Purchasing raw mantle from local shop, need advice - Pictures Added!

Dragnet

It's been a number of years since I bought a raw card in person, but I had the opportunity to purchase a '53 bowman mantle from a local card shop (not a place I frequent) for what I felt was a great price. Though I'm confident about its authenticity, etc., I am no expert and intend to send it to PSA for grading.

Having said that, I'm wondering whether I ought to ask the owner for a guarantee that the card is authentic and hasn't been trimmed/altered. I'm not sure if this is commonplace when purchasing high value raw cards, but having not paid for it yet, I wanted to get some opinions.

In case you were wondering, the owner of this shop has chosen not to grade any of his cards.

Thanks in advance,
Josh

MULLINS5

Josh,

I don't see anything wrong with asking the owner to give you a guarantee that the card hasn't been altered. I wouldn't ask for a guarantee that it will get a certain grade, though.

Best of luck. Share if you pick it up!

Patrick

wilkiebaby11

Originally posted by: MULLINS5

Josh,



I don't see anything wrong with asking the owner to give you a guarantee that the card hasn't been altered. I wouldn't ask for a guarantee that it will get a certain grade, though.



Best of luck. Share if you pick it up!



Patrick

100% agree.



Authenticity and being unaltered is something that one would only expect and something that would have to have been deliberately done, which implies deceit (not necessarily by the card shop, but by someone who once owned it). Since there can be exact evidence of this, it's something that should be guaranteed. Grading is simply an opinionated assessment. That part is your job to do your due diligence and make an assessment of the card and what value it is to you.

Grimster

One thing you might consider is taking the PSA paperwork and box/shipping supplies up there and packing it up with him so that he knows that it is his card you are sending to PSA and that you didn't swap it. Mainly a CYA activity for each of you.

But ya, being a 53 bowman Mantle...you'd have to send it at a higher level of service anyway (definitely not the 50 business day level) so he should be ok with that.

Let us know how it works out!

Dragnet

Thanks for the help guys -- like the last idea, also to give him some assurance the card won't be mishandled on my end and will be returned exactly as it was sold (should it come back ungraded).

Dragnet

Assuming it all works out, I'll be sure to take a photo and post more details before sending off..

Mintacular

I dunno about packing it up in front of him, he might start to ask himself if he is making a mistake by not getting it graded himself or that it is in such nic shape for grading that he is undercharging u

Sdub

It's a fair question. It's the type of question looking for a reaction, not an answer.

tntdynomite

It really comes down to what you think.If you're willing to gamble that you're right and it's authentic,then buy it.If not,let it go.I don't think the owner should have to guarantee anything to you or agree to send it in.This is the issue you face buying raw vintage and the issue sellers face selling nice raw vintage.You're taking a gamble,you just have to figure out if the potential end result is worth the gamble.

craig44

It never hurts to ask

Dragnet

Picked up the card today -- owner agreed to a full refund if deemed altered/trimmed or not authentic. Took these pictures and thought it would be interesting to see if you guys notice any issues and/or how you think it'll grade.

arex

Wow. that is a stunner and very solid centering which fro what ive noticed about 53 Bowman Color can be all over the place.

I think it gets a 5. Super super sweet and I hope it comes through for you.

Stone193

That's a really nice Mantle!



I would say 5 or maybe 5.5?

skrezyna23

I know nothing of vintage prices and Im not aksing the OP how much he paid.. but what would this go for raw on avg?