Does it Make Any Difference?

[56Horsehide]

With everything going on with the TPGs, certain dealers, and the card doctors, I have been wondering about something. What effect, if any, do you think the current state of affairs has had on graded cards not graded by PSA, SCG, or BGS/BVG? Has it changed you opinion of them? Has it changed the card value? Would you add any of them to your collection (if you currently don't include them)? I have a GAI 1956 Topps Mantle graded 6.5, purchased before I got educated. It is not a bad card and maybe now it fits right in. Interested in any comments.

Jim

[PolarBear]

I have a somewhat unique perspective in that I haven't collected cards for years. A lost T205 showed up in the mail last month after 10 years and sparked my interest again.

I guess from where I sit, it's really about the value of individual cards. If I were to start collecting again, I wouldn't think twice about buying a card I liked if it were under $500. Anything over that and I'd be cautious and do some research. I might even wait a few months to see what the market does if I were buying a high dollar card like a green Cobb.

I think everyone will get a good feel for the market impact after the National. And if I had to guess, there won't be much of an impact because collecting is too much like being addicted to drugs.

[56Horsehide]

Hey everyone, my original post was a serious one. I am not trying to cause trouble; just had a serious question - still do.

With the potential for any TPG card being altered, what implication, if any, does this have on graded cards from other than Beckett, PSA, and SCG? It seems to me it brings everything closer to equal than prior to all the stuff going on now.

i really am interested in your thoughts on this. Others may also be interested.

Thanks.
Jim

[steve B]

I think it really depends on the reputation of the other grader.
GAI was pretty good for a while, then slid into slabbing pretty much anything, altered or not. and at the end it was mostly not. I'm not as into graded stuff, but have one GAI card that was fairly early and it's accurate.

My other off- brand is an old one, Acu-card. I don't recall hearing much good about them, and my one card is obviously trimmed all around. I keep it slabbed as I think that was the first grading company, and a bit of hobby history.

The general opinion is that if it's an expensive card and isn't in one of the current big 3 there must be a reason and that reason is usually that the card wouldn't pass any of them.
I don't think that will change radically, some of the other grading companies were ok at times others were really bad or actively supporting alterations and fakes.
Like that guy who was pop riveting book and magazine pictures into screwdowns and grading them all 10...

[SMPEP]

It makes no difference to me.

I still act the same way I've acted for the last 20 years.

I see a card encased in plastic, I ignore it completely and look for a different card. Won't buy them no matter the price.

[Rhotchkiss]

My collection is old and rare stuff. Notwithstanding all this BS with the TPGs, I would not buy a card unless it was in an sgc or psa flip; I won’t touch Beckett, and certainly would not buy GAI, Pro, or any other “TPG”.

So, to answer your question, it has no effect to me- I would not touch them before, and I would not touch them now.