Why do people pay to have cards of $0 value graded

esebille · March 4, 2013 12:00PM

For example I always seach for 1986 fleer psa 10 to see what is on EBAY for basketball and the first card that comes up is a 1986 Fleer Baseball Bob Brenly. The card is worth less than the holder I continue to see alot of these...to each his own just do not understand why a Bob Brenly 7th year or 5th year Chet Lemon would get graded

cpamike · March 4, 2013 12:19PM

The only reason I would do it is for sentimental reasons, but they wouldn't come back a PSA 10 though.

Are people working on registry sets? I hear that is a powerful drug.

Stone193 · March 4, 2013 12:25PM

<< Why do people pay to have cards of $0 value graded >>

I would imagine because they can?

I pretty much stopped understanding stuff - ever since - my sister tried to explain to me that there's a difference between boys and girls when I was 8.

TNP777 · March 4, 2013 1:15PM

<< Are people working on registry sets? I hear that is a powerful drug.

>>

that's just crazy talk.

I agree with the OP. Grading and collecting $0.02 cards makes zero sense.

digicat · March 4, 2013 1:37PM

Some people don't collect cards, they collect "PSA graded" cards.

That's how a common 1978 card can sell for 4 digits.

MrNearMint · March 4, 2013 1:38PM

NO WAY, A PSA 10 BRENLY?
Besides for set registry, I can't think of why people would want to grade these cards either.

ReggieCleveland · March 4, 2013 2:45PM

Some people don't collect because of monetary value. Shocking, I know.

CNote · March 4, 2013 2:46PM

Next thing you'll start seeing Chris Sabo cards in PSA slabs. I quit the hobby when that happens.

prthd · March 4, 2013 2:51PM

for set registry, its a drug.

thehallmark · March 4, 2013 2:52PM

Because it makes me really REALLY happy.

handyman · March 4, 2013 2:58PM

Why do people pay 6.00 for a 1 inch screw down? Some people just like the case. Ive done it.

mcadams · March 4, 2013 4:47PM

Somewhere, there is a a guy whose tagline reads "#1 Bob Brenly Master Set"

jackstraw · March 4, 2013 7:03PM

Somewhere David Hall is laughing....

fur72 · March 4, 2013 11:24PM

The whole early to mid 80's graded is a buyers market in general if you ask me. Not too long ago 2005 I would say it would be hard to pick up a 9 for certain players for less then $20. Now it seems people are taking less than the cost to grade the card.

GB5HOF · March 4, 2013 11:45PM

People collect what they like to collect. Not everyone collects rationally, or for profit.

ShootyBabitt · March 5, 2013 12:04AM

<< just do not understand why a Bob Brenly 7th year or 5th year Chet Lemon would get graded >>

How else would some of us complete our Chet Lemon Basic Topps Sets? By us, I mean me, since I'm the only one doing it.

FavreFan1971 · March 5, 2013 12:17AM

I look at my 1980's Green Bay Packer Team Sets. They are all commons except for James Lofton and the random Jan Stenerud. Yeah, I waste money on them but the memories of these guys drive my purchasing.

PowderedH2O · March 5, 2013 12:46AM

There is a fairly large thread in the Set Registry Forum devoted to the 1986 Topps set. There are 28 registered 1986 Topps sets currently. When I collected them in 1986 (for one day - I bought four boxes, opened them, and put together a set), I didn't look at the Topps set as being any better than the Fleer. So, there are going to be a few people that like the idea of putting together a complete set in a very high grade with lots of HOFers from a time when they really enjoyed collecting baseball cards. Is there anything wrong with that idea? There are tons of guys that have gone back to finish sets from the 50's and 60's. Yes, the 80's have a small chance of being a good investment, but they have an excellent chance of being a good investment in happiness if your goal is to complete a high grade set.

larryallen73 · March 5, 2013 12:52AM

I think a lot of collectors have OCD; myself included. I sold almost all my cards of value but still have some low (or no) value cards left. I got a bunch put in slabs. For example, I am a big UCLA hoops collector. I got my Tracy Murray and Don MacLean rookie cards slabbed. They are not worth the slabbing fees but they stack nicely with my other valueless UCLA hoops cards that are already slabbed. I have also gotten a few autographed cards slabbed even though not worth the grading fee. Players I have met but still not worth the grading fee. Nonetheless, there they are in my little collection.

To try and understand collectors is a mistake.

Why do grown men buy pieces of cardboard with photos of other grown men on them? Or pieces of paper that some other human has scribbled his name on? Or Star Wars cards? Or Garbage Pail kids cards? Or whatever. There isn't a ton of sense in a lot of the stuff we collect. Yet we keep on collecting.

markj111 · March 5, 2013 12:59AM

<< Some people don't collect because of monetary value. Shocking, I know. >>

I agree 100%. I would not grade an 86 Brenly, but it's fine if you want to do it. Doesn't bother me a bit.

ssollars · March 5, 2013 4:17AM

<< I look at my 1980's Green Bay Packer Team Sets. They are all commons except for James Lofton and the random Jan Stenerud. Yeah, I waste money on them but the memories of these guys drive my purchasing. >>

Only for me it's my Cleveland Browns Team Sets!

eagles33 · March 5, 2013 4:41AM

I get a lot of worthless cards graded. I collect basketball cards of players that went to providence college. They all pretty much worthless.. Also some of the rookies from weird sports that I have are prob worthless but I think they add to the collection. Why I bother to get them all slabbed is a great question. There is no logical reason. I just like they way they look I guess

larryallen73 · March 5, 2013 4:49AM

<< I get a lot of worthless cards graded. I collect basketball cards of players that went to providence college. They all pretty much worthless.. Also some of the rookies from weird sports that I have are prob worthless but I think they add to the collection. Why I bother to get them all slabbed is a great question. There is no logical reason. I just like they way they look I guess >>

Oh gosh that reminds me of my other collection. All professional athletes who went to Sonoma State. It's a small collection... and other than Larry Allen they have zero monetary value. However, I would be #1 in the set registry if I registered a set for Sonoma State "alums" who have played professionally. It's a small set. Reminds me of that line in Airplane when she is handing out magazines.

mygotta · March 5, 2013 6:48AM

I would imagine any card that is graded a 10 would, generally speaking, look very nice once slabbed and made to look as prestigious as any all-star. Even though the card itself has smaller value than the norm, it would rate in the same manner as a common would. Conversely, however, common 10's seem scarcer as they are riskier subs.

wrestlingcardking · March 5, 2013 7:31AM

I used to wrestle at Sonoma State while we had our North Coast Section wrestling tournament there, I remember when Larry Allen came up here and played against our Humboldt State Lumberjacks!

detroitfan2 · March 5, 2013 7:52AM

Read the following thread on a pursuit to get a 1983 Topps set in all PSA 10:

1983 Topps

It is a perfect example of a person's passion to do something that is meaningful to them as a collector and his son. It has nothing to do with the monetary worth of the cards.

esebille · March 5, 2013 8:47AM

I understand the rational if it is a player or team or set you like you may want to grade for the 10, but what I am seeing is these cards consistently on sale on EBAY showing someone is grading these turds and trying to sell, not get graded and tuck away in a personal collection. Are some cards being graded for $1 or $2 dollars as special treatment for some of the large submitters.

ReggieCleveland · March 5, 2013 8:54AM

<< I understand the rational if it is a player or team or set you like you may want to grade for the 10, but what I am seeing is these cards consistently on sale on EBAY showing someone is grading these turds and trying to sell, not get graded and tuck away in a personal collection. Are some cards being graded for $1 or $2 dollars as special treatment for some of the large submitters. >>

People collect all sorts of different things. What you call a turd might be someone else's prized possession. I'm sure there are people who think that whatever you collect amounts to "turds."

I'm always amazed at the energy and time some people put into degrading or judging what others collect. Collect what you like.

esebille · March 5, 2013 9:20AM

<< 

<< I understand the rational if it is a player or team or set you like you may want to grade for the 10, but what I am seeing is these cards consistently on sale on EBAY showing someone is grading these turds and trying to sell, not get graded and tuck away in a personal collection. Are some cards being graded for $1 or $2 dollars as special treatment for some of the large submitters. >>

People collect all sorts of different things. What you call a turd might be someone else's prized possession. I'm sure there are people who think that whatever you collect amounts to "turds."

I'm always amazed at the energy and time some people put into degrading or judging what others collect. Collect what you like. >>

Who is putting energy and time into degrading or judging what others collect. I am simply stating a fact I continue to see cards of no value on EBAY for SALE (I realize cards can have sentimental value to some). SOMEONE IS SENDING WORTHLESS CARDS TO PSA TO HAVE GRADED TO SELL. IF PEOPLE WERE COLLECTING THESE THEY WOULD SEND TO PSA, GET BACK AND TUCK AWAY IN THEIR COLLECTION. 4sharpcorners has tons of 1989 topps psa 10 cards for 5.99 + 3.00 shipping. These were not graded for a personal collection. If the best you can get is 8.99 for a card given that your card comes back a 10, then you subtract out 1.50 or so for ebay fees and shipping, if you actually sell these turds, I am wondering is he getting cards graded for $1 or $2. Just does not make much sense to me.

ReggieCleveland · March 5, 2013 9:48AM

I'm not going to lie, I lack both the patience and desire to explain it to you.

Arthur

TNP777 · March 5, 2013 9:52AM

<< if you actually sell these turds, I am wondering is he getting cards graded for $1 or $2. Just does not make much sense to me. >>

one man's turd is another man's lipsticked pig

Mapleleaf · March 5, 2013 9:59AM

My mom thought that none of my cards had value.

esebille · March 5, 2013 10:06AM

<< I'm not going to lie, I lack both the patience and desire to explain it to you.

Arthur >>

There is nothing for you to explain to me Arthur...maybe it is worth your time to send in cards in hopes to land a PSA 10 and net a buck on EBAY, for those not making minimum wage flipping burgers it does not make sense.

ReggieCleveland · March 5, 2013 10:52AM

<< 

<< I'm not going to lie, I lack both the patience and desire to explain it to you.

Arthur >>

There is nothing for you to explain to me Arthur...maybe it is worth your time to send in cards in hopes to land a PSA 10 and net a buck on EBAY, for those not making minimum wage flipping burgers it does not make sense. >>

You want fries with that?

Arthur

esebille · March 5, 2013 10:57AM

<< 

<< 

<< I'm not going to lie, I lack both the patience and desire to explain it to you.

Arthur >>

There is nothing for you to explain to me Arthur...maybe it is worth your time to send in cards in hopes to land a PSA 10 and net a buck on EBAY, for those not making minimum wage flipping burgers it does not make sense. >>

You want fries with that?

Arthur >>

Would prefer a sharp psa 10 jack armstrong..on a diet no fries

WinPitcher · March 5, 2013 11:37AM

Hi, if it is 4sc, then, yes they get a deal and they are doing it because they have buyers for them
and the key cards for the set, (or at least that is the theory) think of it as a type of loss leader, they sell
the commons and break even or at a slight loss and the same people pay $ for the stars. They also only have the cards
that are going to grade 10 slabbed so they never get stuck with 8's and 9's that are totally worthless.

Just a possibility.

mygotta · March 5, 2013 12:34PM

<< 

<< 

People collect all sorts of different things. What you call a turd might be someone else's prized possession. I'm sure there are people who think that whatever you collect amounts to "turds."

Who is putting energy and time into degrading or judging what others collect. I am simply stating a fact I continue to see cards of no value on EBAY for SALE (I realize cards can have sentimental value to some). SOMEONE IS SENDING WORTHLESS CARDS TO PSA TO HAVE GRADED TO SELL. IF PEOPLE WERE COLLECTING THESE THEY WOULD SEND TO PSA, GET BACK AND TUCK AWAY IN THEIR COLLECTION. >>

This logic then begs the question, "Why does Topps even bother making cards of mediocre players?" Value is relative, not absolute. The value of a Nolan Ryan baseball card is relative to the year the card was printed in relation to a Buddy Bell or Ryan Klesko or a Pete Rose. In addition the variables of his personal performance, team performance and general demand from fans. Remove all the common cards, then Topps makes a 15-card set of all the superstars and suddenly they are all worth squat, because every pack you buy would be exactly the same.

I think when it's about the game and not the cards, you earn respect for players, regardless if they are superstars. They exist beyond cardboard. That can be exciting for some. So to grade a card of someone you might admire, i think is totally fine.

digicat · March 5, 2013 12:41PM

Everyone understands "I collect cards of team/player X."

It gets more difficult to move on to "I collect graded PSA 10 cards of team/player X."

If you're a Bob Brenly collector, why spend $25.00 for a PSA 10 1986 Fleer card of him when you can spend less than $0.25 to get one raw?

ReggieCleveland · March 5, 2013 12:46PM

<< 

If you're a Bob Brenly collector, why spend $25.00 for a PSA 10 1986 Fleer card of him when you can spend less than $0.25 to get one raw? >>

The same reason anyone spends any amount of money on anything in this hobby -- because it is worth it to them.

jnorlund · March 5, 2013 2:07PM

I don't like to get low value graded but I do like to get high grade copies of my favorite low value players.

LochNESS · March 9, 2013 11:37AM

<< 

<< Are people working on registry sets? I hear that is a powerful drug.

>>

that's just crazy talk.
I agree with the OP. Grading and collecting $0.02 cards makes zero sense. >>

Collecting $0.02 cards isn't collecting, it's hoarding. Yes, there are other reasons to save low-value cards - heck I have a beat up Sandy Koufax my favorite uncle gave me! - but there's a difference between keeping one or two for sentimental value, and keeping a hundred in PSA slabs for "collector" value (of which there is none). And since the OP's example was listed for sale, I'm guessing sentimentality was NOT a factor ...

Why do people pay to have cards of $0 value graded

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