Newbie Question: When/How to Get Cards Graded?

[mab]

For the most part, I am collecting Postwar cards without a high dollar value. However, I tend to go for higher graded cards. Am wondering if it is worth it to have some cards graded, if for no other reason than to increase their value, sell them, enabling me to buy a larger number of ungraded or lesser valued cards. In other words, is this a reasonable idea to help increase the pool of funds I have to spend on collecting?

For instance, I collect 1951 Topps Red Backs, and have a mix of raw and graded cards. Often the graded cards sell for a much higher price than similar raw cards. I sometimes look at my duplicates, and think 1 or 2 would go for a decent price (relatively) if they were graded. I just don't know where to start and if it is worth it.

How do I go about this as an individual collector, in the most economical way possible?

Sorry if these questions are too basic. Collecting has changed a lot in the years I was not active, and I find it overwhelming at times. At the same time, forums like these as well as blogs have me really excited about being a collector again.


mark

[Doug]

You can go to PSA's website www.psacard.com or SGC's website www.sgccard.com to view the grading fees. I believe they both have a $15 per card fee for cards valued at less than $500. There's also the cost for shipping and insurance both ways. If you think you can turn enough of a profit selling them graded as opposed to raw it may be worthwhile. I'm not sure what dollar amount you mean by "postwar cards without a high dollar value", but you would probably have to be able to make an extra $20 per card just to break even.

[Browncow75]

The good thing about SGC vs. PSA is that they dont require you to join a "club" with fees that dont even go toward grading. That, plus the fact that SGC is running a special this month for any cards valued at $250 or less, they will grade for $6 each, but you have to submit a minimum of 10 cards. Still, $60 + insurance and shipping will still cost less that the same submission at PSA. Just something to think about.

Brandon

[aelefson]

Hi-
I do not have too much too offer (as I do not collect graded cards), but I would imagine that the grading companies would be very rough on small paper wrinkles notorious in the 51 redback set (I collected these in the early 90s). If possible, I would examine each card under magnification before determining which ones to grade. Good luck with these either way.
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

[GoldenAge50s]

Totally agree w/ Alan about the '51 RedBacks--in plastic they may look great but were very prone to crazing over time--sometimes only noticed on close inspection.

[barrysloate]

Mark- the key will be how high the cards grade. If you get 8's it will pay off big time. If you miss a wrinkle and they come back a 3 or 4, it won't be worth it. I would choose a few of the ones you feel are the very best and see how it goes.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Browncow75

The good thing about SGC vs. PSA is that they dont require you to join a "club" with fees that dont even go toward grading. That, plus the fact that SGC is running a special this month for any cards valued at $250 or less, they will grade for $6 each, but you have to submit a minimum of 10 cards. Still, $60 + insurance and shipping will still cost less that the same submission at PSA. Just something to think about.

Brandon

Do you still have be in the "club" to submit to PSA? The site has a non-member submission form: http://www.psacard.com/submission_center.chtml