Are you finding raw cards at prices like they are graded?

PmanFL

Been searching a lot for some high quality raw cards, all types from 50’s to Jerry Rice rookies, etc.....seems like the majority of them in the marketplace, whether at a card shop, card show or online, are priced as if they are already graded 8 or higher. Is this what you are seeing in the market too? Thanks.

erikthredd

Yup, I only collect Michael Jordan cards and have been picking up as many of his 90's inserts i can. MJ's inserts have to be some of the highest overpriced cards on ebay. Some raw cards have asking prices that are higher than the same card graded GEM MINT by PSA. Most Jordan sellers know that Jordan has a HUGE following in the card market so from what i've seen,most prices are on the extreme high end,even for raw stuff.

Dpeck100

I have found in many cases cards that are raw that appear NM-MT or higher will sell for more than the graded copies because there is a chance it is Mint in the buyers mind. The hope of finding a bargain brings in buyers and they bid it up.

countdouglas

@Dpeck100 said:
I have found in many cases cards that are raw that appear NM-MT or higher will sell for more than the graded copies because there is a chance it is Mint in the buyers mind. The hope of finding a bargain brings in buyers and they bid it up.

I agree. About 3-4 years ago, I was building both a raw and a PSA 8+ set of 1975 Topps baseball concurrently. It would drive me absolutely nuts that if I wanted to hunt around, I could often buy PSA 7 cards cheaper than raw for many of the stars, semis, and HOFs, and even sometimes PSA 8s would come in under the cost of raw. In fact, I won an auction for my PSA 9 Joe Morgan for under $20 one afternoon, and later that night, Greg Morris had a raw Joe Morgan in "NR-MT or better" go for close to $30. Granted, it looked absolutely pristine in the scan, but how can you ever really tell with any confidence what it will grade from a scan?

It was at that moment that I realized that many people are buying raw in the hopes of hitting their lottery ticket, not only to own the valuable card, but to have the story of how they spotted it for sale raw on eBay and self-submitted and netted the rare grade.

heritage

I find that as well the high end raw cards are going for higher money in a lot of cases.
I also find dealers asking graded prices for raw cards.

slum22

I have been collecting more modern cards lately and I have definitely noticed it's 10 or bust for the most part. If it is a 9, you may as well crack and sell outside of the case. I used to wonder why this was the case, but I came to the same conclusion as Dave. A PSA 9 card in raw form has the "potential" to be a PSA 10 to the prospective buyer while an actual PSA 9 is obviously a PSA 9. This phenomenon actually presents buying opportunities. If you can find a nice BGS 9 or PSA 9 you can play the crack and resubmit game and if you get it in the hands of a grader in a better mood hit the 10 or 9.5 that the previous submitter missed out on.

Mefer

I’ve found what I consider bargains recently. I enjoy picking up raw star cards from the 60s and 70s and then submitting. Now granted I’m not picking up Mantles and other high valued cards; most I pick up are in the 5 to 20 dollar range. Regardless it is a fun and relaxing pursuit.

My biggest issue remains the waiting game for a decent special with PSA. I have not submitted in well over a year but just continue to add to my stash “when and if” a good special comes along.

Matt