Bid Retractions - A Punk Move?

[MattyC]

Look at all the fun and camaraderie we've been having here the last few months-- it's been a blast. Look at how much we enjoy the cards and the pursuit of the tough ones. Why would anyone want to let negativity fester and grow in their minds, and infect the purity and goodness of their relationship with cards? The cards are at once art, tickets to time travel, representations of greatness on the field, memories, invitations to learn more about history, and, yes, items of great if not inestimable value-- all wrapped in one. Am I going to let some $20 an hour grader ruin that, because occasionally they give an overly generous grade out, or let some shiller ruin that, when I can snipe? Hell no.

There is nothing wrong with great items having great value. More guys want them than there are examples. That makes total sense. That's why I for the most part stick to tough cards that are already expensive enough in LOW GRADE. I couldn't even dream of owning some of my cards in high grade. We all know that 10 is a gimmick and the difference between 9s and 10s is infinitesimal. It is also ironically the biggest price difference. Paying the biggest difference in price for the smallest difference in card is patently silly, so why give it any credence? That's like banging your head against the wall because someone out there, who's not you, is doing something ragingly stupid across the planet. Meanwhile there are tons of guys like you who know the real score whom you can hang with.

Seriously, a registry says Ruth's RC is his 33 Goudey. Equates one Joe DiMaggio 1940 PlayBall in PSA 5 as more valuable than a Zeenut Batting 2 and a 1937 OPC 2. Equates 10 commons in 10 to a Brett RC in truly deserving 10. With all these facts and more, to take it too seriously is the real mistake. If some people want to let a website tell them what to buy, and buy labels regardless of whether the card matches the grade, that's what they do in their backyard and I hope they have fun.

When it comes to the third party system, it definitely helps in some major ways. It's done good for the hobby. But we cannot let it get to us when we see things like this below...





Don't get me wrong: I think the other card is tremendous just for existing, and would be happy to own it. I just would not grade it higher than the other. But how crazy would it be for me to let that imbalance poison my passion for the former card?

Here's the kicker: the market speaks and at auction, side by side, the 1 will sell for more than the 2. Proof that collectors' eyes and votes are the final grade, not some sticker.

Heck, a few guys said the Brett 9 is better than the 10. That is all the validation that 9 or I need. Who wouldn't hold what fellow collectors say in higher esteem than what a sticker says? Trying to get a hardcore registry collector to concede that their 10 is not a 10 or as good as a 9 out there, that's not a realistic or productive goal. If a guy adores and takes huge pride in his 10 whose grade I don't see as correct, who am I to piss in his Cheerios? Now if he seeks me out and tries to flex and floss, then I will be happy to politely explain why I am not jocking a bad 10 or letting a set GPA tell me what's better. Then he'll probably see the light

Now let's turn to selling for a quick second. I applaud guys who know what the card is and price it based on their assessment. I recently paid DOUBLE VCP for a PSA 5 Mantle. The seller knew it was better than 6s and most 7s. He priced it that way. Along comes a collector like me who buys the card and not the holder. I paid his price, because I knew I could not find a better CARD for the price-- and the STICKER WAS UTTERLY IRRELEVANT, other than providing me with authentication and card protection.

Same thing with my Satchel. And same seller. He knew his 1.5 SP was superior to many higher grades. I agreed, and paid accordingly. I don't need the grade to change, not when-- for FREE-- I can get the grades from my fellow collectors, whom I respect the most. That's the salient point.

When time for resale, I say sure, take a review shot in the holder if you feel lucky and if the card really merits it. Again I think the TPGs overall are great for the hobby and most of the time do their best. And as collectors, the undergrades save us much money. We don't have to buy the overgrades. And when it's time to sell your 9 that you know looks as good as any 10, go ahead and price it like or near a 10. And tell prospective buyers politely that you're all about the card, and they can try and find a better one, but they won't be able to. And if they collect cards, they will agree and buy it. I'm proof it happens. And if they collect holders, so be it, their choice.

Lastly, if a card truly merits the grade, odds are, upon review, it will wind up where it rightfully belongs. No system is completely perfect; and if that grade does matter to someone and it was in error, there is a protocol in place to rectify that, as imperfect as it may be.

In the end, great cards speak for themselves, and we just need to put as much weight in our own opinions and each others' opinions, as in a TPG opinion. That's a real easy thing to do, and frees the mind up to enjoy the cards.