Quote:
Originally Posted by doug.goodman
No, it has not been going on "since the hobby was a hobby".
It has been going on since people started getting paid for their opinions, and the people paying them began collecting the opinions connected to each card, instead of the card.
If anybody finds it fun to collect those opinions, and keep paying for different (hopefully better) ones, that's good for them, and I'm glad that they are having fun.
But it's stupid.
There I said it, and I feel good about it. That's what's fun for me.
Doug
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I suppose it depends on when you figure the transition away from it being a hobby happened. I could pick a few dates from my time collecting that might be debatable, but the change isn't 100% finished and probably won't be. As long as some collectors don't care about condition I figure it's still a hobby to someone.
Overstating the condition of something has been with us a LONG time. At least since 1978 when I went to my first show. "It's mint for its age" "What about the two big creases?" " Like I said, mint for its age"
That guy didn't last long, but like medusas hair there were more taking his place.
When they started being the majority there was an opportunity for TPG. Coins already had it, and stamps had authentication since at least the 30's, probably much earlier.
Likewise, there's always been a few collectors that care a whole lot about condition. And as long as I've been collecting the more damaged cards have sold for less. (48 Musial with paperloss on the front was only 25 cents at the second show I went to
)
I don't have the budget to play the registry game. Even on a good special a whole 1981 set would run almost 3700 in grading
But I have had a few cards graded and do have them in the registry. Mostly for fun.
But I must admit a certain happy feeling when one comes back as being the highest graded of its type. And a bit of remorse when the Blankbacks dropped my T206 average into the 40's.
I'm still not sure why, since I'm also not all that into condition. I don't think I'd crack out a 9 or 9.5, but maybe a really nice 2 or 3 like a couple I'll probably cross over. (I have a few PSA cards, but don't do their registry. )
I do also agree that after a certain point the extra money just doesn't make much sense. The $1000 difference between a 9 and 10 mentioned would let me fill in a lot of holes in my collection.
Steve B