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Grade Entire Set
Joegyst
Posts: 14 ✭
Sorry if this has been covered, I couldn't find good information.
What is the best way to get an entire set graded, cost-wise? I have an 84 Topps football set I've had for a long time I'd love to get graded. But what's the expected cost? Are there Collector's Club specials or anything to look forward to?
I know PSA says it gives you some free submissions but I don't expect a lot from that.
Thanks,
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Welcome to the boards! I'd suggest signing up for the one year collectors club, and getting the 6 "free" grades. Then try to pick the best 6 cards to send in, and see how you fair. The cheapest way would be to send them in on a monthly special. I think they are as low as $6 per card. The real caveat being, much like my first submission , the grades were lower than expected. In some cases, it would have been cheaper to buy the card already graded instead of paying to grade my own! That being said, if the cards hold sentimental value, and you just plain want them graded, go right ahead. However, I'd have to think just sending in a whole set would be an exercise in futility if you are expecting all high grades.
Do the above.
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It's totally sentimental. Not expecting high grades. I guess I just figured it would be cool to have them all encapsulated and preserved. I wouldn't get rid of them. I just worry because even though they're in new pocket sheets, it just seems over time something could happen. I had a whole set lost because the pages stuck to the cards.
I would contact PSA and ask about pricing. For all cards from the same set you might get a discount. Also if you put it on the registry I believe a few are free when you get to a certain percentage completion.
T222's PSA 1 or better
Just some quick math...almost 400 cards in that set..if we multiply by $6.50, you would be looking at $2,600. If I were you, I would just pick about 10-20 of the cards (Elway, Marino, etc.) that you want graded and put the rest in nice supply cases. JMHO. And I didn't include the membership fee.
I agree with TheMick. Sentimentality has cost us all a lot of money. Grade the top stars and rookies. It would take some time, but getting PSA 7/8 off of eBay can be had for $5 or less per card including shipping. Often, you can pick up graded lots for about $2/graded card. Hell, for $2,600 you could land ALL the top cards in the set in PSA 9.
One other thing to consider is the space and weight of a completely graded 396 card set. That's a lot of bulk.
Welcome to the boards!
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Great feedback! Thanks!
I agree,,grading the whole set is a waste of money. Possibly you could be spending 2500-3k on a set worth $50 replacement cost... I think you would save a boatload just getting a safe or a deposit box at the bank and store it there so you don't "lose" it. But even then its spending a lot on a set of not much value(this is assuming you have a collector set, not investment grade and even then it has little upside).
If you are set on doing this at least do a test run of 10 cards first.
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'84T FB is a beast even in the best scenario. Your cards will be technically wiped out - unless you have all sharp and perfectly centered examples. That will leave you feeling less than sentimental. You'd be better advised to have graded the key rookies/stars/low pops from your assemblage and purchase the rest from a company such as 4sharpcorners if you really want a complete graded set.. At least research the cost variation. You might be surprised.
You definitely have some options. If this particular '84 topps set is sentimental, then I can see coughing up the money to have them protected and preserved. Of course, I would probably just opt to do penny sleeves in toploaders. But ya, as suggested above, if graded examples are what you are after, then grab your favorite players or HOF'ers already graded and put the rest in toploaders.
Smaller sets are easier to have the ENTIRE set graded (like 1986 Fleer basketball). Easier on the pocketbook (usually)...easier on storage requirements....easier to move them if needed
Why not post a few of your cards here for us to look at? Marino, Elway, Dickerson, Long, etc. Then, post about 4-5 other cards that YOU think are in exceptional condition.
With good scans to check, a lot of us can give you a pretty darned accurate idea of what you could expect.
Whatever route you choose, have a blast!
Scans is a great idea!
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