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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Scott, I think you've got me wrong--bash PSA all you want as far as I'm concerned. I just happened to note that most people bash PSA once the subject of graded v. ungraded is brought up. You have an interesting take on when to buy graded which is completely opposite of my position. I think what did it for me was buying a raw 56 Mantle described as NM for $850 and sending it off to PSA only to come back as trimmed. I informed the seller and he told me to drop dead. Months later I got my money back from AMEX. Similarly, almost 80 percent of cards described as NM on ebay come back as Ex at best. And very few ebay sellers are willing to refund money, especially when they've just scammed you for big bucks by selling a card described as NM which really has a wrinkle that you can't see on a scan. I think the buyers that purchase raw cards in mid-range level condition have it much easier as sellers are less likely to lie about that condition. So, I've been forced to go the graded route simply because I collect high grade, entire sets one card at a time. I wish it didn't have to be that way but there's really no choice for me. That being said, I feel much more comfortable knowing that the huge amount of money I've laid out for cards over the past few years is somewhat guarded by the PSA or SGC slab around it.