Buy the Card? The Slab? or The Front of the Card

[mrreality68]

Hi Everyone

Just curious

How do you buy your Cards Buy the Card (front and Back)?
Buy the Card (Based on Front of card and Back does not matter?
Or Buy the Slab?

For example a Card may Grade a PSA 3 but the eye appeal on the front looks better than a 3 but the back of the card may have some paper loss, spotches etc.
OR on the Flip Side the Card may Grade a PSA 3 the front is ok eye appeal perhaps a few little creases but the Back is pristine.

Your thoughts

[Cmvorce]

I have a weighted priority list:

First priority: front
Second priority: back
Third priority: slab

Unless it’s a prewar HOFer, I’m probably cracking it out of the slab anyway.

[3-2-count]

Being that I'm a collector who focuses on overall condition and eye appeal, both the front and back of a card are important to me.

When purchasing a card I do my best to stray away from any creasing or paper loss, but can live with some light staining.

[obcbobd]

Front - a lot
Back - a little
Slab - little or none (99% of my cards are raw) - actually for some cards, especially Exhibits, Fine/Wide-pens. Writing on the back is a plus

[scooter729]

I just bought this '33 Ruth Sport Kings last night, which I think perfectly shows I feel on this one. Great looking front, but a few small spots of paper loss bring the grade down to a price that's right in my range for the card. I wouldn't be able to buy this in the higher grade that the front would warrant, but I'm thrilled with it for what it is!

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by scooter729

I just bought this '33 Ruth Sport Kings last night, which I think perfectly shows I feel on this one. Great looking front, but a few small spots of paper loss bring the grade down to a price that's right in my range for the card. I wouldn't be able to buy this in the higher grade that the front would warrant, but I'm thrilled with it for what it is!

Hell of a looking Ruth! That's a STRONG 1.5!! Congrats!

I always buy the card first - with emphasis on the corners - front takes priority over the back - I never buy the grade on the slab....It's always about corners to me, centering next and then surface......

I've seen some many 7s that should be 6s and some even 5's, its not even funny.....

[jimq16415]

I don't think I would have this card if not for the back damage. My eyes aren't great so when I look at the front I'm happy.

[Rhotchkiss]

Depends.

For PSA registry sets (I only have two - T206 and T3), I admit that the number on the flip is often most important; anyone on the registry who tells you otherwise is lying. Its stupid and it may result in a lesser card for more money, but that registry is a powerful bitch and can make one think less rationally.

For most everything else, its all about the front.

The exception to the aforementioned is when I am buying the card for the back. Sometimes, the rareness of the front/back is such that it doesn't matter how ugly the back (or front) is (e.g., 1916 Tango Eggs Cobb). But if I am trying to get a T206 Uzit example, the way the back looks is more important than the front, because its the back I am after.

[steve B]

Being more opportunistic and on a much lower budget, I tend to worry less about condition, and more about if I need the card or if it's a good deal for that example.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Depends.
Its stupid and it may result in a lesser card for more money, but that registry is a powerful bitch and can make one think less rationally.

Hopefully she doesn't yell "You're my bitch!!" at you, like Conan taught this student driver to do:

https://youtu.be/1Za8BtLgKv8

[Bestdj777]

I only collect Mantle cards (at least as far as vintage goes), and those cards generally fall into two categories: 1) they are common cards, in which case I’m largely just buying one to cross of my list and don’t care about back, front, or slab—as long as Mantle isn’t scribbled out on the front of the card; or 2) they are really rare or expensive and I don’t have any choice in what I buy.