Graded vs Raw
jsanz
Posts: 250 ✭✭
I was just at the Rosemont/Chicago show. I don't even look at raw cards these days because it is much easier and somewhat standardized to buy graded cards. The pricing on graded seems a little more transparent and stable. What suprised me is how many raw cards that were on display. I wonder if there are still some gems hiding in those binders and top loaders. I assume that if a card was really strong it would have already been sent in for grading. Are dealers still buying raw collections and sending them in for grading? It seems like a gamble. Can we assume as more cards are graded that the remaining raw cards will be of lesser quality? These are just my thoughts and opinions. Lets hear what you have to say.
Love those 70's - early 80's packs and boxes...send me a message if you are selling because I am buying
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You might be surprised at how many people either don't know about grading or just don't want to deal with it. It has become both more attractive and challenging to find nice raw examples of vintage cards, and when it happens, the satisfaction far outweighs that of simply finding and buying an already graded example. I realize there's safety and comfort in knowing that you're receiving a presumably legitimate product in a slabbed gem, but it's kind of like having someone else hunt down the lion for you, and then you get to step forward and put your foot on its belly and smile for the photograph.
I find stuff all the time. If I can come to a reasonable deal on nice raw cards I buy. I just picked up a strong 72 Topps Ryan and 87 Fleer Jordan from a shop that should have graded the cards years ago, but instead just had them in a box behind the counter. It blows my mind that someone can own and run a hobby shop and not be grading everything that should be in a holder
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
-George F. Will
Too soon.
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
Too soon.
I take it you are not an Anthony Jeselnik fan?
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Greg Maddux #1 Master SetGreg Maddux #2 Basic Set
For set collectors like me, I can't afford for everything to be graded. For example, I am finishing up my 1958 Topps baseball set. When it is all finished, I'll have about $2k into it. How could I do that graded? I recently bought a nice Ex condition 1971 set for $575. I couldn't buy half the cards in the set graded for that. I just completed a graded 1973 Topps basketball set. It is #6 on the registry. But, I have almost $2k into a set that I could buy raw for $250. So, I am collecting some PSA sets, but 90% of my collection will have to be raw.
I agree building base sets slabbed is a losing proposition unless you have tons of expendable income, which I don't. I built a 1969 Topps Fb set in PSA 8 and higher just to break it up and turn the $$$ into key rookie cards I would rather own. I still collect sets as well but all base sets will remain raw. I would only grade commons to resell
I would add that PSA's recent change in the grading structure. 'Pop tops?', whatever that is, is not a real good sign. There is some demand in the extreme quality category but drops off real quick. I still collect mid-70s full sets. I can often (not always, but often) buy a PSA 8 at 10% the price of a PSA 9. The difference in price does not accurately represent the difference in quality.
I was just at the Rosemont/Chicago show. I don't even look at raw cards these days because it is much easier and somewhat standardized to buy graded cards. The pricing on graded seems a little more transparent and stable. What suprised me is how many raw cards that were on display. I wonder if there are still some gems hiding in those binders and top loaders. I assume that if a card was really strong it would have already been sent in for grading. Are dealers still buying raw collections and sending them in for grading? It seems like a gamble. Can we assume as more cards are graded that the remaining raw cards will be of lesser quality? These are just my thoughts and opinions. Lets hear what you have to say.
What if you want say a few high dollar "iconic cards". Would you go for a really nice raw copy or go graded?
The raw set was pre internet days...putting together a slabbed set...ugh...lets not go down that road..just so cost prohibitive...but i can see the attraction, tried a couple times.
That reminds me....i think i have a raw carlton rookie somewhere...heres wishing me luck boys
Unfortunately, I just don't trust the raw that is out there. I learned the hard way.
++ I'm finding it hard to believe dealers who have been in business for years and whom have raw cards...then sell these raw cards cheaper than they would be if graded...Huh?
I see that exact opposite. Dealers with raw cards 99% of the time want NM pricing for EX card quality.
Collecting Unopened from '72-'83; mostly BBCE certified boxes/cases/racks.
Prefer to buy in bulk.