Debating On Getting Cards Slabbed

[Seven]

Wanted to pick everyone's collective brains. I'm mostly a collector, I wouldn't rule out selling something in the future but for now, I'm strictly collecting. I've been toying back and fourth between getting a few of my vintage cards graded. Not so much for the grade itself, but for the protection of the cards.

I do like my one touch holders, but the problem is, certain cards don't fit into the one touch holders. And I would enjoy having all my cards all being in the same style of cases. Slabbing kind of reminds me of a plastic prison, once the cards are in there, unless you crack it, the card is staying in the slab. But, correct me if I'm wrong, the protection is second to none.

Anyone want to chime in on what they recommend I do?

[rsdill2]

My $0.02:

There are more economical ways to protect your cards. Grading is expensive, and it takes a while. If protection is your goal, use card savers.

To me, grading only makes sense if you're selling, or you're planning on selling in the next couple years. Grading companies are constantly evolving and what's desired (slab-wise) today, may not be in the future (ask somebody who had GAI grade all their cards 10 years ago...). Eventually, I see grading going to an automated computer/scanner system to avoid the human element and ensure a card receives the same grade every time. That could possibly make current slabbed cards obsolete in their current state.

If you've just got a few high dollar cards to grade, sure, go ahead. But if you're talking scores and scores (I always liked that word...) of cards to grade, I don't think it makes much sense in my eyes.

[x2drich2000]

If you are really OCD about it, would you be satisfied if PSA put cards from the same set different style holders? When you get something new, are you going to have it reholdered? What about if the TPG changes their label again like they tend to do every couple years? Based on those questions, what you describe, and not planning to sell, my thoughts would be $10+ per card seems expensive just to have uniform cases at least for the time being.

[ullmandds]

if you have no plans to sell anytime soon don't waste your money! NEver know how grading may evolve in the near future as well!

[wondo]

Card Saver Is for the cards I don't have slabbed.

[bnorth]

Personally I have sold off almost all my slabbed cards. I found these and they are awesome. I worked with the companies owner to get these "DIY Kits" made in this size.

These are 3 1/2 X 5 1/8 toploaders so inserts can be made for most cards. The card itself is in a mylar sleeve. These are so much nicer than a regular penny sleeve and toploader sleeve.

So far I have ordered a few hundred and plan on ordering a few thousand after this Covid crap is over and Rick can get supplies.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Personally I have sold off almost all my slabbed cards. I found these and they are awesome. I worked with the companies owner to get these "DIY Kits" made in this size.

These are 3 1/2 X 5 1/8 toploaders so inserts can be made for most cards. The card itself is in a mylar sleeve. These are so much nicer than a regular penny sleeve and toploader sleeve.

So far I have ordered a few hundred and plan on ordering a few thousand after this Covid crap is over and Rick can get supplies.

Ben,

I really like these. I'm definitely going to consider this option, strongly. Thank you.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Personally I have sold off almost all my slabbed cards. I found these and they are awesome. I worked with the companies owner to get these "DIY Kits" made in this size.

Earlier this year, a member sold me these for t206 size cards.

I even made them fit my W711-1 by using an exacto knife.

[todeen]

I don't like Card Saver. I hate the look of the card floating in space. I still prefer the penny sleeve and hard plastic holder. As for grading, I don't care if the cards are from different companies, or have differing ID. I think the SGC black border is more aesthetically pleasing than the fog that PSA uses, though. My Cobb exhibit was already slabbed when I bought it, and my Speaker looked weird not being slabbed right next to it. So that's part of the reason I slabbed my Speaker exhibit.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

Eventually, I see grading going to an automated computer/scanner system to avoid the human element and ensure a card receives the same grade every time. That could possibly make current slabbed cards obsolete in their current state.

Originally Posted by ullmandds

NEver know how grading may evolve in the near future as well!

Yes, and this is the reason why he should be submitting his cards now! Do you really want to submit in the future when PSA is using some computer which can detect a hundred different things?

Beep ... beep ... right corner pressed down slightly inwards by 0.4 mm .... beep beep beep ... rejected ... code 4399AVC

A lot of your cards will get rejected. You want to get all your best cards into slabs before this happens.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Yes, and this is the reason why he should be submitting his cards now! Do you really want to submit in the future when PSA is using some computer which can detect a hundred different things?

Beep ... beep ... right corner pressed down slightly inwards by 0.4 mm .... beep beep beep ... rejected ... code 4399AVC

A lot of your cards will get rejected. You want to get all your best cards into slabs before this happens.

And you don't think if we get to that point collectors won't demand cards in the newest slabs and won't require a discount for older slabs? There are plenty of collectors now that will only buy cards in PSA's most recent slab because they feel grades in older slabs were too generous.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

And you don't think if we get to that point collectors won't demand cards in the newest slabs and won't require a discount for older slabs? There are plenty of collectors now that will only buy cards in PSA's most recent slab because they feel grades in older slabs were too generous.

Well, what's better, having a card in an older slab or a raw card that no company wants to grade?

Originally Posted by bnorth

So what you are saying is get them graded now before they can be accurately graded. Sorry couldn't resist.

Yes, sir!

[dougscats]

There are many very good reasons to keep cards ungraded, such as expense, storage and portability, to name a couple. I personally also like to be able to touch a card.

Old cards ordinarily convey a sense of their antiquity, and sometimes even the past owners who have prized them. Given, I’m a romantic, but some cards can make you wonder and imagine. What a treasure they can be!

I have maybe a dozen different collections, and I keep them in binders, in collector pages.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to easily flip through a collection and spend a minute or more on it, and then put the book back on the shelf.

I do have a few boxes of graded cards, some of my most valuable. But these cards never get looked at.

I should add that for protection of the cards, for inserting and taking them out of the pockets, I customize penny-sleeves to carry the cards in and out.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Yes, and this is the reason why he should be submitting his cards now! Do you really want to submit in the future when PSA is using some computer which can detect a hundred different things?

Beep ... beep ... right corner pressed down slightly inwards by 0.4 mm .... beep beep beep ... rejected ... code 4399AVC

A lot of your cards will get rejected. You want to get all your best cards into slabs before this happens.

So what you are saying is get them graded now before they can be accurately graded. Sorry couldn't resist.

[BabyRuth]

I have my entire pre-war collection in slabs. I personally like the look and the protection, but again it is more about personal preference. Do what makes you happy!!!

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by bnorth

So what you are saying is get them graded now before they can be accurately graded. Sorry couldn't resist.

Therein lies the problem... what's accurate?

The way cards were graded before the TPGs?
The way cards were first graded by TPGs?
The way cards are graded now by TPGs?
Or the way cards will surely be graded differently in the future by TPGs?

This hobby can be comical...