Buying Raw off Ebay

DDaniel83 · March 9, 2014 9:35AM

Do many of you buy raw cards off Ebay and send to PSA? Anyone have some success stories? Just bought this Rice RC off the bay and wanted to know the opinions of the experts....[URL=http://s1247.photobucket.com/user/DDaniel83/media/JerryRice.jpg.html]

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bobbyw8469 · March 9, 2014 9:43AM

Looks good! Good luck!

Bosox1976 · March 9, 2014 9:50AM

All the time!

You win some, you lose some -- but be choosy and you'll do fine.

I've pulled PSA 10's from as far back as 1972 from raw lots and sets on ebay - and lots of good hits at 8's and 9's. Also had plenty of trimmed, recolored, etc -- but those are more the exception than the rule. I bid like it is a grade lower than I expect and usually am satisfied with the return on investment. Good luck.

coachnip13 · March 9, 2014 9:59AM

Check the seller's feedback just to be safe, but yes, I have had success with raw cards. Best success story was buying a stash of 1948 Bowman's and turning a profit on all but one, a couple bringing a very significant profit.

coachnip13 · March 9, 2014 10:00AM

<< <i>I bid like it is a grade lower than I expect...... >>

It might have been you who said it back in the fall, but that little tidbit changed the way I look at raw cards. It sounds obvious now, but it really helped at the time.

jradke4 · March 9, 2014 10:05AM

nearly all of my Favre cards have come from ebay.

itzagoner · March 9, 2014 10:32AM

raw raw sis-boom-bah! nice Rice!

Unknown · March 9, 2014 11:49AM

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Dusto · March 10, 2014 10:43AM

That's a solid Rice! 99% of my purchases are raw and it has been quite successful, with the occasional whiff. I tend to buy more complete sets than individual cards, but as it's been said before, if you think a card is potentially mint or better and the description says it is mint, bid as if it is nm-mt or worse and you'll be fine. Also, by factoring in grading fees and ebay fees prior to bidding, that should give you a good guideline on how high you should go as you still want to make it worthwhile in the end if your intention is reselling it once graded. Sure you may lose out on a few great items, but it will definitely protect you from any major loses.

thehallmark · March 10, 2014 10:57AM

I wouldn't try to make a career out of it but there are some deals to be had. If you find a seller who consistently describes his cards accurately, that can be valuable information.

The Rice looks great. Can't grade it on an angle but looks to have PSA 8.5/9 potential if there are no hidden surprises.

jmmiller777 · March 10, 2014 11:48AM

I have had some good buys as well, but most seem to come in a little less condition than expected. Some sellers are good and some allow other customers comb through their stash before they ever hit ebay. I've learned to trust a few sellers over others because what you see isn't always what you get.

BaltimoreYankee · March 11, 2014 12:15AM

Agreed with Mike (Bosox). You can get some nice raw cards on eBay with really good, clear scans and most importantly, lowering grade expectations by at least one grade.

dtkk49a · March 11, 2014 12:38AM

I have many PSA 10's that were purchased raw off of eBay. Its obviously tougher with vintage. You just need to ask A LOT of questions about a card before you buy it.

jasoneggert · March 11, 2014 1:28AM

My most successful "buying raw on eBay" card was a 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson "Awaiting Pitch". The seller had a BIN of $800 or Best offer. I offered $300 to get the negotiations started, figuring we could meet somewhere in the middle. Well, to my surprise, he just took the $300 offer.

I had it graded and it came back a PSA 4. A very strong grade for this card. I ended up selling it just a few months after I bought it for $2100.

-Jason

DDaniel83 · March 11, 2014 2:32AM

Great feedback guys- cool story on the Robinson

Mintacular · March 11, 2014 3:38AM

I bought this card off of Kyle's Nm-Mt cards for around $30-40 after ship. While it graded a "7" by SGC I think it presents better. Though it might not be worth much more (if any) than I paid for it (including grading fees), I'm glad to own it nonetheless.

ClockworkAngel · March 11, 2014 10:26AM

I have a PSA 10 Rice rookie I bought off a guy from this forum and I believe he had bought it raw off eBay for like 20 bucks.....

If you have the time, patience, and fortitude I am sure there are plenty of steals out there

shagrotn77 · March 11, 2014 11:07AM

For years after I got back into collecting in the late 1990's, I never even looked into buying raw on eBay. I figured everything that was worth getting graded was, in fact, slabbed or on its way to being slabbed. I kick myself now because once I began looking into raw on eBay, I started coming across some good deals. I've never shelled out big money for a raw card, but I've had several nice hits only lower-dollar purchases. Some highlights...

The Brown was $3 (at auction no less), the Wilkes was correctly advertised as "mint" and went for a $10 BIN and the Gillies was an $8 BIN (from NESC believe it or not). I'm sure there have been other scores that I'm not thinking of now.

aro13 · March 11, 2014 12:06PM

Andy - Those are sweet!!!! I find you can get deals on big lots if there are HOF RC's that are worth little in book value. For basketball most sellers that sell 1971 lots do not bother to check out the Mel Daniels or Roger Brown RC's which sell for $5 raw but good dollars in PSA 8. I have had good success buying bulk lots if you are willing to take some EX cards with the cards that grade out at NMMT.

JVette · March 11, 2014 12:26PM

I buy many raw cards over eBay. Check the scans carefully. Check the feedback of the sellers, especially "Item as Described." I have also found that the quality of the cards is often in inverse relationship to the hype on the description. I have gotten many cards described as EXMT-NM that are much higher quality to cards described as Mint. I almost never purchase cards described as Mint. As with Bosox, I have had some trimmed and some recolored, but I have had more winners than losers, but because I am particular on the cards I bid on. Good Luck !!

SOM · March 11, 2014 4:57PM

That Clemente is gorgeous, whatever the grade. I love that rough cut.

Here are things I avoid in listings when I'm looking to purchase raw cards:

SELLERS WHO USE ALL CAPS

"I'm not a professional grader, but..."

Fuzzy, slanted or cropped scans

"Estate Sale!"

More than one exclamation point in the listing

No refunds

Buying Raw off Ebay

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