Does anyone collect raw cards exclusively in this age of TPG???

[BradH]

Originally Posted by auggiedoggy

I was curious to know if there are collectors out there that purposely avoid slabbed cards and collect the old fashioned way....

I don't purposely avoid slabbed cards, and have purchased many when the price is right, but I too have cracked most of them out. I feel that I'm definitely an "old fashioned" collector. I love the cards for what they are and not for the grade or the potential future dollar value, so buying them raw has never been an issue for me. Maybe that's dumb or naive, but that's just the way I do it (and I have nothing against those who insist on slabs).

For example, I started working on a 1951 Bowman set last summer and am basically doing it in raw VG condition. I've purchased probably 15-20 in PSA/SGC slabs that were graded as 4s and 5s, and I promptly broke them out and slipped them into my three-ring binder. When it comes time for me to get the more expensive Mantle and Mays cards, I won't have any problem buying them raw if I feel good about the card and the seller.

I did the same thing with my '33 DeLong set and I love it in the binder.