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

[Jayworld]

I have and always will collect "raw" cards. Been collecting now for 38 years and counting. All my cards are in Ultra Pro pages in albums, with a handful of "odd" sized cards (T201, Topps 1955 Doubleheaders) in rigid card holders. I don't worry about buying raw, as I buy from 2-3 very reputable dealers on eBay, Deans Cards, and here on the boards. I consider anyone who lists in the B/S/T forum to be reputable. This forum is a very safe place to buy, sell, and just talk cards. Love it!

[sandmountainslim]

I only collect low-mid grade T206 and only raw unslabbed.

[npa589]

For Cubs team subsets that I'm building, if I don't buy raw --- they will be freed, but this isn't to say that some TBG examples are saved from my little flat-head and hammer. Sometimes after I buy a card, it's hard for me to follow through with cracking open a PSA 5 T206 Pfeister when, whether it's sold raw in a couple years or less, or if I send it back to get graded (which probably makes less sense), I know I am decreasing its market value. This is true regardless of what the % increase/decrease is in T206s from now to the time of resale.

I surmise this is why many collectors have resolved to only buy raw. I haven't been able to do that yet, it's hard enough trying to put together a T206 Cubs master set while not purchasing any graded cards!

[Exhibitman]

I am replacing my slabbed cards with raw cards stored in albums because I find I enjoy them more that way. Most of what I still have slabbed are sets or partial sets that I will probably finish or sell that way, or delicate items that need the protection of a slab. That said, when my pusher, er, slabber of choice runs a sufficiently tasty special I will send in raw T or E sets to get them slabbed for potential future resale. Business is business after all...

[bigfanNY]

In a solid 40 years of collecting I have NEVER purchased a graded card. As someone who has just embarked on cataloging my collection for resale This topic has a great deal of relevance to me. I took a very nice 47 Jackie Robinson Bond Bread to a show to sell and offers were a fraction of the cards worth and everyone said they would have to have it graded to sell. (large show here in NY area) a 1947 Bond bread Jackie Robinson fielding no ball. No reasonable offers got it graded a 6 and now very easy to sell at market or above. Would I prefer if using current pricing models like Vintage card Prices I could sell my collection Raw to knowledgeable folks like here on Net 54 Of course it would save me and everyone bucks. But reality is that if I have cards graded Prices are better and there is no complaints about I didn't notice corner on the scan etc. On markets like Ebay or at auction houses or even if I set up a table at a major show like National or Philly Grading seems to make economic sense. I do not like it But..

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by bigfanNY

In a solid 40 years of collecting I have NEVER purchased a graded card. As someone who has just embarked on cataloging my collection for resale This topic has a great deal of relevance to me. I took a very nice 47 Jackie Robinson Bond Bread to a show to sell and offers were a fraction of the cards worth and everyone said they would have to have it graded to sell. (large show here in NY area) a 1947 Bond bread Jackie Robinson fielding no ball. No reasonable offers got it graded a 6 and now very easy to sell at market or above. Would I prefer if using current pricing models like Vintage card Prices I could sell my collection Raw to knowledgeable folks like here on Net 54 Of course it would save me and everyone bucks. But reality is that if I have cards graded Prices are better and there is no complaints about I didn't notice corner on the scan etc. On markets like Ebay or at auction houses or even if I set up a table at a major show like National or Philly Grading seems to make economic sense. I do not like it But..

Love it or hate its become a necessary evil if you want to sell to the masses. As you say, grading eliminates many questions from potential buyers. The buyer either agrees with the TPG company assessment and buys the card or in a few cases, the buyer does not agree with the grade and doesn't buy the card. When it comes to high-priced HOFers, I personally want the card to be graded. If not then the seller better allow returns.

[jerseygary]

I only collect ungraded/slabbed cards. I'm old enough to tell for myself what grade a card is and like to handle cards like I've done since I was a kid. I was careful then and I'm careful now. Nothing looks nicer to me than a stack of '33 Goudey's sitting on my desk.

Personally I think the slabs are very ugly and the tags on the top look like a supermarket price tag. Maybe if the TPG's did a better design on top I would be less enthusiastic when I bust them out. About 5 years ago I did some work with GAI redesigning the top tags to make them more appealing but nothing ever came of it before they went under.

Perhaps I'd change my mind if I had a super high-grade Ruth or just collected for resale, but I just do it because I love the old cards.