General Question about grading (opinion)

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Hello.

Let's get back to the subject of sportscard collecting...

I have a question I would like to pose to the board. I would like your opinion, if you so choose to give it.

I am currently 9 cards from completing a 1951-52 Laval Dairy Hockey set. (technically, I am 15 cards away from completing 2 different sets.) The overall condition of the set is excellent, with some gards grading a bit better and one or two grading a bit worse, but no worse then vg/ex. Okay, that is the background. Now here is the question:

Once I complete the set, should I have it graded? I don't question the authenticity of the cards, and it isn't a question of whether or not any of the cards are trimmed (they aren't. they are all the same, correct, size.) I guess it comes down to a question of a) aesthetics and b) economics. Like I said, it is a near excellent condition set of 109 cards. If I get it graded, will the value of the set increase approximately $700-$800 from its' current ungraded value to offset the cost of getting all of the cards graded? And is having the set encased in plastic worth the expensive of having all the cards graded? Actually, if I do grade the cards, I would get BOTH sets graded, doubling the above estimates in terms of cost. I plan on holding onto at least one of the sets for the forseeable future, and selling the other one to help feed my collecting addiction. So, what I am asking is, is it worth grading the cards, or should I just leave them ungraded? What are the affects both long and short term in grading this set, or keeping it raw? Your opinions please. Let's get a NICE discussion going, if you all don't mind.

[Archive]

Posted By: steve yawitz

Tough call. I generally like grading and am an unashamed set registry dork - mainly because it's an easy way for someone with zero web design skills to show images of his favorite cards or sets. And I guess I like the look of slabbed cards - even most condomized PSA ones.

I think that grading your cards might make them somewhat easier to sell in this age of online transactions, but I'm not sure that slabbing them would necessarily add to the value of vg-ex through ex-mt '50s cards - with the possible exception of Beliveau, Plante, Blake and Imlach.

If I were in your position, I'd probably sell the dupe set raw or maybe raw with those four cards graded. Then, depending on what that sale fetched, I'd consider grading cards from the keeper set. It probably wouldn't make economic sense but if you like the aesthetics of a graded set and can afford the luxury, why not?

[Archive]

Posted By: identify7

As you say "I guess it comes down to a question of a) aesthetics and b) economics. Like I said, it is a near excellent condition set of 109 cards."

Asthetics: My opinion is that slabs incorporate significant bulk to a group of 100 cards without offering a coresponding increase in attractiveness nor security over top loaders. Although, if you plan to submerge your cards, slabs will outperform toploaders.

Economics: My opinion is that in order to recoup a fee of $700 - 800 for grading, the set has to have a value which makes this cost of minimal significance. What this means (to me) is that for 15% of the value of the set, I can generate total credibility in the set by consigning its sale to a seller of indisputable reputation. Therefore, if $700 - 800 is greater than 15% of the value of the set - do not slab it for economic reasons - because there are none. ie, $750 = 15% of $5000. So, if the value of your set is less than $5000 do not slab it, if it is greater than $5000 do slab it.

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Thank you both for your thoughtful and insightful opinions. Let's get more of this type of thing going, and less cheap soap opera theatrics.