“Collector grade”

[Frankish]

Originally Posted by G1911

I like to see “total beater” in an auction. It tells me I just might be able to win the card/partial remnant of a card.

Glad I'm not the only one!

[Exhibitman]

It is a niche marketing tool for AHs and sellers. Wasn't there a dealer who called himself "Mr. VG" as a tongue in cheek jab at Rosen?

Doesn't have a lot of explanatory value in this market where beaters of Ruth go for four figures. To me mostly what it means is the seller signaling "don't try to get this thing slabbed".

[Al C.risafulli]

I use the term.

I use it for two reasons:

1) Typically I use it to describe a card that's NOT a total beater. I use it to describe a card that's lower grade but still has eye appeal - maybe something an investor might avoid, but something that a collector will love. I like the idea that someone that's a "true" collector is looking carefully at what the card looks like, and not the number on the flip, and so a 2 or a 3 that looks nice, or a 2 or a 3 that's so rare that the grade doesn't matter, is something that would appeal to a collector.

2) I have to describe the card, sometimes between 500 and 800 cards in an auction, and its sometimes hard not to use the same expressions again and again - there are only so many ways to describe cards. My consignors depend on me to describe their cards accurately, and at the same time, I like to avoid terms like "low grade" or "off condition" because they're gauche and because they sound negative. I try and keep the hyperbole to a minimum and instead accurately describe the cards, but at some point you can't sound insulting, so there are some euphemisms that creep in. "Collector grade" is one of them. Another one I use is "Well worn." Or "Well-loved."

-Al

[Luke]

What Al just said makes a ton of sense and is something I never considered. When I am listing my cards for sale, I don't mind using the term low grade, or very very poor, etc because they are my cards and I'm using a fixed price listing so there's no risk of the card selling way too cheap. But if I were listing other people's cards, I would want to show more respect and reverence for their card in the terminology I use. Just to make sure none of my customers felt like I was underselling or disrespecting their card. So viewed through that lens, it makes total sense why some of these marketing terms are used.

[Frankish]

I always just assumed it came up in response to "investment grade" as a description, and I kind of like that. The way Al uses it makes perfect sense to me and in fact teases out some of the distinctions I make when I'm looking for cards to purchase.

Like most descriptors, though, I can see how it is easy to overuse and even misuse.

[Carter08]

Don’t like the term or at least don’t understand it. Is an e93 PSA 2 Christy Mathewson not also an investment? For the price I sure hope it is at least in part.

[mintacular]

I don't like the term either, implies the little guy collector can't afford quality condition cards. I don't like "investment" grade either. Just estimate the condition and provide scans, all the fluff words do nothing for people I don't believe. Well loved is not going to make me see a card that looks like it was run of by a dump truck any differently

[Exhibitman]

I know some dealers will put "OBC" into the title or description to denote a card with major damage.

I don't mind either phrase, They both are good 'jargon' to describe in a shorthand way who might be interested in the card.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

I use the term.

I use it for two reasons:

1) Typically I use it to describe a card that's NOT a total beater. I use it to describe a card that's lower grade but still has eye appeal - maybe something an investor might avoid, but something that a collector will love. I like the idea that someone that's a "true" collector is looking carefully at what the card looks like, and not the number on the flip, and so a 2 or a 3 that looks nice, or a 2 or a 3 that's so rare that the grade doesn't matter, is something that would appeal to a collector.

2) I have to describe the card, sometimes between 500 and 800 cards in an auction, and its sometimes hard not to use the same expressions again and again - there are only so many ways to describe cards. My consignors depend on me to describe their cards accurately, and at the same time, I like to avoid terms like "low grade" or "off condition" because they're gauche and because they sound negative. I try and keep the hyperbole to a minimum and instead accurately describe the cards, but at some point you can't sound insulting, so there are some euphemisms that creep in. "Collector grade" is one of them. Another one I use is "Well worn." Or "Well-loved."

-Al

As a longtime consignor to Al's auctions, I love his descriptions: reasonably brief, accurate and not over the top touting the cards. And he has a nice flowing literary style. You owe me, Al.

[e6phillips]

Nice one!

You Know Me Al!

Only on this site can someone make a pun about a baseball book that's 100 years old and people will get it!

I understand why people don't like the term "collector's grade" since it often doesn't mean anything but when used correctly, to me it signals that the card is one that I would have liked when I was a kid and didn't care about corner wear, wrinkles or even creases as long as they weren't over an important part of the picture. . . my sons and I still like those cards.

[obcbobd]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

I use the term.

I use it to describe a card that's lower grade but still has eye appeal - maybe something an investor might avoid, but something that a collector will love.

-Al

This

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by obcbobd

This

I guess then describing a Babe Ruth card as "collectors grade" because its a PSA 1.5 that will sell for $20,000 doesn't make a ton of sense, which was my original point.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I guess then describing a Babe Ruth card as "collectors grade" because its a PSA 1.5 that will sell for $20,000 doesn't make a ton of sense, which was my original point.

It is just collector grade to a person in a different income bracket. They like Babe Ruth but can't afford the PSA 6 so they settle for the collector grade PSA 1.5 Ruth.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by bnorth

It is just collector grade to a person in a different income bracket. They like Babe Ruth but can't afford the PSA 6 so they settle for the collector grade PSA 1.5 Ruth.

Let's hop in the wayback machine. Here's a description to remember!

This one absolutely earned it's "A" grade. Between a back that is severely damaged due to album residue and paper loss and a recolored front, it's authentic, and that's about it.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

I use the term.

I use it for two reasons:

1) Typically I use it to describe a card that's NOT a total beater. I use it to describe a card that's lower grade but still has eye appeal - maybe something an investor might avoid, but something that a collector will love. I like the idea that someone that's a "true" collector is looking carefully at what the card looks like, and not the number on the flip, and so a 2 or a 3 that looks nice, or a 2 or a 3 that's so rare that the grade doesn't matter, is something that would appeal to a collector.

2) I have to describe the card, sometimes between 500 and 800 cards in an auction, and its sometimes hard not to use the same expressions again and again - there are only so many ways to describe cards. My consignors depend on me to describe their cards accurately, and at the same time, I like to avoid terms like "low grade" or "off condition" because they're gauche and because they sound negative. I try and keep the hyperbole to a minimum and instead accurately describe the cards, but at some point you can't sound insulting, so there are some euphemisms that creep in. "Collector grade" is one of them. Another one I use is "Well worn." Or "Well-loved."

-Al

I agree with Al’s assessment.

I use the term all the time in my listings. I have always thought of “collector’s grade” to refer to a card that is presentable but not overly abused. A card that would look good in what some refer to as “binder sets” or a set that is in a binder to be flipped through without fear or ruining a high dollar card that may be in there. To me “collector grade” cards typically fall into the 2-5 range with a clean front and typically a clean back (back being less important.)

[D. Bergin]

Perhaps related (perhaps not), I often use the term "reading copy only", when selling a lower grade publication or book.

Basically it means, it's complete enough to read or get the information you want out of it...but it's not going to look pretty displayed up on your shelf.

[Foo3112]

Collector grade (Investor Grade) is so dumb. Even a Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe in a low grade is a still collector grade (as most cant afford even in a PSA 1). The term 'collector grade' is just a selling tactic used by auction houses and those trying to pump out as much as they can from bidders who are fighting over the said item. FOMO.

Collect what you like.

[brianp-beme]

The nice thing about being a beater collector is that, if so desired, the lofty heights of collector grade are sometimes within reach.

Brian (this T216 of Evers does not quite qualify as collector grade)

[edjs]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

The nice thing about being a beater collector is that, if so desired, the lofty heights of collector grade are sometimes within reach.

Brian (this T216 of Evers does not quite qualify as collector grade)

I was writing to Steve about a card he was getting from me, and I said it was not a beater, but a survivor. He liked that term.