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Posted By: JimCrandell

Joe,

Everyone collects for somewhat different reasons and I respect the reasons for why you collect.

To clarify--

1)"Fought the trend" means fought the trend toward graded cards. Noone can dispute that there has been a huge shift to graded cards the past 10 years. While you may have known how how to grade your own cards --many did not. I bought a fair number of raw cards from reputable dealers that turned out to be altered. When I would show them to certain leading dealers they could not believe they were altered so I sent them in again. Others had my experience. Thus the advent of grading was able to allow me to enjoy the hobby again as I could buy cards with confidence they were not altered.

2)"Completely missed it" refers mainly to the huge run up in prices in graded cards. I assume most although not everyone likes to make money even though it is a hobby. Secondarily ""completely missed it" means they never thought that graded cards would take off like they have--sort of the Mr. Mint mentality who fought graded cards every step of the way until almost the entire high grade portion of the hobby was high grade.

Good luck with your collection.

Jim