Do You Buy Trimmed Cards?

[todeen]

Do any of you knowingly buy trimmed cards? Does it bother you to own it?

I only own one trimmed card and it's the 1934 Butterfinger Babe Ruth. This bothers me a little, but it presents well and I got it at a quarter of the price.

If the card is scarce do you not care as much?

[mattsey9]

I actually seek them out. Great presentation for a fraction of the cost.

[brianp-beme]

[QUOTE=todeen;1929699]Do any of you knowingly buy trimmed cards? Does it bother you to own it?[QUOTE]

Yes, but the vast majority of the ones I have had were not trimmed in the attempt to enhance their value, and with most of them it is incredibly obvious that they have been trimmed, so I view trimmed cards differently than I imagine many do. And in some cases really tough cards have come to me at a tiny fraction of the typical cost. So no, it doesn't bother me at all, and they also serve to remind me that I am a collector at heart, and not an investor.

Brian

[todeen]

Originally Posted by mattsey9

I actually seek them out. Great presentation for a fraction of the cost.

Is that so? When you bought your first couple of cards did you feel awkward with the purchase? I'm not quite sure how to feel about it.

I'm looking at a rare card in an auction that I would not otherwise be able to own. And I'm not sure if the stigma attached to trimmed cards right now is what's bothering me, or if it's the fact I haven't sought out a trimmed card before.

I didn't seek out the 34 Butterfinger Ruth. I don't actually consider it a card, and so I wasn't as appalled by the trimming. And given the fact that the Butterfingers fall apart so easily, I didn't care about more of the card missing. But it just feels different with a card-card.

[RCMcKenzie]

Go for it...

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by todeen

Do any of you knowingly buy trimmed cards?

No.

[Jcfowler6]

Sometimes I wish this one was like a salamander and would grow what’s been lopped off.

But mostly I just like it.

[Leon]

I would buy a trimmed card under the right circumstances. I can't say I have done it but would if the opportunity presented itself and it was sold accurately.

[commishbob]

I haven't knowingly bought any trimmed cards in the past but I wouldn't rule out doing so in the future. For example...I'd really love to own a '15 Cracker Jack Chief Bender..it's at the top of my list of 'wants'. But my hobby budget (or lack thereof) keeps me from bidding on some of the beauties I see at auction. If I found one trimmed not too severely with a price I found acceptable I'd gladly pay for it.

[ValKehl]

When it come to rare/very scarce cards I am seeking, I take what I can get, such as this E222:

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by mattsey9

I actually seek them out. Great presentation for a fraction of the cost.

+1 I have no problem buying a trimmed card at the right price.

[jchcollins]

I don't have a problem with certain otherwise unattainable cards being trimmed or altered so long as it's disclosed, or reasonably conveyed if suspected (i.e. cards in "A" slabs).

My '56 Mantle that I have had since I was 13 years old is in such a slab because it was altered less than professionally to exchange a corner stain for paper loss. The card doctor was me, in a time before grading before I knew that such tomfoolery could be considered undesirable.

[Chris Counts]

"I actually seek them out. Great presentation for a fraction of the cost."

"+1 I have no problem buying a trimmed card at the right price."

"I don't have a problem with certain otherwise unattainable cards being trimmed or altered so long as it's disclosed, or reasonably conveyed if suspected."

I don't feel so alone now. When I got back into collecting about 20 years ago, I discovered Net54, and was shocked by all the talk about trimmed cards. I decided then and there that it was a great opportunity. At the time, you could get a trimmed card for 10 cents on the dollar. Now it's closer to 50 percent. Now, two decades later, trimmed cards are just as controversial, but seemingly far more accepted. I constantly run into collectors who are OK with them, if only to get a presentable card at a good price.

[wondo]

I buy trimmed cards and I get them slabbed!!!

[Rhotchkiss]

Not unless I have too -- these must be trimmed (i.e., hand cut), its the only way they come.

[999Tony]

I have no problem with minor trimming as I collect mostly lower condition cards but I don’t like the cards completely missing the borders. (I have a 58 Eddie Mathews and some 58 commons missing entire border if anyone wants them—even most of obc don’t want these) I bought some butterfingers missing entire borders otherwise nice but they bother me more than I thought they would. I do like cards with all four corners neatly and evenly clipped though to match some of my 53 topps— weird I know — no accounting for taste.

[Exhibitman]

Never.

[RL]

As far as I know, I have not bough a trimmed card.

I would buy a trimmed card if it was disclosed and priced accordingly.

[Luke]

I do. All things being equal I tend to prefer a nice looking 2 or 3, but I'm all about the eye appeal : cost ratio , and nice looking trimmed cards are more than welcome in my collection. I like rare cards, and you can't be too picky. Also like Ryan said, some cards were hand-cut and can't be found with a number grade. Or can they?

[drcy]

The one type of alteration I most dislike is trimming, so I'd have problem with owning a trimmed card.

[hcv123]

My response is mostly aligned with some of what others have chimed in with already:

1) That I am aware of I do not own any cards that were factory cut and then trimmed.
2) I would be open to purchasing a trimmed card - The factors for me would be 1 - How long would I have to wait given availability and 2) expense for a non trimmed version - the longer expected wait (think years, not months) or more out of my realm of affordability, the greater the likelihood that I would go for a trimmed copy.
3) Alteration needs to be disclosed

The idea that a card is trimmed doesn't sit well with me and as a general rule I steer clear, but as above, given the right set of variables I could pull the trigger. The resale is another factor for me. I am more likely NOT to spend big $$ for a trimmed card - market too finicky about them and would be concerned about resale.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

I like the miscut graded cards in near mint to mint condition. Borders don't mean that much to me is the image of the player.

[BigBeerGut]

Depends on price !

MD

[ajquigs]

These two are basically white whales for me that I bought graded as altered / trimmed. If I ever sell them it will definitely be in these holders.

I like displaying my cards and I enjoy how these look. In this price range I'm definitely okay with the trade off.

[icurnmedic]

Does not concern me in the least. This will surely ruffle some feathers , but I don't understand how a card with a hole punched ( or 3) can get a number grade and a trimmed card can't. They both have paper removed. With all the outed cards known to exist, why not give the card a number grade and a qualifier? Or just give everything a "1".

Back to topic, buying trimmed allows me to own these two, although I am not sure Honus is trimmed.

[seff]

NO. I would rather never own a card than buy one that was trimmed.

The "W" strip cards are fine if they are correct size and graded. Listed as "Authentic" is not acceptable to me.

[BeanTown]

Rare is rare

[irv]

I don't believe I have ever purchased a trim card but I guess I had no trouble doing that myself when I was much younger.

[ullmandds]

I have a trimmed card or two in my collection and they are labeled as such. I would be pissed off if they were given a number grade even though I knew they were trimmed. Historically I try to avoid them but in some cases I will make an exception.

[ValKehl]

I don't think anyone would intentionally trim this card like this (I assume the "A" is for being trimmed), hence I'm thinking it's actually a factory miscut. Regardless, it's the only example in the combined pop reports, and I was happy to get it at a reasonable price.

[JimC]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

When it come to rare/very scarce cards I am seeking, I take what I can get, such as this E222:

Man that E222 is one cool card.

[Exhibitman]

"Originally Posted by ValKehl When it come to rare/very scarce cards I am seeking, I take what I can get"


Exactly.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by todeen

Do any of you knowingly buy trimmed cards? Does it bother you to own it?

I only own one trimmed card and it's the 1934 Butterfinger Babe Ruth. This bothers me a little, but it presents well and I got it at a quarter of the price.

If the card is scarce do you not care as much?

" Do any of you knowingly buy trimmed cards? Does it bother you to own it? "

It all depends if you are a "wheeler-dealer, or a "flipper", or a True Collector. I bought, or traded for these trimmed cards to complete my sets.
In some cases, I desired an aesthetically better looking card than I previously had in my collection. In fact, when it comes to Hi-Priced or rare
cardboard, I prefer to pay the lower price associated with a card which is considered "trimmed".

So, heck NO ! Trimmed cards do NOT bother me.

Here is an array of some of my cards judged "A"


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[ValKehl]

Ted, those are super nice trimmed cards - each has great eye appeal.

And, a belated Happy Birthday to you! BTW, our entire country will be thankful on my birthday this year, because it falls on Thanksgiving Day! I'll turn 76 - this old fart is rapidly catching up with you!

[steve B]

Yes, I have and will buy trimmed cards, if they're priced right, and advertised as trimmed.
Or just not made out to be in great condition, like if I came across some at a yard sale or flea market.

Like most cards for me it's a mix of condition, and the price vs availability.
A card I know is harder to find and that would be out of my budget if it wasn't trimmed? Yep. Something I could easily afford a nicer one? Probably not.
Or, if I bought a box of cards and a few were trimmed, if I needed then they'd get filed away with the rest of the collection until a nicer one came along.

[CobbSpikedMe]

I've bought trimmed cards that look fantastic but someone shaved off a little off the tops of them. Brand new looking otherwise. I don't seek them out but I have no problem with them. They have to be advertised as such though.

[bigred1]

no

[Leon]

Those are great looking. I would take any of them in a heartbeat.

Val- I am leaning towards micust on your Wojo.. Common sense isn't something the TPGs use. ..great card

Originally Posted by tedzan

" Do any of you knowingly buy trimmed cards? Does it bother you to own it? "

It all depends if you are a "wheeler-dealer, or a "flipper", or a True Collector. I bought, or traded for these trimmed cards to complete my sets.
In some cases, I desired an aesthetically better looking card than I previously had in my collection. In fact, when it comes to Hi-Priced or rare
cardboard, I prefer to pay the lower price associated with a card which is considered "trimmed".

So, heck NO ! Trimmed cards do NOT bother me.

Here is an array of some of my cards judged "A"


.


.


.





.






TED Z

T206 Reference
.