More interest in raw cards in 2024 - Observations

Gorditadogg · #1 02-23-2024, 09:56 AM

I collect mostly raw, and I don't see any increase in the number of raw cards at the shows I attend. The prices of raw cards online have gone up, at least for the ones I collect, so either there are less raw cards available or more collectors chasing them.

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ClementeFanOh · #2 02-23-2024, 10:26 AM

Hmm...Raw still vastly outnumbers slabbed, so by pure numbers raw will
win the day. Aside from purists who pull out a crucifix upon seeing a slabbed
card, I agree that many folks shop raw in the hope of soon getting it slabbed.

There was a comment above that graded cards are "only for people who
care about money". I find that strange, as it's an absolute and thus incorrect
from the start. I'll also point out that people who buy raw (includes me) also
"care about money". It's just an odd remark. I've collected for 4+ decades,
and enjoy it whether I'm buying raw or slabbed.

Trent King

raulus · #3 02-23-2024, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

There was a comment above that graded cards are "only for people who
care about money". I find that strange, as it's an absolute and thus incorrect
from the start.

I'm sure we're all thinking it...

brianp-beme · #4 02-23-2024, 11:47 AM

I believe it is all about the group scan. Folks have realized that the scanning process is so much nicer and less time consuming when scanning raw cards. Heck, you can bunch up cards close together without all the hassle of endless cropping. And not having to buy an extra pricey fancy-dancy scanner capable of creating good graded card group scans is a bonus as well.

In fact, it is the only reason I collect cards anymore. Ungraded cards present me with the endless one and done group scan opportunities that only the un-slabbed can offer.

I have included an example raw card group scan to offer a visual of the benefits available for those seeking a simplified collecting life through scanning. Also this scan highlights just how desirable beat up raw cards can appear with just such a slap-it-on-a-scanner mentality. I imagine its laser-like intensity is practically burning holes into your collective retinas as you experience it.

Brian

jingram058 · #5 02-23-2024, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Hmm...Raw still vastly outnumbers slabbed, so by pure numbers raw will
win the day. Aside from purists who pull out a crucifix upon seeing a slabbed
card, I agree that many folks shop raw in the hope of soon getting it slabbed.

There was a comment above that graded cards are "only for people who
care about money". I find that strange, as it's an absolute and thus incorrect
from the start. I'll also point out that people who buy raw (includes me) also
"care about money". It's just an odd remark. I've collected for 4+ decades,
and enjoy it whether I'm buying raw or slabbed.

Trent King

If you don't care about some sort of future value, why then have them graded? Only other reason is you worry about authenticity. As stated, I don't care about that. I don't believe mine are fake, but if they are, no one except me is ever going to care. I've stated this on this forum until I'm blue in the face - I am not an investor. I care only about having the cards I want as a collector or hobbyist. Look at several responses here. I'm not the only one. Everyone I know and associate with in this hobby deals only with raw cards, and look at graded cards as, to us, unnecessarily expensive and not our bag. I don't need or want plastic encased cards. To me, that's no hobby. Your situation is obviously somehow different.

ClementeFanOh · #6 02-23-2024, 11:27 AM

James- �everyone� you know and associate with deals in raw? Okay. The thing is, since you only deal with raw cards, you still �care about money�- you care about spending less (apparently). I�ve got plenty of raw cards that hold memories for me, and fewer slabbed that likewise hold memory. Today I bought a PSA 5 1970 Topps Bob Gibson for the whopping sum of $25. I didn�t do it because I think it�s value will go through the roof, but rather because it�s a gorgeous card of a great player. The notion of knowing �everyone�s� motivations is a bit�ambitious, isn�t it? Trent King

Leon · #7 02-23-2024, 11:29 AM

I collect baseball cards. IF they come in plastic, fine. If they don't, fine.

raulus · #8 02-23-2024, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

James- �everyone� you know and associate with deals in raw? Okay. The thing is, since you only deal with raw cards, you still �care about money�- you care about spending less (apparently). I�ve got plenty of raw cards that hold memories for me, and fewer slabbed that likewise hold memory. Today I bought a PSA 5 1970 Topps Bob Gibson for the whopping sum of $25. I didn�t do it because I think it�s value will go through the roof, but rather because it�s a gorgeous card of a great player. The notion of knowing �everyone�s� motivations is a bit�ambitious, isn�t it? Trent King

When will you people learn?

There are only two ways to collect:

My way, and

The wrong way.

brianp-beme · #9 02-23-2024, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raulus

When will you people learn?

There are only two ways to collect:

My way, and

The wrong way.

There is a third option: My wrong way

Brian

ALR-bishop · #10 02-23-2024, 01:43 PM

When did grading start ? I first started collecting cards in 1957 and have been at it with a few interruptions since. I collect all Topps (48-2023), Bowman ( 48-55) and Fleer (1923 and 1959-2007) sets. Much or most accumulated before 1990. And I have no idea why I keep doing it at this stage in life. I have thought about selling but my wife says it would give me too much free time around the house

jingram058 · #11 02-23-2024, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

James- �everyone� you know and associate with deals in raw? Okay. The thing is, since you only deal with raw cards, you still �care about money�- you care about spending less (apparently). I�ve got plenty of raw cards that hold memories for me, and fewer slabbed that likewise hold memory. Today I bought a PSA 5 1970 Topps Bob Gibson for the whopping sum of $25. I didn�t do it because I think it�s value will go through the roof, but rather because it�s a gorgeous card of a great player. The notion of knowing �everyone�s� motivations is a bit�ambitious, isn�t it? Trent King

Trent, here's the thing. All my cards are raw. I like being able to hold them from time to time. I've had a few graded cards, encased in slabs. I didn't care for that, so I cracked them out. I have made a number of trades, both here where I live, in person, and on this net54 forum. All raw cards; Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Koufax and many others that would potentially grade and thus be worth quite a bit to those of us who are less well-heeled. The collectors I know around here are just like me. They desire only raw cards. I have one friend who has an entire 2 car garage full of highly organized cards including vintage and pre-war, floor to ceiling, all raw. The one person on this forum that I personally truly miss is Ted Z. I know he had graded cards, but he also had many raw, and he understood why someone would want them that way. I don't concern myself with value, or investment, or bequeathing them to someone. My wife and daughter feel the same. We're not looking to pay off the mortgage via baseball cards. The OP forwarded a question about raw, and I felt compelled to throw in my 2 worthless cents because, frankly, the graded aficionados here very clearly outnumber the raw. It's just how it is. I don't begrudge anyone's reasons for wanting their cards graded. Unlike the posters above who don't get it, it's not my way or the highway. It's just not my thing.

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