“Collector grade”

[Snapolit1]

I’m tired of the term “collector grade”. Not even sure what it means in this day and age. Obviously code for lesser condition. “Hey you, poor guy in the corner with the beer can shoes on … here’s one for you!!” But if it’s lesser condition but a rare card, is it still collector grade? Does anyone care? Some people collect cards in Ex condition and some collect lower condition ones, and many of us collect all over the place. Aren’t we all collectors? Always strikes me like an unnecessary term altogether.

[RCMcKenzie]

Isn't it just a sales term? If I consigned this card, I'd rather the auction house call it "collector grade" than "total beater".

[G1911]

I like to see “total beater” in an auction. It tells me I just might be able to win the card/partial remnant of a card.

[mrreality68]

I agree it is just a way to sell it or market it better.

Just like everything on eBay seems to be Set Breakers trying to imply it is ultra important to get it now because you may never again get the chance and your set will never be complete.

Sometimes you see multiple set breakers of the same card at same time for sale on eBay

[Frankish]

Originally Posted by G1911

I like to see “total beater” in an auction. It tells me I just might be able to win the card/partial remnant of a card.

Glad I'm not the only one!

[Exhibitman]

It is a niche marketing tool for AHs and sellers. Wasn't there a dealer who called himself "Mr. VG" as a tongue in cheek jab at Rosen?

Doesn't have a lot of explanatory value in this market where beaters of Ruth go for four figures. To me mostly what it means is the seller signaling "don't try to get this thing slabbed".

[Al C.risafulli]

I use the term.

I use it for two reasons:

1) Typically I use it to describe a card that's NOT a total beater. I use it to describe a card that's lower grade but still has eye appeal - maybe something an investor might avoid, but something that a collector will love. I like the idea that someone that's a "true" collector is looking carefully at what the card looks like, and not the number on the flip, and so a 2 or a 3 that looks nice, or a 2 or a 3 that's so rare that the grade doesn't matter, is something that would appeal to a collector.

2) I have to describe the card, sometimes between 500 and 800 cards in an auction, and its sometimes hard not to use the same expressions again and again - there are only so many ways to describe cards. My consignors depend on me to describe their cards accurately, and at the same time, I like to avoid terms like "low grade" or "off condition" because they're gauche and because they sound negative. I try and keep the hyperbole to a minimum and instead accurately describe the cards, but at some point you can't sound insulting, so there are some euphemisms that creep in. "Collector grade" is one of them. Another one I use is "Well worn." Or "Well-loved."

-Al

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

Isn't it just a sales term? If I consigned this card, I'd rather the auction house call it "collector grade" than "total beater".

I don’t think that will happen

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

I don’t think that will happen

It's fun to see that other folks have a different definition of 'collector grade' than I have. If you don't collect T215, then you want no part of the Huggins. I think it's a great card from my collection, and it's worth very little money.

I showed this Babe Ruth to my brother, and I thought he was going to say, "Wow, that's a Babe Ruth." and he said, "Wow, that card's in bad shape, I like the Goudey's."

[RCMcKenzie]

To Steve's original point, if you're selling a PSA 3.5 1975 Topps George Brett, and calling it "collector grade", it's insulting and patronizing.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

It's fun to see that other folks have a different definition of 'collector grade' than I have. If you don't collect T215, then you want no part of the Huggins. I think it's a great card from my collection, and it's worth very little money.

I showed this Babe Ruth to my brother, and I thought he was going to say, "Wow, that's a Babe Ruth." and he said, "Wow, that card's in bad shape, I like the Goudey's."

Ha yeah it’s in bad shape. And it could pay my mortgage for a year!

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Carter08

Ha yeah it’s in bad shape. And it could pay my mortgage for a year!

very true and we all would love to have it in our collections

[MikeGarcia]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I’m tired of the term “collector grade”. Not even sure what it means in this day and age. Obviously code for lesser condition. “Hey you, poor guy in the corner with the beer can shoes on … here’s one for you!!” But if it’s lesser condition but a rare card, is it still collector grade? Does anyone care? Some people collect cards in Ex condition and some collect lower condition ones, and many of us collect all over the place. Aren’t we all collectors? Always strikes me like an unnecessary term altogether.

All over the place is fine.....

..

[RedlegsFan]

People that use the term ‘collector grade’ are ones that don’t have time to debate whether a card is good or good+ or whatever. It is actually quite simple. 90% of collectors can not afford a $15,000 card from the 1960’s just because it is in a psa 9 or 10 holder, (hence ‘investor grade’) whereas that same 90% of collectors CAN afford that SAME card if it is unslabbed or ‘raw’ with a few creases for $15 shipped.

So yes, there is a clear distinction between ‘collector’ and ‘investor’ grades. A true ‘collector’ would have fewer reservations breaking out that psa 1.5 1961 topps mantle and sticking it in a binder or even a pocket. The ‘investor’ may tell himself he’s collecting, but would take that same 61 mantle in ‘investor’ grade and start looking for a safe or fire proof lock box to put it in.

Many things about our hobby and market are annoying, perhaps yes, but it is because we are all so different… but at least i didnt sell my car to buy a psa 10 of some Pokemon card!


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[Carter08]

Originally Posted by RedlegsFan

People that use the term ‘collector grade’ are ones that don’t have time to debate whether a card is good or good+ or whatever. It is actually quite simple. 90% of collectors can not afford a $15,000 card from the 1960’s just because it is in a psa 9 or 10 holder, (hence ‘investor grade’) whereas that same 90% of collectors CAN afford that SAME card if it is unslabbed or ‘raw’ with a few creases for $15 shipped.

So yes, there is a clear distinction between ‘collector’ and ‘investor’ grades. A true ‘collector’ would have fewer reservations breaking out that psa 1.5 1961 topps mantle and sticking it in a binder or even a pocket. The ‘investor’ may tell himself he’s collecting, but would take that same 61 mantle in ‘investor’ grade and start looking for a safe or fire proof lock box to put it in.

Many things about our hobby and market are annoying, perhaps yes, but it is because we are all so different… but at least i didnt sell my car to buy a psa 10 of some Pokemon card!


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Out of curiosity, what’s the cutoff in terms of psa graded cards for that one?

[conor912]

Of all the ways we’re marketed to today, this one pisses me off the least.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by conor912

Of all the ways we’re marketed to today, this one pisses me off the least.

Ha yeah, I need to opt out of receiving paper bibles of cards I can’t afford. Might save a tree or two.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by RedlegsFan

People that use the term ‘collector grade’ are ones that don’t have time to debate whether a card is good or good+ or whatever. It is actually quite simple. 90% of collectors can not afford a $15,000 card from the 1960’s just because it is in a psa 9 or 10 holder, (hence ‘investor grade’) whereas that same 90% of collectors CAN afford that SAME card if it is unslabbed or ‘raw’ with a few creases for $15 shipped.

So yes, there is a clear distinction between ‘collector’ and ‘investor’ grades. A true ‘collector’ would have fewer reservations breaking out that psa 1.5 1961 topps mantle and sticking it in a binder or even a pocket. The ‘investor’ may tell himself he’s collecting, but would take that same 61 mantle in ‘investor’ grade and start looking for a safe or fire proof lock box to put it in.

Many things about our hobby and market are annoying, perhaps yes, but it is because we are all so different… but at least i didnt sell my car to buy a psa 10 of some Pokemon card!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good points

[ALBB]

Love collector grade/ low grade stuff !

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by RedlegsFan

People that use the term ‘collector grade’ are ones that don’t have time to debate whether a card is good or good+ or whatever. It is actually quite simple. 90% of collectors can not afford a $15,000 card from the 1960’s just because it is in a psa 9 or 10 holder, (hence ‘investor grade’) whereas that same 90% of collectors CAN afford that SAME card if it is unslabbed or ‘raw’ with a few creases for $15 shipped.

So yes, there is a clear distinction between ‘collector’ and ‘investor’ grades. A true ‘collector’ would have fewer reservations breaking out that psa 1.5 1961 topps mantle and sticking it in a binder or even a pocket. The ‘investor’ may tell himself he’s collecting, but would take that same 61 mantle in ‘investor’ grade and start looking for a safe or fire proof lock box to put it in.

Many things about our hobby and market are annoying, perhaps yes, but it is because we are all so different… but at least i didnt sell my car to buy a psa 10 of some Pokemon card!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

agreed!

[BCauley]

I usually just chalk it up to a low-mid grade card, don't really care one way or the other though technically any card could be "collector grade." If someone collects only the lowest grade or the highest grade, they're still collecting it.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

“Hey you, poor guy in the corner with the beer can shoes on … here’s one for you!!”

What kind of freak feet would beer cans fit? Does the sippin' hole double as extra wiggle room for the big toe? I really need to see Cinderella remade with light to these beer can shoes of which you speak.

[Tao_Moko]

I'm on the side of being ok with "Collector's Grade". I guess I'm just not insulted by someone telling me they have a lower cost option for an otherwise, higher value card. I don't think "beater" when I see something marketed as collector grade. Speaking of beaters............picked this up for ~$60.

[edjs]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

What kind of freak feet would beer cans fit? Does the sippin' hole double as extra wiggle room for the big toe? I really need to see Cinderella remade with light to these beer can shoes of which you speak.

Best I can come up with.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by edjs

Best I can come up with.

Ha. I think I saw beer can shoes used in a 60s novel about down and out hobos riding the rails.