Buying raw cards online

[ASF123]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

You have to discover which dealers are honest and fair graders. Simple as that. There are some dealers whose word I trust, like Scottsdate Baseball Cards [scottsdalecards.com] or Burbank Sports Cards [burbankcards.com] to grade accurately, present representative scans, and make good any errors that do take place. 95% of what I buy now is raw and my 'go-back' rate is minuscule when I stick to reputable sellers.

I guess my thing is that even when I see a representative scan, I couldn't consistently/reliably distinguish with any certainty between a PSA 6-8, for example. And neither could someone at PSA, if they were being honest.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by ASF123

I guess my thing is that even when I see a representative scan, I couldn't consistently/reliably distinguish with any certainty between a PSA 6-8, for example. And neither could someone at PSA, if they were being honest.

Well sure, but that goes with the much cheaper costs with raw cards. You just have to decide what factors are most important to you with a given issue. Like with 1952 Topps I favor centering over technical condition. I know I will never assemble a group in nice shape, so clean, centered cards with rounded corners or a crease are fine with me.

[ASF123]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Well sure, but that goes with the much cheaper costs with raw cards.

I wish they were much cheaper. I'm seeing the really nice-looking raw cards, the vast majority of which are from Greg Morris or other big dealers, getting bid up to around PSA 6-7 prices regularly. Where are you finding these much cheaper costs?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by ASF123

I wish they were much cheaper. I'm seeing the really nice-looking raw cards, the vast majority of which are from Greg Morris or other big dealers, getting bid up to around PSA 6-7 prices regularly. Where are you finding these much cheaper costs?

I'm not. I don't collect higher end cards anymore. I am replacing mine with lower grade cards (mostly raw) and pocketing the difference. I also do not participate in auctions for those cards except on a lowball bidding basis. I look for BINs. Postwar mainstream cards are not rare, so there is no point in chasing after a specific card. I wait until I see something I like in my price range. No FOMO for me.

As for being able to spot a PSA 6-7-8, if you want a PSA 8, then buy one at the commensurate PSA grade price.

[ASF123]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I'm not. I don't collect higher end cards anymore. I am replacing mine with lower grade cards (mostly raw) and pocketing the difference. I also do not participate in auctions for those cards except on a lowball bidding basis. I look for BINs. Postwar mainstream cards are not rare, so there is no point in chasing after a specific card. I wait until I see something I like in my price range. No FOMO for me.

As for being able to spot a PSA 6-7-8, if you want a PSA 8, then buy one at the commensurate PSA grade price.

I might - if it were possible to reliably tell what would be a PSA 8 from an online listing. But I don't think it is, and we're right back where we started . So, like you, I've decided to basically only get those types of cards on the occasions that I can snag them for around PSA 4 prices. Sounds like we're on the same page.