the 8 but it would have to be a great deal as it is nice to have a card where there are none higher. Personal preference I guess but it does give you options. I have traded down in the past with no regrets and there are times where I do not want to.

uyu906

I have traded PSA 8 1957 baseball for lower graded 1957 baseball that I needed. For my set, PSA 7's are just fine.

nightcrawler

I enjoy trying to raise the gpa of my sets, but some high grades are insane when it comes to price.


It does feel strange looking through a set and seeing 8s that look better than 10s though. For that reason alone I think a guy should build a set with cards you're happy with, rather than grades you're happy with. Not sure who said it.. "Buy the card, not the grade"


EDIT:

I just realized I misread the question???

I do have interest in upgrading my cards that aren't in sets, but have sold cards in higher grade because they didn't look as good.

That's still kind of the same answer, lol.